Job summary An exciting opportunity has arisen to join NHS Cheshire and Merseyside ICB (Integrated Care Board) as a Clinical Pharmacist. Cheshire and Merseyside ICB covers a population of 2.7million people with services provided by 17 NHS trusts, 349 GP practices, 9 local authorities and 590 pharmacies. The post holder will work as a member of a place Medicines Optimisation team to support in delivering the objectives of the functions of the team. Current vacancies for this role are available in the following places: Wirral. This role will support to improve medicines management outcomes by informing and co-ordinating the activities of key health care professional and support staff within practices and the wider community. You will utilise your existing clinical knowledge and skills in addition to developing within the role to improve outcomes for patients. The successful applicant will be a clinical pharmacist with a passion for patient-centered care and a commitment to excellence in clinical practice. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills are essential for building rapport with colleagues. We value adaptability and initiative, seeking individuals who are eager to contribute to continuous improvement initiatives. Main duties of the job This will be varied and will adapt over time as the Medicines Optimisation and Pharmacy function develops. However, the postholder is expected to fulfil the following key functions: - To work on own initiative, unsupervised or as part of a team, to deliver safe, effective, and cost-effective use of the medicines resource in accordance with the medicines management agenda. To take responsibility for providing specialist pharmaceutical and clinical advice and support GP practices, care homes and appropriate colleagues. The main duties and responsibilities described above are not exhaustive and the post holder can expect to take on other responsibilities or specific tasks as required. About us We are committed to recruiting the best person for the job, based on ability and merit as measured against a criteria for this role. We are committed to being a diverse and inclusive employer and we foster a culture where all staff are valued, respected and acknowledged. Date posted 21 February 2025 Pay scheme Agenda for change Band Band 7 Salary £46,148 to £52,809 a year per annum Contract Permanent Working pattern Full-time Reference number 493-ICB-7021806 Job locations 5th Floor, Marriss House Hamilton Street Birkenhead CH41 5AL Job description Job responsibilities Leadership To work on own initiative, unsupervised, balancing the requirements of the role. Planning and prioritising workload to deliver an effective service. To promote and support the implementation of national policies and NICE where these relate to medicines use. To support the management of indicative prescribing budgets. To be responsible for medicines management policy implementation and medicines management service development at GP practice level, appropriately modified to reflect individual practice circumstances and needs. Support the work of other ICB medicines management staff. Any other reasonable task consistent with grade and competence. To improve medicines management outcomes by informing, involving, negotiating with, persuading, motivating and co-ordinating the activities of key health care professionals. To resolve specific medication issues by direct contact with patients or groups of patients. To be responsible for developing, promoting, and implementing evidence-based prescribing practice within own GP practices. To lead on specific clinical issues or project areas as requested by the Head of Medicines Management. Clinical To implement the medicines management plans within GP practices and, in collaboration with the primary health care team. To provide appropriately differentiated specialist advice and education on prescribing and medicines management to colleagues at a GP practice level, care homes and the NHS and wider community, including patients or their carers, to facilitate optimal use of the medicines resource, and to be accountable for that advice. To undertake medication reviews in practices, care homes, domiciliary or other settings. This will involve offering advice and explanations about medicines and, where necessary, initiating changes to ensure patients medication is optimised and referring the patients to other services when indicated. To undertake assessments of patients adherence with medicine use within the home setting in conjunction with relatives, carers, relevant health and social care staff and the voluntary sector. To make recommendation to health care service providers based on this assessment. To maintain knowledge and awareness of current clinical evidence base around medicines, interpreting this evidence to ensure that advice given to professional colleagues and patients is current, relevant, accurate and in keeping with national and local guidelines. In so doing being accountable for ones own professional actions whilst working within a framework of ethical, legal and clinical standards. To accept the legal and clinical responsibility to treat patients within the legal framework of a Patient Group Direction (PGD). To hold or to work towards independent prescribing qualification. To undertake independent prescribing if qualified and where required by the ICB. To contribute to rational evidence-based prescribing across primary and secondary care ensuring the most cost-effective use of the drugs budget at both practice level and global level. Non-Clinical: To maintain a high professional standard, acting in a discreet and professional manner and respecting the status of independent contractors, patients, and professional colleagues. To exercise due care and attention whilst working with extraneous equipment. To act promptly and efficiently in response to unpredictable situations, being adaptable to the work environment, while maintaining levels of concentration. To organise and conduct regular meetings with GP practices. To carry out lone working in line with the ICB lone working policy where required To undertake any other reasonable duties appropriate to the post and grade. Training and Education To provide education to patients and their representatives about medicines. To provide information to patients and their representatives on national or local policy relating to medicines use. To liaise with and provide support for the other members of the medicines