Advanced Clinical Pharmacist

NHS; Wakefield; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A local NHS Trust in Wakefield seeks an Advanced Clinical Pharmacist to work within the multidisciplinary team, focusing on mental health services. This role involves managing medication regimes, providing training, and leading service development. The ideal candidate will have a relevant degree, GPhC registration, and experience in mental health pharmacy. This is a one-year fixed term contract offering opportunities for professional development.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in specialist mental health pharmacy services at Senior (B7) level or above.
• Experience working therapeutically with mental health medicines.
• Significant leadership experience and ability to develop services.

Responsibilities

• Manage referrals to optimise medication regimes and deliver education to professionals.
• Lead service consolidation and expansion within the pharmacy team.
• Work as an independent non-medical prescriber for clinical assessment and management.

Skills

Advanced clinical practice skills

Strong communication skills

Strategic thinking

Education

Bachelor/Master’s degree in Pharmacy

Post-graduate qualification in clinical/mental health pharmacy

Current registration with GPhC

Current registration as Independent Non-Medical Prescriber

Job description

Overview

We are looking for an enthusiastic and motivated Advanced Clinical Pharmacist to work as a specialist mental health pharmacist across the primary and secondary care interface in Wakefield within the Connecting Care hub. This is a one year fixed term contract starting January 2026 covering the maternity leave of the existing post holder.

The post holder will work as part of a multidisciplinary team alongside primary and secondary care colleagues to provide clinical care and medicines optimisation support to service users in the Wakefield community. The post is part of the wider South West Yorkshire Partnership Foundation Trust pharmacy team with access to support, training and supervision from experienced mental health pharmacy staff.

At the time of advertising, this role meets the minimum requirements set by UK Visas and Immigration to sponsor candidates to work in the UK. We encourage applications from all protected characteristic groups and will consider flexible working where possible.

For full Job description please see attached information. All employees of the Trust are strongly encouraged to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 to protect patients.

Main duties

• The postholder will work within the Wakefield Connecting Care hub as part of a multidisciplinary team. The role involves managing referrals to optimise medication regimes, provide support around medicines concordance and deprescribing, and delivering medicines-focused education and training to professionals and service users.
• Work within the Connecting Care team with professional and management supervision as part of the wider pharmacy team. Support staff development via local and national training programs and appraisals, and promote CPD.
• Provide information on all aspects of medication usage to service users, carers and healthcare professionals within SWYPFT.
• Participate in in-house training for pharmacy staff and healthcare professionals, including pre-registration pharmacy graduates and mental health pharmacy diploma students.
• Contribute to the medicines management clinical audit programme (e.g., POMH audits) and ensure rollout to allocated units.
• Participate in research and development as required for the development of the clinical pharmacy services.

Job responsibilities (clinical leadership)

• As an Advanced Clinical Pharmacist, contribute to the strategic direction for the development of clinical practice within specialist mental health pharmacy primary care and across the Trust as required.
• Lead service consolidation and expansion in line with service and trust objectives, in partnership with the Clinical Lead and General Manager.
• Lead in extending boundaries and creating frameworks for enhancement of clinical practice within the speciality.
• Work as an independent non-medical prescriber where required and designated, taking responsibility for clinical assessment, diagnosis and management in accordance with the Trust’s non-medical prescribing policy and protocols.

Qualifications and experience

• Essential
  • Bachelor/Master’s degree in Pharmacy
  • Current registration with GPhC
  • Post-graduate qualification in clinical/mental health pharmacy or equivalent experience
  • Evidence of continuous professional development
  • Current registration as Independent Non-Medical Prescriber
• Desirable
  • Evidence of specific training related to mental health pharmacy
  • Teaching, training or mentorship qualification or experience to an equivalent level

Knowledge, skills and attributes

• Ability to undertake advanced clinical practice and examination skills independently, addressing all aspects of patient needs
• Experience developing governance systems and implementing evidence-based protocols and policies
• Ability to interpret and synthesise information from multiple sources and promote its use in practice
• Develop, deliver and evaluate training and education packages for individuals and groups
• Ability to critically appraise research and audits and apply findings to practice
• Strong communication skills to address complex needs of patients and families
• Strategic thinking and ability to translate development into practice improvements
• Advanced knowledge of health care/speciality issues

Personal attributes

• Current driving licence and access to a car during the working day (reasonable adjustments considered for disability)
• Self-aware, flexible and resilient; able to work in a rapidly changing environment
• Dynamic, confident and able to deliver to tight time scales

Experience

• Extensive experience in specialist mental health pharmacy services at Senior (B7) level or above
• Extensive practice as Independent Non-Medical Prescriber within speciality
• Experience working therapeutically with mental health medicines
• Significant leadership/managerial experience and leading service development changes
• Experience in research, developing theory into practice and quality improvement
• Experience in training and education

Additional information

This post is subject to Disclosure and Barring Service checks and current UK professional registration. Applicants should have current UK registration. The employer is South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Trust, Fieldhead Hospital, Wakefield, West Yorkshire, WF1 3SP.