Job Summary
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.
Job Types: Full-time, Part-time, Permanent
Benefits:
- Company pension
- On-site parking
Ability to commute/relocate:
- Reading RG7 5AS: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (preferred)
Experience:
- Pharmacist: 1 year (preferred)
Work Location: In person
