Clinical Pharmacist Diabetes Management
This job is now closed
Job summary
We are looking for an experienced Clinical Pharmacist with a special interest in Diabetes management to work with practices and secondary consultants to monitor the deliver of the Tier 2 Diabetes Hub in Primary Care.
Its an exciting time to come and work with us as we are expanding our services to support primary care, working with GP practices and other partners across our health and care system. The post holderwill be required to travel across member practices in DGS Health Federation.
Main duties of the job
Work as part of the multidisciplinary diabetes team (MDT) within the primary care to develop a tailored management plan for identified patients with diabetes.
The pharmacist should use their expertise to provide evidence-based prescribing advice to ensure effective, appropriate, cost-effective and safe use of medicines and promote a patient-centered medicines optimization agenda for patients with diabetes and co-morbidities.
Undertake case finding and clinical medication reviews for each patient, utilizing GP computer systems. Discuss findings at the MDT so that the required actions can be built into the care plan.
Facilitate good prescribing practice within diabetes across the primary and secondary care interface
Deal directly with patients/carers as required, to improve concordance with diabetes treatment in order to achieve better health outcomes.
The job description and person specification are an outline of the tasks, responsibilities and outcomes required of the role. The job holder will carry out any other duties as may reasonably be required by their employer / line manager in other areas of medicines management such as medication reviews, repeat prescription management, providing day to day support with medication related queries, drug safety audits and CQC compliance support .
About us
The Dartford, Gravesham and Swanley area is located in North Kent, only a 15 minute commute by train from London St Pancras, and our main GP Federation office is metres away from Ebbsfleet International Rail Station. The area is undergoing considerable housing, retail and leisure development including the Ebbsfleet Garden City Area. The area also boasts the Bluewater retail centre, and there are a good variety of high performing schools including state, grammar and independent schools. All practices in the area are members of the GP Federation and we work together to design and deliver clinically led and managerially enabled services.
Details
Date posted
18 May 2023
Pay scheme
Other
Salary
£50,952 to £57,349 a year WTE
Contract
Permanent
Working pattern
Full-time, Part-time
Reference number
B0282-23-0007
Job locations
Rectory Cottage
Springhead Road
Gravesend
Kent
DA11 8HN
Job description
Job responsibilities
1. Job Summary
Work as part of the multidisciplinary diabetes team (MDT) within the primary care to develop a tailored management plan for identified patients with diabetes.
The pharmacist should use their expertise to provide evidence-based prescribing advice toensure effective, appropriate, cost-effective and safe use of medicines and promote a patient-centred medicines optimization agenda for patients with diabetes and co-morbidities.
Undertake case finding and clinical medication reviews for each patient, utilizing GP computer systems. Discuss findings at the MDT so that the required actions can be built into the care plan.
Facilitate good prescribing practice within diabetes across the primary and secondary care interface
Deal directly with patients/carers as required, to improve concordance with diabetes treatment in order to achieve better health outcomes.
The job description and person specification are an outline of the tasks, responsibilities and outcomes required of the role. The job holder will carry out any other duties as may reasonably be required by their employer / line manager in other areas of medicines management such as medication reviews, repeat prescription management, providing day to day support with medication related queries, drug safety audits and CQC compliance support .
2. Key Working Relationships
GPs, practice nurses, practice managers, practice staff, healthcare professionals working in primary care
Clinicians in secondary care and the community diabetes service including consultants, dieticians, diabetic specialist nurses, diabetes pharmacists
Other members of the primary care team especially the PCN Pharmacists and Pharmacy technicians
Community pharmacies local to GP surgeries.
Care home staff
3. Functional Responsibilities
3.1 Operational
Provide DGS Health with pharmaceutical expertise to manage the implementation of national guidance and develop local guidance related to diabetes
Help to improve prescribing outcomes and the quality of life for people with diabetes by developing clinical audits, patient information, projects, training and educational materials
Assist the GP practice teams implement policies/guidance relating to diabetes.
Support the implementation of the local DGS prescribing formulary.
