Clinical Pharmacist for Mental Health and Learning Disabilities

Job summary

Clinical Pharmacist – Band 6/7 progression depending on experience

Owing to the current post holder’s retiring or moving on to a senior position within HPFT, we are seeking to appoint TWO pharmacists to a permanent contract. These roles represent an excellent opportunity for candidates at either Band 6 or Band 7 level.

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
• Direct Band 7 placement possible for candidates demonstrating the required skills and experience

Here’s what our team says:

“Working as a clinical pharmacist on a mental health ward is incredibly rewarding. I support patients to get the most from their medicines, helping to continually improve the quality and safety of their care. I also work closely with doctors, nurses and the wider multidisciplinary team–offering advice and support to ensure the best outcomes for our patients. Being part of a team that makes a real difference every day brings a strong sense of personal and professional satisfaction.” – 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 and bank holiday 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.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Degree in Pharmacy – BPharm / MPharm / BSc Pharmacy
• Registration with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) with no restrictions
• Demonstrates own CPD record/ or documented CPD including any additional areas of training through short courses

Desirable

• Registration with the Royal College of Pharmacy (RCPharm)
• Independent prescriber or working towards

Experience

Essential

• Clinical pharmacy experience of providing patient-focused and patient-facing medicines optimisation in sectors such as hospital, community pharmacy, or primary care.
• Previous participation in audit, development of audit tools, data collection and collation

Desirable

• Specialist theoretical and practical knowledge/experience working in a hospital setting
• Experience of working in a multidisciplinary team

Skills

Essential

• Engaging, compassionate and caring communication skills and in a form which is consistent with the person’s level of understanding, culture, background and preferred ways when dealing with patients/family/carers on complex/sensitive issues
• Good planning and organisation skills, with ability to prioritise workload and meet deadlines
• Good communication skills, both oral and written – proven ability to communicate with patients, carers and all levels of healthcare professionals
• Shows initiative and has well-developed problem-solving skills
• Highly developed physical skills in dispensing, preparing, and checking of medicines involving a high level of accuracy.

Desirable

• Ability to work without close supervision, making decisions and acting upon them within the limitations and understanding of the job responsibilities, or to refer appropriately
• Delivery of medicines education sessions to patients and staff

General

Essential

• Car driver (unless you have a disability as defined by the Equality Act 2010 which prevents you from driving)
• Able to manage the dispensary workflow as the sole pharmacist

Knowledge

Essential

• General pharmaceutical and clinical knowledge of medicines, and medicines optimisation
• Understanding of adverse drug reactions and reporting
• Knowledge of medication and high-risk medicines used in mental health

Desirable

• Understanding of medicines incident reporting

Ability

Essential

• Ability to follow and act within Trust policies, procedures and national guidance
• Ability to comment on policies and current practices and to review protocols
• Self and staff development
• Ability to apply theoretical knowledge in practical situations

Analytical

Essential

• Able to make judgements involving complex facts or situations which require analysis, interpretation, and comparison of a range of options
• Skills for analysing drug charts & patient information to provide advice on medicines, dosages, production requirements, medicines information
• Able to critically appraise clinical trial data and research papers

Closing Date: 12 July 2026