PCN Senior Clinical Pharmacist

NHS; Darlington; On-site; GBP 38,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare provider is expanding its services and looking for a Clinical Pharmacist in Darlington. The role focuses on optimizing patient medication outcomes and involves working closely with general practices. Candidates should have a pharmacy degree, GPhC registration, and strong clinical knowledge in primary care prescribing.

Benefits

Resources for professional development

Community volunteering opportunities

Qualifications

• Degree in Pharmacy required.
• Registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC).
• Completion of CPPE pathway or similar training in primary care.

Responsibilities

• Independent prescriber managing patient medication.
• Perform clinical medication reviews and optimize prescriptions.
• Mentor junior pharmacists and pharmacy technicians.

Skills

Clinical knowledge of primary care prescribing

Addressing health inequalities

Medication review

Teamwork

Autonomy

Education

Degree in Pharmacy

Registration with GPhC

Completion of CPPE pathway

Job description

The interview date for this post will be Thursday, 24th July 2025.

Due to an expansion of the team and services, Primary Healthcare Darlington is looking for a highly motivated and aspirational clinical pharmacist to join our established team of pharmacists and pharmacy technicians.

This role is critical in supporting the delivery of the PCN Contract DES specifications and will help lead improvements to maximize safe, evidence-based best practices to improve the quality of patient care across Darlington and surrounding communities.

We are most interested in candidates with:

• Up-to-date clinical knowledge understanding primary care prescribing, medication review, and strategies for improving prescribing
• A commitment to addressing health inequalities and proactively reaching people from all communities
• The ability to recognize personal limitations and boundaries, to understand those of colleagues, and refer when necessary
• The ability to thrive in a devolved, flexible, autonomous environment

In this position, you will be employed by Primary Healthcare Darlington on behalf of Darlington PCN, funded through the ARRS and the DES (2024/25). You will work closely with the PCN and general practices across Darlington.

Main duties of the job

The senior clinical pharmacist will support the Lead Pharmacist & Pharmacy Technicians in the PCN Pharmacy Hub team to work with the PCN and GP practices to deliver medicines optimisation, including managing hospital discharge medication changes, secondary care medicines, and medication queries. The role involves working across practices within the PCN, with remote consultations via telephone for medication reconciliation, chronic disease management, repeat prescriptions, and medication reviews, including management of polypharmacy.

About us

Primary Healthcare Darlington, established in 2014, is a GP Federation covering 11 practices with over 108,000 registered patients. We work closely with local NHS trusts, Darlington Borough Council, and the Darlington Primary Care Network. Our premises are near Darlington Memorial Hospital, and the role involves working from home part of the week.

We prioritize staff wellbeing, offering resources, counseling, professional development, and community volunteering opportunities. Our staff have supported various community projects and enjoy working in a region rich in history and natural beauty.

Job responsibilities

Key responsibilities

• Be an independent prescriber
• Support transfer of care processes between hospitals and GPs, including medication changes and communication
• Support colleagues and patients with medication queries and monitoring
• Mentor junior pharmacists and pharmacy technicians
• Undertake clinical medication reviews for patients with complex polypharmacy
• Provide expertise in medicines use, addressing public health and social care needs
• Use audit and action planning to address inequalities
• Lead person-centered medicines optimization and quality improvement initiatives
• Use structured medication reviews to optimize patient outcomes and promote self-care
• Contribute to development and implementation of new services involving medicines
• Ensure practice compliance with CQC standards regarding medicines
• Collaborate with pharmacy professionals across the PCN and wider health system
• Lead in shared care protocols and liaise with specialists, community pharmacists, and anticoagulation services
• Provide clinical support to Pharmacy Technicians and the Care Home team
• Assist with medication requests and advice for care homes

The above duties are not exhaustive and may change as necessary.

Aims/Goals of the post

• Reduce GP workload
• Reduce medication costs via formulary prescribing
• Enhance medication outcomes and patient safety
• Improve efficiency of medication changes
• Manage shared care drugs effectively

Person Specification

Qualifications

• Degree in Pharmacy
• Registration with GPhC
• Completion of CPPE pathway or similar primary care training

Experience

• Please see attached person spec

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1975 (Exceptions Order). A DBS check will be required to check for any criminal convictions.