Clinical Pharmacist for Mental Health and Learning Disabilities

Job overview

Progressive Clinical Pharmacist - Band 6 to 7

This post offers an excellent opportunity for band 6 to 7 progression.  Progression is subject to completion of necessary in-house criteria. It also offers a great opportunity to develop your clinical and professional knowledge and skills in a mental healthcare setting.

You will need to demonstrate a person-centred approach and have effective interpersonal and organisational skills. Previous NHS Hospital pharmacy experience, including mental health, would be desirable but is not essential.

Why Join Us?

• Be part of an Outstanding Trust, focused on developing innovative patient care in mental health
• Receive support for post-graduate qualifications and, if relevant, the Newly Qualified Pharmacist Pathway
• Direct Band 7 placement possible for candidates demonstrating the required skills and experience

Here’s what our team says:

“It’s a privilege to help people make the changes they want to see in their lives. As a pharmacist, I advocate for my patients, ensuring they’re involved in decisions about their medicines.” – Current Clinical Pharmacist

Main duties of the job

As a Clinical Pharmacist, you will:

• Deliver high-quality clinical pharmacy services across various mental health settings, including acute and older adult care, child and adolescent units, learning disability services, and forensic wards.
• Lead and contribute to impactful projects that drive forward the Trust’s Pharmacy and Medicines Optimisation Strategy, supporting continuous improvement in patient care.
• Demonstrate flexibility, strong communication (both written and verbal), and exceptional clinical and organisational skills. You will work effectively as part of a multidisciplinary team, showing compassion, respect, and understanding toward individuals with mental health challenges.
• You will also be expected to participate in the weekend duty, following a period of induction and training.
• Maintain active registration with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC).

If you are successful, you will work in a supportive, friendly and forward-thinking environment. You will be encouraged and supported in your development including the Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical Pharmacy, which you will be expected to complete in your role as a B6 pharmacist.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Job Summary

• The Pharmacy and Medicines Optimisation team within HPFT provides dispensary and clinical pharmacy services to mental health, learning disabilities and child and adolescent (CAMHS) services across Hertfordshire and beyond, where HPFT is contracted to provide a service.
• The post holder will contribute to the work of the Pharmacy and Medicines Optimisation team to deliver the standards set by regulators and professional bodies such as the Care Quality Commission (CQC), Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC), Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) etc.
• The service will be provided to all medical, nursing, managerial, pharmaceutical and clinical professionals working in Mental Health and Learning Disabilities in designated units for which the post holder will be responsible.
• All staff should comply with the Trust’s Anti-Discriminatory Statement, Employee Charter, Trust Policies and Procedures, Code of Conduct and Equality and Diversity.

Key Responsibilities:

To provide specialist pharmaceutical advice concerning the care and treatment of service users in Mental Health (including Forensics) and Learning Disabilities Services and to promote safe, effective, and evidence-based cost-effective use of medicines within the Trust.

• To provide specific advice to clinical team members on the management of medicines related issues, such as drug interactions, medicines use in pregnancy, unlicensed/off-label use of medicines etc.
• To work as part of a multidisciplinary team to provide clinical pharmaceutical support to designated areas to maximise benefits and minimise risk to service users. This will include medicines reconciliation, prescription review, medication reviews, identification and management of drug interactions and adverse effects, advice on clinical monitoring, medicines information, advising on supply problems, compliance with legislation, compliance with Trust policies and guidelines and participation in multidisciplinary team meetings where appropriate.
• Participate in relevant quality improvement (QI) projects to support service improvements and learning and development.
• To support on updating, reviewing, and maintaining Trust Policies and Guidance in relation to medicines.
• To attend relevant team meetings; attend and contribute to pharmacy team meetings, this may involve clinical presentations and case studies.
• To supervise junior pharmacy staff and students in their delivery of the pharmacy service.
• Participate in the dispensary rota in line with departmental requirements and recognised best practice.
• Participate in the provision and development of patient education sessions on relevant wards and units.
• Assist senior pharmacy colleagues in the development and delivery of training for clinical staff (e.g., prescribers, nurses) within the Trust. This may include participation in the Trust’s induction programme.
• Participant in ward-based training to undergraduate students and in training programmes for pharmacy and other healthcare staff.
• Be responsible for own continuing professional development in line with professional requirements, in order to continue to update clinical knowledge and skills.

Please see the attached JD for further details.