management team and their work, so that knowledge and expertise is shared, and consistency achieved across the team. To deliver core training on medicines management issues to other medicines management support staff, health care professionals, practice staff, trainees, and undergraduate students. To act as tutor for undergraduate pharmacy students working with the place when undertaking their final year project or other practice/place-based studies. To undertake and complete mandatory and other relevant training. Research and Audit To undertake aspects of risk management by audit and review of practice medicines management systems. To support the development of and implement evidence-based prescribing protocols and/or formularies. To maintain appropriate records in relation to medicines management activity and outcomes, both clinical and financial. To contribute to rational and cost-effective prescribing across primary and secondary care to achieve the most effective use of the medicines resource at both practice level and across the health economy. To be involved in any research development, project, or pilot development as approved by a Senior Clinical Pharmacist. To be responsible for reporting of significant events or adverse drug reactions using the appropriate reporting system. Communication & Relationships To obtain, interpret and present information to colleagues to illustrate trends in prescribing or areas of concern, and support prescribers with a course of action (including designing and managing any necessary audits, projects, or research) and a means of monitoring outcomes to address these. To analyse and interpret EPACT2 (Electronic Prescribing Analysis and CosT) data and other data to support rational prescribing, and to act upon that information to achieve necessary changes in prescribing. To provide prescribers and patients with pharmaceutical advice. To provide regular update reports on progress to the Senior Clinical Pharmacist for Medicines Management, including raising any clinical governance concerns. To support the implementation of the Pharmaceutical Services contract, working with colleagues and, where necessary, liaising with local community pharmacists to ensure effective delivery. To provide regular feedback to other members of the medicines management team, participate in discussion on medicines policy to ensure consistency of message within the team and coordination of action. To work in a discreet and professional manner, respecting and maintaining the confidentiality of patient specific and prescribing data. To be involved in Public Health Projects such as Public Awareness Days, Flu Vaccination Campaigns, Medicines Partnership promotions. Key working relationships The post holder will have regular contact with a wide range of staff at all levels within the ICB, with senior and other representatives of local stakeholders, as well as with patients and their representatives. Some of the key direct relationships include: ICS Chief Pharmacist ICS Deputy Chief Pharmacist Heads of Medicines Management Place Medicines Management Teams Colleagues and Senior leaders of the Medical Directorate including Clinical Leads and the Digital Team Place Director Place AD of Transformation Business Intelligence (BI) Colleagues Cheshire and Merseyside ICB senior leadership teams Programme Directors and managers working within C&M Priority Programmes Colleagues within NHSE/I Local authority colleagues Provider colleagues Job description Job responsibilities Leadership To work on own initiative, unsupervised, balancing the requirements of the role. Planning and prioritising workload to deliver an effective service. To promote and support the implementation of national policies and NICE where these relate to medicines use. To support the management of indicative prescribing budgets. To be responsible for medicines management policy implementation and medicines management service development at GP practice level, appropriately modified to reflect individual practice circumstances and needs. Support the work of other ICB medicines management staff. Any other reasonable task consistent with grade and competence. To improve medicines management outcomes by informing, involving, negotiating with, persuading, motivating and co-ordinating the activities of key health care professionals. To resolve specific medication issues by direct contact with patients or groups of patients. To be responsible for developing, promoting, and implementing evidence-based prescribing practice within own GP practices. To lead on specific clinical issues or project areas as requested by the Head of Medicines Management. Clinical To implement the medicines management plans within GP practices and, in collaboration with the primary health care team. To provide appropriately differentiated specialist advice and education on prescribing and medicines management to colleagues at a GP practice level, care homes and the NHS and wider community, including patients or their carers, to facilitate optimal use of the medicines resource, and to be accountable for that advice. To undertake medication reviews in practices, care homes, domiciliary or other settings. This will involve offering advice and explanations about medicines and, where necessary, initiating changes to ensure patients medication is optimised and referring the patients to other services when indicated. To undertake assessments of patients adherence with medicine use within the home setting in conjunction with relatives, carers, relevant health and social care staff and the voluntary sector. To make recommendation to health care service providers based on this assessment. To maintain knowledge and awareness of current clinical evidence base around medicines, interpreting this evidence to ensure that advice given to professional colleagues and patients is current, relevant, accurate and in keeping with national and local guidelines. In so doing being accountable for ones own professional actions whilst working within a framework of ethical, legal and clinical standards. To accept the legal and clinical responsibility to treat patients within the legal framework of a Patient Group Direction (PGD). To hold or to work towards independent prescribing qualification. To undertake independent prescribing if qualified and where required by the ICB. To contribute to rational evidence-based prescribing across primary and secondary care ensuring the most cost-effective use of the drugs budget