Lead Clinical PharmacistNHS
Job summary
An exciting opportunity to join our practice as Lead Clinical Pharmacist
Giffords Surgery is looking for an enthusiastic, experienced and forward-thinking Lead Clinical Pharmacist to join our multidisciplinary practice team.
This is an exciting opportunity for a pharmacist who wants to take a lead role in delivering high-quality, safe and effective medicines optimisation within a busy and supportive GP practice.
As Lead Pharmacist, you will play a key role in developing and delivering our practice medicines management strategy, you will manage the pharmacy team, while providing expert clinical support to our GPs, nurses and wider multidisciplinary team.
You will have the opportunity to work autonomously, use your clinical expertise to improve patient care and help shape the way pharmacy services are delivered within the practice.
Main duties of the job
The successful candidate will:
- Provide clinical leadership on medicines optimisation and prescribing within the practice.
- Undertake structured medication reviews and clinical medication reviews for patients with complex or long-term conditions.
- Support safe, evidence-based and cost-effective prescribing.
- Identify and manage medication-related risks and support prescribing safety initiatives.
- Review hospital discharge information, medication changes and correspondence.
- Provide specialist advice to clinicians on medicines, interactions, side effects and appropriate prescribing.
- Support the management of high-risk medicines and prescribing alerts.
- Develop and implement systems and processes to improve medicines safety and optimisation.
- Contribute to clinical audits, quality improvement projects and practice development.
- Liaise with the PCN, community pharmacies, secondary care and other healthcare professionals to ensure continuity of medicines management.
- Contribute to the development and implementation of practice policies and procedures relating to prescribing and medicines management.
- Provide leadership and support to pharmacy colleagues working within the practice.
We are looking for an experienced pharmacist who is:
- A registered pharmacist (GPhC).
- Independant Prescriber qualified
- Working towards or has completed Primary Care Pharmacy Education Pathway (PCEP).
Job description
JOB DESCRIPTIONJob TitleLead Pharmacist
EmployerGiffords Surgery
DepartmentPrimary Care / Medicines Management
Responsible ToPractice Management Team / GP Partners
Responsible ForPharmacy Team and medicines optimisation activity within the practice
SalaryDependent on skills and experience
Job PurposeThe Lead Pharmacist will provide clinical and professional leadership for medicines optimisation and medicines management within Giffords Surgery.
The post holder will work as an autonomous clinical practitioner, using their specialist knowledge of medicines to improve patient safety, clinical outcomes and the quality and effectiveness of prescribing.
Working as an integral member of the multidisciplinary practice team, the Lead Pharmacist will provide expert advice and support to GPs, nurses and other healthcare professionals, while developing and implementing systems and processes to support safe, effective and evidence-based medicines use.
The post holder will provide leadership to pharmacy colleagues within the practice and contribute to the development of the practice's medicines management strategy.
Key ResponsibilitiesClinical Practice and Medicines Optimisation
- Provide clinical leadership for medicines optimisation and prescribing within the practice.
- Undertake structured medication reviews and clinical medication reviews, particularly for patients with complex needs and long-term conditions.
- Assess patients' medication requirements and make appropriate clinical decisions within the scope of professional competence and prescribing authority.
- Support safe, effective, evidence-based and cost-effective prescribing.
- Identify, assess and manage medication-related risks and contribute to prescribing safety initiatives.
- Review hospital discharge summaries, outpatient correspondence and other clinical information to ensure appropriate and timely medication changes.
- Provide specialist advice to GPs, nurses and other members of the multidisciplinary team regarding medicines, including interactions, contraindications, side effects, monitoring requirements and appropriate prescribing.
- Support the management and monitoring of high-risk medicines.
- Respond appropriately to prescribing alerts and safety information.
- Support the identification and management of patients requiring medication monitoring and follow-up.
- Promote adherence to national and local prescribing guidance and formularies.
- Contribute to the identification and management of patients requiring medicines optimisation interventions.
Independent Prescribing
- Use independent prescribing skills appropriately within the scope of professional competence.
- Make clinically appropriate prescribing decisions based on patient assessment, clinical evidence, national guidance and local formulary requirements.
- Ensure prescribing decisions take account of patient preferences, risks, benefits and available treatment options.
- Recognise and act appropriately when a patient's clinical needs fall outside the post holder's scope of competence.
Leadership and Management
- Provide professional and clinical leadership to pharmacy colleagues working within the practice.
- Support the development, supervision and performance of pharmacy team members as appropriate.
