Clinical Pharmacist

Job summary Thepost-holder will play an important role in progressing the function of MedicineReviews within Blackpool South Primary Care Network, integrating with ourPractices to support and deliver improved medicine management across ourpopulation. Main duties of the job The post-holder will work within their clinical competencies as part of a multi-disciplinary team including alongside our GP lead for Care Homes and Frailty to provide expertise in clinical medicines management, provide face to face and telephone structured medication reviews, support our Nursing Teams with long-term conditions, ensure systems for safe prescribing, addressing public health and social care needs. The post-holder will perform review of patients with polypharmacy with an emphasis on our elderly/frail population, work with our residential and care homes and those with multiple co-morbidities. The post-holder will be an Independent Prescriber or completing training to become a prescriber. This role is important to the PCN in improving the quality of care and operational efficiencies so requires motivation to deliver an excellent service within general practice. About us The Blackpool South Primary Care Network was formed in May 2019; we are a collaboration of 4 GP Practices, Highfield Surgery, Stonyhill Medical Practice, Arnold Medical Centre and Abbey Dale Medical Centre serving a population of registered patients on our list equating to approximately 37,000 patients. Job description Job responsibilities Work as part of a multi-disciplinary team in a patient facing role to clinically assess and treat patients using their expert knowledge of medicines for specific disease areas. Be responsible for the care management of patients with chronic diseases and undertake clinical medication reviews to proactively manage people with complex polypharmacy, especially the elderly, frail, people in care homes and those with multiple co-morbidities. Undertake medication review work in the most appropriate settings, which may include GP practices, care homes, domiciliary visits and attending care homes and frailty MDT. Identify and carry out targeted medication reviews for high-risk patients, as well as medications reviews for newly registered patients. Identify patients suitable for repeat prescribing, liaising with the relevant clinicians as required. Provide general practitioners with appropriate recommendations and actions plans following medication review clinics with patients to optimise the patients treatment with medicines and ensure appropriate follow up with patients. Record medication review plans, recommendations and outcomes on GP computer clinical systems and own clinical notes in accordance with practice procedures. Provide specialist expertise in the use of medicines whilst helping to address both the public health and social care needs of patients at the PCNs practice(s) and to help in tackling inequalities 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; Through structured medication reviews, support patients to take their medications to get the best from them, reduce waste and promote self-care As part of the PCN multi-disciplinary team, attend relevant MDT Network meetings, providing information and feedback. Provide a leadership role in supporting further integration of general practice with the wider healthcare teams (including community and hospital pharmacy) to help improve patient outcomes, ensure better access to healthcare and help manage general practice workload Develop relationships and work closely with other pharmacy professionals across PCNs and the wider health and social care system Take a central role in the clinical aspects of shared care protocols, clinical research with medicines, liaison with specialist pharmacists (including mental health and reduction of inappropriate antipsychotic use in people with learning difficulties), liaison with community pharmacists and anticoagulation Encourage cost-effective prescribing within the practices and provide proactive leadership on medicines and prescribing systems to the PCN multidisciplinary team. Maximise the use of technology and management systems to provide PCN level management of safety, risk and information. Undertake responsibility for areas of QoF, Quality Contract and QIPP for the network practices and undertake clinical medication reviews to proactively manage patients with complex polypharmacy Work with the general practice team to ensure the practice is compliant with CQC standards where medicines are involved. Actively participate in regular co-supervision of peers and attend regular team meetings. Report medicines related incidents, contribute to investigations and root cause analysis as well as participating in serious incident investigations and multidisciplinary case reviews Deliver training, mentoring and guidance to other clinicians and staff on medicine issues. Undertake tasks consistent with the level of the post and the scope of the role, ensuring that work is delivered in a timely and effective manner Person Specification Qualifications Essential Degree in pharmacy with post graduate experience in pharmacy Independent Prescriber, qualified from approved training pathway or equivalent Demonstrable commitment to professional and personal development Registered with the General Pharmaceutical Committee Desirable Awareness / Knowledge of Safeguarding process. Able to assess patient capacity under MCA 2005 Frailty training (e-learning) Experience Essential Able to practice and prescribe safely and effectively in a primary care setting Demonstrates understanding of the implications of local and national priorities for the network and its population Understanding of Enhanced Health in care homes frame work Demonstrates understanding of the pharmacy role in governance and is able to implement this appropriately within the workplace Experience and awareness of the breadth of common acute and long-terms conditions that are likely to be seen in general practice Dispensing skills as per protocols and patient group directives. Able to work autonomously, using own clinical judgment to form clinical plan. Experience of clinical audit and research projects Able to professionally and appropriately challenge differing opinions as a patient advocate. Ability to manage and prioritise workload Able to give appropriate telephone advice Experience of following referral pathways Good communication and record keeping skills Experience in using based patient documentation systems. Understanding of health education/promotion