SWaN PCN Clinical Pharmacist

NHS; Warrington; On-site; GBP 48,000 - 53,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare provider in Warrington seeks a Clinical Pharmacist to enhance patient care within a multidisciplinary team. The role involves medication reviews, optimizing prescriptions, and providing expert pharmaceutical advice. Training is available for new starters, making it an excellent opportunity for career development.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 2 years post-qualification experience.
• Independent prescriber or working towards this qualification.

Responsibilities

• Developing effective working relationships with local healthcare providers.
• Planning and organizing audits, projects, and training sessions.
• Maintaining detailed records of work undertaken.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Negotiating skills

Problem-solving ability

Analytical skills

Education

Clinical Diploma

Job description

Clinical Pharmacy in General Practice is part of an exciting programme of transformation aimed at developing a new model of care that addresses our ambition to deliver person-centred, coordinated care across Warrington.

The Clinical Pharmacy in General Practice model is supported by national policy, notably the NHS Long Term Plan, which emphasizes the need to better utilize pharmacy roles within primary care to proactively help patients stay safe and well, reduce hospital admissions, and lessen the demands on general practice.

Clinical Pharmacists play a vital role within Primary Care Networks (PCNs), working alongside pharmacy technicians, community pharmacists, and other multidisciplinary team members. You will contribute directly to improving patient care and supporting the efficient operation of a new general practice model. You will become the practice expert in medicines optimisation, with responsibilities including:

• Undertaking structured medication reviews
• Reconciling medications at hospital discharge
• Enhancing medicines optimisation and safety
• Running practice clinics

Main duties of the job

To improve patients' health outcomes and the efficiency of the Primary Care team by providing accessible, timely clinical medicines expertise as part of a multidisciplinary practice team.

To proactively transfer workload related to medicines optimisation from clinical staff to improve patient safety and care, thereby allowing clinical staff to focus on other clinical tasks.

To promote safe, evidence-based, cost-effective prescribing aligned with NHS Cheshire & Merseyside guidelines.

To provide expert pharmaceutical advice to practices and the Medicines Optimisation Team.

To support prescribing areas such as:

• Managing and reconciling medications from hospital discharge letters
• Conducting medication reviews and follow-ups both over the phone and face-to-face
• Implementing prescribing changes
• Reviewing repeat prescriptions
• Auditing practice prescribing patterns

The post holder will also lead on quality improvement and clinical audit, and manage aspects of the Investment Impact Fund (IIF).

Experience is preferred but not essential; training will be provided, and new starters will be enrolled in an 18-month primary pathway.

About us

South Warrington PCN is one of five PCNs within Warrington, Cheshire, serving 51,763 patients across five GP practices, including Stockton Heath Medical Centre, Latchford Medical Centre, Stretton Medical Centre, Brookfield Surgery, and Lakeside Surgery. The PCN has expanded its team with roles supported by the Network Direct Enhanced Services (DES) and NHS Additional Role Reimbursement Scheme (ARRS), including paramedics, social prescribing link workers, health and wellbeing coaches, first contact physiotherapists, and care coordinators. Our leadership includes dedicated Clinical Directors, a Strategic Manager, Practice Managers, and GP members.

Job responsibilities

Responsibilities underpinning the role

• Developing and maintaining effective working relationships with local healthcare providers
• Planning and organizing workload, including audits, projects, and training sessions
• Maintaining detailed records of work undertaken, including audit and clinical notes, in a secure database
• Maintaining registration as a pharmacist and adhering to professional codes
• Continuously developing professional competence and staying updated with medical and legislative developments
• Participating in relevant meetings at local, regional, and national levels
• Performing other duties as appropriate and agreed with line management

All employees are responsible for complying with organisational and statutory requirements, including health and safety, confidentiality, and clinical governance.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• Independent prescriber or working towards this qualification
• Clinical Diploma

Experience

• Minimum of 2 years post-qualification experience

Knowledge and Skills

• Understanding of general practice and primary care prescribing
• Knowledge of rational prescribing and strategies for improvement
• Excellent interpersonal, influencing, and negotiating skills
• Ability to communicate complex information clearly to diverse audiences
• Competence in managing medicines optimisation issues for long-term conditions
• Ability to analyze complex technical information
• Prioritization skills and problem-solving ability
• Capability to work under pressure and meet deadlines
• Proficiency in producing reports and working independently or as part of a team
• Accountability in delivering professional expertise and services
• Ability to gain acceptance for recommendations and motivate others
• Deep therapeutic and clinical knowledge, with an understanding of evidence-based healthcare principles

Personal Attributes

• Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines
• Effective report writing skills
• Influencing and motivational skills to facilitate acceptance of recommendations

Other

• Self-motivated and adaptable
• Full driving license

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This role is subject to a DBS check due to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975. Applicants must submit to a disclosure process to check for any criminal convictions.

Salary: Depending on experience, £48,526 to £52,809 per annum pro-rata.