Independent Prescribing Pharmacist

West Hove Primary Care Network

Information:

This job is now closed

Job summary

West Hove PCN are looking for a dynamic and motivated Independent prescribing pharmacist to join their PCN pharmacist team. The new team member will provide direct prescribing support to West Hove PCN patients to improve patient’s health outcomes and the efficiency of the Primary Care team by undertaking the supervision of blood pressure and COPD lung condition management through direct, accessible and timely medicines expertise. The Independant prescribing pharmacist will lead the Management of Common and Long-Term Conditions providing high quality patient focused care for the patients of the PCN member practices.

The new post offers the successful candidate an opportunity to develop the role forging relationships between the existing practice pharmacists and being involved in the reconfiguration of medicine management within the network. There will be a balance of face to face patient contact and a wider brief of network support. The network will provide peer-peer support, mentoring and encourages career development.

If you are a self-motivated, enthusiastic and wanting to engage in an exciting new primary care development, this may be the opportunity for you.

Main duties of the job

To improve patient’s health outcomes and the efficiency of the Primary Care team by undertaking the supervision of blood pressure and COPD lung condition management through direct, accessible and timely medicines expertise. 

To pro-actively transfer workload relating to medicines optimisation issues from other clinical staff to improve patient care, safety and free up scarce clinical staff to spend more time on clinical care:

To provide relevant support to the primary care team as An Independent prescriber  To promote safe, evidence based, cost effective prescribing in line with CCG requirements.

To provide the supervision of blood pressure and COPD lung condition management for the PCN

To support effective management of practice prescribing budgets

To provide expert pharmaceutical advice to practices and the medicines optimisation team To provide prescribing support to designated practices and team members in areas such as

To act as a training resource for the primary care team

About us

West Hove PCN consists of 6 practices with a population size of 49,452 patients. The six constituent practices are; Portslade Health Centre, Wish Park Surgery, Benfield Valley Health Care Hub, Mile Oak Medical Centre, Links Road Surgery and Hove Medical Centre

Date posted

20 December 2021

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

Depending on experience

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time, Job share

Reference number

A0347-21-1418

Job locations

Church Road

Portslade

Brighton

BN41 1LX


Job description

Job responsibilities

To improve patient’s health outcomes and the efficiency of the Primary Care team by undertaking the supervision of blood pressure and COPD lung condition management through direct, accessible and timely medicines expertise. To pro-actively transfer workload relating to medicines optimisation issues from other clinical staff to improve patient care, safety and free up scarce clinical staff to spend more time on clinical care:

To provide relevant support to the primary care team as An Independent prescriber or clinical pharmacist To promote safe, evidence based, cost effective prescribing in line with CCG requirements.

To provide the supervision of blood pressure and COPD lung condition management for the PCN

To support effective management of practice prescribing budgets

To provide expert pharmaceutical advice to practices and the medicines optimisation team To provide prescribing support to designated practices and team members

To act as a training resource for the primary care team

Practice Role Objectives

Provide pro-active leadership on medicines and prescribing systems to the practice multidisciplinary team, patients and their carers

Develop and deliver patient facing services and clinics which improve patient outcomes, reflect the needs of the practice population and shift workload from other disciplines

Deliver direct patient consultations and prescribing as part of the practice and cluster multidisciplinary team approach for acute illness

Improve patient and carer understanding of, confidence in and compliance with their medicines

Provide pharmaceutical consultations and home visits to patients with long term conditions as an integral part of the multidisciplinary team

Field medicines and prescribing queries from patients and staff

Organize and oversee the practice’s medicine optimisation systems including the repeat prescribing and medication review systems

Deliver high quality medication reviews and develop bespoke medicines treatment plans for patients (particularly the elderly, complex patients and those at high risk of admission)

Improve the safety and quality of prescribing following hospital admissions and attendance

Improve the quality and effectiveness of prescribing through clinical audit and education to improve performance against NICE standards, prescribing guidance and other clinical standards

