Job Description

We are looking at an enthusiastic experienced Clinical Pharmacist to join our Clinical Pharmacy Team in the Barnstaple Alliance Primary Care Network.

1. JOB SUMMARY

To work in GP practices within the Barnstaple Alliance Primary Care Network, working closely with GPs, other practice staff and members of the primary healthcare team in managing patient care and supporting high quality, safe, cost effective, rational and evidence based prescribing. To work across all care interfaces in relation to medication related issues. To deliver key objectives of the Primary Care Network DES across Barnstaple Alliance Primary Care Network.

To provide clinical leadership for the PCN Clinical Pharmacy Team.

2. CORE RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE ROLE

Key responsibilities for clinical pharmacists in delivering the additional PCN health services to patients will be to:

i. 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.

ii. Prescribers, or will be completing training to become prescribers, and will work with and alongside the general practice team. They will take responsibility for the care management of patients with chronic diseases and undertake clinical medication reviews to proactively manage people with complex polypharmacy, especially the elderly, people in care homes, those with multiple co-morbidities (in particular frailty, COPD and asthma) and people with learning disabilities or autism (through STOMP - Stop Over Medication Programme).

iii. To work with clinicians, members of the Clinical Pharmacy team, MDTs, the wider PCN and member practices to identify and clinically manage a caseload of patients with long term conditions.

iv. To take a holistic approach to patient care, including lifestyle advice for long term conditions. Explore opportunities for patient peer group sessions focused on long term conditions and lifestyle management.

v. To evaluate clinical information from examination and history taking. Instigate necessary invasive and non-invasive diagnostic tests or investigations and interpret findings/reports, liaising and sharing information with the Clinical Pharmacy team and PCN practice staff as appropriate.

vi. Provide specialist expertise in the use of medicines whilst helping to address both the public health and social care needs of patients at the PCN's practice(s) and to help in tackling inequalities.

vii. 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, clinical pharmacists will support patients to take their medications to get the best from them, reduce waste and promote self-care.

viii. Have 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. The role has the potential to significantly improve quality of care and safety for patients.

ix. Develop relationships and work closely with other pharmacy professionals across PCNs and the wider health and social care system.

x. 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.

xi. Provide clinical leadership, support and advice to the Clinical Pharmacy team members.

xii. Work alongside the PCN Operational Manager with regards to the HR management of the Clinical Pharmacy team.

xiii. Be part of a professional clinical network and will have access to appropriate clinical supervision.

3. FREEDOM TO ACT

Work on own initiative within professional boundaries and within national protocols and legislation

Act on own professional judgement on a daily basis with regard to making recommendations in respect of medicines management

To work as a clinical pharmacist across practice(s) and, typically within defined local protocols that have been approved by GP's

To be responsible and accountable for own actions, working independently within professional and defined organisational boundaries

4. REQUIREMENTS OF THIS ROLE

To develop and facilitate a good working relationship with community pharmacists and other local providers of healthcare

To record personally generated information and maintain a database of information relating to the work done in the practice(s)

To maintain registration as a pharmacist and comply with appropriate professional codes of conduct

As appropriate to the post, to maintain and develop professional competence and expertise, keep up to date with medical/therapeutic evidence and opinion, and local and national service, legislation and policy developments, agree objectives and a personal development plan and participate in the appraisal process

To attend local, regional and national meetings of relevance

To undertake any other duties commensurate with the post holder's grade as agreed with the post holder's line manager

All employees should understand that it is their personal responsibility to comply with all organisational and statutory requirements (e.g. health and safety, equal treatment and diversity, confidentiality and clinical governance)

5. BEHAVIOURAL COMPETENCIES AND SKILLS FOR THIS JOB

EXPERT PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE

Clinical pharmacists being employed through the Network Contract DES funding will either be enrolled in or have qualified from an accredited training pathway that equips the pharmacist to be able to practice and prescribe safely and effectively in a primary care setting

Demonstrates general pharmaceutical skills and knowledge in core areas

Is able to plan, manage, monitor, advise and review general pharmaceutical care programmes for patients in core areas, including disease states/long term conditions identified by local Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment

Demonstrates accountability for delivering professional expertise and direct service provision as an individuals

Demonstrates ability to use skills in a range of routine situations requiring analysis or comparison of a range of options

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

Is able to follow legal, ethical, professional and organisational policies/procedures and codes of conduct

Involves patients in decisions about prescribed medicines and supporting adherence as per NICE guidance

COLLABORATIVE WORKING RELATIONSHIPS

Recognises the roles of other colleagues within the organisation and their role in patient care

Demonstrates use of appropriate communication to gain the co-operation of relevant stakeholders (including patients, senior and peer colleagues, and other professionals, other NHS/private organisations e.g. ICBs)

Demonstrates ability to work as a member of a team

Is able to recognise personal limitations and refer to more appropriate colleague(s) when necessary

Liaises with ICB colleagues including ICB Pharmacists on prescribing related matters to ensure consistency of patient care and benefit

Liaises with ICB pharmacists and Heads of Medicines Management/Optimisation to benefit from peer support

Liaises with other GP Practices and staff as needed for the collective benefit of patients

LEADERSHIP

Demonstrates understanding of the pharmacy role in governance and is able to implement this appropriately within the workplace

Demonstrates understanding of, and contributes to, the workplace vision

Demonstrates ability to improve quality within limitations of service

Demonstrates ability to motivate self and others to achieve goals

MANAGEMENT

Demonstrates understanding of the implications of national priorities for the team and/or service

