Locality Medicines Optimisation Pharmacist

Job summary

The post holder will work as a member of the NHS Integrated Care Board, Medicines Optimisation Team working with local PCNs and GP practices to improve the quality of prescribing, to reduce the unwarranted variation in prescribing across the Lincolnshire ICB area and promote safe and cost-effective prescribing.

Although the post holder will be assigned to a particular geographical area, they will be expected to work collaboratively with other team members and across the health community as work programs require. The post holder will work as part of a dynamic team in delivering Medicines Optimisation across the health community, supporting managers and staff. There will also be opportunity to lead on a specialist area on behalf of the Medicines Optimisation team, and drive forward workstreams and guidelines which are relevant to this area.

This post involves working across the East of Lincolnshire, and will require occasional travel within this geographical area, although we do also utilise Microsoft Teams and hybrid working. East Lincolnshire includes the following PCNs: Boston, East Lindsey, First Coastal and Meridian, comprising a total of 25 practices. We aim to visit each practice a minimum of once a year in person, as well as ad hoc visits when necessary. The team currently has one day a week working from Bridge House in Sleaford, although this may be subject to change in the future.

Main duties of the job

Make contact with, build relationship with and maintain regular contact with PCN Clinical Directors, PCN Managers and PCN/practice-based pharmacy colleagues working within Lincolnshire. Take a lead role in upholding and maintaining regular prescribing forum meetings. Provide direction and facilitation for PCNs and practices to deliver the local medicines optimisation agenda and strategy . Deliver agreed prescribing education to prescribers where needed and 'train the trainer' education to PCN/practice-based pharmacy colleagues for delivery to prescribers and other healthcare professionals within their PCN/practice. Respond to medicines-related queries from prescribers, pharmacists and other health and care workers and provide professional prescribing advice, based on evidence based medicine, national guidance and local prescribing patterns. Analyse and interpret prescribing data to identify potential changes at PCN/practice level to optimise medicines use. Develop and undertake clinical audit related to prescribing to promote safe and effective medicines use where required. Conduct/participate in Structured Medication Reviews where needed to support PCN/practice staff that promote appropriate prescribing, reduce wastage and support medicines optimisation.

Provide support for the Senior Medicines Optimisation Team personnel and deputise where necessary and appropriate.

About us

NHS Lincolnshire ICB are working closely together to improve health and health services by commissioning services on behalf of the Lincolnshire area population, whilst contributing to wider improvements for this population.

The Medicines Optimisation Team in Lincolnshire ICB are a small and friendly team with a broad knowledge base drawn from a wide variety of different healthcare backgrounds. There are many exciting opportunities for staff joining this team, including contributing to the shape of the service as we continue to develop our roles.

The ICB will promote good governance and proper stewardship of public resources in pursuance of its goals and in meeting its statutory duties. Good corporate governance arrangements are critical to achieving the ICB's objectives and system wide financial sustainability

Job description

Job responsibilities

Engage with PCNs and GP practices to deliver the ICB medicines optimisation strategic objectives and priorities and to ensure that the pharmaceutical needs of the population are met.

Lead on building a working network for PCN and practice-based pharmacy colleagues in the locality as a vehicle for supporting the co-ordinated delivery of the local medicines optimisation programme in PCNs and GP practices

Take an active part in building and maintaining Locality Prescribing Forum(s) (or equivalent) as a platform to promote and share good prescribing practice, significant prescribing news and changes to policy, deliver some prescribing training/education, deal with local prescribing issues and progress the delivery of the ICB/ICS medicines optimisation agenda

Identify PCNs and GP practices in the locality that require more support to deliver quality prescribing and the ICB medicines optimisation agenda and support them in finding solutions for delivery of this agenda

Provide timely expert evidence based, safe and cost effective pharmaceutical advice, information and support to stakeholders to deliver improved patient care strongly linked to national and local prescribing guidelines and policies.

Contribute where required to the ICS medicines optimisation work programme design and delivery

Develop/maintain a pharmaceutical speciality in an identified clinical area/Long Term Condition relevant to primary care prescribing and act as the local subject matter expert in that field

- Represent the Medicines Optimisation Team on and work collaboratively with other ICS work streams where pharmacy and prescribing is a significant factor or where a specific pharmacy or prescribing input is needed

Further details about the duties and responsibilities of this role are provided in the attached job description.

Person Specification

Essential & Desirable

Essential

Masters degree in Pharmacy or equivalent Pharmacist registered with the GPhC Diploma/MSc in Prescribing Sciences/Clinical Pharmacy/Pharmacy practice or equivalent clinical experience. Takes personal responsibility for Continuing Professional Development, as evidenced by portfolio. Uses reflective practice for personal and professional development. Experience in clinical setting Experience of multidisciplinary working Experience in training and education of both staff and other healthcare professionals Experience of audit work Experience of working with GPs Experience of working with prescribing data Experience of supervising others Experience of evidence based medicine and knows where to obtain relevant and up to date clinical and regulatory information. Able to critically analyse information and evidence and to communicate the findings clearly in simple terms. Ability to be flexible and manage change in a complex and changing healthcare environment Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint skills and ability to retrieve information from the Internet. Able to deliver key messages succinctly and professionally both verbally and in writing. Ability to plan and prioritise work with good organisational and time management skills Takes responsibility for own actions, has a high degree of self-motivation and is able to work on own initiative Works with confidence, flexibility and self-reliance. Able to work individually and as part of a team. Ability to develop and implement strategies and can demonstrate a disciplined approach to setting and achieving objectives. Able to work under pressure, prioritise effectively and deal with frequent interruptions. Awareness of and commitment to the Clinical and Information Governance agendas. Can identify and manage risks and evaluate quality of own work / service Demonstrates good understanding of the legal, governance and ethical framework within which pharmacists, GPs and primary care organisations work. Broad clinical and pharmaceutical knowledge Knowledge of NHS initiatives, policy and developments and how they relate to pharmacy and medicines management Strong record of excellent inter-personal, negotiating, influencing, problem solving and presentation skills. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with a wide range of healthcare professionals Valid driving license and access to own transport Diploma/MSc in Prescribing Sciences/Clinical Pharmacy/Pharmacy practice or equivalent clinical experience

Desirable

Independent prescriber Experience of working in both secondary care and community pharmacy Previous primary care experience Experience of working with external agencies such as the voluntary sector or social services Experience of using and analysing and PACT data Experience of managing others Medicines information skills Critical appraisal skills Understanding of motivational theory and key behaviour influences on clinical professional behaviour

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