Job Summary

The post holder is a Clinical Pharmacist, who acts within their professional boundaries, supporting and working alongside a team of pharmacists and support staff in general practice. In this role they will be supported by a senior clinical pharmacist who will develop, manage and mentor them. The post holder will work as part of a multi-disciplinary team in a multi-faceted role with elements of patient-facing and organisational based work . The post holder will aid member practices in areas of chronic disease management within the practice and undertake clinical medication reviews to manage patients with polypharmacy.

The post holder will provide support to GP practices within the Federation with regards to prescription and medication queries. They may involve supporting with the repeat prescription system, dealing with acute prescription requests, and medicines reconciliation on transfer of care and systems for safer prescribing, providing expertise in clinical medicines advice.

Main Duties of the Job

Completion of an undergraduate degree in pharmacy and registration with the General Pharmaceutical Council Minimum of 2 years experience as a pharmacist, demonstrated within a portfolio.

Have experience and an awareness of common acute and long-term conditions that are likely to be seen in primary care May hold or be working towards an independent prescribing qualification.

Recognise priorities when problem-solving and identify deviations from normal pattern and is able to refer to seniors or GPs when appropriate

Able to follow legal, ethical, professional and organisational policies/procedures and codes of conduct. Involve patients in decisions about prescribed medicines and supporting adherence as per NICE guidelines. NB: it is anticipated level of qualification held may vary according to the level of position and the components of the role being carried out, see person specification for details.

About Us

A group of 12 GP practices across Durham Dales got together, looking for a solution to help them provide the care patients needed, share resources and ideas, and be prepared for the challenges the NHS would face in the future.

The answer they came up with was a formal collaboration between the dozen practices: the Durham Dales Health Federation

DDHFs founding principal is to work together to provide high-quality, cost effective primary healthcare services. That means providing a range of services that all GP practices in the area can use to help look after patients.

We employ a range of clinical staff pharmacists, dispensers, nurses, emergency care practitioners and social prescribing link workers as well as non-clinical, administration support staff.

DDHF are able to offer an NHS pension and offer a lease car. scheme.

Job Description & Responsibilities

The post holder is a pharmacist, who acts within their professional boundaries, supporting and working alongside a team of pharmacists and support staff in general practice. In this role they are supported by a senior clinical pharmacist who will develop, manage and mentor them. The pharmacist works as part of a multi-disciplinary team in a multi-faceted role with elements of patient-facing and organisational based work. The pharmacist aids PCN member practices in areas of chronic disease management within the practice and undertake clinical medication reviews to proactively manage patients with complex polypharmacy. The pharmacist provides primary support to general practices within the PCN with regards to prescription and medication queries. They may involve supporting with the repeat prescription system, dealing with acute prescription requests, and medicines reconciliation on transfer of care and systems for safer prescribing, providing expertise in clinical medicines advice while addressing both public and social care needs of patient in the GP practices.The pharmacist provides clinical leadership on medicines optimisation and quality improvement and manages some aspects of the quality and outcomes framework and enhanced services. The pharmacist will ensure that the PCN integrates with community and hospital pharmacy to help utilise skill mix, improve patient outcomes, ensure better access to healthcare and help manage workload.

The role is pivotal to improving the quality of care and operational efficiencies so requires motivation and passion to deliver excellent service within general practice. The pharmacist is enrolled onto the CPPE Pharmacists in General Practice education course to help develop the necessary knowledge, skills and experience to work in general practice as part of a multidisciplinary team in a patient-facing role. In addition the pharmacist will be supported to develop their role in becoming a non-medical prescriber.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Masters degree in Pharmacy Mandatory registration with GPHC Desirable

Desirable

• Membership of the Royal Pharmaceutical society Specialist knowledge acquired through post graduate diploma level or equivalent.

• Independent Prescriber

Experience

Essential

• Minimum of 2 years post qualification experience.

• An appreciation of the nature of GPs and general practices

• An appreciation of the nature of primary care prescribing,concepts of rational prescribing and strategies for improving prescribing Excellent

• interpersonal,influencing and negotiating skills

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills Is able to plan, manage,monitor, advise and review general medicine optimisation issues in core areas for

• long term conditions.

• Good IT skills Able to obtain and analyse complex technical information

• Recognises priorities when problem solving and identifies deviations from the normal pattern and is able to refer to seniors or GPs when appropriate

• Able to work under pressure and to meet deadlines

• Gain acceptance for recommendations and influence/motivate/ persuade the audience to comply with the recommendations agreed course of action where

• there may be significant barriers Work effectively independently and as a team member Demonstrates accountability for delivering professional expertise and

• direct service provision.

Desirable

• In depth therapeutic and clinical knowledge and understanding of the principles of evidence- based healthcare. • Demonstrate the ability to communicate complex and sensitive information in an understandable form to a variety of audiences (e.g. patients)

• Produce timely and informative reports

Other

Essential

• Self-Motivation

• Adaptable

• Full Driving Licence

• In date CRB

• Safeguarding adult and children level three

• Information Governance toolkit completion

• Immunisation status

• Basic life support training

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).