Demonstrates understanding of the process for effective resource utilisation

Demonstrates understanding of, and conforms to, relevant standards of practice

Demonstrates ability to identify and resolve risk management issues according to policy/protocol

Follows professional and organisational policies/procedures relating to performance management

Demonstrates ability to extend boundaries of service delivery within the team

EDUCATION, TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT

Understands and demonstrates the characteristics of a role model to members in the team and/or service

Demonstrates understanding of the mentorship process

Demonstrates ability to conduct teaching and assessment effectively according to a learning plan with supervision from a more experienced colleague

Demonstrates self-development through continuous professional development activity

Participates in the delivery of formal education programmes

Demonstrates an understanding of current educational policies relevant to working areas of practice and keeps up to date with relevant clinical practice

RESEARCH AND EVALUATION

Demonstrates ability to critically evaluate and review literature

Demonstrates ability to identify where there is a gap in the evidence base to support practice

Demonstrates ability to apply the research evidence base into working practice

This job description is not definitive or exhaustive and may be reviewed in the light of changing circumstances at a personal or organisational level. Any changes will be made in consultation with the post holder through the appraisal and review process.

GENERAL INFORMATION

Communication

The post-holder should recognize the importance of effective communication within the team and will strive to:

Communicate effectively with other team members.

Communicate effectively with patients and carers.

Recognize people's needs for alternative methods of communication and respond accordingly.

Health & Safety:

The post-holder will assist in promoting and maintaining their own and others' health, safety and security as defined in the practice Health & Safety Policy, the practice Health & Safety Manual, and the practice Infection Control policy and published procedures. This will include:

Using personal security systems within the workplace according to Practice guidelines Identifying the risks involved in work activities and undertaking such activities in a way that manages those risks. Making effective use of training to update knowledge and skills. Using appropriate infection control procedures, maintaining work areas in a tidy and safe way and free from hazards Actively reporting of health and safety hazards and infection hazards immediately when recognised Keeping own work areas and general / patient areas generally clean, assisting in the maintenance of general standards of cleanliness consistent with the scope of the job holder's role Undertaking periodic infection control training (minimum annually) Reporting potential risks identified

Confidentiality

Adhere to the General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR).

While seeking treatment, patients entrust us with, or allow us to gather, sensitive information in relation to their health and other matters. They do so in confidence and have the right to expect that staff will respect their privacy and act appropriately.

In the performance of the duties outlined in this job description, the post-holder may have access to confidential information relating to patients and their carers, practice staff and other healthcare workers. They may also have access to information relating to the practice as a business organisation. All such information from any source is to be regarded as strictly confidential.

Information relating to patients, carers, colleagues, other healthcare workers or the business of the practice may only be divulged to authorised persons in accordance with the practice policies and procedures relating to confidentiality and the protection of personal and sensitive data.

Equality and Diversity

The post-holder will support the equality, diversity and rights of patients, carers and colleagues, to include:

Acting in a way that recognises the importance of people's rights, interpreting them in a way that is consistent with practice procedures and policies, and current legislation. Respecting the privacy, dignity, needs and beliefs of patients, carers and colleagues. Behaving in a manner which is welcoming to and of the individual, is non-judgmental and respects their circumstances, feelings priorities and rights.

Personal/Professional Development

The post-holder will participate in any training programme implemented by the practice as part of this employment, such training to include:

Participation in an annual individual performance review, including taking responsibility for maintaining a record of own personal and/or professional development.

Taking responsibility for own development, learning and performance and demonstrating skills and activities to others who are undertaking similar work.

Quality

The post-holder will strive to maintain quality within the practice, and will:

Alert other team members to issues of quality and risk. Assess own performance and take accountability for own actions, either directly or under supervision Contribute to the effectiveness of the team by reflecting on own and team activities and making suggestions on ways to improve and enhance the team's performance. Work effectively with individuals in other agencies to meet patients' needs. Effectively manage own time, workload and resources.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

GPhC Registered Pharmacist. GPhC Independent Prescriber Qualification is preferred but a willingness to gain the qualification within 12 months of being in the role would be considered.
Knowledge/ Skills

Essential

An appreciation of the NHS agenda and Government targets. Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written. Strong IT skills. Good organisational skills. Ability to work under pressure in a busy environment. Ability to work as part of a team and autonomously. Motivational & negotiation skills. Time management skills. Ability to plan, prioritise and organise workload. Teaching skills. Ability to follow policy and procedure.
Desirable

People management. Ability to make decisions. Able to analyse and interpret prescribing data.
Experience

Essential

Minimum of two years working as a pharmacist.
Desirable

Recent previous experience within comparable role in General Practice. Experience of prescribing/clinical systems such as SystmOne, EMIS.
Qualities/Attributes

Essential

Polite and Confident. Flexible and cooperative. Knowledge of audit and research Motivated. Forward thinker. High levels of integrity and loyalty.
Desirable

Understanding of clinical governance and risk management
Other

Essential

Evidence of CPD Ability to work flexibly with the ability to travel between sites and undertake domiciliary visits. Clean/valid driving licence
Desirable

Innovative
Job Types: Full-time, Part-time

Pay: 46,000.00-59,000.00 per year

Expected hours: 25 - 37.5 per week

Benefits:

Company pension
Work Location: In person

Application deadline: 18/08/2025
Reference ID: Barnstaple Alliance Primary Care Network Clinical Pharmacist