Job Summary
Are you an experienced clinical pharmacist ready to take the next step in your career?
Were looking for a dynamic Senior Clinical Pharmacist to join our forward-thinking Primary Care Network (PCN) and lead the delivery, development, and governance of medicines optimisation services with one of our Practices.
As part of a multidisciplinary team and aligned with the PCN Directed Enhanced Service (DES), this role is both clinically hands-on and strategically influential. You'll manage a team of pharmacists and pharmacy technicians, help shape local prescribing strategies, and embed high-quality, safe, and effective medicines use into all aspects of care delivery
Main duties of the job
The Senior Clinical Pharmacist is a strategic and operational leadership role within the Primary Care Network (PCN), responsible for delivering advanced clinical pharmacy services in accordance with the national PCN Directed Enhanced Service (DES) specifications. The postholder will provide expert clinical input across a range of areas, including long-term condition management, structured medication reviews (SMRs), medicines optimisation, and safer prescribing practices.
As a senior leader within the multidisciplinary team (MDT), the postholder will also be responsible for the day-to-day management, supervision, and professional development of the PCN pharmacy workforce, including clinical pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, and trainees. In addition to clinical and managerial duties, the role carries a key responsibility for governance ensuring medicines-related services meet high standards of safety, effectiveness, and accountability.
The Senior Clinical Pharmacist will collaborate closely with PCN leadership, GP practices, community providers, and Integrated Care Board (ICB) partners to develop, implement, and evaluate medicines management strategies that improve outcomes, reduce health inequalities, and align with local and national healthcare priorities.
About Us
Merchiston Surgery was established around 1860 in the village of Stratton-St-Margaret. Until the 1950s, Stratton was a small farming community and it still retains its separate identity, despite now being a suburb of Swindon. The Partnership moved from the original Doctors house into new purpose-built premises in 1992.
Merchiston Surgery has a raw patient list of 13,500 (13,700 weighted list)
We are a teaching practice with 2 Education Supervisors, 1 Clinical Supervisor, supporting 3 Trainee GPs. Rated excellent by the Swindon GP QA Panel for our trainee placement.
Details
Date posted
07 August 2025
Pay scheme
Other
Salary
Depending on experience
Contract
Permanent
Working pattern
Part-time, Flexible working
Reference number
A5777-25-0016
Job locations
Merchiston Surgery
Highworth Road
Swindon
Wiltshire
SN3 4BF
Job Description
Job responsibilities
Clinical
Provide Advanced Clinical Pharmacy Input Including:
Structured Medication Reviews for complex patients, in line with the PCN DES targets
Long-term condition management (e.g. hypertension, asthma, diabetes)
Medicines reconciliation post-discharge
Antimicrobial stewardship and prescribing safety.
Provide expert clinical advice to GPs and other healthcare professionals on safe, evidence-based and cost-effective prescribing
In collaboration with colleagues such as GPs, Nurses and Healthcare Assistants, be aware of the holistic needs of the patient and adapt therapy where appropriate
Address the day-to-day issues raised by patients / staff in relation to medicines management and escalate / investigate / prevent recurrence as necessary
Competently manage and undertake patient clinics, organising workload and processes around this to ensure timely patient follow-ups and medicine optimisation.
Work collaboratively with MDTs to ensure seamless integration of pharmacy into patient pathways
Leadership & Management
Line Manage, mentor and support the pharmacy workforce, ensuring role clarity, supervision, appraisal and continuing continuous professional development (CPD).
Champion a culture of continuous improvement, mentoring and shared learning.
In conjunction with PCN Manager lead on the planning and implementation of PCN DES service specifications related to medicines use, including Enhanced Access, Tackling Neighbourhood Health Inequalities and Prevention strategies
Drive the development and integration of innovative medicines management services within the PCN
Engage in the recruitment, conduct or performance management of Pharmacy Team members, with the support of the PCN Manager
Governance and Quality Improvement
In conjunction with other members of the PCN team, lead and oversee the implementation of robust medicines governance frameworks within the Practice
Ensure compliance with local and national policies, NICE guidelines and CQC standards.
Monitor and manage clinical risk related to medicine use, including incident reporting, investigation and learning dissemination
Maintain clinical audit cycles related to prescribing safety, SMRs and therapeutic outcomes
Represent the pharmacy team for the Practice at PCN and ICB governance forums and contribute to the development of clinical governance policies.
