PCN Clinical Pharmacist

NHS; Tees Valley; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

A healthcare organization in Darlington is looking for an experienced pharmacist to enhance medication management in care homes. The role includes independent prescribing, supervising pharmacy technicians, and conducting clinical medication reviews. Candidates must possess a degree in Pharmacy and relevant registration. This position combines onsite work with home-based duties and emphasizes the importance of addressing public health needs through effective medicines optimisation.

Qualifications

• Degree in Pharmacy from a recognized institution.
• Registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council.
• Experience in clinical settings or equivalent training.

Responsibilities

• Support medicines optimisation in care homes.
• Lead pharmacy technicians and coordinate care.
• Conduct clinical medication reviews for complex patients.
• Ensure compliance with CQC standards for medications.

Skills

Independent prescribing

Medication management

Clinical supervision

Person-centred medicines optimisation

Education

Degree in Pharmacy

Registration with the General Pharmaceutical Council

CPPE pathway or equivalent training

Job description

Job Description

Interview date for this post will be Wednesday 4th February 2026. This is a new role within the Enhanced Health in Care Homes team.

The post holder will support PHD's long-established team with medicines optimisation and support to Care Homes with medicines management, supporting MDTs for residents and proper medication management.

In this position, you will be employed by Primary Healthcare Darlington on behalf of Darlington Primary Care Network, funded through the AdditionalRoles Reimbursement Scheme (ARRS) and the General Practice Network Contract Directed Enhanced Service (2025/26) (the DES). You will work closely with the PCN and the General Practices across Darlington.

Main duties of the job

• Be an independent prescriber or commit to completing training to become a prescriber.
• Lead Pharmacy Technicians and Care Coordinators in the EHiCH team.
• Monitor the performance and effectiveness of the team, provide 1:1 and performance support.
• Support colleagues and patients with medication queries and monitoring.
• Undertake clinical medication reviews to proactively manage people with complex polypharmacy.
• Focus on people in care homes, those with multiple co‑morbidities (frailty, COPD, asthma) and people with learning disabilities or autism.
• Provide specialist expertise in the use of medicines, helping to address public health and social care needs of patients.
• Using audit and action planning, help to tackle inequalities.
• Provide leadership on person‑centred medicines optimisation, ensuring prescribers conserve antibiotics in line with local antimicrobial stewardship guidance, and quality improvement.
• Contribute to the General Practice Quality and Outcomes Framework (QOF) and enhanced services.
• Use structured medication reviews to support patients in taking medications, reduce waste, promote self‑care.
• Provide pharmaceutical advice for development and implementation of new services with medicinal components (e.g., treatment pathways, patient information leaflets).
• Work with general practice teams to ensure compliance with CQC standards where medicines are involved for care‑home patients.
• Develop relationships and work closely with other pharmacy professionals across Primary Care and the wider health and social care system.
• Take a central role in the clinical aspects of shared care protocols, liaison with specialist pharmacists, community pharmacists and anticoagulation services.
• Undertake the CPPE Primary Care Pharmacy Education Pathway or equivalent primary care training pathway.
• Provide clinical supervision for Pharmacy Technicians within the PCN Enhanced Health in Care Home team.
• Assist with care home medication requests, medication advice, covert administration advice from the Enhanced Health in Care Home Team.
• The above duties are not exhaustive and may be subject to change.

About us

Primary Healthcare Darlington was established in 2014 as the local GP federation consisting of 11 GP Practices covering a population of 108,000+ registered patients. We work closely with Darlington Borough Council, local NHS Foundation Trusts and the North East and North Cumbria ICB. The role is based at dedicated premises close to Darlington Memorial Hospital but will involve working from home as part of the week.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• Degree in Pharmacy
• Registration with the General Pharmaceutical Council
• Completed or willing to commit to completing CPPE pathway or other primary care training pathway

Experience

• Experience appropriate to the role (see attached person specification)

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and requires submission for disclosure with the Disclosure and Barring Service.