About this role
Job summary
Clinical pharmacists play an increasingly important role within general practice, supporting the delivery of safe, effective and high-quality patient care. Working as part of the wider multidisciplinary team, clinical pharmacists bring specialist expertise in medicines optimisation, prescribing and the management of long-term conditions.
The role supports GP practices by improving patient access to clinical advice, reducing medication-related risks and ensuring patients receive the most appropriate treatment for their individual needs. Clinical pharmacists also help to reduce GP workload by independently managing appropriate medication-related consultations, undertaking structured medication reviews and supporting patients with complex health needs.
Clinical pharmacists work collaboratively with GPs, nurses, pharmacy technicians, care coordinators and other healthcare professionals to provide a proactive, patient-centred approach to care.
Main duties of the job
Main Duties and Responsibilities
Structured Medication Reviews (SMRs)Undertaking comprehensive medication reviews, particularly for patients with complex needs, polypharmacy, frailty or increased risk of medication-related harm.
Medicines OptimisationEnsuring medicines are prescribed safely, effectively and in accordance with current clinical guidance, while supporting cost-effective prescribing.
Long-Term Condition ManagementSupporting patients with conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, COPD and asthma, including medication adjustments and ongoing monitoring.
Prescription ManagementReviewing repeat prescriptions, medication queries, prescribing requests and medicines reconciliation following hospital discharge.
Patient ConsultationsProviding face-to-face, telephone and remote consultations to advise patients on medicines and side effects.
Clinical PrescribingWhere appropriately qualified as an independent prescriber, assessing patients and initiating, adjusting or discontinuing medication within their scope of competence.
Quality ImprovementSupporting the delivery of Quality and Outcomes Framework (QOF) indicators, prescribing audits, patient safety initiatives and local prescribing priorities.
About us
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a motivated and enthusiastic Clinical Pharmacist to join our friendly, supportive and forward-thinking team at Forge Health Group. This is a fantastic opportunity to become part of a dynamic multidisciplinary team where your clinical expertise will be valued and you will have the opportunity to make a real difference to patients lives. Serving a diverse population with a wide range of complex health needs, Forge Health Group offers a varied, rewarding and challenging working environment where no two days are the same.
We are passionate about delivering high-quality, patient-centred care, tackling health inequalities and developing innovative ways of working. As part of our team, you will be encouraged to develop your clinical skills, contribute to service improvement and play a key role in shaping the future of primary care. We pride ourselves on our collaborative approach, supportive working culture and commitment to professional development, making Forge Health Group an exciting place to build and progress your career.
Job description
Job responsibilities
As a Clinical Pharmacist within the Foundry Primary Care Network, you will contribute to the delivery of excellent patient care
To provide Medicine Information to practice staff and patients.
Conduct consultations face to face / via phone for patients with long term conditions, polypharmacy, which may include deprescribing or up-titration of medication. Review the on-going need for each medicine, a review of monitoring needs and an opportunity to support patients with their medicines taking ensuring they get the best use of their medicines (i.e. medicines optimisation). Make appropriate recommendations to Senior Pharmacists or GPs for medicine improvement.
Work as part of the wider clinical team (including Pharmacists, GPs, nurses, Social Prescribing Team, Physician Associates etc) to conduct holistic multidisciplinary reviews, collaboration of procedures and protocols, peer review and sharing of learning and training.
Management of medicines at discharge from hospital, or following outpatient appointments - To reconcile medicines including identifying and rectifying unexplained changes and working with patients and community pharmacists to ensure patients receive the medicines they need post discharge.
Repeat prescribing - Manage the repeat prescribing reauthorisation process by reviewing patient requests for repeat prescriptions and reviewing medicines reaching review dates and flagging those needing a review and monitoring.
Signposting - Ensure that patients are referred to the appropriate healthcare professional for the appropriate level of care within an appropriate period of time e.g. pathology results, common/minor ailments, acute conditions, long term condition reviews etc.
Risk Stratification - Identification of cohorts of patients at high risk of harm from medicines through pre-prepared practice computer searches.
Service Development - work to build and maintain good professional relationships both within the Network/Practices and externally and effectively collaborate with other agencies and partners offer sound pharmaceutical advice and support.
Medicines quality improvement - Undertake clinical audits of prescribing in areas directed by the GPs, feedback the results and implement changes in conjunction with the practice team.
Medicines safety - Implement changes to medicines that result from MHRA alerts, product withdrawal and other local and national guidance
Implementation of local and national guidelines and formulary recommendations -Monitor practice prescribing against the local health economys RAG list and make recommendations to GPs for medicines that should be prescribed by hospital doctors (red drugs) or subject to shared care (amber drugs). Assist practices in seeing and maintaining a practice formulary that is hosted on the practice computer system (s1). Auditing practices compliance against NICE technology assessment guidance
Care Quality Commission - Work with the general practice team to ensure the practice is compliant with CQC standards where medicines are involved.
Patient Centred
To deliver services that consistently meets patient need
To demonstrate a positive and inclusive approach by recognising the diverse needs of patients and barriers they may face
To proactively seek feedback to from patients and use the information to improve services delivered
People Skills
Understands and demonstrates the skills and behaviours required to ensure successful relationships between self and others, including colleagues, patients, clinicians and other stakeholders
To state own position and views clearly whilst respecting the views of others
Ability to challenge inappropriate behaviour in others
To show integrity and fairness when dealing with others, and use power and authority in a fair and equitable manner
Communication
To tailor communication both verbal and written to suit the audience (including the use of interpreter services on site and via phone)
To communicate effectively with a wide range of people including patients, clinicians, and partners
To encourage self and others to ask questions and clarify understanding, checking that communication has been received, understood, interpreted correctly and has the desired effect
To ensure that written communication is factual, accurate and timely and clinical system entries are in accordance with the Networks policies
Collaborative working
To create and maintain effective open and constructive working relationships with patients, team and colleagues, clinicians and other partners
To identify multidisciplinary goals and work with the wider team and partners to achieve them
To make effective use of professional relationships and networking and share and seek information on issues that may benefit the team or other parts of the Network
Attend and contribute to multidisciplinary both within the Network and externally and build and maintain good professional relationships
Change Management
To contribute to and support change to improve and develop services
To share information with relevant individuals and others to help understand the change process, involving all those affected by the change
To be aware of policies in place around safeguarding adults and children, and recognise you will be required to complete an enhanced Disclosure and Barred Service Check
To adhere to the Networks policies and procedures, including those relating to health and safety; equalities, diversity and inclusion; safeguarding procedures; financial instructions; procurement and GDPR
To undertake any other duties in agreement with the post holder and manager. Significant changes that may affect the role and responsibilities of the post or the job description would be managed through an agreed consultation process.
Person Specification
Experience
Desirable
- Understanding of the work of General Practice
Qualifications
Essential
- Masters degree in pharmacy (MPharm) and minimum of two years post-qualification experience
Desirable
- Independent prescribing qualification
- Completed the CPPE primary care pathway or be working towards it or willing to work towards
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Employer details
Employer name
Foundry Medical Group
Address
151 Burngreave Road
Sheffield
S3 9DL
United Kingdom
Employer's website
https://foundry.gpweb.org.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)