Conduct medication reviews for diabetic patients (face-to-face or remote as appropriate), discuss options and make prescribing changes /medication optimisation as appropriate. This may include patients in Care Homes. Prescribe where appropriate within the scope of practice.
Conduct prescribing audit in line with DGS Health priorities. To advise practice staff on audits relating to prescribing where appropriate.
Assist in managing the introduction of new diabetes drugs and drugs that are discontinued.
Utilise outcomes data, outpatient attendance figures and hospital admissions data to provide feedback on the effectiveness of the diabetes MDT programme.
Attend local and regional diabetes clinical network meetings and contribute to the review and development of policies, drug evaluations, safety initiatives and implementation of national guidance
Proactively develop good working relationships with all stakeholders, and work collaboratively with the Community Diabetes Service and secondary care diabetes teams
Liaise and communicate sensitively and effectively with patients and/or carers, who on occasions may be resistant to change, with the objective of optimizing patient outcomes.
3.2 Judgement and decision making/freedom to act
Work on own initiative within professional boundaries and within national protocols and legislation.
Act on own professional judgement on a daily basis with regard to making recommendations in respect of medicines management.
Work to agreed timescales with minimum supervision.
3.3 Project Management
Support/ lead on diabetes projects within primary care by delivering project plans, allocating tasks as appropriate, identifying risks, issues and dependencies, considering best practice and current options and ultimately making decisions in the best interest of the project.
Pro-actively manage stakeholders, respond to and resolve conflict between different stakeholders when this arises through facilitation or other appropriate mechanisms.
Be responsible for a high standard of work supporting the delivery of diabetes projects on time, to quality standards and in a cost effective manner. Maintain the project initiation document and associated plans with regular team meetings to monitor progress and resources.
Ensure the flexibility of projects if required to meet conflicting/changing requirements.
Support other members of the DGS Health team who may be leading on diabetes projects within DGS Health / across DGS Health member practices.
3.4 Information Management
Drafting reports summarising status on issues, appraising outcomes, and providing progress reports for the DGS Health Board / ICB / HCP
Collate as required, qualitative and quantitative information
Analyse, interpret and present data to highlight issues, risks and support decision making.
3.5 Management of diabetes elements
Oversee elements of the relating to diabetes to ensure it is effectively delivered.
Support with the coordination of the integrated MDT meeting with primary, community and secondary care colleagues
Support practices to utilise the MDT approach to best effect in managing patients within primary care, as appropriate, rather than in a secondary care setting. The regular monitoring of secondary care activity will be required to measure the proactive discharge for suitable patients currently under community/specialist care
Support and monitor practices in providing audits, as required, to demonstrate:
o Annual participation in National Diabetes Audit
o Patients are receiving the 8 care processes for diabetes management (measurement of blood glucose (HbA1c), urine albumin/creatinine ratio, blood pressure, serum cholesterol, foot risk surveillance, body mass index, serum creatinine, smoking history).
o Evidence-based prescribing for the management of diabetes and cardiovascular risk
o Attendance of a relevant diabetes course, and completion of CPD in support of GPhC revalidation
3.6 Policy and Service Development
Responsible for proposing and drafting changes, implementation and interpretation to policies, guidelines relating to diabetes medicines and prescribing
Proposes changes to own function making recommendations for other service delivery.
3.7 Research and Development
Plan, develop and evaluate methods and processes for gathering, analysing, interpreting and presenting data and information
Co-ordinating research & development initiatives relating to diabetes, delegating as appropriate.
3.8 Planning and Organisation
Contribute to the strategic planning of team projects, identifying interdependencies across projects/functions, potential impacts on wider organization, resource requirements and building in contingency and adjustments as necessary.
Contribute to short, medium and long term business plans, achieving quality outcomes.
Supplementary duties and responsibilities:
Health and safety
Employees have a legal responsibility not to endanger themselves, fellow employees and others by their individual acts or omissions. The post holder is required to comply with the requirements of any policy or procedure issued in respect of minimizing the risk of injury or disease.
