Job summary We have an exciting opportunity for a clinical pharmacist to join Coleford Medical Practice. The practice is in the beautiful Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire and there are good road connections to Gloucester, Cheltenham and Bristol. The Wye Valley area of outstanding natural beauty is close by and a little further afield you can explore to Cotswolds or the Brecon Beacons and South Wales. While being an independent prescriber is not essential, you should be able and willing to work towards this qualification and we can support you in this. Previous experience in General Practice and/or community pharmacy is desired. Your role will be predominantly patient facing and you will be given time for administration and audit work. We welcome applications who have the following skills and qualifications. Qualified and registered clinical pharmacist with minimum of 2 years post qualification experience, working either in public and/or commercial healthcare sector with GP or community experience. Have an appreciation of the nature of primary care prescribing, concepts of rational prescribing and strategies for improving prescribing. Possess excellent written and verbal communications skills. Strong teamwork skills Main duties of the job The clinical pharmacist will operate within Coleford Medical Practice as part of the Clinical Pharmacy team. They will share their pharmacy expertise to support GP's and the whole practice in effective medicines management and optimal patient care. Undertake clinical medication reviews with patients, looking at medicine optimisation, prescribing and deprescribing recommendations. Conduct patient medication reviews either on the telephone, face to face, or in a care home environment. Answer relevant medicine-related enquiries from GPs and other practice staff as well as patients with queries about medicines, suggesting and recommending solutions. Providing follow up for patients to monitor the effect of any changes. Implement changes to medicines that result from MHRA alerts, product withdrawal and other local and national guidance. Ensure awareness of quality and outcomes framework QOF, PCN directed enhanced services, local enhanced services and work within those guidelines. Ensure up to date knowledge of NICE guidelines and local ICB prescribing regulations. Ensure patient notes updated professionally and thoroughly and correct coding is used for reporting purposes. Integrate and engage with the existing clinical pharmacy team and the wider practice team. About us Coleford Medical Practice is a vibrant, forward-thinking GP practice that places the care of both our patients and staff at the core of everything we do. Our close-knit team fosters a warm, friendly, and compassionate environment, creating a space where everyone feels valued. Serving a community of over 13,500 patients, our dedicated GPs, triage nurses, pharmacist, advanced nurse practitioners, paramedic, practice nurses, registered nurse associates (RNAs) healthcare assistants (HCAs) and administrative staff work together to provide outstanding care. Every day, our team goes above and beyond to support and improve the health and well-being of the community were proud to serve. We have a well established full time clinical pharmacist and a full time clinical pharmacy technician. We are also a large dispensing practice with a team of dispensers and prescription clerks to support us. Coleford Medical Practice operates over 3 sites, Coleford Health Centre, Brunston Surgery & Lydrook Health Centre, with a list size of 13500 patients. Date posted 06 February 2025 Pay scheme Other Salary Depending on experience Contract Permanent Working pattern Full-time Reference number A5725-25-0000 Job locations Coleford Health Centre Railway Drive Coleford Gloucestershire GL16 8RH Brunston Surgery Cinderhill Coleford Gloucestershire GL16 8HJ Lydbrook Health Centre Upper Lydbrook Lydbrook GL17 9LG Job description Job responsibilities Patient Medication Management and Optimisation To respond to reception, dispensary and pharmacy technician queries to amend prescriptions, re-authorise repeats, clarify doses, clarify products, give appropriate alternatives when there is availability issues. To discuss specific patient and prescribing issues (e.g. complicated regimes/polypharmacy, compliance difficulties, multiple adverse effects, medication reduction) with other clinicians as necessary. Face to Face clinics: For medication reviews particularly for more complex patients and polypharmacy prescriptions. Chronic conditions management according to your interests, experience and practice need. Controlled medication prescribing reviews and reduction where appropriate. Telephone consultations: To discuss medication issues with the patients as needed and appropriate by telephone, e.g. adverse effects/interactions, overdose/inadvertent ingestion, OTC remedies, queries from reception, queries from care homes. Home Visits: To join GPs and the MDT in 6 monthly care home patient reviews and occasional individual housebound patient visits to optimise medication regimens. Medicines Reconciliation To support the pharmacy technicians in reviewing secondary care requests for new medication (as communicated by discharge summaries, outpatient letters, etc), raise any queries with relevant GP and discuss how to respond when inappropriate prescribing requests arise. To support the pharmacy technicians in reviewing repeat medications for new patients who have just registered with the practice. Medicines Information/Education To monitor and inform colleagues, as required, about ongoing prescribing issues, e.g. new guidelines (national and local), new products being asked for by secondary care, manufacturing and supply problems, new prescribing restrictions or contradictions, and individual and systematic errors