Job responsibilities Medication Review and Optimisation To respond to reception 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 times) with other clinicians as necessary. Face to Face clinics: to identify patients in need of medication review and develop the system of patient invitation with the admin team, for medication reviews and to discuss specific issues, such as those described above under specific patient and prescribing issues. 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. Medicines Reconciliation To review 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 review and continue to repeat medications for new patients who have just registered with the practice and suggest GP medication review where appropriate. 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 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 suppoting 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 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.