Experienced Clinical Pharmacist in Cheddar

We are recruiting an experienced Clinical Pharmacist to join North Sedgemoor PCN. This is a permanent role for an independent prescriber with at least 12 months of post-prescribing experience, who will work across our practices and as part of a multi-disciplinary team based in our Clinical Hub. You will take responsibility for areas of long term condition management, undertake structured medication reviews, and lead on medicines optimisation and safety. You will also support patients in care homes, contribute to multi-disciplinary meetings, and provide clinical leadership on prescribing and quality improvement. This is a role for someone who enjoys autonomy, professional responsibility and variety. You will join an established pharmacy team that includes pharmacists and pharmacy technicians, with opportunities for further development and leadership.

Main duties of the job

• Deliver structured medication reviews for patients with complex polypharmacy and long term conditions.
• Provide clinical leadership in medicines optimisation, prescribing safety and quality improvement.
• Manage aspects of the Quality and Outcomes Framework and Enhanced Services related to prescribing.
• Support care home residents, attend multi-disciplinary team meetings, and contribute to holistic care planning.
• Reconcile medicines post-discharge and support safe transitions of care.
• Lead on implementing local and national medicines guidance, formulary recommendations and MHRA alerts.
• Provide expert advice and support to GPs, nurses, practice staff and patients.
• Contribute to audits, data analysis, policy development and service redesign.

About us

North Sedgemoor PCN is a collaboration of five GP practices caring for around 50,000 across Burnham on Sea, Berrow, Highbridge, Cheddar, Brent and Axbridge. We are clinically led and community focused, with a strong track record of working together to improve services for our population. Our pharmacy service is well established and central to the way we deliver safe and effective primary care. You will be joining an experienced team of Clinical Pharmacists and Pharmacy Technicians, led by a Lead Clinical Pharmacist and our Clinical Director. The team is highly regarded across the network, supporting prescribing, medicines optimisation, long term condition management and patient safety. We offer a supportive, professional environment where you will be able to develop your skills further, share learning with colleagues, and play a key role in shaping the quality of prescribing across the network. You will also benefit from NHS pension, generous annual leave, wellbeing resources and the opportunity to work in a team where your contribution is recognised and valued.

Job responsibilities

• Undertake structured medication reviews for patients with complex polypharmacy, long term conditions and frailty.
• Prescribe safely and appropriately within scope of competence, with at least 12 months post-prescribing experience.
• Support Enhanced Health in Care Homes, including medicines reviews and participation in ward rounds.
• Reconcile medicines after hospital discharge and support safe transfer of care.
• Provide specialist medicines advice to GPs, nurses, allied health professionals and patients.
• Implement national and local medicines guidance, formulary recommendations and safety alerts (e.g. MHRA).
• Contribute to long term condition management, including optimisation of prescribing for conditions such as hypertension, diabetes and respiratory disease.

Medicines optimisation and governance:

• Lead on prescribing safety and quality improvement initiatives across the PCN.
• Contribute to achievement of prescribing elements of the Quality and Outcomes Framework and Enhanced Services.
• Undertake audits and data analysis to identify opportunities for improvement.
• Support the development of prescribing policies, protocols and standard operating procedures.
• Promote cost-effective, evidence-based prescribing across the network.

Multi-disciplinary working:

• Participate in multi-disciplinary team (MDT) meetings, including those focused on complex patients and care home residents.
• Support case management discussions by providing medicines expertise.
• Work closely with pharmacy technicians and support their development where appropriate.
• Contribute to the training and mentoring of junior pharmacists, students and other staff.

Professional development and supervision:

• Maintain up to date continuing professional development in line with GPhC requirements.
• Participate in peer support, supervision and regular appraisal with the Lead Clinical Pharmacist.
• Engage in learning opportunities within the PCN and wider system.

General responsibilities:

• Work across practices in Burnham on Sea, Berrow, Highbridge, Cheddar and Brent, with travel between sites as required.
• Uphold all PCN and practice policies including confidentiality, information governance, safeguarding, equality and diversity, infection prevention and control and health and safety.
• Contribute to audits, service evaluation and continuous quality improvement.
• Represent the PCN professionally in interactions with patients, staff and partner organisations.

Person Specification

Experience

• Minimum of two years experience as a pharmacist.
• Evidence of clinical medication review and managing patients with long term conditions.
• Experience of working in multi-disciplinary teams.
• Experience in primary care or community settings.
• Experience of mentoring or supervising pharmacy staff.

Qualifications

• MPharm degree (or equivalent) and GPhC registration.
• Independent Prescriber qualification with at least 12 months of post-prescribing experience.
• Completion of the CPPE Primary Care Pathway.
• Postgraduate qualification in clinical pharmacy or related field.

Knowledge & Skills

• Strong knowledge of medicines optimisation and prescribing safety.
• Ability to interpret and apply national and local guidance to clinical practice.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence and negotiate.
• Competence in IT systems, including clinical systems and Microsoft Office.
• Ability to prioritise workload and manage competing demands.
• Commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion in practice.

Other Requirements

• Full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle for work purposes.
• Ability to travel routinely across Burnham on Sea, Berrow, Highbridge, Brent, Cheddar and Axbridge.
• Right to work in the United Kingdom.

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.