NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC) is one of the largest healthcare systems in the United Kingdom, employing approximately 40,000 staff across a wide range of clinical and non-clinical professions and roles. We deliver acute hospital, primary, community and mental health services to a population of over 1.15 million people, and to a wider population of 2.2 million when regional and national services are included.
The role:
The Pharmacy and Prescribing Support Unit has its organisational base in Corporate Services and provides services to the entire NHS GG&C system, including Acute Division, Health and Social Care Partnerships, Mental Health Partnership, Prisons, Police Custody Suites and the NHS Board.
Duration, Location, and Working Pattern:
Permanent, Full time
Shift Pattern - Monday - Friday
Base location - Renfrewshire House
Key responsibilities:
* Collect and analyse patient prescribing and clinical data from practice systems and records.
* Identify prescribing issues and recommend improvements aligned with HSCP priorities.
* Produce reports and updates for GP practices on audits, outcomes, and recommendations.
* Implement agreed prescribing changes to improve quality and cost-effectiveness.
* Input prescribing data into relevant databases and support HSCP reporting.
* Work with HSCP pharmacists and GP teams to implement action plans and provide support.
* Support medicines audits, patient reviews, and improvements to repeat prescribing systems.
* Provide training to GP practice teams and healthcare staff on safe medicines management.
* Assist with medicines reconciliation from hospital discharge or specialist communications.
* Support reviews of targeted medication requests for prescriber authorisation.
* Maintain patient medication records and assist with serial dispensing.
* Develop and update medicines management guidance and good practice documents.
* Conduct patient medicine reviews and provide education to support safe use of medicines.
* Collaborate with healthcare professionals across care settings on prescribing issues.
* Communicate medication changes to community pharmacies and care homes.
* Promote effective collaboration between GP practices, pharmacies, care homes, and health professionals.
Information Support:
* Analyse data systems to produce reports and identify priority areas.
* Identify outlying practices and provide feedback on prescribing performance.
* Design queries and data tools (e.g., Excel/Access) for managing prescribing information.
* Collect and collate data for audits, reports, and projects.
* Present audit and project findings in a clear format for healthcare professionals.
* Produce cost comparison charts to highlight potential prescribing savings.
* Respond to queries from healthcare professionals and patients.
* Contribute to newsletters for GP practices and care homes on medicines-related topics.
Advise on storage, handling, administration and destruction of medicines:
* Support development and review of guidelines for safe storage and handling of medicines.
* Review GP practice procedures and develop improvement plans.
* Carry out controlled drug destruction in line with local protocols.
Audits and projects:
* Identify areas for prescribing audits based on guidelines and targets.
* Manage audit data collection and ensure data quality.
* Collect confidential information from multiple sources for audits.
* Support changes to improve prescribing systems and efficiency.
* Produce reports and deliver presentations or training based on audit findings.
Repeat Prescribing:
* Maintain specialist knowledge of repeat prescribing systems and best practice.
* Review repeat prescribing processes and present recommendations for improvement.
* Check MAR sheets and manage medicine stock control in care homes.
* Train healthcare staff on repeat prescribing and medicines management systems.
* Support GP practice staff with prescribing-related use of computer systems.
Evaluation and Monitoring:
* Support implementation and monitoring of the NHS GG&C Prescribing Formulary.
* Assist with annual prescribing audits and reporting.
* Liaise with healthcare professionals to gather and present prescribing information.
* Carry out regular self-evaluation to improve performance.
Other Duties:
* Promote collaborative working between GP practices, pharmacies, and health and social care teams.
* Maintain competency in clinical tasks such as blood pressure monitoring.
* Conduct medicine information searches and provide clear guidance.
* Support patient education and involvement in medicines management.
* Participate in professional development, appraisals, and CPD activities.
* Adhere to professional standards, ethical guidelines, and health and safety regulations.
* Conduct home visits to support patients recently discharged or needing medicines support.
* Assess patients’ ability to manage medicines and encourage independence where possible.
* Liaise with discharge teams, care homes, community pharmacies, and healthcare staff.
