Job description

Job responsibilities

Job Description

Clinical Pharmacist / Independent Prescriber

Job Summary

St. Georges Medical Centre is seeking an experienced Clinical Pharmacist who is a qualified Independent Prescriber to join our multidisciplinary primary care team.

The post holder will work closely with GPs, nurses, HCAs, pharmacists and other members of the practice team to provide high-quality, safe and effective medicines management and clinical care.

The role will include managing patients with long-term conditions, undertaking structured medication reviews, medicines optimisation and independent prescribing within the post holders clinical competence.

We are particularly interested in appointing a pharmacist with experience or a strong clinical interest in diabetes, who can contribute to the management and optimisation of treatment for patients with Type 2 diabetes and other associated long-term conditions.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

The post holder will: -

• Undertake patient-facing clinical medication reviews and Structured Medication Reviews.
• Independently prescribe, amend and discontinue medication within their recognised scope of competence.
• Manage patients with long-term conditions in accordance with evidence-based guidance and agreed practice protocols.
• Provide particular support for the management of patients with diabetes, including medication reviews, treatment optimisation, monitoring and appropriate follow-up.
• Review patients taking multiple medications and identify opportunities to reduce inappropriate polypharmacy.
• Review patients with complex medication regimes and those at increased risk of medicines-related harm.
• Support the practice in achieving high standards of prescribing quality and medicines safety.
• Review medication following hospital admission, outpatient appointments and other transitions of care.
• Undertake medication reconciliation following hospital discharge.
• Identify and resolve prescribing discrepancies and medicines-related problems.
• Provide advice and support to GPs, nurses and other members of the clinical team on medicines-related matters.
• Support repeat prescribing processes and deal with appropriate medication queries from patients and healthcare professionals.
• Review monitoring requirements for medicines and ensure appropriate investigations and follow-up are undertaken.
• Support patients in understanding their medicines and encourage adherence and shared decision-making.
• Refer patients appropriately to GPs or other healthcare professionals where issues fall outside the pharmacists clinical competence.

Diabetes and Long-Term Condition Management

The successful candidate will be encouraged to take an active role in the care of patients with diabetes.

Depending on experience and competence, this may include:-

• Reviewing patients with Type 2 diabetes.
• Optimising oral and injectable diabetic medication.
• Reviewing cardiovascular and renal risk factors associated with diabetes.
• Monitoring medication effectiveness, side effects and adherence.
• Supporting achievement of individualised HbA1c and other treatment targets.
• Reviewing blood results and other clinical monitoring.
• Supporting patients with lifestyle and medicines-related education.
• Working collaboratively with GPs, nurses and other clinicians in the management of more complex patients.
• Supporting the practice in meeting relevant QOF and locally commissioned diabetes indicators.

The post holder must work within their own professional competence and refer appropriately where specialist or medical input is required.

Medicines Optimisation and Prescribing

The post holder will: -

• Promote safe, effective and cost-effective prescribing.
• Apply national and local prescribing guidance where appropriate.
• Support implementation of medicines alerts, safety communications and prescribing guidance.
• Identify patients who may benefit from changes to medication or additional monitoring.
• Support appropriate antimicrobial stewardship.
• Review high-risk medications and associated monitoring.
• Contribute to initiatives designed to improve prescribing quality and reduce medicines-related harm.
• Work with community pharmacies, secondary care providers and other healthcare professionals to resolve medicines-related issues.

Quality and Clinical Governance

The post holder will: -

• Contribute to the achievement of QOF and other contractual or locally commissioned clinical targets.
• Participate in clinical audits and quality-improvement work.
• Maintain accurate, contemporaneous clinical records using the practice clinical system.
• Work in accordance with practice policies, clinical protocols and information-governance requirements.
• Report and contribute to the investigation of significant events, prescribing errors and patient-safety incidents where appropriate.
• Participate in clinical meetings and multidisciplinary discussions as required.
• Maintain appropriate professional registration and fulfil continuing professional development requirements.

Communication and Teamworking

The post holder will: -

• Work as an integral member of the practice multidisciplinary team.
• Communicate effectively with patients, carers and healthcare professionals.
• Provide clear explanations to patients regarding medication changes, benefits, risks and monitoring.
• Work collaboratively with GPs, nurses, HCAs, pharmacists, administrative staff, community pharmacists and secondary care teams.
• Develop effective working relationships across the practice and wider Primary Care Network.

Professional Responsibilities

The post holder must: -

• Be registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC).
• Hold a recognised Independent Prescribing qualification.
• Practise in accordance with GPhC professional standards.
• Work within their individual scope of competence and seek appropriate support when required.
• Maintain appropriate professional indemnity arrangements.
• Maintain continuing professional development relevant to the role.
• Demonstrate a commitment to evidence-based practice and continuous improvement.

