Clinical Pharmacist - ADHD Service

• Undertake medication initiation consultations with patients following an ADHD diagnosis.
• Review the patient's diagnostic assessment, clinical history and agreed treatment recommendations before initiating medication.
• Confirm that appropriate baseline physical health observations and other required pre-treatment checks have been completed.
• Provide patients with clear information regarding medication use, monitoring requirements and when to seek clinical advice.
• Discuss available medication options with patients, including expected benefits, potential side effects, risks and alternatives.
• Support shared decision-making and ensure patients are appropriately involved in decisions regarding their treatment.
• Initiate ADHD medication within their professional competence and prescribing authority and in accordance with the service prescribing protocol.
• Clearly document prescribing decisions and treatment plans within the patient's clinical record.

• Undertake scheduled medication titration appointments.
• Review treatment effectiveness and changes in ADHD symptoms.
• Assess and document medication side effects and tolerability.
• Review blood pressure, pulse, weight and other relevant physical health monitoring.
• Adjust medication doses where clinically appropriate and within the agreed prescribing protocol.
• Consider alternative medication options where treatment is ineffective or poorly tolerated, escalating where appropriate.
• Ensure patients understand their medication and ongoing monitoring requirements.
• Identify when a patient requires additional clinical review or escalation.
• Work towards achieving an effective and well-tolerated treatment regimen for each patient.
• Maintain clear clinical records of all medication reviews and prescribing decisions.

• Prescribe safely and within their professional scope of practice.
• Work in accordance with relevant ADHD prescribing guidance, service protocols and controlled drug requirements.
• Review medication interactions, contraindications, allergies and relevant clinical history before prescribing.
• Maintain appropriate standards for controlled drug prescribing and documentation.
• Identify and manage medication-related risks.
• Report and escalate medication incidents, adverse effects and other patient safety concerns in accordance with service procedures.
• Maintain awareness of relevant national and local prescribing guidance.
• Support safe transfer of prescribing arrangements back to local Practices when patients reach an appropriate stage of treatment.

• Deliver person-centred consultations that recognise the communication needs of people with ADHD and other neurodivergent conditions.
• Adapt communication approaches to maximise patient understanding and engagement.
• Provide clear explanations regarding medication, titration and monitoring.
• Encourage shared decision-making throughout treatment.
• Recognise barriers that may affect a patient's ability to engage with medication monitoring or treatment.
• Maintain appropriate professional boundaries and confidentiality.
• Ensure reasonable adjustments are considered where required.

• Identify and respond appropriately to clinical risk arising during consultations.
• Recognise safeguarding concerns and follow IFH safeguarding and escalation procedures.
• Assess relevant mental and physical health risks associated with ADHD medication.
• Recognise presentations that fall outside their competence or the scope of the service and escalate appropriately.
• Seek advice from the Clinical Lead where required.

• Work within IFH clinical governance arrangements, policies, pathways and SOPs.
• Work in accordance with applicable Focus Sussex and SPFT clinical pathways and prescribing protocols.
• Participate in clinical supervision and multidisciplinary case discussion as required.
• Participate in clinical audit, quality assurance and service evaluation.
• Contribute to incident reviews and learning where appropriate.
• Maintain all professional registration, competencies and mandatory training required for the role.

• The ADHD Clinical Lead.
• GPs with an Extended Role in ADHD.
• Other ADHD prescribing clinicians.
• Service Delivery Manager
• Mental health and other healthcare professionals within the pathway.
• ADHD Service Navigators.
• GP practices.
• SPFT and other partner organisations where appropriate.

• Providing feedback on medication pathways and clinical processes.
• Identifying opportunities to improve patient safety and experience.
• Supporting development and review of prescribing processes.
• Contributing to audit and quality improvement.
• Supporting consistent clinical practice across the service.
• Participating in service meetings and pathway development where appropriate.

Essential

• The post holder must:
• Be a qualified pharmacist registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC).
• Be a qualified Independent Prescriber.
• Maintain appropriate professional registration throughout their engagement with the service.
• Have appropriate professional indemnity arrangements.
• Experience of prescribing and managing medicines within a clinical environment.
• Experience undertaking patient-facing medication reviews.
• Strong knowledge of medicines optimisation and safe prescribing.
• Understanding of physical health monitoring associated with medication.
• Ability to assess medication effectiveness, side effects, interactions and contraindications.
• Experience working autonomously within professional scope while recognising when escalation is required.
• Experience maintaining high-quality clinical records.
• Confidence using electronic clinical systems including SystmOne & EMIS.
• Effective multidisciplinary working.
• An understanding of different communication needs and the ability to adapt communication approaches to maximise patient engagement.

Desirable

• Previous experience working with patients with ADHD or other neurodevelopmental conditions.
• Experience prescribing or reviewing ADHD medication.
• Knowledge of stimulant and non-stimulant ADHD medications.
• Experience of controlled drug prescribing.
• Experience working within primary care.
• Experience working within an ADHD, mental health or neurodevelopmental service.
• Experience of clinical audit or quality improvement.
• Experience contributing to development of new clinical services or pathways.
• Previous experience undertaking ADHD diagnostic assessments would be welcomed but is not an essential requirement for the core medication-focused role.