Clinical Pharmacist

Job description Job responsibilities

Main purpose of job:

To contribute to improved health outcomes in long term conditions as a member of the multidisciplinary primary care teamTo provide specialist knowledge and advice on pharmaceutical matters, including cost-effective prescribing and clinical guidelines for disease treatment, and to also provide evidence-based education and training in partnership with Sandbach GPsTo practice as an independent non-medical prescriber by holding face to face consultations

Main tasks/overview of responsibilities:

Responsibility for Patient Care

To work as part of the practice multidisciplinary team in developing and implementing pharmaceutical care plans for patients with long term conditions

To develop and implement a programme of care to prevent unnecessary medication related admissions to hospitalTo conduct medication reviews, including monitoring patients clinical results and ensuring notes are correct and up-to-date, ensuring that drug safety recommendations are implemented

To support and assist Sandbach GPs in achieving safe, evidence-based and cost-effective prescribing of medicines to patients, including supporting delivery of prescribing incentive schemes

To reconcile medication post discharge and ensure that communication about medicine changes is effectiveTo review medication for new patients to ensure safe, cost-effective prescribing in line with practice/local prescribing policies

To educate and inform patients about their medicines and provide written information when necessary

To provide evidence based advice on prescribing matters to the practice population in an appropriate form

To liaise with pharmacists and other health care professionals in secondary and primary care to ensure continuity of care To provide face to face consultations for long term condition clinics as an independent non-medical prescriber To assist the practice in responding to patient complaints/conflicts related to medicines To undertake clinical audit of care for both medicines and non-medicines related areas.

Responsibilities for Human Resources

To provide evidence-based education and training for Sandbach GPs and staff, involved with the use of medicines To support the practice Prescriptions Team by providing training as necessary.

Responsibilities for physical and financial resources

To assist in the management of the practice prescribing budget by ensuring that prescribing is evidence-based and cost-effective To help plan, develop and support the introduction of new working processes to optimise the quality of prescribing for patients and to make more efficient use of resources (both staff time and financial) To ensure the safe and secure handling of medicines in the primary care setting and that this complies with current legislation.

Communications and leadership

To provide professional guidance, leadership and support to all staff in the development and maintenance of evidence-based and cost-effective prescribing practice To provide regular reports and feedback to the lead GP and Ashfields Partnership Board, on progress with specific plans, budget expenditure and allocation of time to each element of the role To provide clinical and therapeutic advice to all members of the primary health care team in order to promote safe and effective use of medicines To liaise with other health care professionals within the multi-disciplinary team at Ashfields Primary Care centre To attend/lead (as appropriate) the regular practice meetings To empower others through knowledge, skills and expertise.

Planning and organising

To develop the necessary strategies, plans and networks required for successful implementation of the practice prescribing policy To lead the implementation of the clinical governance agenda, and NICE guidelines To comply with and be involved in producing, reviewing and updating organisational policies, procedures and guidelines relating to prescribing To be aware of clinical research and evidence in relation to non-medical prescribing To help ensure extended prescribing rights to nurse practitioners and other health professionals are introduced safely and effectively To monitor trends and changes in practice and produce reports as deemed appropriate To review and critically analyse literature, to establish its validity and disseminate as appropriate To develop and implement therapeutic guidelines and to facilitate these process both clinically and managerially To be available to visit care homes when necessary

Partnership working

To work in partnership with the Senior Clinical Pharmacist, GP Partner responsible for Medicines Management, Clinical Pharmacists, and Primary Care Network To work in partnership with managers, multi-professional team, the medicines management team and non-medical teams to ensure compliance with the prescribing policies and related documents To actively support case managers and other members of the practice multi-disciplinary teams in medication review and non-medical prescribing matters To provide clinical and therapeutic advice to all members of the primary health care team in order to promote safe and effective use of medicines

Analysis and data management

To promote / research evidence-based practice that reflects the principles of governance and clinical effectiveness to improve the quality of patient care To work with the appropriate managers and staff to develop systems for risk management and error / near miss reporting for all processes involving the use of medicines To manage confidential patient data appropriately To maintain professional accreditation and Continuing Professional Development (CPD) as required by the GPhC.

Research, Development and Audit

To co-ordinate the evaluation and audit of current prescribing practice and the impact of change To identify areas for research or audit and develop research protocols and policies To implement and audit standards in relation to non-medical prescribing in line with government legislation To use research and audit to identify education and training needs and areas for service development To disseminate findings from research audits and evaluation.

Equality and Diversity

To ensure equality of staff, practices and patients To respect and protect the confidentiality of information acquired in the course of professional activities, as required by the RPSGBs and GPhCs Code of Ethics and Standards.

Health & Safety

To be responsible for own health and safety associated with the role both on and off site To ensure adherence to the RPSGBs and GPhCs Code of Ethics and Standards, including keeping up-to-date with an extensive range of clinical and therapeutic issues To adhere to the practice clinical governance strategy.