Clinical Pharmacist -Independent Prescriber

K & W Healthcare; Greater London; On-site; GBP 34,000 - 39,000; Full time

Job summary

K& W Healthcare in London seeks an experienced pharmacist to lead medicines optimisation across primary care and community settings. You will conduct comprehensive medication reviews, support patients with complex regimens, and contribute to vaccination programs.

The role involves working within NHS guidelines, performing audits, and mentoring staff to improve prescribing quality. A registered pharmacist with CPD commitment is essential.

Qualifications

• Qualified pharmacist with GPhC registration.
• Completion of pre-registration training and CPPE pathway.
• Continuing professional development to meet GPhC standards.

Responsibilities

• Conduct medicines reviews for clinical medication management and high-risk patients.
• Coordinate unplanned admissions/discharge reconciliation with care teams.
• Deliver immunisations and vaccines to patients as required.
• Support adherence and optimization of long-term therapies per guidelines.
• Mentor junior staff and contribute to medicines management education.

Skills

Clinical pharmacy

Patient counseling

Medication reviews

Vaccination

NHS guidelines

Education

Pharmacy degree

GPhC registration

Pre-registration training

CPPE pathway

Tools

ECDL IT skills

Job description

Job Type & Salary

• Job Type: Full-time, Self-Employed
• Salary: £25–£28 per hour
• Hours: 8-hour shift, Monday to Friday
• Location: North West London(Onsite)

Clinical Reviews & Patient Input

• Reduce GP workload, particularly locum GP time, by conducting patient appointments for clinical medication reviews and addressing urgent medication queries. Complex patients or those with additional needs may require extended consultation slots.
• Assess the ongoing need for each medicine, review monitoring requirements, and support patients in achieving optimal use of their medications.
• Manage minor ailments triage, reviewing patients requesting GP appointments and directing them appropriately.
• Provide patient-facing clinics to address medication questions, concerns, and adherence issues.
• Contribute to multidisciplinary discussions on medication-related matters.
• Reconcile medicines following hospital discharge and review daily pathology results for patients on known medications.
• Conduct targeted medication reviews for high-risk patients, including frail elderly individuals, those with polypharmacy, renal or hepatic impairment, and patients on high-risk medicines.
• Provide recommendations to nurses and GPs following clinical medication reviews.
• Administer influenza and travel vaccines.
• Support the management of patients with drug dependence and alcohol-related disorders.
• Signpost patients to additional services or information to improve overall health and wellbeing.
• Advise senior clinical pharmacists and GPs on opportunities for medical and prescribing improvements.

Unplanned Admissions & Discharge Management

• Review medicines frequently associated with unplanned hospital admissions and readmissions, using audits and individual patient reviews.
• Implement changes to reduce prescribing risks for high-risk patient groups.
• Reconcile medicines after hospital, intermediate care, and care home discharges, identifying and rectifying unexplained changes.
• Collaborate with patients and community pharmacists to ensure continuity of care post-discharge, including management of high-risk patients using compliance aids or care home support.

Medicines Optimisation

• Assist with QOF targets and the management of long-term conditions including asthma, COPD, diabetes, hypertension, and heart failure, conducting dose optimisation and monitoring as per guidelines.
• Undertake training and certification in health assessments, history taking, and physical examinations.
• Commit to starting an independent prescribing course within six months of completing probation.
• Reduce inappropriate polypharmacy and provide follow‑up support to improve patient adherence.

Audits & Risk Stratification

• Enhance prescribing quality and safety through regular K&W and practice‑specific audits.
• Implement MHRA alerts, drug withdrawals, and NICE guideline recommendations.
• Identify high‑risk patient cohorts via practice system searches and risk stratification.

Repeat Prescribing Process

• Implement and manage repeat dispensing processes.
• Review repeat prescription requests and ensure medicines are updated according to review dates.
• Synchronise patient medications to reduce wastage and manage DMD corrections to facilitate EPS.
• Support monitoring and prescribing of high‑risk drugs, including warfarin and methotrexate.
• Ensure all practices maintain and adhere to repeat prescribing policies.

Medicines Optimisation Systems

• Collaborate with GPs and non‑medical prescribers to action medicines management recommendations.
• Provide medicines information for practice teams and patients, covering doses, side effects, adverse events, and alternatives.
• Support GPs in audits, prescribing recommendations, and achieving targets.
• Issue newsletters or bulletins highlighting important prescribing messages.
• Liaise with pharmacy teams and CCG medicines management for practice‑specific data and guidance.
• Encourage adherence to NWL integrated formulary and local prescribing guidance.
• Mentor and empower practice staff to contribute to medicines management in practices and care homes.
• Ensure compliance with CQC standards in medicines management.
• Facilitate timely referrals to appropriate healthcare professionals.

Training, Education & Information

• Mentor and support pharmacist trainees and other prescribing clinicians.
• Participate in MDT learning, supervision sessions, and case reviews.
• Develop and deliver educational sessions for clinical and non‑clinical staff.
• Provide patient education and support for medicines management.
• Offer ad-hoc advice to clinicians and assess emerging clinical evidence for practice implementation.
• Advise on cost‑effective prescribing and supply strategies.

Essential Qualifications

• First degree or master’s degree in pharmacy (4 years).
• Registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC).
• Completion of pre‑registration training.
• Completed or working towards CPPE pathway completion.
• Evidence of continuing professional development meeting GPhC standards.
• IT skills equivalent to ECDL or relevant experience.
• Mandatory enrolment on CPPE pathway if not already completed.

Desirable Qualifications

• Membership of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society or similar professional bodies.
• Independent prescribing qualification or commitment to achieve it.
• Significant post‑registration experience.
• Experience in primary care, hospital, or community pharmacy settings.

Experience & Skills

• Significant relevant post‑registration experience.
• Knowledge of pharmacy within primary care and community environments.
• Familiarity with NHS organisation operations.
• Experience in coaching, mentoring, and staff development.
• Ability to achieve demanding objectives under strict deadlines.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Self‑motivated, with a drive to develop medicines management and clinical services.
• Analytical skills and ability to implement national strategies locally.
• Ability to consult via telephone, online, and face‑to‑face, and recognise personal limitations when necessary.