made by colleagues. To advise on cost effective prescribing and prescribing budget issues To keep prescribing folder on practice intranet up to date with admin support as required. Prescribing Systems and Policies To liaise with reception, admin and clinical staff in discussing, developing and implementing medicines management systems in the practice. To work with the GPs (especially the prescribing lead) and the practice manager to review, develop and implement prescribing policies and strategies for the whole practice. To suggest and design audits in relation to prescribing targets, implementation of locality policies and the Quality Outcomes Framework (QOF) To work with the GPs, practice manager and data team on choosing and delivering targets for the local Prescribing Incentive Scheme (PIS) To monitor the practices prescribing performance (via the CCG prescribing dashboard, progress on the PIS, ePACT etc) and suggest changes to practice prescribing as appropriate To support the delivery of electronic prescribing Working Relationships and Communication requirements To be a senior member of the clinical pharmacy team working effectively with your colleague clinical pharmacist and supporting the pharmacy technicians, dispensers and prescription clerks. Strong teamwork skills are required and an ability to be flexible, respectful and work under pressure at times is essential. Communication information to patients, carers, colleagues and other agencies in a manner consistent with their level of understanding, culture, background and preferred ways of communication. Provide complex information to patients/carers and supporting those receiving it sometimes where significant barriers to understanding and acceptance exist. This includes gaining informed consent in sensitive circumstances and demonstrating empathy with patients, carers and families. Practice within a legal and ethical framework that adheres to the GPC Code and PML policies and procedures including, but not limited to data protection, duty of candour, confidentiality and safeguarding duties. Always assess and adapt appropriately and respectfully to the home environment of patients and carers remembering, we are guests in their home. Demonstrate established negotiating and influencing skills in the management of conflict across a range of situation which may involve diffusion of hostility and aggression e.g. to deal with complaints sensitively, avoiding escalation etc. Maintain confidentiality of information consistent with legislation and PML policy. Be proficient with IT systems, compile reports, analyse data often in the context of frequent interruption. Job description Job responsibilities Patient Medication Management and Optimisation To respond to reception, dispensary and pharmacy technician queries to amend prescriptions, re-authorise repeats, clarify doses, clarify products, give appropriate alternatives when there is availability issues. To discuss specific patient and prescribing issues (e.g. complicated regimes/polypharmacy, compliance difficulties, multiple adverse effects, medication reduction) with other clinicians as necessary. Face to Face clinics: For medication reviews particularly for more complex patients and polypharmacy prescriptions. Chronic conditions management according to your interests, experience and practice need. Controlled medication prescribing reviews and reduction where appropriate. Telephone consultations: To discuss medication issues with the patients as needed and appropriate by telephone, e.g. adverse effects/interactions, overdose/inadvertent ingestion, OTC remedies, queries from reception, queries from care homes. Home Visits: To join GPs and the MDT in 6 monthly care home patient reviews and occasional individual housebound patient visits to optimise medication regimens. Medicines Reconciliation To support the pharmacy technicians in reviewing secondary care requests for new medication (as communicated by discharge summaries, outpatient letters, etc), raise any queries with relevant GP and discuss how to respond when inappropriate prescribing requests arise. To support the pharmacy technicians in reviewing repeat medications for new patients who have just registered with the practice. Medicines Information/Education To monitor and inform colleagues, as required, about ongoing prescribing issues, e.g. new guidelines (national and local), new products being asked for by secondary care, manufacturing and supply problems, new prescribing restrictions or contradictions, and individual and systematic errors made by colleagues. To advise on cost effective prescribing and prescribing budget issues To keep prescribing folder on practice intranet up to date with admin support as required. Prescribing Systems and Policies To liaise with reception, admin and clinical staff in discussing, developing and implementing medicines management systems in the practice. To work with the GPs (especially the prescribing lead) and the practice manager to review, develop and implement prescribing policies and strategies for the whole practice. To suggest and design audits in relation to prescribing targets, implementation of locality policies and the Quality Outcomes Framework (QOF) To work with the GPs, practice manager and data team on choosing and delivering targets for the local Prescribing Incentive Scheme (PIS) To monitor the practices prescribing performance (via the CCG prescribing dashboard, progress on the PIS, ePACT etc) and suggest changes to practice prescribing as appropriate To support the delivery of electronic prescribing Working Relationships and Communication requirements To be a senior member of the clinical pharmacy team working effectively with your colleague clinical pharmacist and supporting the pharmacy technicians, dispensers and prescription clerks. Strong teamwork skills are required