Advanced Mental Health Clinical Pharmacist (Inpatients- Chelmsford)

Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust; Chelmsford; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A healthcare provider in Chelmsford is looking for an Advanced Mental Health Clinical Pharmacist to lead initiatives in pharmaceutical care. This role involves providing clinical leadership in the inpatient pharmacy department, ensuring optimal patient care through medicines optimisation, and mentoring pharmacy staff. The ideal candidate will have a Master’s degree in Pharmacy, be registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council, and have significant clinical experience in a mental health setting. The position offers a full-time schedule with competitive benefits, including a relocation package.

Benefits

27 days holiday plus bank holidays

Excellent pension plan

Staff discounts and benefits

£8K relocation package

Flexible working options

Qualifications

• Registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council.
• Experience in clinical pharmacy practice.
• Evidence of postgraduate training and CPD in clinical pharmacy.

Responsibilities

• Provide highly specialised advice in medicines optimisation.
• Support local inpatient and urgent care services.
• Participate in multi-disciplinary teams for patient care.

Skills

Clinical pharmacy experience

Interpersonal skills

Analytical skills

Mentoring and developing staff

Effective communication

Education

Master’s Degree in Pharmacy

Postgraduate Diploma in relevant area of pharmacy practice

Registration with the General Pharmaceutical Council

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Advanced Mental Health Clinical Pharmacist (Inpatients- Chelmsford)

Closing date: 09 January 2026

We are seeking an inspiring and dynamic pharmacist to join our inpatient mental health pharmacy team. The role will provide clinical leadership within the clinical pharmacy service in Chelmsford, to support the medicines‑related care of patients, address and improve existing pathways in mental health, participate in training, education and research as required, and to support robust medicines optimisation. The role will deputise for the Pharmacist Team Manager for Adult and Elderly Inpatient Mental Health Services in Mid and South Essex. This post would suit an experienced pharmacist with uncompromising standards who will strive to make a deep footprint on quality of care we provide to our patients. The post is based in Chelmsford, with responsibility for Mid and South Essex Inpatient and Urgent Care Services.

They will be highly visible on wards in actively modelling best practice to and coaching our ward teams to ensure that our patients consistently receive the best pharmaceutical care. Working with our senior departmental team of specialists and within the wider Trust, you will set the professional standard and develop our pharmacy team members to achieve their best, and make the transition to the next level of their careers. The role is full time (37.5 hours per week), including participation in on‑call, weekend, early, late and Bank Holiday rotas, as necessary.

Main duties of the job

The successful candidate will exemplify EPUT values of we care, we learn and we empower, and demonstrate the ability to create a high‑performing team from the outset. You might not be conventional in your approach, but kindness and empathetic leadership are a must, as is the ability to see the bigger picture and help take our team in this direction. This is an ideal opportunity for someone who is committed to driving improvements, and whose passion for patient care is infectious. You should have a Master’s Degree in Pharmacy or equivalent, be registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council and be able to demonstrate evidence of postgraduate training and continuing professional development in clinical pharmacy practice. Whilst ideally this would be in mental health, this post is first and foremost about operational delivery of Great Care – your transferrable skills means you will have what it takes to do what it takes. Experience in mentoring and line‑managing teams with energy and enthusiasm are vital ingredients, and anyone with a track record of similar in a non‑specialist trust is encouraged to apply.

About us

Valuing you. Recognising your dedication. At EPUT, we look after you.

• Receive supervision and support to help you fulfil your potential.
• Join an inclusive EPUT community and connect with others through engagement events and equality or champion networks.
• If you need help, we provide mental health and wellbeing services, occupational health advice and counselling.
• We run recognition awards to recognise staff's hard work and dedication.
• 27 days holiday, plus bank holidays, rising to 33 days after 10 years' service.
• Excellent pension of up to 14.5% of your pensionable pay.
• Staff discounts include Blue Light Card, NHS discount offers, and staff benefits.
• £8K relocation package if you move to Essex to join us
• Season ticket loans are interest‑free to cover the cost of travelling to and from work via tram, rail, or bus.

Work that wraps around your needs

• Flexible working: available from day one for most roles.
• Job share: Applications for job shares are welcomed.

Job responsibilities

To work within clinical competence, as part of a multi‑disciplinary team, to provide highly specialised advice in medicines optimisation.

Develop, promote and implement high quality, evidence based, and cost effective use of medicines, in a manner that maximises the benefits of medicines to patients and service users whilst minimising clinical, legal and financial risks.

To act as the senior referral point for healthcare professionals working within local inpatient and urgent care services and undertake clinical audit where required to improve services.

To help support and maintain patients and their families seen by services by advising patients and carers about the actions and use of medication, optimising drug therapy, providing information for team members, and liaising with other care providers to enhance seamless transfer of care.

To be experienced in dealing with service users who present with challenging and complex behaviour.

To advise on physical health and wellbeing, support appropriate medicines monitoring and provide expert advice and perform interventions to improve physical health.

To participate as an active member of clinical teams in Essex to support the safe and effective use of medicines.

Communicate highly complex clinical pharmacy advice on the management of patients with mental illness in order to maximise benefit and minimise risk in relation to medicines. Develop, promote and implement tools that support the safe use of psychotropic medicines.

Plan and organise research and audit within own clinical area.

Analyse interventions implemented for effectiveness, audit and research.

To plan, organise and provide education and training to secondary healthcare staff, service users and carers.

Person Specification

Education and Qualification

• Current and continued registration with the General Pharmaceutical Council as practicing member.
• Postgraduate Diploma in relevant area of pharmacy practice, or willingness to work towards.
• Member of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society and a member or willing to work towards Faculty membership.
• Member of the College of Mental Health Pharmacy.
• Qualification as an independent Non‑Medical Prescriber, or willingness to work towards.
• Certificate in Management studies or equivalent management experience.

Knowledge

• Excellent interpersonal, influencing and negotiating skills including effective written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to critically evaluate clinical material and disseminate findings to others. Demonstrate an advanced level of clinical knowledge and skills.
• Able to identify own training needs and those of others. Evidence of Continuing Professional Development.
• Proficient IT skills, e.g. ability to use Microsoft Office applications, internet etc.
• Tutoring and training skills and experience of planning and delivering training.
• Evidence of writing procedures, guidelines and protocols.

Skills and Experience

• Significant post‑registration clinical pharmacy experience.
• Experience of providing relevant pharmacy services within a mental health / learning disability setting.
• Experience of working as a member of a multi‑disciplinary team.
• Experience of clinical audit and able to demonstrate how it is used to improve practice.
• Experience of managing, developing and mentoring staff.
• Experience of participating in multi‑disciplinary research.

Driving

• Has valid UK Driving License.
• Access to a car to travel in and around Essex.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.