Clinical Pharmacist

Theale Medical Centre; Reading; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

Theale Medical Centre is seeking a motivated Clinical Pharmacist to support safe and effective prescribing, medicines optimisation, and medication management across the practice. You will work with GPs, nurses and staff to improve patient outcomes.

You will undertake structured medication reviews, reconcile medicines after hospital discharge, manage medication queries and provide prescribing advice for complex cases within a supportive multidisciplinary team.

Qualifications

• Registered Pharmacist with current GPhC registration.
• Experience in General Practice or Primary Care.
• Strong medicines optimisation knowledge.
• Ability to interpret and apply prescribing guidance.

Responsibilities

• Undertake structured medication reviews for patients with long-term conditions.
• Reconcile medicines following hospital discharge and update records.
• Provide specialist prescribing advice and identify drug interactions and safety concerns.
• Support the practice team with complex prescribing decisions and reviews.
• Contribute to medicines governance and quality improvement activities.

Skills

GPhC registration

GP experience

Medicines optimisation

Clinical pharmacology

Education

Pharmacy degree (MPharm/BPharm)

Tools

EMIS Web

Ardens

Job description

Clinical Pharmacist

We are seeking a motivated and patient-focused Clinical Pharmacist to join our primary care team. The successful candidate will play a key role in supporting safe and effective prescribing, medicines optimisation, and medication management across the practice.

The role will include processing medication changes from hospital and clinic correspondence, undertaking structured medication reviews, managing medication-related queries, and supporting the duty GP team with complex prescribing issues and medication interactions. Patients requiring medication reviews and prescribing advice will be triaged and allocated appropriately to the Clinical Pharmacist.

The post holder will work closely with GPs, nurses, care coordinators and administrative staff to improve patient outcomes and ensure safe prescribing practices.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

Medicines Optimisation

• Undertake structured medication reviews for patients with long-term conditions and complex medication needs.
• Optimise prescribing in line with local and national guidance.
• Review polypharmacy and reduce inappropriate prescribing where clinically appropriate.
• Support safe prescribing and cost-effective medicines management.
• Identify and address medication-related risks.

Clinical Correspondence and Prescribing Support

• Review hospital letters, clinic correspondence and discharge summaries.
• Reconcile medicines following hospital discharge.
• Implement medication changes authorised within clinical correspondence according to practice protocols.
• Ensure medication records are updated accurately and promptly.
• Liaise with secondary care providers regarding medication queries where required.

Medication Queries

• Manage medication-related queries from patients, carers and healthcare professionals.
• Provide specialist advice on medication use, side effects, contraindications and monitoring requirements.
• Support the practice team with complex prescribing decisions.
• Investigate and advise on potential drug interactions and prescribing safety concerns.

Patient Consultations

• Conduct face-to-face, telephone and remote consultations for medication reviews.
• Assess adherence and support patients in understanding their treatment plans.
• Review high-risk medications and monitoring requirements.
• Manage patients allocated through GP triage systems where medication expertise is required.
• Refer patients to GPs or other healthcare professionals when concerns fall outside the pharmacist's scope of practice.

Clinical Governance

• Maintain accurate and contemporaneous clinical records using EMIS.
• Participate in prescribing audits and quality improvement projects.
• Support achievement of QOF, IIF and other contractual requirements.
• Contribute to significant event reviews and medicines safety initiatives.
• Ensure compliance with CQC standards and professional guidance.

Team Working

• Work collaboratively with GPs, nursing staff and the wider multidisciplinary team.
• Provide education and prescribing support to practice staff.
• Attend clinical meetings and multidisciplinary team discussions.
• Contribute to the development of medicines management processes within the practice.

Person Specification

Essential

• Registered Pharmacist with current registration with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC).
• Experience working in General Practice, Primary Care Network or a patient-facing clinical pharmacy role.
• Excellent knowledge of medicines optimisation and prescribing safety.
• Strong understanding of long-term condition management.
• Ability to interpret and implement medication changes from clinical correspondence.
• Excellent communication and consultation skills.
• Ability to prioritise workload and work independently.
• Competent IT skills and experience using clinical systems.

Desirable

• Independent Prescriber qualification.
• Experience using EMIS Web and Ardens.
• Experience undertaking Structured Medication Reviews (SMRs).
• Knowledge of QOF, IIF and NHS primary care contractual requirements.
• Experience supporting medicines optimisation within primary care.

Personal Qualities

• Patient-centred approach.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Excellent problem-solving skills.
• Professional and approachable manner.
• Ability to manage competing priorities.
• Commitment to continuous professional development.

Salary

Dependent upon qualifications and experience.

About Us

Theale Medical Centre is a well-established, forward-thinking NHS GP practice located in the village of Theale, serving a growing patient population across Theale and the surrounding areas of West Berkshire. The practice is committed to delivering high-quality, patient-centred care through a supportive multidisciplinary team approach.

We provide a wide range of primary care services including same-day urgent care, long-term condition management, chronic disease reviews, respiratory and diabetes services, family planning, cervical screening, phlebotomy, vaccinations, minor illness clinics and preventative healthcare.

Our team consists of:

• GP Partners and Salaried GPs
• Advanced Clinical Practitioners (ACPs)
• Practice Nurses
• Healthcare Assistants
• Clinical Pharmacists
• Dispensary Team
• Secretarial Team
• Reception Team
• Administration Team
• Practice Management Team

We operate a collaborative working environment where clinicians and non-clinical staff work closely together to provide safe, effective and responsive care for our patients. We actively encourage professional development, service improvement and innovative ways of working to support both patients and staff.

The practice uses a range of digital systems and modern healthcare technologies to support patient care.

We pride ourselves on being a friendly, supportive and progressive practice where teamwork, mutual respect and patient care remain at the centre of everything we do.

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).

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.

Applicants must have current UK professional registration.