This role will focus on: Ensuring safe, accurate and timely supply of prescribed medications for patients. The postholder will have the opportunity to lead on improvements in this area, providing technical and administrative support. Supporting the delivery of good care, helping patients to get the best outcomes from taking their medicines. Being the main contact for non-clinical medication related queries from pharmacies, nursing homes and other health care professionals, to improve the accuracy of patient medication records. Supporting implementation of medication changes under guidance of prescribing clinicians. Supporting with audit work in relation to safe prescribing and general quality improvement. Working closely with practice administration staff, GPs and pharmacists to answer any queries and take forward any work streams identified providing technical and administrative support. JOB ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: Main Duties: To undertake medicines and reconciliation in accordance with practice protocols and to update patients medical records accordingly. To support the achievement of practices QoF targets. Working with practices to contribute to the review and development of repeat prescribing protocols / Standard Operating Procedures to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of prescribing systems. To provide advice to GPs, staff and patients in changes to prescribing to support the improvement of prescribing safety, quality and cost effectiveness. To participate in and interpret medication audits. To assist in the appropriate monitoring and management of prescribing budgets and to liaise with medicines management team at the ICB. To prepare evidence based resources and information to support the implementation of rational cost-effective prescribing. To support the clinical pharmacist team to provide medication reviews, patient information leaflets, medicine awareness; and to undertake community visits as appropriate. To support all practices in implementing effective procedures and policies in relation to medicines management including the management and monitoring of shared care medication and MHRA Alerts. To promote medicines adherence including checking inhaler techniques where appropriate To take a proactive approach to promote the safe and secure handling of medicines including assessment of risk and making recommendations for improvement. To respond to medication queries from patients and staff in a professional manner referring to the appropriate GP in accordance with practice protocols. To advise on the sourcing and safe management of medicines as appropriate. Be responsible for the organisation and planning of your own workload meeting set deadlines. Administration duties in line with the role and responsibilities. Such as data entry/collation/processing in accordance with procedure Responsibilities underpinning the Role To play a role in the delivery of high-quality primary health care services. Provide support to individuals, their families and carers to take control of their health and wellbeing, live independently and improve their outcomes, as a key member of the PCN Multi-disciplinary Team. Working under supervision of the core network member practices taking referrals. To make and maintain contact with local health and wellbeing service providers and build a network and knowledge of referral routes to and from service providers, keeping a Directory of Services updated. Refer people and/or introduce them to appropriate organisations in Lincolnshire and nationally (where appropriate) e.g. voluntary, statutory (local authority) and local NHS organisations. To present the PCN in cross organisation meetings when agreed e.g. locality/ICB meetings. Collate feedback/analysis data on behalf of the PCN to report to the board and ICBNHSE as required. Maintaining a positive, supportive and patient focused culture across the wider team. Any other duties commensurate with this position. As this is a new and evolving role, this is not an exhaustive list of duties and responsibilities, and the post holder may be required to undertake other duties that fall within the grade of the job, in discussion with their line manager. The content of this job description will be reviewed regularly in the light of changing service requirements and any such changes will be discussed with the post holder. Key working relationships Local care homes EHCH Multi-Disciplinary Team GP Practices within the PCN Practice Leaders (Partners and Practice Managers) PCN Social Prescribers PCN Clinical Pharmacists PCN Clinical Directors and Business Manager Clinical Commissioning Group (ICB) and NHSE Community Health Teams both physical and mental health Local Authority CONFIDENTIALITY In the course of seeking treatment, patients entrust us with, or allow us to gather sensitive information in relation to their health and other matters. They do so in confidence and have the right to expect that staff will respect their privacy and act appropriately. In the performance of the duties outlined in this job description, the post-holder may have access to confidential information relating to patients and their carers, practice staff and other healthcare workers. They may also have access to information relating to the PCN as a business organisation. All such information from any source is to be regarded as strictly confidential. Information relating to patients, carers, colleagues, other healthcare workers or the business of the PCN may only be divulged to authorised persons in accordance with the employing practice policies and procedures relating to confidentiality and the protection of personal and sensitive data. EQUALITY AND DIVERSITY The post-holder will support the equality, diversity and rights of patients, carers and colleagues, to include: Acting in a way that recognises the importance of peoples rights, interpreting them in a way that is consistent with PCN and the member practices procedures and policies, and current legislation Respecting the privacy, dignity, needs and beliefs of patients, carers and colleagues Behaving in a manner which is welcoming to and of the individual, is non-judgemental and respects their circumstances, feelings, priorities and rights PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT The post-holder will participate in any training programme implemented by the PCN as part of this employment, with such training to include: Participation in an annual individual performance review, including taking responsibility for maintaining a record of their own personal and/or professional development Participation in the PCN mandatory training programme Taking responsibility for own development, learning and performance, demonstrating skills and activities to others who are undertaking similar work. QUALITY The post-holder will strive to maintain quality within the PCN and will: Alert other team members to issues of quality and risk Assess own performance and take accountability for their own actions, either directly or under supervision Contribute to the effectiveness of the team by reflecting on own and team activities and making suggestions on ways to improve and enhance the teams performance Work effectively with individuals in other agencies to meet patients needs Effectively manage own time, workload and resources COMMUNICATION The post-holder should recognise the importance of effective communication within the team and will strive to: Communicate effectively with patients and carers Recognise peoples needs for alternative methods of communication and respond accordingly Communicate effectively with other team members