Support data-driven quality improvement initiatives using prescribing data, patient feedback and population health insights.
Strategic Development
Drive the design and expansion of pharmacy-led services aligned with PCN DES objectives
Identify and deliver on important outcomes and track progress towards these contributing to any spreadsheets or dashboards that demonstrate the work of the pharmacy team
Build effective working relationships with partner organisations, including community pharmacy, secondary care and social care.
Help ensure that evidence is available to facilitate regulatory oversight such as Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspections and audits
Work with colleagues in promoting public health schemes and promoting health equity across the PCN. Lead on aspects of this as required by the senior team.
Training and Development
Deliver training for other staff such as doctors, nurses, and allied health professionals on medicine related themes. Invite feedback to improve training in the Practice and disseminate good practice in all the surgeries.
Collaborate with colleagues to develop and deliver training to non-clinical staff and patients.
Complete all statutory and mandatory training as required when it is due.
Participation in an annual individual performance review, including taking responsibility for maintaining a record of own personal and/or professional development.
Taking responsibility for own development, learning and performance and demonstrating skills and activities to others who are undertaking similar work.
Personal
To plan own work schedule, prioritising items as they arise and seeking support as required.
Engage in clinical and managerial supervision.
Ensure that requirements for continuing registration with the General Pharmaceutical Council are met on an annual basis.
To be aware of and adhere to the policies and procedures of the PCN.
Personal transport access will be required as the postholder may need to carry out domiciliary visits, deliver the covid vaccination programme or attend meetings at other sites.
To carry out any reasonable requests from the employer that have not been identified beforehand. An example would be the need to deploy staff to covid vaccination clinics run at a centre offsite, in collaboration with other surgeries.
The post may be subject to change or review as the needs of the population or the service change. Changes will be made in consultation with the individual before any changes are made.
Job Description
Job responsibilities
Clinical
Provide Advanced Clinical Pharmacy Input Including:
Structured Medication Reviews for complex patients, in line with the PCN DES targets
Long-term condition management (e.g. hypertension, asthma, diabetes)
Medicines reconciliation post-discharge
Antimicrobial stewardship and prescribing safety.
Provide expert clinical advice to GPs and other healthcare professionals on safe, evidence-based and cost-effective prescribing
In collaboration with colleagues such as GPs, Nurses and Healthcare Assistants, be aware of the holistic needs of the patient and adapt therapy where appropriate
Address the day-to-day issues raised by patients / staff in relation to medicines management and escalate / investigate / prevent recurrence as necessary
Competently manage and undertake patient clinics, organising workload and processes around this to ensure timely patient follow-ups and medicine optimisation.
Work collaboratively with MDTs to ensure seamless integration of pharmacy into patient pathways
Leadership & Management
Line Manage, mentor and support the pharmacy workforce, ensuring role clarity, supervision, appraisal and continuing continuous professional development (CPD).
Champion a culture of continuous improvement, mentoring and shared learning.
In conjunction with PCN Manager lead on the planning and implementation of PCN DES service specifications related to medicines use, including Enhanced Access, Tackling Neighbourhood Health Inequalities and Prevention strategies
Drive the development and integration of innovative medicines management services within the PCN
Engage in the recruitment, conduct or performance management of Pharmacy Team members, with the support of the PCN Manager
Governance and Quality Improvement
In conjunction with other members of the PCN team, lead and oversee the implementation of robust medicines governance frameworks within the Practice
Ensure compliance with local and national policies, NICE guidelines and CQC standards.
Monitor and manage clinical risk related to medicine use, including incident reporting, investigation and learning dissemination
Maintain clinical audit cycles related to prescribing safety, SMRs and therapeutic outcomes
Represent the pharmacy team for the Practice at PCN and ICB governance forums and contribute to the development of clinical governance policies.
Support data-driven quality improvement initiatives using prescribing data, patient feedback and population health insights.
Strategic Development
Drive the design and expansion of pharmacy-led services aligned with PCN DES objectives
Identify and deliver on important outcomes and track progress towards these contributing to any spreadsheets or dashboards that demonstrate the work of the pharmacy team
Build effective working relationships with partner organisations, including community pharmacy, secondary care and social care.
