Clinical Pharmacist

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. As health professionals who train for many years to become specialists in medicines, using this role within a practice allows GPs to focus their skills where they are needed most.

Clinical Pharmacy is one of the roles in Primary Care supported by the Additional Roles Reimbursement Scheme (ARRS) under the Network Contract Directed Enhanced Service (DES). This means that employers can apply for salary reimbursement on the understanding that the pharmacist is fully engaged with the training pathway (or has been granted exemption) and the employer is supporting them through this role. Access further information on the e-Learning for Healthcare (e-LfH) website. 

The Training Pathway

Health Education England contracted the Centre For Pharmacy Postgraduate Education (CPPE) to train Clinical Pharmacists so that they are qualified to work across Primary Care. The 18-month workplace-based pathway may include a further 6-month Independent Prescribing (IP) course if this has not been previously completed.