- Develop and maintain effective systems for medicines management and medicines safety.
- Lead on the implementation and review of practice processes relating to prescribing and medicines optimisation.
- Contribute to the development and implementation of relevant practice policies, protocols and standard operating procedures.
- Work with the Practice Management Team and GP Partners to identify opportunities for service improvement.
- Support the practice in meeting relevant contractual, regulatory and medicines management requirements.
- Ensure that professional practice is undertaken in accordance with GPhC standards and relevant NHS and primary care requirements.
Quality Improvement, Audit and Clinical Governance
- Contribute to clinical audits relating to prescribing and medicines management.
- Lead or participate in quality improvement projects designed to improve medicines safety, prescribing quality and patient outcomes.
- Identify areas of clinical risk and implement appropriate actions to reduce risk.
- Monitor the effectiveness of medicines optimisation interventions and contribute to service evaluation.
- Contribute to significant event reviews, learning from incidents and other clinical governance processes where appropriate.
- Support the practice in responding to national medicines safety alerts and relevant local guidance.
- Maintain appropriate clinical documentation and records in accordance with practice policies and professional standards.
Education and Training
- Provide education and training to GPs, nurses, healthcare assistants, administrative staff and other members of the practice team regarding medicines and prescribing where appropriate.
- Support colleagues to develop their knowledge and understanding of medicines safety and optimisation.
- Provide advice and support to practice staff in relation to medication queries.
- Contribute to the development of a learning culture within the practice.
Multidisciplinary and Partnership Working
- Work collaboratively with GPs, nurses, care coordinators, pharmacists and other members of the multidisciplinary team.
- Liaise effectively with community pharmacies, secondary care, the Primary Care Network (PCN), community services and other healthcare professionals.
- Support effective communication and continuity of medicines management across organisational boundaries.
- Participate in relevant PCN and wider primary care initiatives relating to medicines optimisation.
- Develop effective professional relationships with colleagues across the wider healthcare system.
Patient Care and Communication
- Provide patients with clear and appropriate information regarding their medicines and treatment options.
- Promote shared decision-making and support patients to understand and manage their medicines effectively.
- Identify and address barriers to medication adherence where appropriate.
- Communicate complex clinical information clearly and sensitively to patients and their carers.
- Recognise safeguarding concerns and act in accordance with practice and statutory procedures.
- Maintain patient confidentiality at all times and comply with relevant information governance requirements.
Professional Responsibilities
- Maintain registration with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC).
- Maintain professional competence and undertake continuing professional development in accordance with GPhC requirements.
- Maintain an up-to-date knowledge of medicines, prescribing guidance, legislation and developments in primary care pharmacy.
- Work within professional codes of conduct, relevant legislation and practice policies.
- Maintain appropriate professional indemnity arrangements.
- Recognise professional limitations and seek advice or refer appropriately when required.
- Participate in practice meetings and other activities relevant to the role.
General ResponsibilitiesThe post holder will:
- Work flexibly and collaboratively as part of the wider practice team.
- Contribute to the overall aims and objectives of Giffords Surgery.
- Promote equality, diversity and inclusion in all aspects of the role.
- Maintain patient confidentiality and comply with UK GDPR and information governance requirements.
- Comply with practice health and safety, infection prevention and control, safeguarding and other relevant policies.
- Undertake mandatory and role-specific training as required.
- Participate in appraisal and professional development processes.
- Report incidents, risks and concerns appropriately.
- Undertake other reasonable duties consistent with the level and nature of the post.
About us
Why join Giffords Surgery?
We are a successful, forward-thinking primary care practice committed to providing high-quality patient care while supporting our staff to develop and work to the best of their ability.
You will be joining a friendly and established multidisciplinary team where your clinical expertise will be valued and where there is scope to develop the role further.
We offer:
- A supportive and collaborative working environment.
- An opportunity to shape and develop the pharmacy function within the practice.
- A varied and clinically rewarding role.
- Opportunities for professional development and continuing education.
- The opportunity to make a real difference to medicines safety and patient outcomes.
- NHS pension scheme
- Free parking
Interested?
If you are an experienced pharmacist looking for an opportunity to develop your clinical leadership within primary care, we would love to hear from you.
For further information or to discuss the role please contact Emma Fletcher, Managing Partner [email protected].
To apply for the vacancy directly, a CV and covering letter will be acceptable.
Closing date: 31 August 2026Interview date: TBC
Giffords Surgery is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and welcomes applications from all suitably qualified candidates.
Job Type: Permanent 30-37.5 hrs a week.