Clinical Pharmacist - Meir Park and Weston Coyney Medical Practice

Responsible To: Practice Manager

Accountable To: Lead GP

Hours: 15-20 hours per week (over 3-4 days)

Salary: NHS AFC Band 7-8a equivalent dependent on experience

Principal Duties and Responsibilities

• Medication Reviews: Conduct structured medication reviews with patients with polypharmacy, frailty and long term conditions. Support the repeat prescribing process, ensuring medicines are prescribed safely and cost-effectively following best practice guidelines. Provide advice and clinical support on prescribing and medicines optimisation to GPs and wider clinical staff. Manage patients with complex medication needs, including deprescribing where appropriate. Support and deliver long-term condition clinics where appropriate (e.g., hypertension, asthma, diabetes) acting within scope of practice. Deal with hospital letters where there have been medicine changes instigated by the hospital or another provider. Identify any potential medication issues (e.g., drug interactions, inappropriate prescribing, non-adherence) and make recommendations for improvements. Discuss the patient's understanding of their medication and offer education on proper use, potential side effects, and lifestyle considerations. Respond to acute medicine queries from patients and healthcare professionals. Provide patient-facing consultations via telephone, face to face or via NHS digital platforms. Provide tailored advice regarding over-the-counter products, alternative treatments, and possible therapy adjustments. Record and document all recommendations and patient feedback in EMIS Web.
• Appointments: Patient appointment lengths will vary but an expectation of completing a total of 20 medication review appointments per 4 hour shift. Appointments will be prioritised based on patient need, medication complexity, and the potential for improving health outcomes through medication management. This will be managed by the management team. Ensure that each review includes: Medication history review, assessment of medication adherence, identification of any adverse effects or concerns, suggestions for improvements or adjustments and appropriate and safe medication changes working within your clinical competency.
• Administrative Duties: Ensure thorough and accurate documentation of all patient interactions, including medication changes, recommendations, and changes in EMIS Web prior to session end. Send any necessary follow-up information or recommendations to patients via text or via reception as required.
• Collaboration: Communicate with the GP team with any concerns or queries via EMIS Web task. Communicate any acute / urgent concerns with the doctor on call for that working day.
• Data Entry/Reporting: Maintain accurate logs of completed appointments, recommendations, and patient progress for quality assurance and reporting purposes.
• Clinical Research and Updates: Stay up-to-date with the latest clinical guidelines, drug interactions, and evidence-based practices relevant to primary care.
• Process medication changes: Process medication changes from hospital letters ensuring that the acute and repeat medication screen are accurate and reconciled as much as possible in terms of repeat request times.
• Patient Follow-Up & Feedback: Provide patients with the opportunity to ask questions regarding their medication management.
• Performance Metrics: Regular feedback from patients on the clarity of medication advice and overall satisfaction with the remote review process. Timely completion of appointments within the appropriate time frame agreed. Effective communication with the wider healthcare team regarding medication adjustments, concerns, and recommendations.
• Reporting and Supervision: Supervisor: Dr Amrik Gill (GP), Louise Till (Practice Manager). Weekly updates on the number of appointments completed, key medication issues identified, and follow-up recommendations. Regular check-ins for feedback, support with complex cases. Supervising GP to carry out regular audits.

This job description is intended as a basic guide to the scope and responsibilities of the post and is not exhaustive. It will be subject to regular review and amendment as necessary in consultation with the post holder.

Other Conditions

• Criminal Records Disclosure: It is a requirement of this position that a Criminal Records Disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service is undertaken.
• Confidentiality: The post holder is required to maintain the highest levels of confidentiality, particularly that relating to patients and staff and so must not share or discuss any information that they are privy to within their role with anyone outside of the organisation. All employees are subject to the restrictions set out by the General Data Protection Regulation and Data Protection Act and must not only maintain strict confidentiality in respect of patient and staff records, but the accuracy and integrity of the information contained within.
• Education and Training: Personal continuing professional development is encouraged and an annual appraisal system is in place to discuss CPD and ongoing objectives.
• Equal Opportunities: The post holder is required at all times to carry out responsibilities with due regard to the Equalities Act and our in-house Equality and Diversity Policy and to ensure that staff and patients receive equal treatment.
• Health and Safety: As an employee of the North Staffordshire GP Federation, the post holder has a duty under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, to take reasonable care of the health and safety of themselves and all other persons who may be affected by their acts or omissions at work. Co-operate with their employer to ensure compliance with Health and Safety legislation and the Health and Safety policies and procedures of the treatment centre, not intentionally or recklessly interfere with, or misuse, anything provided in the interests of health, safety, or welfare, in pursuance of any of the relevant statutory provisions.
• Risk Management: All members of staff have a responsibility to report all clinical and non-clinical accidents or incidents promptly and when requested to, co-operate with any investigation undertaken.