YOUR LEVEL OF PRACTICE
The GP Practice based Pharmacist scheme that is being supported by the NHS in all four UK countries has established a nomenclature hierarchy that seeks to describe the level of practice of a GP Practice based pharmacist. This is broadly based upon the level of experience and responsibility being undertaken.
The two categories that are now in common parlance are;
- Clinical pharmacist
- Senior clinical pharmacist
In general, these job titles appear on the job specifications, but even if they don’t, the expectations being placed upon a Senior clinical pharmacist will be greater than those placed upon the more junior clinical pharmacist role. Typically, the job specification for a Senior clinical pharmacist is one that may carry additional responsibility because of a greater level of experience or possibly because of the need to supervise the work of others.
Additionally, both titles can be further augmented by the ability to prescribe as an Independent Prescriber and when doing so the risk profile and consequently, the insurance premium will increase.
Whilst the PDA recommends that members take out full and comprehensive cover in all cases as only in this way can the interests of the pharmacists and not the employer remain at the forefront of any investigation, in England and Wales only, the availability of a NHS State backed indemnity scheme for practice-based personnel has led to the creation of a specific (State backed) PDA membership scheme. Because it partly relies upon the NHS, this scheme provides much lower limits of indemnity cover and consequently, it is less costly than the completely independent and comprehensive PDA membership indemnity scheme. It is designed for those pharmacists who are content to work under the protection of the NHS scheme.
Please choose the level most applicable to your practice and use the IP Cover button where appropriate.