Pharmacist GP Practice

Job responsibilities

Job title

Clinical Pharmacist in General Practice

Pay Band

Depending on Experience

Hours of work

Part-time

Responsible to

Lead Pharmacist, Practice Manager and Lead GP

Base

ICO Health Group - Moorside clinic

Contract type

Permanent

Job Summary Clinical Pharmacy in General Practice is part of an exciting programme of transformation within ICO Health Groups GP Surgery, designed to develop a new model of care across the Primary Care Network (PCN). This model is supported by national policy, including the Five Year Forward View and GP Forward View, to better utilise the role of pharmacy professionals within the wider healthcare team. The overarching goals are to help keep patients safe and well outside of hospital and reduce the demands on general practice in relation to medicine use.

The post holder will work within their clinical competencies as part of a multi-disciplinary team at ICO Health Group to provide expertise in clinical medicines management, deliver face-to-face and telephone structured medication reviews, manage long-term conditions, oversee medicines management on transfer of care, implement systems for safer prescribing, and manage repeat prescription authorisations. Additionally, the role addresses the public health and social care needs of patients registered within the GP surgeries that constitute the PCN.

The post holder will provide leadership on quality improvement and clinical audit and manage aspects of the Quality and Outcomes Framework (QOF). This role is pivotal to improving the quality of care and operational efficiencies within ICO Health Group and requires motivation and passion to deliver an excellent service in general practice.

The post holder will also develop and encourage a positive culture of medicines optimisation principles to assist ICO Health Group and the wider PCN in achieving local and national medicines-related objectives.

General Requirements The post holder is expected to:

1. Support a workplace culture at ICO Health Group that values equality and diversity principles towards other staff and patients.
2. Ensure principles of openness, transparency, and candour are observed and upheld in all working practices, including respect for information and clinical governance, and safeguarding responsibilities.
3. Uphold the principles of good infection control.

Personal & Professional Development The post-holder will take responsibility for their own development, learning, and performance by:

• Actively participating in any external training programme required by continued NHS funding, including the approved 18-month training pathway, if not already completed.
• Becoming an independent prescriber if not already achieved.
• Meeting the GPhC CPD requirements for registration on an annual basis.
• Completing any internal training required by ICO Health Group and the PCN.

Main Duties

• Help achieve efficiencies and effectiveness within the prescribing activities across ICO Health Groups PCN group of GP practices.
• Promote high-quality, cost-effective, and evidence-based use of medicines within ICO Health Group and the wider PCN.
• Work within the Pharmacy Team alongside other clinical pharmacists to respond to medication-related queries generated by patients, GPs, other healthcare professionals, and staff within ICO Health Group.
• Collaborate with the Pharmacy Team to develop and ensure a safe and efficient medicines optimisation programme including repeat prescribing, medication review, and medicines reconciliation services.
• Become proficient with the EMIS GP prescribing system and supporting IT to accurately record clinically generated information and maintain databases related to work undertaken within ICO Health Group practices.
• Undertake clinical medication reviews either face-to-face or via telephone support for identified stratified-risk patients, including care home residents, those with long-term conditions, and/or learning disabilities within ICO Health Group.
• Identify and produce recommendations for medication optimisation for senior clinical pharmacists, GPs, and other multi-disciplinary team members at ICO Health Group.
• Work with care home staff linked to ICO Health Group to improve the safety of medicines ordering and administration as required.
• Encourage good management of common/minor/self-limiting ailments, promoting self-care and homely remedies.
• Contribute to the safety of drug monitoring processes and drug alerts across ICO Health Group.
• Analyse, interpret, and present medicines data to highlight issues and risks to support decision-making within ICO Health Groups PCN.
• Advocate and implement local, regional, and national formulary recommendations, including public health campaigns.
• Liaise with all members of the local PCN including community pharmacies, community nursing teams, secondary care providers, and regional CCG teams on prescribing-related matters.
• Foster good collaborative working practices and develop relationships with other professionals across the PCNs and wider health and social care system connected to ICO Health Group.
• Work with your line manager within ICO Health Group to undertake continual personal and professional development, actively reviewing and developing the role and responsibilities.
• Adhere to ICO Health Groups organisational policies and procedures, including confidentiality, safeguarding, lone working, information governance, and health and safety.
• Duties will vary according to the demands on ICO Health Group.

Qualifications

Essential

• Qualifications and Training
• RequirementEssential
• Master's Degree in Pharmacy (MPharm) or equivalent
• Registration with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC)
• Independent Prescriber (IP) qualification(or working towards)
• Evidence of continued professional development (CPD)
• Postgraduate certificate or diploma in clinical pharmacy or primary care

Desirable

• RequirementEssential
• Experience working as a pharmacist in community, hospital, or primary care
• Experience of managing long-term conditions (e.g., hypertension, asthma, diabetes)
• Experience of conducting medication reviews and reconciliation
• Experience working in a multi-disciplinary team
• Prior experience in a GP practice setting
• Knowledge and Skills
• RequirementEssential
• Strong clinical knowledge of pharmacology and therapeutics
• Understanding of NHS structures, primary care systems, and QOF
• Knowledge of EMIS, SystmOne, or other clinical IT systems
• Ability to manage repeat prescribing processes and medication queries
• Awareness of medicines optimisation and formulary management
• Understanding of current NHS priorities and pharmacy roles in PCNs
• Personal Attributes
• RequirementEssential
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Highly organised, with strong attention to detail
• Patient-centred and empathetic approach to care
• Commitment to improving patient outcomes and service delivery
• Other Requirements
• RequirementEssential
• Right to work in the UK
• Full UK driving licence (if travel between practices is required) (if relevant)

Knowledge and Skills

Essential

• Strong clinical knowledge of pharmacology and therapeutics
• Understanding of NHS structures, primary care systems, and QOF
• Knowledge of EMIS, SystmOne, or other clinical IT systems
• Ability to manage repeat prescribing processes and medication queries
• Awareness of medicines optimisation and formulary management
• Understanding of current NHS priorities and pharmacy roles in PCNs
• Personal Attributes
• RequirementEssential
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Highly organised, with strong attention to detail
• Patient-centred and empathetic approach to care
• Commitment to improving patient outcomes and service delivery

Desirable

• Other Requirements
• RequirementEssential
• Right to work in the UK
• Full UK driving licence (if travel between practices is required) (if relevant)

Experience

Essential

• Requirement
• Experience working as a pharmacist in community, hospital, or primary care
• Experience of managing long-term conditions (e.g., hypertension, asthma, diabetes)
• Experience of conducting medication reviews and reconciliation
• Experience working in a multi-disciplinary team
• Prior experience in a GP practice setting

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).