Confidentiality

The post holder will have access to confidential information relating to patients, their carers, practice staff and other healthcare organisations.

All information must be treated in the strictest confidence and managed in accordance with data protection legislation, NHS information-governance requirements and practice policies.

Safeguarding

The post holder must be aware of their responsibilities in relation to safeguarding children and vulnerable adults and must undertake appropriate safeguarding training in accordance with their role.

Health and Safety

The post holder is required to comply with the practices health and safety policies and take reasonable care for their own health and safety and that of colleagues, patients and visitors.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

St. Georges Medical Centre is committed to equality of opportunity and to providing an inclusive working environment. The post holder is expected to treat patients, colleagues and visitors with dignity and respect at all times.

Flexibility

This job description is intended to provide an outline of the main responsibilities of the post and is not exhaustive. Duties may develop over time in response to changes within the practice, primary care and the wider NHS.

Any significant changes will be discussed with the post holder.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Masters degree in Pharmacy (MPharm) or equivalent
• Current registration with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC)
• Qualified Independent Prescriber
• Evidence of relevant continuing professional development

Desirable

• Postgraduate qualification in clinical pharmacy, primary care, diabetes or a related area
• Additional recognised qualification or training in diabetes management

Experience

Essential

• Significant post-registration experience as a pharmacist
• Experience of undertaking clinical medication reviews
• Experience of medicines optimisation and managing complex medication regimes
• Experience of independent prescribing within own scope of competence
• Experience of managing patients with long-term conditions

Desirable

• Experience working in General Practice or Primary Care
• Experience of managing patients with Type 2 diabetes
• Experience of optimising diabetes medication, including newer therapies
• Experience of Structured Medication Reviews
• Experience of polypharmacy and high-risk medication reviews
• Experience of working as part of a multidisciplinary primary care team
• Experience of QOF and other primary care clinical targets

Clinical Knowledge and Skills

Essential

• Strong knowledge of medicines, prescribing and medicines optimisation
• Ability to assess patients and make appropriate evidence-based prescribing decisions
• Ability to recognise the limits of own clinical competence and refer appropriately
• Good understanding of medication monitoring requirements and medicines safety
• Ability to interpret relevant clinical information and blood-test results
• Good understanding of the management of common long-term conditions
• Knowledge of local and national prescribing guidance
• Understanding of antimicrobial stewardship

Desirable

• Strong knowledge and practical experience of diabetes management
• Knowledge of current guidance relating to Type 2 diabetes
• Understanding of cardiovascular and renal risk management in patients with diabetes

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).

Employer details

Employer name

St. George's Medical Centre

Address

7 Sunningfields Road

London

NW4 4QR

United Kingdom

Employer's website

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

Job description

Job responsibilities

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Reception Duties

Utilise computer system to ensure efficiency of appointment system and monitor flow of patients into consulting and treatment rooms

To make new or follow-up appointments over the telephone or in person in accordance with the Practice Policy

Ensure that patients who need urgent appointments are seen in accordance with the Practice Policy

To answer general enquiries in person or on the telephone, explaining surgery procedures.

Explain practice arrangements and formal requirements to new patients and those seeking temporary cover, ensuring procedures are completed.

To receive written repeat prescription requests and to issue repeat prescriptions and set out for doctors to check and sign before collection.

Advise patients of relevant charges for private services, accept payment and issue receipts for same.

Respond to all queries and requests for assistance from patients and other visitors

Action requests for ambulance transportation

Take appropriate action for booking interpreters

Relay messages in accordance with Practice Policy

Receive samples over the desk and store in accordance with Practice Policy until collection

Ensure reception and waiting areas are kept neat and tidy and stocked with relevant patient information

MANAGEMENT OF APPOINTMENT SYSTEM

Ensure total familiarity with all appointment systems in effect

Book appointments and recalls

Monitor effectiveness of the system and report any problems to your manager

OPERATION OF TELEPHONE SYSTEM

Answer external and internal telephones promptly

Receive and make calls as required. Divert calls and take messages as appropriate.

Ensure that the system is operational at the beginning of the day

To receive and accurately record messages for GPs, nurses and any other staff

To deal with patient requests for test results

MANAGEMENT OF MEDICAL RECORDS

Retrieve and re file records as required, ensuring strict alphabetical order is adhered to.

Ensure correspondence, reports, results etc are filed in correct order

Ensure new records are merged with old notes in line with practice policy

Ensure records are kept neat and tidy and in good repair with necessary information recorded correctly on the cover.

