Clinical Pharmacist, Forensic & Acute MH Services, Saddlebridge

Cheshire and Wirral Partnership NHS Foundation Trust; Macclesfield; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

Cheshire and Wirral Partnership NHS Foundation Trust is recruiting a Clinical Pharmacist for Forensic & Acute Mental Health Services at Saddlebridge, Macclesfield. The post focuses on high-quality clinical pharmacology support, medicines optimisation, and MDT working.

The role includes on-call duties (remote on-call) and involvement in governance, with a requirement for GPhC registration and at least 2 years post-registration experience. DBS check is required.

Qualifications

• Masters Degree in Pharmacy or equivalent.
• Registered as practising pharmacist with the General Pharmaceutical Council.
• Evidence of continuing professional development.
• Evidence of clinical pharmacy training.
• Post graduate clinical or mental health pharmacy qualification.

Responsibilities

• Provide a high-quality, patient-centred clinical pharmacy service within forensic and acute mental health inpatient wards.
• Lead medicines optimisation initiatives and contribute to clinical governance.
• Support education and training of healthcare professionals within forensic settings.
• Develop and review medicines-related policies and participate in audits and quality improvement projects.

Skills

GPhC registered

Clinical pharmacy

Mental health

Forensic pharmacy

Education & training

Education

Masters in Pharmacy

GPhC registration

CPD evidence

Clinical pharmacy training

Postgraduate MH pharmacy qualification

Tools

MS Office

Windows

Job description

Cheshire and Wirral Partnership NHS Foundation Trust

Clinical Pharmacist, Forensic & Acute MH Services, Saddlebridge

The closing date is 24 November 2026

Clinical Pharmacist, 1WTE (37.5hr/week) +EDC, based at - Forensic and Acute Mental Health Services, Saddlebridge, Macclesfield

The post-holder will provide a high-quality, patient-centred clinical pharmacy service to patients within forensic and acute mental health inpatient wards. They will work as an integral member of the multidisciplinary team (MDT), promoting the safe, effective, and cost-effective use of medicines while supporting recovery and improving patient outcomes.

You will be expected to participate in our on call emergency duty rota. There is no weekend working other than remote on-call (supply of medication is dealt with via an external contractor).You will have at least 2 years post-registration experience, be completing or have completed clinical pharmacy post-graduate study and possess well-developed clinical pharmacy skills. Applicants must be registered practising pharmacists with the GPhC.

Main duties of the job

The post-holder will contribute to the development and improvement of pharmacy services within forensic mental health. They will provide expert pharmaceutical advice on psychotropic and physical health medications, lead medicines optimisation initiatives, contribute to clinical governance, and support the education and training of healthcare professionals within the forensic setting. They will be expected to provide specialist advice on proposed medication changes, treatment-resistant conditions, complex psychopharmacology, and management of patients with significant adverse drug reactions or uncommon clinical presentations. They will be expected to provide cover on an acute ward where they will be an established part of the team

The role will also involve developing and reviewing medicines-related policies, guidelines and standard operating procedures and leading audits and quality improvement projects relating to medicines use.

About us

Cheshire and Wirral Partnership (CWP) provides health and care services for a population of over one million people, including mental health, learning disability, community physical health and all-age disability care, as well as the provision of three GP surgeries in Cheshire.

We employ around 4,500 staff across 73 sites and have services across Wirral and Cheshire, as well as Trafford, Warrington, Bolton, Halton, Liverpool and Stockport.

Our aim is to help improve the lives of everyone in our communities, adopting a compassionate, person-centred approach to everything we do. We are rated as Outstanding for Caring by the Care Quality Commission, with a Good rating overall.

As a Disability Confident Employer, Rainbow Badge Scheme member, Veteran Aware organisation and proud holder of the Armed Forces Covenant Employer Recognition Scheme Gold Award, CWP is committed to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible and developing a culture that values differences, and welcome applications from people who have direct experience of accessing our services.

All new starters will commence in post on one fixed start date each month, in line with our Prepare to Care (P2C) induction programme date. P2C offers up to 3 weeks training to support you to meet the induction / initial training requirements of the role.

Whether you are just starting out in your career or looking to use your existing skills and experience in a new role, you'll find something to suit you at CWP.

Job responsibilities

At CWP, our recruitment selection processes are based on both competence (see person specification for details ) and values.

CWP recruits people that can demonstrate the Trusts Values in their everyday life and we use a values-based approach in our interviews, which explores not only what you do but how and why you do it.

Before applying, we encourage you to review the Trusts Values and think about how these align with your own personal values. The supporting information section in your application should reflect your understanding of the Trusts Values and associated behaviours and you should provide examples from your work experience and/or personal life which demonstrate these values through your behaviours.

If you have a disability that meets the definition set out in the Equality Act 2010, and you can show that you meet the essential criteria described in the person specification for an available position, please answer YES to the question: Do you wish to be considered under the Guaranteed Interview Scheme?

Please inform the team if you have any special support needs to be considered as part of the interview and selection processes.

The trust offers a Guaranteed Interview Scheme to any armed forces community applicants who meet the essential criteria for the post and encourages applications from armed forces reservists or cadet force adult volunteers.

Please note applicants will be required to pay for their DBS check. Costs are deducted from salary following appointment. You are encouraged to enrol for the DBS Update Service. A small annual fee of £15 per year applies.

New entrants to the NHS will commence on the minimum of the scale stated above.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• Masters Degree in Pharmacy or equivalent
• Registered as practising pharmacist with the General Pharmaceutical Council
• Evidence of continuing professional development
• Evidence of clinical pharmacy training
• Post graduate clinical or mental health pharmacy qualification

Knowledge and Expertise

• Specialised and up to date knowledge relating to medicines management
• Knowledge of NHS policy, process and guidelines relating to medicines management, pharmacy and mental health
• Knowledge of clinical governance, clinical audit and risk management
• Good IT skills - Windows, word processing, spreadsheet, database, presentation, e-mail and web applications.
• Specialist knowledge of mental health therapeutics

Experience

• Experience of implementing new procedures or guidelines
• Experience in education and training

Trust Values

• Demonstrate alignment with Trust Values (6 C's: Commitment, Communication, Care, Courage, Compassion, Competency)

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.

Cheshire and Wirral Partnership NHS Foundation Trust