PCN Clinical Pharmacist (Maternity Cover)

Overview

PCN Clinical Pharmacist (Maternity Cover) - an exciting opportunity to join the Synergy PCN in Uxbridge on a 12 month fixed term contract for maternity cover. The successful candidate will work across a number of practices developing this role closely supported by the GPs. They will be part of a group of Clinical Pharmacists under the guidance and supervision of a delegated clinical supervisor.

The role is suitable for a forward-thinking, innovative and enthusiastic clinical pharmacist who can work collaboratively across the team. If you are adaptable, self-motivated and organised, possessing the necessary qualities and skills for this post, we look forward to hearing from you.

Main duties of the job

The post holder will work as part of a multidisciplinary team to develop and run processes for repeat prescription authorisation, management of medicines on transfer of care and systems for safer prescribing. They will work directly with patients to assess and treat conditions, manage long-term conditions as well as promote self-care.

Skills required:

• Completion of an undergraduate degree in pharmacy and registration with the General Pharmaceutical Council
• Minimum of 2 years experience as a pharmacist
• Experience and awareness of common acute and long-term conditions likely to be seen in general practice
• Working towards or holding an independent prescribing qualification (not mandatory)
• Ability to follow legal, ethical, professional and organisational policies/procedures and codes of conduct
• Involves patients in decisions about prescribed medicines and supports adherence as per NICE guidelines

About us

The Confederation, Hillingdon CIC works with General Practice and other healthcare providers to deliver its vision for Hillingdon to deliver the best primary care outcomes for patients in the whole of London. We are a not-for-profit community interest company. The Confederation develops and supports GP practices, PCNs and Neighbourhoods and their changing needs. We deliver excellent clinical services at scale and complement General Practice. We are the provider representative voice for local General Practice into the wider NHS and other partners. We are part of the NHS but independent, innovative and transformational.

We aim to develop as an attractive place to work, providing rewarding roles and opportunities to grow to attract and retain great staff that delivers our vision.

Our Values:

• We work together to make a difference for patients
• We care enough to go the extra mile
• We support, trust, and empower
• We sincerely value each other
• We support Primary Care to own its destiny

Job responsibilities

Primary Responsibilities

Patient facing Clinical Medication Review

• Undertake clinical medication reviews with patients within the practice, care homes and/or domiciliary visits to proactively manage polypharmacy and produce recommendations for senior clinical pharmacist, nurses and/or GP on prescribing and monitoring.
• See patients with single or multiple medical problems where medicine optimisation is required (e.g. Respiratory, Cardiovascular and Diabetes).
• Clinics are conducted face to face, via telephone, home visits and, in the future, possibly video consultations.
• Undertake clinics for patients or develop one-to-one relationships to de-prescribe where necessary or offer clinical leadership on medicines optimisation and quality improvement.
• Review ongoing need for each medicine, monitoring needs and support patients with medicine adherence ensuring optimal use of medicines; make appropriate recommendations to GPs for medicine improvement.

Patient facing Care Home and Domiciliary Clinical Medication Reviews

• Undertake clinical medication reviews and produce recommendations for clinicians on prescribing and monitoring. Collaborate with care home staff to improve safety of medicines ordering and administration.

Management of common/minor/self-limiting ailments

• Manage caseload of patients with common/minor/self-limiting ailments within scope of practice and competence.
• Signpost to community pharmacy and refer to GPs or other healthcare professionals where appropriate
• Provide patient-facing clinics and a telephone helpline for questions about medicines in the practice

Medicine information to practice staff and patients

• Answer medicine-related enquiries from GPs, practice staff, other healthcare teams and patients; suggest and implement solutions; provide follow-up to monitor effects of changes
• Telephone medicines support - provide a telephone help line for patients

Helping tackle unplanned hospital admissions

• Review medicines commonly associated with unplanned admissions and readmissions via audit and patient reviews.
• Implement changes to reduce prescribing of high-risk medicines to high-risk patient groups.

Management of medicines at discharge from hospital

• Reconcile medicines on hospital/discharge to care homes; identify and rectify changes; work with patients and community pharmacists to ensure continuity of medicines post-discharge.
• Set up and manage systems to ensure continuity of medicines supply to high-risk groups (e.g. those with medication compliance aids or in Care Homes).

Signposting

• Ensure patients are referred to appropriate healthcare professionals within appropriate timeframes for pathology results, common/minor ailments, acute conditions, and long-term condition reviews.

Repeat prescribing

• Produce and implement a repeat prescribing policy within each PCN practice. Manage repeat prescribing reauthorisation by reviewing requests and monitoring review dates.
• Ensure appropriate monitoring tests are in place; identify high-risk patient cohorts via practice computer searches.
• Contribute pharmaceutical advice for new services and undertake clinical audits of prescribing with GP collaboration.
• Implement changes from MHRA alerts, product withdrawals, and NICE guidance; audit compliance with NICE technology assessments.

Education and Training

• Provide education and training to the primary care team on therapeutics and medicines optimisation.

Care Quality Commission

• Work with the practice team to ensure compliance with CQC standards where medicines are involved.

Collaborative Working Relationships

• Participates in the Primary Care Network Multidisciplinary Team
• Liaises with CCG colleagues to ensure consistency of patient care
• Fosters links with services across the PCN and neighbouring networks; initiates collaborative working as opportunities arise
• Recognises roles of other colleagues and communicates to gain cooperation of stakeholders
• Integrates general practice with community and hospital pharmacy teams
• Lists stakeholders including patients, GP/nurses, other professionals, community pharmacists, MM team, local prescribing leads, and hospital staff

Professional Development

• Engage in continual personal and professional development with line manager; monthly one-to-one meetings to discuss targets
• Adhere to policies including confidentiality, safeguarding, information governance, health and safety
• Access regular clinical supervision; keep up to date with clinical practice; CPPE pathway training for primary care

Leadership

• Understand pharmacy governance and contribute to the workplace vision
• Demonstrate quality improvement, yearly progress review, and motivational capabilities; promote diversity and equality

Special Working Conditions

• Travel between practice sites and attend external meetings as required
Person Specification Qualifications
• Mandatory GPhC registration
• Specialist knowledge via postgraduate diploma or equivalent
• Independent prescriber or working towards qualification
Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act and will require a DBS check.

Salary: £46,000 to £59,000 per year - dependent on experience