Data protection and confidentiality
All employees are subject to the requirements of the Data Protection Act 1998 and must maintain strict confidentiality in respect of patient, client and staff records.
Safeguarding responsibilities
The organisation takes the issues of Safeguarding Children, Adults and addressing domestic violence very seriously. All employees have a responsibility to support the organisation in our duties by:
- Undertaking mandatory training on safeguarding children and adults
- Making sure they are familiar with their and the organisations requirements under relevant legislation
- Adhering to all relevant national and local policies, procedures, practice guidance (e.g. child protection procedures and practice guidance) and professional codes
- Reporting any concerns to the appropriate authority.
Smoking and health
The organisation has a no smoking policy throughout its premises, including buildings and grounds.
Equality and diversity
The organisation is committed to promoting equal opportunities to achieve equity of access, experience and outcomes, and to recognising and valuing peoples differences. This applies to all activities as a service
provider, as an employer.
Information Management and Technology (IM&T)
All staff are expected to utilise the relevant national and local IM&T systems necessary to undertake their role.
Flexible working
The organisation is committed to offering flexible, modern employment practices, which recognise that all staff need to strike a sensible balance between home and work life. All requests to work flexibly will be considered.
Clinical supervision
It is mandatory for all professionally qualified staff and clinical support staff to actively participate in clinical supervision as an integral part of their professional development. Clinical supervision will be monitored via an annual Performance and Development Review (PDR).
Job description
Job responsibilities
1. Job Summary
Work as part of the multidisciplinary diabetes team (MDT) within the primary care to develop a tailored management plan for identified patients with diabetes.
The pharmacist should use their expertise to provide evidence-based prescribing advice toensure effective, appropriate, cost-effective and safe use of medicines and promote a patient-centred medicines optimization agenda for patients with diabetes and co-morbidities.
Undertake case finding and clinical medication reviews for each patient, utilizing GP computer systems. Discuss findings at the MDT so that the required actions can be built into the care plan.
Facilitate good prescribing practice within diabetes across the primary and secondary care interface
Deal directly with patients/carers as required, to improve concordance with diabetes treatment in order to achieve better health outcomes.
The job description and person specification are an outline of the tasks, responsibilities and outcomes required of the role. The job holder will carry out any other duties as may reasonably be required by their employer / line manager in other areas of medicines management such as medication reviews, repeat prescription management, providing day to day support with medication related queries, drug safety audits and CQC compliance support .
2. Key Working Relationships
GPs, practice nurses, practice managers, practice staff, healthcare professionals working in primary care
Clinicians in secondary care and the community diabetes service including consultants, dieticians, diabetic specialist nurses, diabetes pharmacists
Other members of the primary care team especially the PCN Pharmacists and Pharmacy technicians
Community pharmacies local to GP surgeries.
Care home staff
3. Functional Responsibilities
3.1 Operational
Provide DGS Health with pharmaceutical expertise to manage the implementation of national guidance and develop local guidance related to diabetes
Help to improve prescribing outcomes and the quality of life for people with diabetes by developing clinical audits, patient information, projects, training and educational materials
Assist the GP practice teams implement policies/guidance relating to diabetes.
Support the implementation of the local DGS prescribing formulary.
Conduct medication reviews for diabetic patients (face-to-face or remote as appropriate), discuss options and make prescribing changes /medication optimisation as appropriate. This may include patients in Care Homes. Prescribe where appropriate within the scope of practice.
Conduct prescribing audit in line with DGS Health priorities. To advise practice staff on audits relating to prescribing where appropriate.
Assist in managing the introduction of new diabetes drugs and drugs that are discontinued.
Utilise outcomes data, outpatient attendance figures and hospital admissions data to provide feedback on the effectiveness of the diabetes MDT programme.