at both practice level and global level. Non-Clinical: To maintain a high professional standard, acting in a discreet and professional manner and respecting the status of independent contractors, patients, and professional colleagues. To exercise due care and attention whilst working with extraneous equipment. To act promptly and efficiently in response to unpredictable situations, being adaptable to the work environment, while maintaining levels of concentration. To organise and conduct regular meetings with GP practices. To carry out lone working in line with the ICB lone working policy where required To undertake any other reasonable duties appropriate to the post and grade. Training and Education To provide education to patients and their representatives about medicines. To provide information to patients and their representatives on national or local policy relating to medicines use. To liaise with and provide support for the other members of the medicines management team and their work, so that knowledge and expertise is shared, and consistency achieved across the team. To deliver core training on medicines management issues to other medicines management support staff, health care professionals, practice staff, trainees, and undergraduate students. To act as tutor for undergraduate pharmacy students working with the place when undertaking their final year project or other practice/place-based studies. To undertake and complete mandatory and other relevant training. Research and Audit To undertake aspects of risk management by audit and review of practice medicines management systems. To support the development of and implement evidence-based prescribing protocols and/or formularies. To maintain appropriate records in relation to medicines management activity and outcomes, both clinical and financial. To contribute to rational and cost-effective prescribing across primary and secondary care to achieve the most effective use of the medicines resource at both practice level and across the health economy. To be involved in any research development, project, or pilot development as approved by a Senior Clinical Pharmacist. To be responsible for reporting of significant events or adverse drug reactions using the appropriate reporting system. Communication & Relationships To obtain, interpret and present information to colleagues to illustrate trends in prescribing or areas of concern, and support prescribers with a course of action (including designing and managing any necessary audits, projects, or research) and a means of monitoring outcomes to address these. To analyse and interpret EPACT2 (Electronic Prescribing Analysis and CosT) data and other data to support rational prescribing, and to act upon that information to achieve necessary changes in prescribing. To provide prescribers and patients with pharmaceutical advice. To provide regular update reports on progress to the Senior Clinical Pharmacist for Medicines Management, including raising any clinical governance concerns. To support the implementation of the Pharmaceutical Services contract, working with colleagues and, where necessary, liaising with local community pharmacists to ensure effective delivery. To provide regular feedback to other members of the medicines management team, participate in discussion on medicines policy to ensure consistency of message within the team and coordination of action. To work in a discreet and professional manner, respecting and maintaining the confidentiality of patient specific and prescribing data. To be involved in Public Health Projects such as Public Awareness Days, Flu Vaccination Campaigns, Medicines Partnership promotions. Key working relationships The post holder will have regular contact with a wide range of staff at all levels within the ICB, with senior and other representatives of local stakeholders, as well as with patients and their representatives. Some of the key direct relationships include: ICS Chief Pharmacist ICS Deputy Chief Pharmacist Heads of Medicines Management Place Medicines Management Teams Colleagues and Senior leaders of the Medical Directorate including Clinical Leads and the Digital Team Place Director Place AD of Transformation Business Intelligence (BI) Colleagues Cheshire and Merseyside ICB senior leadership teams Programme Directors and managers working within C&M Priority Programmes Colleagues within NHSE/I Local authority colleagues Provider colleagues Person Specification Experience Essential o A minimum of 1 years' post registration experience o Evidence of experience of working on projects where post holder uses own initiative and manages own timescales Experience Essential oDiploma in Clinical Pharmacy or equivalent e.g. CPPE Pathway completion or being undertaken oIndependent or supplementary prescribing qualification or working towards/intent of gaining independent prescribing qualification Skills Essential oEvidence of persuasive negotiation and influencing skills are required as this information may be challenged by other professionals and the pharmaceutical industry. oEvidence of ability to co-ordinate and plan activities with other professionals and agencies. oEvidence of ability to work unsupervised and to take responsibility for project work. oEvidence of ability to accept guidance and constructive criticism. Person Specification Experience Essential o A minimum of 1 years' post registration experience o Evidence of experience of working on projects where post holder uses own initiative and manages own timescales Experience Essential oDiploma in Clinical Pharmacy or equivalent e.g. CPPE Pathway completion or being undertaken oIndependent or supplementary prescribing qualification or working towards/intent of gaining independent prescribing qualification Skills Essential oEvidence of persuasive negotiation and influencing skills are required as this information may be challenged by other professionals and the pharmaceutical industry. oEvidence of ability to co-ordinate and plan activities with other professionals and agencies. oEvidence of ability to work unsupervised and to take responsibility for project work. oEvidence of ability to accept guidance and constructive criticism. 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 NHS Cheshire and Merseyside Integrated Care Board Address 5th Floor, Marriss House Hamilton Street Birkenhead CH41 5AL Employer's website https://www.cheshireandmerseysidepartnership.co.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)