Develop yourself and the role through participation in clinical supervision, training and service redesign activities

Contribute to patient safety culture through reporting and investigation of medicines related incidents and through pro-active measures such as the Primary Care Trigger Tool or PINCER

Provide a clear and active link with community pharmacists and other stakeholders in the medicines supply chain to improve patient experience and manage issues

Deliver training, mentoring and guidance to other clinicians and staff on medicines issues

Contribute to the achievement and maintenance of Good to Outstanding CQC registration status

Patient Facing Clinical Services and Care

Manage a caseload of complex patients as required by GP Practices

Conduct face to face and other modes of medication reviews and agree medicines care plans in agreement with patients and carers

Delivering long term conditions clinics and home visits particularly for patients with complicated medication regimes and prescribe accordingly within competency and agreed management plans

Consult with patients for acute & long-term illnesses within defined levels of competence and prescribe medication within agreed management plans

Prescribe appropriate medication for patient need within areas of competency and within agreed management plans

Provide targeted support and pro-active review for vulnerable, complex patients and those at risk of admission and re-admission to secondary care

Receive and resolve medicines queries from patients and other staff

Contribute to public health campaigns (e.g. flu clinics) through advice or direct care

Provide specific advice and support to patients in care homes and support staff

Provide help and advice on medicines use to patients and their carers

Promote self-management and develop patient support systems

Manage therapeutic drug monitoring system and recall of patients taking high risk drugs

Support virtual and remote models of consultation and support including e-consultations, remote medication review and telehealth and telemedicine

Medicines Optimisation Systems

Investigate and feedback on examples of best practice within the field and formulate how to apply these to the practice

Organize and oversee repeat prescribing, repeat dispensing, electronic prescribing and medication review systems

Provide leadership and support to prescription administrative staff

Handle prescription queries and requests directly

Oversee system for reconciliation of medicines from outpatient and discharge letters and support safe transfer of care through liaison with hospital and community colleagues

Liaise with other stakeholders in the supply chain such as community pharmacists and appliance contractors to handle queries and manage supply problems

Maintain and review a Medicines Handling Policy for the practice to ensure safe processes for self-administered medicines and controlled drugs

Support the delivery of QOF, incentive schemes, QIPP and other quality or cost effectiveness initiatives

• Agree and review Prescribing Formularies and Protocols and monitor compliance levels

Improve the data quality of medicines records and linking to conditions

Quality

Collection and review of KPI and performance monitoring data

Monitor progress against the overall objectives of the programme and escalate any issues

Ensure compliance with CQC and other professional standards

Promote a culture of constant improvement and excellence

Conduct regular clinical audits and other improvement activities

Assess own performance regularly and make suggestions of how to improve personal and team performance

Understand a risk management approach and apply it to all activities.

Patient Care

Carry out computer record searches related to prescribing initiatives

Review patient medication records in general practice

Develop protocols to enable agreed changes to be implemented

Deliver patient consultation to implement agreed changes where appropriate

Develop and disseminate information to patients to support medicines optimisation

Advise on appropriate drug choice

Planning and Organisation

Organise and plan own workload in practices and adjust as needed to meet CCG requirements and deliver action plans

Prepare and present summary reports for each practice regarding progress against actions plans and / or audit

Support practices to implement and audit NICE and other evidence based guidance

Review and improve practice repeat prescribing systems and systems for medication review

Analytical and Judgement

Download and interpret practice level prescribing reports e.g. IPS, RAIDR

Identify poor prescribing issues and provide facts and options to support remedial action

Prepare and present summary reports for audits conducted as part of agreed action plans

Promotion and review of compliance against local CCG formularies and prescribing guidance.

