JOB DESCRIPTION – Prescribing Assistant
RESPONSIBLE TO:
The Prescribing Assistant is responsible in the first instance to the Practice Clinical Pharmacist and thereafter to the Practice Director and then to the Partners.
PURPOSE OF JOB:
The purpose of the Prescribing Assistant is to ensure that the administration of prescriptions is managed in an efficient and accurate manner and patients are contacted to ensure their medication reviews are undertaken.
KEY RELATIONSHIPS/CONTACTS
Internal:
- Practice Clinical Pharmacist
- Practice Director & Assistant Practice Manager
- Care Navigators
- GPs
- Doctors in Training
- Practice Nurse Team
- Administration Team
External:
- Patients, carers and relatives
- ICS Medicines Management Team
- Local pharmacies
GENERALThe Prescribing Assistant will adhere at all times to the practice’s agreed protocols and procedures, will contribute to updating them as required and will protect patient confidentiality at all times.
ROLE RESPONSIBILITIES
Prescribing Assistant will take and action requests for repeat prescriptions in accordance with the practice’s Repeat Prescription Protocol.
- Process GPs’ requests to amend patients’ repeat prescribing records in accordance with the practice’s Repeat Prescription Protocol.
- Closely monitor patients who are on high risk drugs to ensure timely patient blood tests, BPs etc.
- Reauthorise medication until review date in accordance with practice’s protocol.
- Process requests for appliance contractors for dressings/catheters etc. in a timely manner
- Deal with patient prescription queries / answer telephone calls from patients regarding their medications.
- Train other members of the team in processing prescriptions.
- Process personally administered prescriptions for payment.
- Attend Medicine Management meetings held by the ICS.
- Attend internal meetings that are relevant to the role.
- Manage all other prescription processes following guidance from the practice Clinical Pharmacist.
- Manage all other prescription/medication processes following guidance from outside bodies such as the APC/GP Contract/CQC.
- Report on and near misses and significant events.
CONTACTING PATIENTS
Prescribing Assistant will contact patients by phone, texts, email, video or using standard letters in accordance with doctors’ instructions and to agreed timescales.
COMMUNICATIONPrescribing Assistant will:
- Communicate effectively, promptly and courteously with patients, carers and relatives.
- Use the most expedient and appropriate means to communicate information to other team members.
- Communicate appropriately and accurately with colleagues outside the practice and with due reference to the common law of confidentiality and the GDPR/data protection regulations.
- Immediately inform a member of staff if a patient appears ill or if their behaviour causes concern (including correct use of Emergency/Collapse/Security protocols).
- Be aware of Child Protection issues and communicate concerns in accordance with practice protocol.
DECISION-MAKING CONTRIBUTIONPrescribing Assistant will attend and contribute to meetings in the practice (staff meetings, planning meetings, significant event, and special projects). This will include contributing to the development and review of practice protocols.
QUALITY AND PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT
Prescribing Assistant will:
- Participate in the practice appraisal system.
- Perform tasks to the best of their ability and contribute to the performance of the team.
- Take action to report/tackle identified issues which affect quality or present risk to patients, team members or the practice.
CONFIDENTIALITYIn the course of their duties, Prescribing Assistant will have access to confidential information relating to patients, their carers and relatives and colleagues within and outside the practice. They may also have access to information relating to the practice as a business. All such information from any source whatsoever will be treated as strictly confidential.
Information relating to patients, their carers and relatives and colleagues within and outside the practice and in relation to the practice as a business will only be shared in accordance with the practice’s Confidentiality Policy, the GDPR and the Freedom of Information Act and in such a way that personal and sensitive patient-identifiable data is protected.
HEALTH AND SAFETYPrescribing Assistant will be aware of and comply with the practice’s Health and Safety Policy. This will include:
- Minimising risk to self and others in the workplace.
- Identifying and reporting hazards/risks and contributing to control measures.
- Adhering to all relevant policies including infection control, cold chain
- Contribute to keeping the working area and patient areas tidy and free from hazards.
- Using protective equipment and clothing if necessary and in accordance with the practice’s policy.
- Attending regular Health and Safety training.
EQUALITY AND DIVERSITY
Prescribing Assistant will comply with the practice’s Equality and Diversity Policy, including:
- Recognising the rights of patients, carers, relatives and colleagues and respecting their needs, beliefs, privacy and dignity.
- Not discriminating against patients, carers, relatives or colleagues on the grounds of any of the protected characteristics in the Equality Act 2010.
COMPLAINTS
Prescribing Assistant will provide patients who wish to complain with a copy of the practice’s complaints procedure and will explain how a patient should proceed if they want to complain face to face or in writing.
OTHER DUTIES
Prescribing Assistant may, from time to time, be asked to undertake other reasonable duties, with appropriate training and it expected that agreement to this will not be unreasonably withheld.
The Prescribing Assistant will from time to time undertake work on special projects as agreed with the Practice Director and/or GPs.
Pay: From £12.71 per hour
Benefits:
- Employee discount
- On-site parking
- Store discount
Work Location: In person
