Lead Clinical Pharmacist

Job overview

We are seeking an enthusiastic, motivated, and committed Clinical Pharmacist to join the Kent and Medway Children and Young People’s Mental Health Service (CYPMHS)

This is an exciting opportunity for a pharmacist looking for an innovative clinical role at the forefront of patient-centred care within the community, offering excellent opportunities for professional development and a good work–life balance

In this role, you will work closely with a multidisciplinary team, supporting children and young people within community settings, occasionally, in inpatient units across the Trust. The position offers significant scope for professional growth and advanced clinical practice

The successful candidate should hold (or working towards) an independent prescribing qualification, have a postgraduate qualification in pharmacy and possess experience in mental health. Ongoing training and clinical supervision will be provided by the Consultant Pharmacist and Consultant Psychiatrists. You will be supported by a Pharmacy Technician and the wider Trust Pharmacy Team, including community lead pharmacists

Our pharmacists benefit from numerous professional development opportunities, including support for postgraduate mental health pharmacy qualifications and NHS leadership programmes

This role will cover Kent CYPMHS in Tunbridge Wells and Canterbury and the base can be agreed following interview. It may also involve periodic travel to other sites across Kent and Medway Mental Health NHS Trust.

Main duties of the job

The purpose of this role is to lead the medication-related aspects of care within CYPMHS. This includes providing expert medicines information, delivering education and training, and offering both group and one-to-one support for children and young people. You will also contribute to the development of clinical guidelines and protocols, and work closely with Consultant Psychiatrists and Non-Medical Prescribers to promote safe, effective, and cost-efficient prescribing.

Key responsibilities include:

Providing a high-quality clinical pharmacy service within CYPMHS, optimising patient outcomes, enhancing patient experience, and supporting care pathways across Kent and Medway in partnership with wider healthcare providers. Contributing to improved health outcomes by taking a holistic approach to care and ensuring the safe, effective use of medicines within CYPMHS. Engaging directly with children, young people, and their families, ensuring that their views inform decisions about their care

If this sounds like the opportunity you’ve been waiting for, come and join our diverse and compassionate team, committed to delivering excellent care and support for children, young people, and their families.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

The post holder must hold a full, valid, UK driving licence and have access to a car/vehicle to use for business purposes (unless you have a disability as defined by the Equality Act 2010).

• Promoting improvements in the quality, safety, and cost-effectiveness of medicines use, and supporting holistic management of clinical conditions across CYPMHS.
• Line-managing Pharmacy Technicians within CYPMHS.
• Participating in the clinical pharmacist on-call rota.

Please refer to the attached job description for full details and main responsibilities of the role.

What is High Cost Area Allowance? The High-Cost Area (HCA) allowance, also referred to as London Weighting is a payment made to employees who work in London and the surrounding areas.

As this post is based in Dartford, Gravesham or Swanley, the successful applicant will receive an additional payment each month.

As this post is based in Dartford, Gravesham or Swanley, the successful applicant will receive an additional payment each month. 5% of basic salary, subject to a minimum payment of £1,258 and a maximum payment of £2,121. (the agreed annual amount will be divided into 12 equal amounts and paid monthly).

We are serious about diversity and inclusion, and we are working hard to build this into our DNA. We warmly welcome applications for any of our roles from people from diverse backgrounds, and we are proactively encouraging applications from under-represented communities for our more senior roles, like this one.