PCN Clinical Pharmacist Assistant

Job description

Job responsibilities

The following are the core responsibilities of the PCN Clinical Pharmacist Assistant in delivering health services:

a. Support medication reviews and medicines reconciliation for patients

b. Support initiatives for antimicrobial stewardship to reduce inappropriate

antibiotic prescribing

c. Assist in the delivery of medicines optimisation and management incentive

schemes and patient safety audits

d. Support the implementation of national prescribing policies and guidance within GP practices, and other primary care settings. This will be achieved through undertaking clinical audits (e.g., use of antibiotics), supporting quality improvement measures and contributing to the Quality and Outcomes Framework and enhanced services

e. Work with the PCN multi-disciplinary team to ensure efficient medicines optimisation, including implementing efficient ordering and return processes, and reducing wastage

f. To support practice reception teams in sorting and streaming general prescription requests, so as to allow GPs and clinical pharmacists to review the more clinically complex request

g. To support medicines optimisation systems across PCNs, supporting practices with a range of services to get the best value from medicines by encouraging and implementing, safe repeat prescribing systems, and timely monitoring and management of high-risk medicines

h. Provide training and support on the legal, safe and secure handling of medicines.

i. Develop relationships with members of the multi-disciplinary team to support integration of the pharmacy team across health and social care including primary care, community pharmacy, secondary care, and mental health

j. Be aware of duties and responsibilities regarding current legislation and adhere to practice policies and procedures on Safeguarding Adults and Safeguarding Children

k. To handle prescription queries and requests directly

l. Be an integral part of the general practice team, working in each practice and across the PCN should this be required.

m. Demonstrate initiative and be creative in finding solutions to problems

n. Support in the delivery of enhanced services and other service requirements

o. Participate in clinical audits and research projects and implement changes as required, including supporting with the development, and updating of practice protocols/guidelines and procedures locally

p. Support in the management of patient complaints when requested to do so and participate in the identification of any necessary learning brought about through incidents and near-miss events

q. Undertake all mandatory training and induction programmes

r. Contribute to and embrace the spectrum of clinical governance

s. Attend a formal appraisal with their manager at least every 12 months. Once a performance/training objective has been set, progress will be reviewed on a regular basis so that new objectives can be agreed

t. Contribute to public health campaigns (e.g., flu clinics)

u. Maintain a clean, tidy, effective working area at all times

There may be, on occasion, a requirement to carry out other tasks, this will be dependent upon factors such as workload and staffing levels

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Good standard of education to GCSE standard or equivalent

Desirable

• Typing qualification, i.e., OCR or RSA Diploma
• Level 3 in Medical Terminology

Clinical Knowledge & skills

Essential

• Ability to communicate effectively with people at all levels by telephone, email and face to face
• Demonstrate personal accountability, emotional resilience and work well under pressure
• Ability to record accurate clinical notes
• Understanding of safeguarding adults and children

Desirable

• Good clinical system IT knowledge
• Broad knowledge of clinical governance
• Problem solving and analytical skills

Experience

Essential

• Is working under appropriate clinical supervision to ensure safe, effective and efficient use of medicines

Desirable

• Experience of working in a primary care setting
• Understanding and knowledge of healthcare provision in GP practices, QOF and enhanced services
• An appreciation of the new NHS landscape including the relationship between individual organisations, PCNs and the commissioners

Personal Qualities

Essential

• Effective time management (planning and organising)
• Ability to follow legal, ethical and professional policies/ procedures and codes of conduct
• Ability to use own initiative, discretion, and sensitivity
• Able to get along with people from all backgrounds and communities, respecting lifestyles and diversity
• Ability to identify risk and assess/manage risk when working with individuals
• Ability to work as a team member and autonomously
• Good interpersonal skills
• Good organisational skills
• Sensitive and empathetic in distressing situations
• Commitment to ongoing professional development
• Knowledge of and ability to work to key policies and procedures
• Clear, polite telephone manner

Desirable

• Demonstrate personal accountability, emotional resilience and work well under pressure
• Knowledge of IT systems including the ability to use word processing skills, emails and the internet to create simple plans and reports
• Problem solver with the ability to process information accurately and effectively, interpreting data as required
• Effectively utilise resources

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.

Employer details

Employer name

Wallingbrook Health Group

Address

Back Lane

Chulmleigh

Devon

EX18 7DL

Employer's website

https://www.wallingbrook.co.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)