Provision of advice around effective use of electronic transfer of prescriptions as agreed with the CCG Collation of information from practices regarding patterns and trends of medicines usage obtained through prescription searches and audit

Policy and Service Development

Support development of tools and resources to implement agreed initiatives, e.g. SOPs, guidance

Support development of medicines optimisation policies or guidance within practices orarea, contributing to ‘at scale’ activities

Provide support and feedback to practices on medicines related questions from patients and practices Support delivery of the medicine optimisation strategy, once agreed

Physical Demands of the Role

The post-holder will spend most of their time within a GP practice Work will be mainly in an office/consultation area using pc equipment Travel between GP practices will be a requirement of the post

Job description

Job responsibilities

To improve patient’s health outcomes and the efficiency of the Primary Care team by undertaking the supervision of blood pressure and COPD lung condition management through direct, accessible and timely medicines expertise. To pro-actively transfer workload relating to medicines optimisation issues from other clinical staff to improve patient care, safety and free up scarce clinical staff to spend more time on clinical care:

To provide relevant support to the primary care team as An Independent prescriber or clinical pharmacist To promote safe, evidence based, cost effective prescribing in line with CCG requirements.

To provide the supervision of blood pressure and COPD lung condition management for the PCN

To support effective management of practice prescribing budgets

To provide expert pharmaceutical advice to practices and the medicines optimisation team To provide prescribing support to designated practices and team members

To act as a training resource for the primary care team

Practice Role Objectives

Provide pro-active leadership on medicines and prescribing systems to the practice multidisciplinary team, patients and their carers

Develop and deliver patient facing services and clinics which improve patient outcomes, reflect the needs of the practice population and shift workload from other disciplines

Deliver direct patient consultations and prescribing as part of the practice and cluster multidisciplinary team approach for acute illness

Improve patient and carer understanding of, confidence in and compliance with their medicines

Provide pharmaceutical consultations and home visits to patients with long term conditions as an integral part of the multidisciplinary team

Field medicines and prescribing queries from patients and staff

Organize and oversee the practice’s medicine optimisation systems including the repeat prescribing and medication review systems

Deliver high quality medication reviews and develop bespoke medicines treatment plans for patients (particularly the elderly, complex patients and those at high risk of admission)

Improve the safety and quality of prescribing following hospital admissions and attendance

Improve the quality and effectiveness of prescribing through clinical audit and education to improve performance against NICE standards, prescribing guidance and other clinical standards

Develop yourself and the role through participation in clinical supervision, training and service redesign activities

Contribute to patient safety culture through reporting and investigation of medicines related incidents and through pro-active measures such as the Primary Care Trigger Tool or PINCER

Provide a clear and active link with community pharmacists and other stakeholders in the medicines supply chain to improve patient experience and manage issues

Deliver training, mentoring and guidance to other clinicians and staff on medicines issues

Contribute to the achievement and maintenance of Good to Outstanding CQC registration status

Patient Facing Clinical Services and Care

Manage a caseload of complex patients as required by GP Practices

Conduct face to face and other modes of medication reviews and agree medicines care plans in agreement with patients and carers

Delivering long term conditions clinics and home visits particularly for patients with complicated medication regimes and prescribe accordingly within competency and agreed management plans

Consult with patients for acute & long-term illnesses within defined levels of competence and prescribe medication within agreed management plans

Prescribe appropriate medication for patient need within areas of competency and within agreed management plans

Provide targeted support and pro-active review for vulnerable, complex patients and those at risk of admission and re-admission to secondary care

Receive and resolve medicines queries from patients and other staff

Contribute to public health campaigns (e.g. flu clinics) through advice or direct care

Provide specific advice and support to patients in care homes and support staff

Provide help and advice on medicines use to patients and their carers

Promote self-management and develop patient support systems

Manage therapeutic drug monitoring system and recall of patients taking high risk drugs

Support virtual and remote models of consultation and support including e-consultations, remote medication review and telehealth and telemedicine

Medicines Optimisation Systems

Investigate and feedback on examples of best practice within the field and formulate how to apply these to the practice

Organize and oversee repeat prescribing, repeat dispensing, electronic prescribing and medication review systems

