PCN Clinical PharmacistNHS

Job summary

Job Overview

Neston and Willaston Primary Care Network (PCN) is seeking an enthusiastic and motivated Clinical Pharmacist to join our expanding multidisciplinary team. This is an exciting opportunity to work across our three practices, supporting the delivery of high-quality patient care and helping to improve the safe and effective use of medicines.

As part of our established Clinical Pharmacy Team, you will play a key role in medicines optimisation, structured medication reviews, long-term condition management, and supporting patients to achieve the best outcomes from their medicines. You will work closely with doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals to improve patient safety, reduce medicines waste, and enhance prescribing quality across the PCN.

Main duties of the job

Main Duties of the Role

The role will:

• Support the PCN to ensure the delivery of safe repeat prescribing, medicines optimisation, the reduction of medicines waste and maximising patient outcomes through structured medication reviews.
• Be responsible for the development of better understanding of the principles of medicine optimisation throughout the practice teams and promoting good practice in line with clinical and operational guidelines
• Support the PCN to achieve local and national prescribing quality schemes and targets
• Support the practices with medicines reconciliation post discharge
• Answer clinical queries from local GPs, Non-medical prescribers, District Nurses, local Trust clinical teams, other Additional Roles Reimbursement Scheme (ARRS) roles and other services such as care homes
• Build strong relationships with allied healthcare professionals
• Support patients with their medication and provide advice regarding benefits, risks and side effects
• Support improvements in patient care and the development of integrated pathways across primary and secondary care

Job description

Job Scope

A Clinical Pharmacist is an integral member of the Primary Care Network multidisciplinary team, working across member practices to deliver high-quality, patient-centred pharmaceutical care.

The post holder will support medicines optimisation, improve patient outcomes, reduce medication-related harm and contribute to the efficient delivery of primary care services. They will work collaboratively with GPs, ANPs/ ACPs, nurses and other healthcare professionals to ensure the safe, effective and cost-efficient use of medicines.

The Clinical Pharmacist will undertake structured medication reviews, support patients with long-term conditions, provide prescribing support and contribute to quality improvement and service development initiatives across the PCN.

Key Responsibilities

• Undertake structured medication reviews and medicines optimisation activities in line with national and local guidance.
• Manage complex medication queries from patients and healthcare professionals.
• Review and optimise medicines for patients with long-term conditions.
• Provide pharmaceutical advice to clinicians and patients.
• Support management of high-risk medications through appropriate monitoring and review.
• Reconcile medicines following discharge from hospital and other care settings.
• Identify and address medication-related risks and prescribing issues.
• Promote evidence-based prescribing and cost-effective use of medicines.
• Support patients to improve adherence and understanding of prescribed treatments.
• Provide support to care homes regarding medicines management and optimisation.
• Support the implementation of national and local prescribing guidance.

Develop strong working relationships with community pharmacy, secondary care and community services.

Prescribing Responsibilities

Where appropriately qualified as an Independent Prescriber:

• Assess, diagnose and manage patients within own scope of competence.
• Initiate, amend and discontinue medicines as clinically appropriate.
• Prescribe safely in accordance with professional, legal and organisational requirements.
• Maintain competence and professional development relevant to prescribing practice.

Medicines Optimisation

Support achievement of national and local quality improvement targets.

Support implementation of prescribing safety alerts and medicines governance initiatives.

Assist practices in reducing prescribing waste and improving value-based prescribing.

Patient Care

Deliver patient-centred care that respects individual needs, values and preferences.

Provide education and support to patients regarding medicines and long-term condition management.

Support patients to make informed decisions about their treatment.

Promote self-management and shared decision-making.

Information Governance and Confidentiality

The post holder will:

Maintain confidentiality at all times.

Comply with UK GDPR, Data Protection Act 2018 and NHS Information Governance requirements.

Ensure all patient information is handled securely and appropriately.

Maintain accurate, complete and contemporaneous clinical records.

Continuing Professional Development

The post holder will:

• Maintain registration with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC).
• Undertake Continuing Professional Development (CPD) as required by professional standards.
• Participate in appraisal, supervision and training activities.
• Maintain and develop clinical knowledge and skills relevant to the role.

Job Description Agreement

This job description is intended as a basic guide to the scope and responsibilities of the post and is not exhaustive

About us

Neston and Willaston Primary Care Network (PCN) was established in 2019 and is one of the smallest PCNs in the country, serving a population of approximately 21,000 patients.

The PCN consists of Neston Surgery, Neston Medical Centre and Willaston Surgery. Working together, we are committed to improving the health and wellbeing of our local community by delivering high-quality, patient-centred care. We are an innovative PCN that develops and delivers services tailored to the needs of our patient population.

We have successfully established a range of multidisciplinary roles within the PCN, including:

• Clinical Pharmacy Team
• Visiting Paramedic service
• First Contact Physiotherapy service
• Social Prescribing Link Workers

As a smaller PCN, we pride ourselves on providing a supportive, collaborative and welcoming working environment where team members are valued and have the opportunity to make a real difference to patient care.

Why Join Us?

• An opportunity to work within a supportive and forward-thinking multidisciplinary team.
• Work across three established practices with strong collaborative relationships.
• Contribute to the development and delivery of innovative patient services.
• Access to ongoing professional development and training opportunities.
• Be part of a PCN where individual contributions are recognised and valued.
• Supportive and experienced multidisciplinary team with strong clinical leadership