To complete necessary documentation for all patients, registered and non-registered making sure all registration forms, new medical records, immunisation cards, summary cards, change of address and temporary registration forms are all complete before the patient see the doctor or nurse

SCANNING

To scan all documents in accordance with the Practice PolicyTo file all scanned documents in the appropriate filing system

START AND END OF PROCEDURES

Open up the premises at the start of the day, and make all necessary preparation to receive patients.

GENERAL

To operate the practice computer, maintaining accurate patient registration details, printing prescriptions making appointments etc.

To act as chaperone on occasions for the doctors or nurses.

To attend training when organised by the Practice Manager

To attend meetings with the Reception Manager and/or Practice Manager when necessary

To assist with mailings and patient recall letters

Photocopy, fax and distribute literature

Shredding confidential material

Opening and distributing post

Any other duties appropriate to the grade

The post holder may be required to change his/her principal responsibilities at any time should the needs of the organisation so demand.

Person Specification

Experience

Essential

• Reception and/or Administration experience
• Team working

Desirable

• Experience of working in a healthcare environment, ideally Primary Care
• Customer Service experience

Skills

Essential

• IT literacy and Clerical skills
• Verbal and written communication skills
• Able to help maintain good communication amongst all members of the team
• Able to work in a busy practice and cope with a variety of demands from patients and professionals
• Able to multi task and remain calm under pressure
• Able to deal with patients and the public face to face and on the telephone in a pleasant, professional and helpful manner.
• Fast learner, able to think on your feet

Desirable

• Familiarity with medical IT system such as EMIS Web.

Knowledge & Understanding

Essential

• Understanding of the need for confidentiality in the workplace
• Understanding of and commitment to Equal Opportunities policies

Desirable

• Understanding of the issues and difficulties faced by the NHS and General Practice in particular

Qualifications

Essential

• English and Maths GCSE minimum grade C, or equivalent

Desirable

• A levels or higher education.
• Professional training

Personal Qualities

Essential

• Ability to work under pressure and respond to different demands quickly and effectively.
• A willingness to learn and work in a flexible manner
• Well organised and motivated
• Supportive and empathetic
• Ability and willingness to work as part of a team and contribute positively to the overall development of the team and the practice.

Desirable

• Enthusiasm for and commitment to working in a Primary Health Care Team environment and providing excellent patient services

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

St. George's Medical Centre

Address

7 Sunningfields Road

London

NW4 4QR

United Kingdom

Employer's website

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

Job description

Job responsibilities

Coordinate and maintain the clinical rotas for all clinicians working within the practice.

Accurately apply clinical rotas to SystmOne within agreed timescales.

Ensure appointment ledgers are correctly configured and reflect the agreed clinical rota.

Ensure all appropriate appointment slots and blocks are available to patients and clinicians at the correct times.

Apply changes to rotas promptly, including changes arising from sickness, annual leave, study leave, meetings, training and other commitments.

Ensure that clinical sessions are appropriately allocated and that appointment capacity is maximised.

Monitor appointment ledgers to identify errors, gaps, inappropriate blocks or capacity issues and escalate these where necessary.

Work closely with the Practice Manager, Assistant Practice Manager, clinicians and administrative teams to resolve rota and appointment system issues.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• GCSE grade C or above in English and Maths

Desirable

• ICT Level 2 or above

Personal attributes

Essential

• Reliable and dependable.
• Proactive and able to anticipate potential problems.
• Calm and professional when working under pressure.
• Flexible and adaptable to changing requirements.
• Approachable and able to build effective working relationships with colleagues.
• Committed to maintaining high standards of accuracy.
• Discreet and able to maintain strict confidentiality.
• Willingness to take responsibility and ownership of the rota process.

Experience

Essential

• Experience of working within an administrative or coordination role.
• Experience of managing complex information and competing priorities.
• Experience of working accurately with computerised systems.
• Experience of working within a busy environment where priorities can change frequently.
• Experience of maintaining confidentiality and handling sensitive information appropriately.

Desirable

• Previous experience working within General Practice or an NHS environment.
• Previous experience using SystmOne.
• Previous experience managing clinical rotas.
• Understanding of GP appointment systems and clinical appointment pathways.
• Understanding of GP Contract requirements relating to appointment slot mapping.
• Experience of working with SystmOne appointment ledgers.
• Experience of working with clinical or healthcare staff rotas.
• Understanding of the pressures and operational requirements within General Practice.

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

St George's Medical Centre

Address

2a Parsons Lane

Littleport

Cambridgeshire

CB6 1JU

United Kingdom

Employer's website

https://www.stgeorges-littleport.co.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)