Advanced Pharmacist Mental Health

Northamptonshire Healthcare Nhs Foundation Trust; Kettering; On-site; GBP 58,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

Northamptonshire Healthcare Foundation Trust is seeking an experienced Advanced Mental Health Pharmacist to lead specialist clinical pharmacy across inpatient mental health services. You will influence prescribing, support medicines governance and help shape future pharmacy practice within the Trust.

You will work closely with consultants, nurses and multidisciplinary teams to deliver expert pharmaceutical care, undertake complex reviews and lead service development and audit projects.

Qualifications

• Current and continued registration with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC).
• Post-graduate qualification such as Clinical Pharmacy Diploma or equivalent in Psychiatric Pharmacy.
• Experience working as part of a multidisciplinary team in mental health settings.

Responsibilities

• Lead advanced clinical pharmacy and medicines optimisation across mental health inpatient wards.
• Promote safe, evidence-based, cost-effective prescribing practices.
• Provide specialist medicines advice and undertake complex reviews.
• Participate in MDT meetings, ward rounds and patient reviews to optimise outcomes.
• Support service development, prescribing initiatives and medicines governance.
• Lead audit, quality improvement and research projects.
• Develop medicines policies and protocols; educate staff.

Skills

GPhC registration

MDT collaboration

Clinical leadership

Medicines optimisation

Education

Postgraduate qualification in clinical pharmacy

Tools

Prescribing knowledge

Job description

Job summary

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.

About us

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 our people feel valued and able to thrive.

Details

Date posted: 19 October 2026

Pay scheme: Agenda for change

Band: Band 8a

Salary: £57,528 to £64,750 a year per annum

Contract: Permanent

Working pattern: Full-time

Reference number: 270-TH449-CORP

Job locations: St Mary's Hospital, Pharmacy Department, London Road, NN15 7PW, United Kingdom

Job 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

Knowledge and experience

Essential

• 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

Desirable

• 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

Essential

• Demonstrates leadership by motivating, supporting and inspiring pharmacy and wider clinical teams.
• Strong commitment to delivering safe, effective and compassionate patient care.

Desirable

• 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

Essential

• 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

Desirable

• Shows confidence in influencing practice and leading change within complex healthcare environments.
• Strong audit, research and project management skills.

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website.

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website.

Employer details

Employer name: Northamptonshire Healthcare Foundation Trust

Employer's website: https://www.nhft.nhs.uk/

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact: Mental Health Clinical Lead Pharmacist, Helen Wilson, [e-mail], 03000271633

Closing date

Closing date: 02 November 2026