Advanced Pharmacist Mental Health

Transformation Unit; England; Remote; GBP 58,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Living wage employer

Flexible working

Flexible hours

Job summary

Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust is seeking an experienced Advanced Mental Health Pharmacist to lead specialist clinical pharmacy and medicines optimisation across inpatient mental health services. You will work closely with consultants, nurses and MDTs to influence prescribing, governance and future service developments.

The role requires leadership in medicines management, a patient-centred approach and a track record of delivering safe, cost-effective care within NHS mental

Qualifications

• Current and continued registration with the General Pharmaceutical Council.
• Post-graduate qualification in clinical pharmacy or psychiatric pharmacy.
• Experience of working as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Post-registration experience in mental health settings.
• Willingness to train as an independent prescriber.
• Member of the College of Mental Health Pharmacists.
• Experience developing/reviewing medicines management policies and procedures.
• Knowledge of staff appraisals.

Responsibilities

• Lead and deliver advanced clinical pharmacy and medicines optimisation across mental health inpatient wards.
• Promote safe, evidence-based and cost-effective prescribing practices.
• Provide specialist medicines advice and undertake complex medication reviews.
• Participate in MDT meetings, ward rounds and patient reviews to optimise outcomes.
• Support service development, pharmacist prescribing initiatives and medicines governance.
• Lead audit, quality improvement and research projects.
• Develop and implement medicines policies, guidelines and protocols.
• Educate and mentor pharmacists, technicians and other professionals.
• Contribute to medicines safety investigations and risk management.

Skills

Multidisciplinary teamwork

Prescriber training willingness

Medicines policy development

Staff appraisals knowledge

GPhC registration

Education

Post-graduate qualification in clinical/psychiatric pharmacy

Job description

Employer Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust Employer type NHS Site St Mary's Hospital Town London Road Salary £57,528 - £64,750 per annum Salary period Yearly Closing 02/11/2026 23:59

Advanced Pharmacist Mental Health

NHS AfC: Band 8a

Job overview

We are seeking an experienced and motivated pharmacist to join our Mental Health Pharmacy Team as an Advanced Mental Health Pharmacist. This is an exciting opportunity to lead the delivery of specialist clinical pharmacy and medicines optimisation services across inpatient mental health services while supporting the development of innovative and patient-centred pharmacy practice.

Working closely with consultants, nurses and multidisciplinary teams, you will provide expert pharmaceutical care, influence prescribing practice, support medicines governance and help shape the future of mental health pharmacy services across the Trust.

Main duties of the job

Lead and deliver advanced clinical pharmacy and medicines optimisation services across mental health inpatient wards.

Promote safe, evidence-based and cost-effective prescribing practices.

Provide specialist medicines advice and undertake complex medication reviews.

Participate in MDT meetings, ward rounds and patient reviews to optimise treatment outcomes.

Support service development, pharmacist prescribing initiatives and medicines governance activities.

Lead audit, quality improvement and research projects.

Develop and implement medicines policies, guidelines and protocols.

Educate and mentor pharmacists, pharmacy technicians and other healthcare professionals.

Contribute to medicines safety investigations and risk management activities.

Working for our organisation

NHFT is an NHS Community and Mental Health Foundation Trust, providing physical, mental health and specialty services in hospital settings and in the community. We provide over 200 services across the county - as well as some specialist services in bordering and nearby counties. We work together with our partners to ensure that everyone who comes through our doors receives compassionate, person-centred care, regardless of their background or circumstances.

NHFT promotes a culture of learning, to improve the care and safety of our patients and colleagues. We have achieved our ‘outstanding’ rating by encouraging opportunity, innovation, development and growth across our workforce.

At NHFT we believe that work should be rewarded in every sense which is why we are proud to an accredited living wage employer.

We aim to support financial wellbeing and create an environment where are people feel valued and able to thrive.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

See job description attached in documents section for full details.

Service Management and Development:

The post holder is responsible for the day‑to‑day management and ongoing development of medicines management, dispensary and medicines supply services across the Trust.

Staff Management:

The post holder is responsible for the management, development and wellbeing of the Senior Mental Health Pharmacist inpatient and Specialist Pharmacy Technicians Mental Health workforce.

Governance, Legislation and Standards:

The post holder is responsible for ensuring technical pharmacy services operate in accordance with relevant legislation, professional standards and Trust policies.

Professional Expertise:

The post holder will provide professional and technical leadership across medicines management and supply services.

Person specification

Knoweledge and experience

• Current and continued registration and membership with the General Pharmaceutical Council
• Post-graduate qualification e.g. Clinical pharmacy diploma, Aston Diploma in Psychiatric Pharmacy.
• Experience of working as part of a multidisciplinary team
• Post registration experience within the mental health care settings
• Independent/supplementary prescriber or willingness to train to be an independent prescriber
• Member of the College of Mental Health Pharmacists.
• Experience of developing, reviewing, and implementing medicines management policies and procedures
• Knowledge of conducting staff appraisals

Behaviours and values

• Demonstrates leadership by motivating, supporting and inspiring pharmacy and wider clinical teams.
• Strong commitment to delivering safe, effective and compassionate patient care.
• Demonstrates a continuous improvement mindset and enthusiasm for service development.
• Shows confidence in influencing practice and leading change within complex healthcare environments.

Skills and abilities

• Experience of providing clinical pharmacy and medicines management services in NHS organisations
• Effective written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team. The post holder will be required to be self‑motivated, to prioritise work and be able to influence and persuade others to achieve optimum medicines management outcomes
• Shows confidence in influencing practice and leading change within complex healthcare environments.
• Strong audit, research and project management skills.

We are an equal opportunities employer, which aims to employ a workforce that reflects the diverse communities we serve. We welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons from all backgrounds.

All roles are subject to the home office immigration rules and therefore eligibility must meet certain requirements for any sponsorship to be considered. Please visit the government website for more information regarding eligibility,

At NHFT we support many of our colleagues to work flexibly and we will consider requests for flexible working from day one. For this role, we are open to discussing a range of options including flexible hours, agile/home working, compressed hours and part time hours. Please have a conversation with the recruiting manager about the flexibility you need and we will promise to explore what is possible with you.

Applicants who have a disability and meet the essential criteria for the job will be considered under the Guaranteed Interview Scheme. If you require a reasonable adjustment at any stage of the recruitment process please make the recruitment services team aware as soon as possible.

All posts that are engaged in a regulated activity will be subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check and a DBS re‑check on a three yearly basis whilst employed in such a role. Staff employed in these posts will therefore be asked to register with the DBS Automatic Update Service upon receipt of their DBS certificate and must update yearly , the annual fee will be reimbursed subject to Trust policy. For further information please visit: DBS Update Service: applicant guide - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Please note if a DBS is applicable for the position then a charge will be deducted from your first salary.

Please note that all new starters to the trustare subject to a probationary period.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.