Provide leadership and support to prescription administrative staff

Handle prescription queries and requests directly

Oversee system for reconciliation of medicines from outpatient and discharge letters and support safe transfer of care through liaison with hospital and community colleagues

Liaise with other stakeholders in the supply chain such as community pharmacists and appliance contractors to handle queries and manage supply problems

Maintain and review a Medicines Handling Policy for the practice to ensure safe processes for self-administered medicines and controlled drugs

Support the delivery of QOF, incentive schemes, QIPP and other quality or cost effectiveness initiatives

• Agree and review Prescribing Formularies and Protocols and monitor compliance levels

Improve the data quality of medicines records and linking to conditions

Quality

Collection and review of KPI and performance monitoring data

Monitor progress against the overall objectives of the programme and escalate any issues

Ensure compliance with CQC and other professional standards

Promote a culture of constant improvement and excellence

Conduct regular clinical audits and other improvement activities

Assess own performance regularly and make suggestions of how to improve personal and team performance

Understand a risk management approach and apply it to all activities.

Patient Care

Carry out computer record searches related to prescribing initiatives

Review patient medication records in general practice

Develop protocols to enable agreed changes to be implemented

Deliver patient consultation to implement agreed changes where appropriate

Develop and disseminate information to patients to support medicines optimisation

Advise on appropriate drug choice

Planning and Organisation

Organise and plan own workload in practices and adjust as needed to meet CCG requirements and deliver action plans

Prepare and present summary reports for each practice regarding progress against actions plans and / or audit

Support practices to implement and audit NICE and other evidence based guidance

Review and improve practice repeat prescribing systems and systems for medication review

Analytical and Judgement

Download and interpret practice level prescribing reports e.g. IPS, RAIDR

Identify poor prescribing issues and provide facts and options to support remedial action

Prepare and present summary reports for audits conducted as part of agreed action plans

Promotion and review of compliance against local CCG formularies and prescribing guidance.

Provision of advice around effective use of electronic transfer of prescriptions as agreed with the CCG Collation of information from practices regarding patterns and trends of medicines usage obtained through prescription searches and audit

Policy and Service Development

Support development of tools and resources to implement agreed initiatives, e.g. SOPs, guidance

Support development of medicines optimisation policies or guidance within practices orarea, contributing to ‘at scale’ activities

Provide support and feedback to practices on medicines related questions from patients and practices Support delivery of the medicine optimisation strategy, once agreed

Physical Demands of the Role

The post-holder will spend most of their time within a GP practice Work will be mainly in an office/consultation area using pc equipment Travel between GP practices will be a requirement of the post

Person Specification

Experience

Essential

  • Current NHS experience
  • Good understanding of primary care
  • Good understanding of respiratory conditions and blood pressure management
  • Ability to work both as a team member and independently
  • Able to work calmly under pressure and to deadlines
  • Conscientious with Strong attention to detail
  • Self-starter and proactive approach

Desirable

  • Evidence of experience in using independent prescribing or clinical pharmacist skills
  • Understanding of the current national policies impacting on medicines optimisation services
  • Experience of undertaking clinical reviews
  • Flexible to work in line with the needs of the service, to achieve a particular task
  • Ability to handle a variety of different workstreams at one time and prioritise accordingly
  • Embrace change as an opportunity to learn and develop

Qualifications

Essential

  • Masters degree in pharmacy (or pre-2000 equivalent)
  • Member, in good standing, of General Pharmaceutical Council
  • GPhC Independent Prescribing Qualification or Working towards conversion of Supplementary Prescribing Qualification to Independent Prescribing Qualification
  • Extensive knowledge of medicines optimization or clinical pharmacist role, acquired through post graduate diploma
  • or equivalent experience or training

Desirable

  • Evidence of post qualifying and continuing professional development
  • Clinical Pharmacist training
  • Qualified in Phlebotomy

Skills and abilities

Essential

  • Developed verbal and non-verbal interpersonal / communication and persuasion skills.
  • IT literate and advanced working knowledge of all MS office packages
  • Demonstrates understanding of legal, governance and ethical frameworks within which pharmacists in primary/secondary work.
  • Excellent clinical knowledge and ability to apply to practice.
  • Understanding of the data protection act, GDPR and patient confidentiality, clinical governance, information governance and Caldicott requirements
  • Sound knowledge of medicines legislation and the vision for the development of
  • pharmacist roles within primary care
  • Car owner (or with access to a car) and appropriate business insurance.
  • Current and valid UK driving license
  • To operate with a high level of autonomy, professionalism, passion and dedication.

