Clinical Pharmacist in Barnsley

Barnsley Primary Care Network is looking to recruit additional Clinical Pharmacists to further develop medicines optimisation services across the network, working alongside experienced colleagues as part of a multi-disciplinary team. This post offers candidates the opportunity to develop their skills to become involved in patient-facing activities such as chronic disease management, medication reviews, supporting the management of medicines at transfer of care and improving systems for safer prescribing. You will be working alongside experienced primary care clinical pharmacists and will become part of the future primary care skill mix.

Locations are based across practices in the Barnsley Borough. BHF are fully committed to ensuring equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) as this is embedded in our values. We are also a committed employer under the Disability Confident Scheme. Therefore, should you wish to discuss any reasonable adjustments or assistance you might need in the application or interview process, please contact a member of the HR team at syicb-barnsley.bhf-hrteam@nhs.net and we will be happy to help. Please note that interviews may take place prior to the advert closing as and when suitable applications are received. If a suitable candidate is appointed the role may close early, therefore please do not hesitate to submit your application.

Main duties of the job

• Candidates will have excellent written and verbal communication skills, experience of influencing others and conducting clinical medication reviews.
• A full induction programme will be offered as well as ongoing training and supervision both within the PCN and working alongside Clinical Pharmacists in the Medicines Optimisation Team at Barnsley ICB.
• We will support candidates to develop their role, including for example becoming an independent prescriber.
• The post holder will develop leadership skills on quality improvement and clinical audit as well as managing some aspects of QOF.
• This role requires motivation and passion to deliver an excellent service within primary care.

About us

Barnsley has established one super PCN of over 250,000 patients which includes all GP practices. This is supported by six Neighbourhood Networks building on our successful and existing model of neighbourhood working; this enables us to maintain and focus on the specific needs of each local area whilst allowing integration at a wider level. Barnsley leads the way in recognising the benefits that Clinical Pharmacists bring to patients when based in primary care. These roles have successfully delivered additional capacity and capability to the workforce; increasing access, reducing waiting times and enabling more proactive earlier interventions for more patients particularly improving the quality of medicines related interventions and outcomes.

Job responsibilities

• To provide prescribing advice and support to the practice(s), on all medication issues.
• To advise the practice on the implications of prescribing and admission/referral data provided by the ICB.
• To implement change in prescribing behaviour, where required, in order to promote quality, rational, safe and cost-effective prescribing.
• To promote prescribing in line with national, and ICB guidelines and policies.
• To identify and advise on any areas of clinical risk connected with prescribing.
• To undertake medication reviews and therapeutic specific medication reviews of patients with chronic diseases to proactively manage people with complex polypharmacy, especially the elderly, people in care homes, those with multiple comorbidities (in particular frailty, COPD and asthma) and people with learning disabilities or autism (through STOMP Stop Over Medication Programme).
• To work directly with patients on medication issues to ensure patients take their medications to get the best from them, reduce waste and promote self-care.
• To provide leadership on person-centred medicines optimisation (including ensuring prescribers in the practice conserve antibiotics in line with local antimicrobial stewardship guidance) and quality improvement, whilst contributing to the quality and outcomes framework and enhanced services.

Responsibility for patient care (including monitoring, diagnostics + investigations)

• To support all practice staff on all medication issues.
• To update patients' medication records post hospital discharges and outpatient appointments, and advise the GP of all issues that may arise.
• To implement all monitoring requirements as detailed in agreed shared care protocols.
• To be responsible for ensuring recall systems are in place and working and for the correct monitoring of amber drugs and those included in the Shared Care Local Enhanced Service.