Help ensure that evidence is available to facilitate regulatory oversight such as Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspections and audits
Work with colleagues in promoting public health schemes and promoting health equity across the PCN. Lead on aspects of this as required by the senior team.
Training and Development
Deliver training for other staff such as doctors, nurses, and allied health professionals on medicine related themes. Invite feedback to improve training in the Practice and disseminate good practice in all the surgeries.
Collaborate with colleagues to develop and deliver training to non-clinical staff and patients.
Complete all statutory and mandatory training as required when it is due.
Participation in an annual individual performance review, including taking responsibility for maintaining a record of own personal and/or professional development.
Taking responsibility for own development, learning and performance and demonstrating skills and activities to others who are undertaking similar work.
Personal
To plan own work schedule, prioritising items as they arise and seeking support as required.
Engage in clinical and managerial supervision.
Ensure that requirements for continuing registration with the General Pharmaceutical Council are met on an annual basis.
To be aware of and adhere to the policies and procedures of the PCN.
Personal transport access will be required as the postholder may need to carry out domiciliary visits, deliver the covid vaccination programme or attend meetings at other sites.
To carry out any reasonable requests from the employer that have not been identified beforehand. An example would be the need to deploy staff to covid vaccination clinics run at a centre offsite, in collaboration with other surgeries.
The post may be subject to change or review as the needs of the population or the service change. Changes will be made in consultation with the individual before any changes are made.
Person Specification
Personal
Essential
- Ability to lead and manage clinical and operation aspects of pharmacy services
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills; able to influence and collaborate effectively
- Patient-centred approach with a commitment to reducing health inequalities.
- Pro-active, self-motivated and committed to CPD
- Excellent understanding of data protection and confidentiality issues
- Flexible and adaptable to changing priorities and service needs
Desirable
- Competent in using required clinical systems (e.g. SystmOne, Cinapsis)
Qualifications
Essential
- Mandatory registration with General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) Masters degree in pharmacy (MPharm) (or equivalent)
- Specialist knowledge acquired through postgraduate diploma level or equivalent training/experience.
- Completion of PCPEP -CPPE (or equivalent)
Desirable
- Leadership and Management training / qualification (e.g. ILM, MHS Leadership Academy)
Experience
Essential
- Minimum 3 years post-registration experience as a pharmacist
- Significant experience in a clinical pharmacist role in primary care, community or secondary care
- Experience managing or supervising pharmacy staff / multidisciplinary teams
- Knowledge of PCN DES, NHS Long Term Plan and national prescribing guidance (e.g. NICE, NHSE)
- In-depth therapeutic and clinical knowledge and understanding of the principles of evidence-based healthcare, medicine optimisation, polypharmacy and therapeutics
- Experience of delivering structured medication reviews (SMRs) and managing long-term conditions
- Experience in developing and implementing clinical governance frameworks
- Proven involvement in service development or quality improvement initiatives
- Understanding of clinical governance, audit, risk management and incident reporting
Desirable
- Involvement in achieving PCN DES, QOF or IIF targets
Person Specification
Personal
Essential
- Minimum 3 years post-registration experience as a pharmacist
- Significant experience in a clinical pharmacist role in primary care, community or secondary care
- Experience managing or supervising pharmacy staff / multidisciplinary teams
- Knowledge of PCN DES, NHS Long Term Plan and national prescribing guidance (e.g. NICE, NHSE)
- In-depth therapeutic and clinical knowledge and understanding of the principles of evidence-based healthcare, medicine optimisation, polypharmacy and therapeutics
- Experience of delivering structured medication reviews (SMRs) and managing long-term conditions
- Experience in developing and implementing clinical governance frameworks
- Proven involvement in service development or quality improvement initiatives
- Understanding of clinical governance, audit, risk management and incident reporting
Desirable
- Involvement in achieving PCN DES, QOF or IIF targets
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.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Additional information
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.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Employer details
Employer name
Merchiston Surgery
Address
Merchiston Surgery
Highworth Road
Swindon
Wiltshire
SN3 4BF
Employer's website
https://www.merchistonsurgery.co.uk (Opens in a new tab)
Employer details
Employer name
Merchiston Surgery
Address
Merchiston Surgery
Highworth Road
Swindon
Wiltshire
SN3 4BF
Employer's website
https://www.merchistonsurgery.co.uk (Opens in a new tab)
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