Job responsibilities
Core 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 PCNs 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.
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 GPs
To be responsible and accountable for own actions, working independently within professional and defined organisational boundaries
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 holders grade as agreed with the post holders 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)
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.
Full Job Description attached.
