A pharmacist works as part of a multidisciplinary team and can clinically assess and treat patients using their expert knowledge of medicine.
Clinical pharmacists work as part of the general practice team to improve value and outcomes from medicines and consult with and treat patients directly. This includes providing extra help to manage long-term conditions, advice for those on multiple medicines and better access to health checks. The role is pivotal to improving the quality of care and ensuring patient safety.
Key Information
Scope of Practice
Key responsibilities include
- Conducts structured medication reviews (SMRs)
- Independent prescribing/deprescribing
- Provides medication advice to healthcare professionals and patients
- Optimises medication (e.g. antibiotic stewardship)
- Translates medicines national policies into local implementation
- Adopts a whole system approach to medicines management
Having clinical pharmacists in GP practices means that GPs can focus their skills where they are most needed, for example on diagnosing and treating patients with more complex conditions. This helps GPs to manage the demands on their time.
Training Requirements
Registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC)
Enrolled in or qualified from an approved training programme, e.g. Primary care pharmacy education pathway (PCPEP) or equivalent.
Funding
Clinical Pharmacists are reimbursable under the ARRS scheme.
Supervision
Clinical pharmacists must be supervised by a senior or advanced practice pharmacist at least once a month, with access to a GP for support/development.
Senior clinical pharmacists must be supervised by a GP or advanced practice pharmacist at least once every 3 months.
Devon Training Hub have recently produced a summary guide covering the supervision of all roles including GPs, Nurses, Non-Medical Prescribers, Advanced Practitioners and new roles funded through the ARRS scheme.
The guide contains the latest information on supervision requirements for each role, which team members of the team can supervise them, & details of training requirements & CPD opportunities for supervisors.
Learning & Development
Devon Training Hub Offers
For information on Communities of Practice / Peer Learning Groups in Devon & the South West please contact Devon Training Hub directly or see our DTH Guide to ARRS Community of Practice:
DTH offer a range of modules relevant to first contact practitioners and clinicians working in primary care including:
- Introduction to Clinical Red Flags
- Consultations Skills & MDT Working
- GP How does it work?
- Chronic Disease updates
