Workforce Directorate
Human Resources
Recruitment Team
High East, Crichton Hall, Dumfries DG1 4TG
Fax: 01387 244043
Email: dg.recruitment@nhs.net
JOB DESCRIPTION for the following vacancy:
VACANCY REF No:
G741.13
VACANCY (Post Title):
Clinical Pharmacist – Chronic Pain
Flexible Community Locations
NHS Dumfries & Galloway
GRADE:
SALARY:
Band 7
£30,764 to £40,558 pro rata
HOURS:
15hpw
6 months Fixed Term
We are seeking a motivated and enthusiastic pharmacist to support the work of the
chronic pain improvement group. This group was set up last year and has been working
on improving services and self-management for patients with persistent pain. We have a
6 month part-time (15 hrs/week) post to improve the pharmaceutical care of chronic pain
patients within D&G - job plan and base flexible depending on appointee. The role will
include medication reviews of patients on analgesics, direct education of patients,
training of primary care staff and ensuring efficient use of resources.
If you would like to discuss the post please contact:
Alison Bell Senior Pharmacist (01387 246246, extension 32039) or
Dot Kirkpatrick Prescribing Support Pharmacist (01576 205529).
Closing Date:
Thursday 5 December 2013 at 5.00pm
Dumfries and Galloway NHS
AfC Ref: SLT028cPHARM
Criminal Record Check
With effect from 28th February, 2011 posts considered to be within "Regulated Work" with
Children and/or "Regulated Work" with Protected Adults will require membership of the
Disclosure Scotland Protection of Vulnerable Groups Scheme (PVG Scheme) as a
condition of employment.
Please note:
You do not have to do anything about PVG Membership when submitting your application
form for the post. Candidates selected for appointment will be advised on how to become
a PVG Scheme Member prior to taking up the position.
Further information on the PVG Scheme Membership can be found at the following:http://www.disclosurescotland.co.uk/pvg
Standard Disclosure Check
For other roles not considered to be within "Regulated Work with Children" and/or
"Regulated Work with Protected Adults", a Standard Disclosure Check may be required
and the cost of this will be met by NHS Dumfries & Galloway.
Applicants who have lived outside the UK within the last five years, if offered a position, in
addition to a Disclosure Scotland Check, will be required to provide a completed police
record check (Certificate of Good Conduct) from the police authority in the country or
countries in which they were resident.
Dumfries and Galloway NHS
AfC Ref: SLT028cPHARM
1. JOB IDENTIFICATION
(Chronic Pain – Primary Care)
Job Title:
Clinical Pharmacist
Department(s):
Pharmacy Department, DGRI
Grade:
Band 7
Job Holder Reference:
No of Job Holders:
1
2. JOB PURPOSE

To assist in the provision of professional pharmaceutical services to chronic pain patients in
the community in Dumfries & Galloway
To contribute to the pharmaceutical care of chronic pain patients within Dumfries & Galloway
through direct education of patients and training of primary care staff
To ensure efficient use of resources within primary care in relation to the management of
chronic pain patients


3. ORGANISATIONAL POSITION
Pharmacist Lead(s) on the Chronic Pain Improvement Group
Clinical Pharmacist Chronic Pain Primary Care
4. SCOPE AND RANGE

Provision of a clinical pharmacy service to chronic pain patients in the community which
maximises benefit and minimises risk in the use of medicines ensuring efficient use of
medicines resources in NHS Dumfries & Galloway.
Provision of a full range of pharmaceutical training services to primary care staff in NHS
Dumfries & Galloway.

5. MAIN DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES

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Clinical Pharmacy
Provision of clinical pharmacy to chronic pain patients in the community referred
from GP’s, Physiotherapists, Psychologists and secondary care.
Medication history taking.
Documentation of care and risk management issues
Counselling patients / education of patients on use of their medicines in particular plans for
escalation/de-escalation of analgesic doses via clinic /domicillary sessions
Identify gaps in care provision ascertained through patient medication reviews
Proactively develop clinical pharmacy services in line with local objectives
Acting as a primary contact point for Primary Care staff in the community in relation to
pharmacy issues in chronic pain patients.
Provision of medicines information to clinical staff and patients
Dumfries and Galloway NHS
AfC Ref: SLT028cPHARM
Efficiency Role
 Monitoring use of opiates and other adjuvant analgesics in line with the formulary
 Identify cost changes associated with interventions
 Work closely with prescribing support team to raise awareness of GP prescribing by utilising
audit results of analgesic prescribing in NHS Dumfries & Galloway
Pharmaceutical Training
 To act as a link between the chronic pain improvement group and primary care staff to
increase awareness of local chronic pain prescribing initiatives, current chronic pain services
and referral pathways
Continuing Professional Development / Training Commitment
Updating current skills and knowledge in relevant practice areas as required
Undertaking at least minimum continuing professional development commitment as
recommended by the General Pharmaceutical Council
Participation in any internal or external courses / meetings as appropriate
Peer review
6. SYSTEMS AND EQUIPMENT
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Use of
- GP computer operating systems (EMIS / VISION)
Use of Microsoft Office
- e-mail
- internet searches for enquiries
- word processing
Interpretation of PRISMS reports
Responsible for the safe and secure handling of pharmaceuticals where appropriate
7. DECISIONS AND JUDGEMENTS