Attend local and regional diabetes clinical network meetings and contribute to the review and development of policies, drug evaluations, safety initiatives and implementation of national guidance
Proactively develop good working relationships with all stakeholders, and work collaboratively with the Community Diabetes Service and secondary care diabetes teams
Liaise and communicate sensitively and effectively with patients and/or carers, who on occasions may be resistant to change, with the objective of optimizing patient outcomes.
3.2 Judgement and decision making/freedom to act
Work on own initiative within professional boundaries and within national protocols and legislation.
Act on own professional judgement on a daily basis with regard to making recommendations in respect of medicines management.
Work to agreed timescales with minimum supervision.
3.3 Project Management
Support/ lead on diabetes projects within primary care by delivering project plans, allocating tasks as appropriate, identifying risks, issues and dependencies, considering best practice and current options and ultimately making decisions in the best interest of the project.
Pro-actively manage stakeholders, respond to and resolve conflict between different stakeholders when this arises through facilitation or other appropriate mechanisms.
Be responsible for a high standard of work supporting the delivery of diabetes projects on time, to quality standards and in a cost effective manner. Maintain the project initiation document and associated plans with regular team meetings to monitor progress and resources.
Ensure the flexibility of projects if required to meet conflicting/changing requirements.
Support other members of the DGS Health team who may be leading on diabetes projects within DGS Health / across DGS Health member practices.
3.4 Information Management
Drafting reports summarising status on issues, appraising outcomes, and providing progress reports for the DGS Health Board / ICB / HCP
Collate as required, qualitative and quantitative information
Analyse, interpret and present data to highlight issues, risks and support decision making.
3.5 Management of diabetes elements
Oversee elements of the relating to diabetes to ensure it is effectively delivered.
Support with the coordination of the integrated MDT meeting with primary, community and secondary care colleagues
Support practices to utilise the MDT approach to best effect in managing patients within primary care, as appropriate, rather than in a secondary care setting. The regular monitoring of secondary care activity will be required to measure the proactive discharge for suitable patients currently under community/specialist care
Support and monitor practices in providing audits, as required, to demonstrate:
o Annual participation in National Diabetes Audit
o Patients are receiving the 8 care processes for diabetes management (measurement of blood glucose (HbA1c), urine albumin/creatinine ratio, blood pressure, serum cholesterol, foot risk surveillance, body mass index, serum creatinine, smoking history).
o Evidence-based prescribing for the management of diabetes and cardiovascular risk
o Attendance of a relevant diabetes course, and completion of CPD in support of GPhC revalidation
3.6 Policy and Service Development
Responsible for proposing and drafting changes, implementation and interpretation to policies, guidelines relating to diabetes medicines and prescribing
Proposes changes to own function making recommendations for other service delivery.
3.7 Research and Development
Plan, develop and evaluate methods and processes for gathering, analysing, interpreting and presenting data and information
Co-ordinating research & development initiatives relating to diabetes, delegating as appropriate.
3.8 Planning and Organisation
Contribute to the strategic planning of team projects, identifying interdependencies across projects/functions, potential impacts on wider organization, resource requirements and building in contingency and adjustments as necessary.
Contribute to short, medium and long term business plans, achieving quality outcomes.
Supplementary duties and responsibilities:
Health and safety
Employees have a legal responsibility not to endanger themselves, fellow employees and others by their individual acts or omissions. The post holder is required to comply with the requirements of any policy or procedure issued in respect of minimizing the risk of injury or disease.
Data protection and confidentiality
All employees are subject to the requirements of the Data Protection Act 1998 and must maintain strict confidentiality in respect of patient, client and staff records.
Safeguarding responsibilities
The organisation takes the issues of Safeguarding Children, Adults and addressing domestic violence very seriously. All employees have a responsibility to support the organisation in our duties by:
- Undertaking mandatory training on safeguarding children and adults
- Making sure they are familiar with their and the organisations requirements under relevant legislation
- Adhering to all relevant national and local policies, procedures, practice guidance (e.g. child protection procedures and practice guidance) and professional codes
- Reporting any concerns to the appropriate authority.
Smoking and health
The organisation has a no smoking policy throughout its premises, including buildings and grounds.
