Job responsibilities
Key Responsibilities
The clinical pharmacist will primarily focus on delivering high-quality, patient-centred pharmaceutical care. While the following outlines the core duties, additional tasks may occasionally be required depending on workload and staffing levels:
Patient Care & Clinical Assessment:
Act as an integral member of the multi-disciplinary team, delivering patient-facing and telephone consultations.
Clinically assess and manage care for defined patient groups, with a focus on long-term conditions.
Use clinical expertise to make prescribing and treatment decisions in line with best practice.
Medication Reviews & Consultations:
Conduct structured medication reviews (SMRs) for high-risk patients and those with long-term conditions.
Work collaboratively with patients to review and optimise medication regimens.
Recommend evidence-based prescribing changes to enhance therapeutic outcomes, improve safety and ensure cost-effectiveness.
Medicines Information & Patient Support:
Enhance patient and carer understanding of prescribed medicines to improve confidence, adherence and outcomes.
Respond to medicines-related queries from healthcare professionals, patients and carerswhether in person, via phone or email.
Provide expert advice on issues such as adverse drug reactions, drug interactions, availability, swallowing difficulties and urgent medication needs.
Medicines Optimisation & Prescribing Systems:
Provide leadership on prescribing practices and medicines systems within the practice and to patients and carers.
Oversee medicines optimisation systems, including repeat prescribing and medication review processes.
Manage prescription requests from community settings, care homes, pharmacies, and GPs, ensuring timely processing (e.g., within 72 hours for routine and same day for urgent requests).
Coordinate monthly prescriptions for care homes, monitoring for changes, adherence issues and over-ordering.
Troubleshoot prescribing and dispensing system issues using knowledge of GP and pharmacy IT systems.
Medicines Reconciliation:
Review hospital discharge summaries and outpatient letters to reconcile medications and address discrepancies.
Collaborate with community and hospital pharmacy teams to ensure continuity of care and efficient medication supply.
Clinical Governance & Quality Improvement:
Lead or contribute to clinical audits to enhance prescribing quality and effectiveness.
Support continuous improvement against NICE guidelines and national/local prescribing standards.
Contribute to a culture of safety by reporting, investigating and learning from medicines-related events.
Encourage cost-effective prescribing within the practice
Education, Training & Mentorship:
Provide training, mentorship, and support to clinical and non-clinical staff on medicines-related topics.
Promote continuous learning and professional development within the practice team.
Primary Care Network (PCN) Support:
Work collaboratively with the Primary Care Network (PCN) to deliver the PCN Directed Enhanced Service (DES).
Contribute to high-quality, cost-effective prescribing aligned with PCN specifications, including Structured Medication Reviews and Enhanced Health in Care Homes.
Support achievement of Quality and Outcomes Framework (QOF) targets and other PCN objectives.
Additional responsibilities:
ADMINISTRATION
Accurately summarise patient records and apply read codes.
Ensure all documentation and data entries meet legal and clinical standards.
Adhere to all governance procedures related to clinical data and digital systems.
Support audits and evaluation processes within the PCN.
TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT
Taking responsibility for own development with relevant evidence-based knowledge and competence in all aspects of the role to meet clinical governance guidelines for Continuing Professional Development (CPD) and a Personal Development Plan (PDP).
Attend relevant training sessions and contribute to shared learning across the organisation.
Undertake recertification and professional exams as required.
GOVERNANCE & CONFIDENTIALITY
Maintain accurate and confidential clinical records in line with data protection and Caldicott principles.
Adhere to clinical governance frameworks and participate in service quality improvement.
Follow NHS and NICE guidelines, contributing to evidence-based care
HEALTH & SAFETY
Comply with infection control and health & safety procedures.
Use PPE appropriately and ensure others follow correct procedures.
Report incidents or risks using the designated reporting systems.
Maintain a clean and safe working environment.
Equality & Diversity
- Uphold the principles of equality and diversity in all aspects of the role.
- Ensure services are delivered fairly, respectfully, and inclusively.
Other Duties
- Undertake other duties as required, commensurate with the role and agreed through consultation.
- Job description subject to review and revision based on service needs.