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Manages, interprets, analyses and advises on medicine treatment protocols, reviewing the
clinical and cost effective aspects to promote safe and rational prescribing and use
of medicines.
Uses financial data and critical appraisal skills to promote the use of the most cost effective
and evidence based therapies.
May manage and reconcile conflicting opinions of professionals to optimise use of medicines.
Uses knowledge and experience to assimilate and evaluate, often conflicting,
information in order to advise on pharmaceutical care issues.
Professionally responsible for pharmaceutical care input into chronic pain patients in the
community
Provision of medicines information service to all primary and secondary healthcare personnel
and members of the public.
8. COMMUNICATIONS AND RELATIONSHIPS

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Provides counselling to patients and relatives on medication regimens that may require
explanation and reassurance (when discussing risks and benefits of treatment options) and
empathy, understanding and motivational skills to maximise patient concordance. Patients
may have language difficulties / physical or mental disabilities.
Provides information and negotiates with clinical staff to ensure that pharmacy policies are
fully complied with.
Able to adapt communication skills to compensate for language difficulties
Seeks to optimise individual patient care by providing information, advising and negotiating
Dumfries and Galloway NHS
AfC Ref: SLT028cPHARM


with prescribers and other clinical staff to ensure safe, effective and economical drug therapy.
Liaises with community counterparts to ensure a smooth handover of patient medication care.
Contributes to the development of pharmacy policies and procedures.
9. PHYSICAL DEMANDS OF THE JOB
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General keyboard skills
High degree of precision and accuracy for reviewing of patients medicines often with
strict time constraints
Near patient contact involving exposure to environmental risks
Potential exposure to toxic pharmaceutical materials
Frequent requirement for high levels of concentration, often with interruptions
Clinical work requires a high level of concentration characterised by assessing different
pieces of sometimes conflicting information and forming a clinical opinion. This work is often
conducted under time pressure and subject to frequent interruptions
Handling of controlled drugs.
10. MOST CHALLENGING/DIFFICULT PARTS OF THE JOB


Provision of high quality pharmaceutical care tailored to meet the needs of individual patients.
This requires continual update of clinical pharmacy knowledge base.
Advising patients and GP’s on medication management issues tailored to meet the needs of
often complex individual patients.
11. KNOWLEDGE, TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED TO DO THE JOB
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Entry qualification masters degree and subsequent General Pharmaceutical Council
registration
Continued registration with the General Pharmaceutical Council registration
Maintenance and updating of knowledge through Continued Professional Development
Highly developed specialist knowledge (therapeutic) and practical skills dealing with a
complex range of pharmaceutical interventions, requiring 2 years post registration experience
Working knowledge of standard computer programmes and of clinical and pharmacy systems
Knowledge of Primary Care Prescribing Guidelines and Prescribing Support procedures.
12. JOB DESCRIPTION AGREEMENT
A separate job description will need to be signed off by each job-holder to
whom the job description applies.
Job Holder’s Signature:
Date:
Head of Department Signature
Date:
Dumfries and Galloway NHS
AfC Ref: SLT028cPHARM
PERSON SPECIFICATION
Job Title:
Dept:
Clinical Pharmacist Band 7
Pharmacy
ESSENTIAL
DESIRABLE
QUALIFICATIONS
MSc / MPharm or equivalent
Registration with GPhC
Membership of Royal Pharmaceutical Society
SKILLS
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High level of accuracy
Good communication skills
Good team player
Computer literacy
Numeracy and literacy skills
-
Good organisational skills
-
Experience in practice research or clinical
audit
EXPERIENCE
-
Experience in delivery of patient
centred clinical services
KNOWLEDGE
-
Pharmacy law and ethics
-
Good understanding of therapeutics
PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS
-
Honest and trustworthy
-
Good work ethic
-
Flexible and adaptable
- Understanding of hospital pharmacy practice