* Maintain accurate records and undertake additional duties appropriate to the role.
* Participate in flexible working patterns where required.
* Perform responsibilities in line with statutory, legal, and ethical obligations.
Communications and Relationships:
* Build effective relationships with GPs, practice staff, pharmacists, care homes, and HSCP teams.
* Discuss and review prescribing systems, providing feedback and recommendations.
* Support GP practices in delivering prescribing audits and improvements.
* Persuade and influence teams to implement recommended changes.
* Report and analyse prescribing data and audit outcomes.
* Communicate sensitively with patients and carers about medicines.
* Explain complex medicines information clearly to professionals and patients.
* Provide counselling to patients and carers on medicines and devices, including home visits if needed.
* Work closely with HSCP pharmacists and prescribing support teams.
* Present information through meetings, training sessions, and presentations.
* Liaise with a wide range of healthcare professionals to ensure accurate medicines information exchange.
* Network with colleagues to share knowledge and develop expertise.
* Develop and deliver training packages for relevant staff groups.
Knowledge, training, qualifications and/or experience required to do the job:
Qualifications
* Pharmacy Technician, NVQ3 or BTEC in Pharmaceutical Sciences or equivalent — Essential
* Registrant with the General Pharmaceutical Council — Essential
* Relevant post‑registration experience — Essential
* Diploma in a specialist pharmaceutical area — Desirable
Experience
* Portfolio demonstrating competence in pharmacy practice, knowledge, and CPD — Essential
* Extensive post‑qualification experience in hospital, community pharmacy, or primary care — Essential
* Ability to work proactively with limited supervision — Essential
* Experience in audit and project work — Desirable
Knowledge
* Basic understanding of the role of HSCP in healthcare provision — Essential
* Clinical understanding of medicines use — Essential
* Awareness of legislation and good practice for prescribing, storage, and handling of pharmaceuticals — Essential
* Strong knowledge of Pharmaceuticals and Therapeutics — Desirable
Skills
* Strong analytical skills — Essential
* Excellent written and verbal communication — Essential
* Excellent interpersonal skills — Essential
* Computer literate with good IT skills — Essential
* Ability to maintain strict confidentiality regarding patient and GP practice information — Essential
Abilities
* Present information in a clear, user‑friendly format — Essential
* Use own initiative when dealing with a range of people — Essential
* Take responsibility for pharmaceutical projects such as audits and surveys — Essential
* Self‑motivated; able to work independently and within a multidisciplinary team — Essential
* Valid driving licence — Desirable
What we offer:
We offer a wide range of supportive policies designed to enhance your employee journey, including a comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme, Cycle to Work Scheme, bursary scheme and extensive learning and development opportunities.
* A minimum of 27 days annual leave, increasing with length of service, plus public holidays
* Membership of the NHS Pension Scheme, including life insurance benefits
* Salary Sacrifice Car Benefit Scheme
* Development opportunities including study bursaries, e-learning and classroom-based courses
* Enhanced pay for working public holidays
* NHS discounts on a wide range of goods and services
* Confidential employee support and assistance, including counselling and psychological therapies
Interested?
If you would like to find out more, we would love to hear from you.
For an informal discussion, please contact: Jennifer.glass@nhs.scot / Audrey.porte@nhs.scot - 0300 300 2017
Details on how to contact the Recruitment Service and the Recruitment Process: Information for candidates.
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From 1 April 2026, the Agenda for Change full-time working week will reduce from 37 hours to 36 hours. Part-time working hours will be reduced on a pro‑rata basis. A corresponding increase in the hourly rate will apply, ensuring that overall pay remains unchanged.
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde recognises the importance of work‑life balance and is committed to offering a range of flexible working options where service needs allow. For roles where less than full‑time hours can be accommodated, and where the tenure is listed as "various", we encourage applications from individuals seeking flexible working arrangements. Flexible working will be included as a topic for discussion during the recruitment process.
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde encourages applications from all sections of the community. We are committed to promoting equality, diversity and inclusion and are proud of the diverse workforce we employ.
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