Desirable

  • Experience of communication, negotiating and influencing with a wide range of stake holders
  • Experience of SystemOne & EMIS practice IT systems
  • Ability to critically analyse complex information and evidence and communicate the findings clearly in simple terms
  • Ability to constructively challenge the views and practices of clinicians and managers
  • Ability to summarise and present information in relevant concise and proactive way
  • Experience of a patient focused role and consultation skills
Person Specification

Experience

Essential

  • Current NHS experience
  • Good understanding of primary care
  • Good understanding of respiratory conditions and blood pressure management
  • Ability to work both as a team member and independently
  • Able to work calmly under pressure and to deadlines
  • Conscientious with Strong attention to detail
  • Self-starter and proactive approach

Desirable

  • Evidence of experience in using independent prescribing or clinical pharmacist skills
  • Understanding of the current national policies impacting on medicines optimisation services
  • Experience of undertaking clinical reviews
  • Flexible to work in line with the needs of the service, to achieve a particular task
  • Ability to handle a variety of different workstreams at one time and prioritise accordingly
  • Embrace change as an opportunity to learn and develop

Qualifications

Essential

  • Masters degree in pharmacy (or pre-2000 equivalent)
  • Member, in good standing, of General Pharmaceutical Council
  • GPhC Independent Prescribing Qualification or Working towards conversion of Supplementary Prescribing Qualification to Independent Prescribing Qualification
  • Extensive knowledge of medicines optimization or clinical pharmacist role, acquired through post graduate diploma
  • or equivalent experience or training

Desirable

  • Evidence of post qualifying and continuing professional development
  • Clinical Pharmacist training
  • Qualified in Phlebotomy

Skills and abilities

Essential

  • Developed verbal and non-verbal interpersonal / communication and persuasion skills.
  • IT literate and advanced working knowledge of all MS office packages
  • Demonstrates understanding of legal, governance and ethical frameworks within which pharmacists in primary/secondary work.
  • Excellent clinical knowledge and ability to apply to practice.
  • Understanding of the data protection act, GDPR and patient confidentiality, clinical governance, information governance and Caldicott requirements
  • Sound knowledge of medicines legislation and the vision for the development of
  • pharmacist roles within primary care
  • Car owner (or with access to a car) and appropriate business insurance.
  • Current and valid UK driving license
  • To operate with a high level of autonomy, professionalism, passion and dedication.

Desirable

  • Experience of communication, negotiating and influencing with a wide range of stake holders
  • Experience of SystemOne & EMIS practice IT systems
  • Ability to critically analyse complex information and evidence and communicate the findings clearly in simple terms
  • Ability to constructively challenge the views and practices of clinicians and managers
  • Ability to summarise and present information in relevant concise and proactive way
  • Experience of a patient focused role and consultation skills

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).

Additional information

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

West Hove Primary Care Network

Address

Church Road

Portslade

Brighton

BN41 1LX


Employer's website

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

Employer details

Employer name

West Hove Primary Care Network

Address

Church Road

Portslade

Brighton

BN41 1LX


Employer's website

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

For questions about the job, contact:

PCN operational manager

Tory Lawrence

tory.lawrence@nhs.net

07739010097

Date posted

20 December 2021

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

Depending on experience

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time, Job share

Reference number

A0347-21-1418

Job locations

Church Road

Portslade

Brighton

BN41 1LX


Supporting documents

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