Job responsibilities
Job Responsibilities:
Carry out work to identify patients suitable for medication changes in line with the Medicines Management work plan to support QOF, prescribing incentive scheme and subsequently make those changes with the agreement of a GP.
Assess prescribing data using practice clinical computer systems and patient records, highlight any recommendations and implement changes if required, to ensure patients medication records are up to date.
Liaise with patients, practice staff, GPs, care home staff in all aspects of medication reviews and prescribing queries, including supporting with out-of-stock medications to improve care of patients.
Support medication reviews and medicines reconciliation. Work to gather information to support GPs and Pharmacists carrying out medication reviews or clinical audits.
Implement initiatives to reduce waste and improve medicines compliance.
Implement service changes relating to prescribing to ensure best practice is adopted in accordance with local guidelines, legislation, safety updates, eg NICE, MHRA.
Under the direction of a Pharmacist/GP, assist with medication changes from hospital letters and medicines reconciliation for new patients.
Highlight any medication reviews errors/queries and report any concerns to GPs.
To assist the Practice with any searches, data collection and letter production required for prescribing changes or drug alerts.
To provide information and answer technical medicines management queries from healthcare professionals and members of the public.
To help develop and implement medicines management initiatives through the work of the Practice, eg repeat dispensing.
Work in a professional manner, complying with confidentiality and data protection policies.
Carry out face to face consultations where required by the Practice.
Supporting with shared care work.
Communication:
Effectively communicate information directly to public on appropriate use of medicines either verbally eg queries, medication reviews, or in writing, eg letters to patients about changes to medication in line with audit outcomes, patient information leaflets, posters.
Ensure all information regarding medicines management is distributed to all health professionals.
Establish effective working relationships with practice staff.
Communicate effectively with patients and carers.
Recognise peoples needs for alternative methods of communication and respond accordingly.
Analysis and Data Management:
Monitor activity and report progress on medicines management initiatives.
Monitor prescribing of medication through clinical audit, national and local prescribing reports.
Confidentiality:
- In the course of seeking treatment, patients entrust us with, or allow us to gather, sensitive information in relation to their health and other matters. They do so in confidence and have the right to expect that staff will respect their privacy and act appropriately
- In the performance of the duties outlined in this Job Description, the post-holder may have access to confidential information relating to patients and their carers, Practice staff and other healthcare workers. They may also have access to information relating to the Practice as a business organisation. All such information from any source is to be regarded as strictly confidential
- Information relating to patients, carers, colleagues, other healthcare workers or the business of the Practice may only be divulged to authorised persons in accordance with the Practice policies and procedures relating to confidentiality and the protection of personal and sensitive data
Health & Safety:
The post-holder will assist in promoting and maintaining their own and others health, safety and security as defined in the Practice Health & Safety Policy, to include:
- Using personal security systems within the workplace according to Practice guidelines
- Identifying the risks involved in work activities and undertaking such activities in a way that manages those risks
- Making effective use of training to update knowledge and skills
- Using appropriate infection control procedures, maintaining work areas in a tidy and safe way and free from hazards
- Reporting potential risks identified
Equality and Diversity:
The post-holder will support the equality, diversity and rights of patients, carers and colleagues, to include:
- Acting in a way that recognizes the importance of peoples rights, interpreting them in a way that is consistent with Practice procedures and policies, and current legislation
- Respecting the privacy, dignity, needs and beliefs of patients, carers and colleagues
- Behaving in a manner which is welcoming to and of the individual, is non-judgmental and respects their circumstances, feelings priorities and rights.
Personal/Professional Development:
The post-holder will participate in any training programme implemented by the Practice as part of this employment, such training to include:
- Participation in an annual individual performance review, including taking responsibility for maintaining a record of own personal and/or professional development
- Taking responsibility for own development, learning and performance and demonstrating skills and activities to others who are undertaking similar work
Quality:
The post-holder will strive to maintain quality within the Practice, and will:
- Alert other team members to issues of quality and risk
- Assess own performance and take accountability for own actions, either directly or under supervision
- Contribute to the effectiveness of the team by reflecting on own and team activities and making suggestions on ways to improve and enhance the teams performance
- Work effectively with individuals in other agencies to meet patients needs
- Effectively manage own time, workload and resources
Contribution to the Implementation of Services:
The post-holder will:
- Apply Practice policies, standards and guidance
- Discuss with other members of the team how the policies, standards and guidelines will affect own work
- Participate in audit where appropriate