and an ability to be flexible, respectful and work under pressure at times is essential. Communication information to patients, carers, colleagues and other agencies in a manner consistent with their level of understanding, culture, background and preferred ways of communication. Provide complex information to patients/carers and supporting those receiving it sometimes where significant barriers to understanding and acceptance exist. This includes gaining informed consent in sensitive circumstances and demonstrating empathy with patients, carers and families. Practice within a legal and ethical framework that adheres to the GPC Code and PML policies and procedures including, but not limited to data protection, duty of candour, confidentiality and safeguarding duties. Always assess and adapt appropriately and respectfully to the home environment of patients and carers remembering, we are guests in their home. Demonstrate established negotiating and influencing skills in the management of conflict across a range of situation which may involve diffusion of hostility and aggression e.g. to deal with complaints sensitively, avoiding escalation etc. Maintain confidentiality of information consistent with legislation and PML policy. Be proficient with IT systems, compile reports, analyse data often in the context of frequent interruption. Person Specification Qualifications Essential Mandatory registration with General Pharmaceutical Council Masters degree in pharmacy (MPharm) or equivalent Completion of CPPE pathway Desirable Membership of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society, or working towards Faculty membership of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society. Independent Prescriber or working towards/intent on gaining independent prescribing qualification with the support of our team. Experience Essential Minimum of 2 years post qualification experience in general practice or a community setting. In depth therapeutic and clinical knowledge and understanding of the principles of evidence-based healthcare An appreciation of the nature of general practice An appreciation of the nature of primary care prescribing, concepts of rational prescribing and strategies for improving prescribing. Demonstrate excellent communication skills with colleagues and patients. Recognises priorities when problem solving and identifies deviations from the normal pattern and is able to refer to senior management or GP's when appropriate. Demonstrate ability to work with enthusiasm as part of a busy, professional but supportive team and to be able to work flexibly under pressure. Skills and knowledge Essential Excellent interpersonal, influencing and negotiating skills Excellent written and verbal communication skills Good problem solving skills Good I.T. skills Able to obtain and analyse complex technical information Desirable Produce timely and informative reports Work effectively independently and as part of a team Ability to work under pressure and have good prioritisation skills Knowledge of SystmOne clinical IT system Disclosure and Barring Service Check Essential Disclosure and Barring Service Check This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions. UK Registration Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window). Person Specification Qualifications Essential Mandatory registration with General Pharmaceutical Council Masters degree in pharmacy (MPharm) or equivalent Completion of CPPE pathway Desirable Membership of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society, or working towards Faculty membership of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society. Independent Prescriber or working towards/intent on gaining independent prescribing qualification with the support of our team. Experience Essential Minimum of 2 years post qualification experience in general practice or a community setting. In depth therapeutic and clinical knowledge and understanding of the principles of evidence-based healthcare An appreciation of the nature of general practice An appreciation of the nature of primary care prescribing, concepts of rational prescribing and strategies for improving prescribing. Demonstrate excellent communication skills with colleagues and patients. Recognises priorities when problem solving and identifies deviations from the normal pattern and is able to refer to senior management or GP's when appropriate. Demonstrate ability to work with enthusiasm as part of a busy, professional but supportive team and to be able to work flexibly under pressure. Skills and knowledge Essential Excellent interpersonal, influencing and negotiating skills Excellent written and verbal communication skills Good problem solving skills Good I.T. skills Able to obtain and analyse complex technical information Desirable Produce timely and informative reports Work effectively independently and as part of a team Ability to work under pressure and have good prioritisation skills Knowledge of SystmOne clinical IT system Disclosure and Barring Service Check Essential Disclosure and Barring Service Check This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions. UK Registration Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window). Disclosure and Barring Service Check This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions. UK Registration Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window). Additional information Disclosure and Barring Service Check This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions. UK Registration Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window). Employer details Employer name Coleford Medical Practice Address Coleford Health Centre Railway Drive Coleford Gloucestershire GL16 8RH Employer's website https://colefordmedicalpractice.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)