Equality and diversity
The organisation is committed to promoting equal opportunities to achieve equity of access, experience and outcomes, and to recognising and valuing peoples differences. This applies to all activities as a service
provider, as an employer.
Information Management and Technology (IM&T)
All staff are expected to utilise the relevant national and local IM&T systems necessary to undertake their role.
Flexible working
The organisation is committed to offering flexible, modern employment practices, which recognise that all staff need to strike a sensible balance between home and work life. All requests to work flexibly will be considered.
Clinical supervision
It is mandatory for all professionally qualified staff and clinical support staff to actively participate in clinical supervision as an integral part of their professional development. Clinical supervision will be monitored via an annual Performance and Development Review (PDR).
Person Specification
Management
Essential
- Must be able to prioritise own work effectively and be able to direct activities of others.
- Ability to make decisions autonomously, when required, on difficult issues, working to tight and often changing timescales
- Experience of identifying and interpreting national policy. Experience of researching best practice (globally, private and public sector), interpreting its relevance and processes/ practices which could be implemented successfully to achieve system reform (advising on policy implementation)
Qualifications
Essential
- Pharmacy degree (currently 4 year masters course) + 1 year pre-registration
- Registered with General Pharmaceutical Council
- Relevant clinical diploma/post graduate qualification or equivalent evidence of clinical experience.
- Independent prescribing qualification
- Evidence of commitment to CPD
- Significant relevant post registration experience and specialist diabetes expertise
- Broad clinical and pharmaceutical knowledge
- Sound practitioner with proven track record that includes provision of pharmaceutical care
- Ability to negotiate effectively on difficult and controversial issues including actions required to achieve best practice, and implement change
- Medicines Information/ Internet resource knowledge
- Specialist knowledge of clinical pharmacy practice in primary care
Communication
Essential
- Must be able to provide and receive highly complex, clinical, sensitive or contentious information, negotiate with senior stakeholders/clinicians on difficult and controversial issues, and present complex and sensitive information
- Negotiate on difficult and controversial issues including performance and change.
Person Specification
Management
Essential
- Must be able to prioritise own work effectively and be able to direct activities of others.
- Ability to make decisions autonomously, when required, on difficult issues, working to tight and often changing timescales
- Experience of identifying and interpreting national policy. Experience of researching best practice (globally, private and public sector), interpreting its relevance and processes/ practices which could be implemented successfully to achieve system reform (advising on policy implementation)
Qualifications
Essential
- Pharmacy degree (currently 4 year masters course) + 1 year pre-registration
- Registered with General Pharmaceutical Council
- Relevant clinical diploma/post graduate qualification or equivalent evidence of clinical experience.
- Independent prescribing qualification
- Evidence of commitment to CPD
- Significant relevant post registration experience and specialist diabetes expertise
- Broad clinical and pharmaceutical knowledge
- Sound practitioner with proven track record that includes provision of pharmaceutical care
- Ability to negotiate effectively on difficult and controversial issues including actions required to achieve best practice, and implement change
- Medicines Information/ Internet resource knowledge
- Specialist knowledge of clinical pharmacy practice in primary care
Communication
Essential
- Must be able to provide and receive highly complex, clinical, sensitive or contentious information, negotiate with senior stakeholders/clinicians on difficult and controversial issues, and present complex and sensitive information
- Negotiate on difficult and controversial issues including performance and change.
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
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
DGS Health LTD
Address
Rectory Cottage
Springhead Road
Gravesend
Kent
DA11 8HN
Employer details
Employer name
DGS Health LTD
Address
Rectory Cottage
Springhead Road
Gravesend
Kent
DA11 8HN
Employer contact details
For questions about the job, contact:
Details
Date posted
18 May 2023
Pay scheme
Other
Salary
£50,952 to £57,349 a year WTE
Contract
Permanent
Working pattern
Full-time, Part-time
Reference number
B0282-23-0007
Job locations
Rectory Cottage
Springhead Road
Gravesend
Kent
DA11 8HN