Senior Clinical Pharmacist - Cardiology

NHS; Darlington; On-site; GBP 53,000 - 61,000; Full time

Job summary

An exciting opportunity awaits for a dedicated clinical pharmacist to join a leading healthcare provider in Darlington. As the senior pharmacist for cardiology, you'll play a vital role in enhancing patient care through effective medicines management and collaboration with multidisciplinary teams. This role offers the chance to develop your clinical skills, lead a dynamic team, and contribute to high-quality healthcare services. Embrace the challenge of working in a supportive environment that prioritizes professional development and patient well-being. If you are passionate about making a difference in healthcare, this position is perfect for you.

Qualifications

• Strong understanding of medicines reconciliation and hospital pharmacy functions.
• Experience leading and developing clinical pharmacy services.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage pharmacy staff for effective medicines management.
• Collaborate with healthcare professionals to develop services.

Skills

Leadership

Excellent communication skills

Clinical pharmacy expertise

Team management

Patient care prioritization

Education

Masters Degree in Pharmacy

Postgraduate management qualification

Independent Prescriber qualification

Job description

County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced, forward-thinking, and enthusiastic clinical pharmacist to join our CDDFT pharmacy team as the senior pharmacist for cardiology at DMH.

County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust is one of the largest integrated care providers in England, serving a population of around 600,000 people.

Our teams aim to provide high-quality and joined-up care to our patients, and we pride ourselves on our clinical pharmacy teams being able to spend the majority of their time providing direct patient care.

You will be an integral member of the cardiology medicine MDT at University Hospital North Durham, with the opportunity to build the clinical pharmacy service and further develop existing multidisciplinary team relationships. Attendance at other sites, including University Hospital of North Durham, may be required to meet key objectives.

You will belong to a team committed to supporting staff health, well-being, and professional development to help you achieve your full potential.

Main duties of the job

If successful, you will work closely with consultants and the wider MDT to deliver the trust values of safe, compassionate, and joined-up care. Our mission is 'right first time, every time.'

You will demonstrate leadership in the cardiology specialty and provide specialist advice on medicines use. This includes professional collaboration to develop services and support the team with evidence-based practice and pharmaceutical issues.

Your role will involve building relationships between pharmacy and ward teams, delivering the governance agenda, teaching, quality improvement, service development, and sustainability. We will support your mentoring and development, including practicing as an independent prescriber, advanced/consultant portfolio development, and other educational opportunities.

You will provide leadership to pharmacy staff and support the Lead Pharmacists in advancing the trust's pharmacy strategy. The role requires autonomous working, motivating others, and being a team player.

About us

If invited for an interview, you must accept an interview slot in the system to proceed, even if previously arranged with the manager.

You must produce all certificates listed as essential in the person specification for pre-employment checks.

We provide hospital services from Darlington Memorial Hospital and University Hospital of North Durham, along with other community-based settings. We particularly welcome applications from disabled and BAME candidates, as these groups are under-represented.

Full job descriptions are available in the supporting documents.

Over-reliance on AI-generated content is discouraged, as it may reduce your chances of success.

For visa requirements and eligibility, please check online to confirm your suitability.

From April 9th, 2025, healthcare assistants must have at least two years NHS experience for sponsorship consideration, and must have a current visa expiring within three months.

Job responsibilities

To facilitate a 7-day pharmacy service, pharmacists contribute to on-call, late, and weekend rotas. Flexible working options are available.

We encourage you to contact us with any questions about the role.

Key responsibilities:

• Lead and manage pharmacy staff, ensuring safe, effective, and efficient medicines management services for a defined patient group.
• Support the development of pharmacy and medicines management services, including research and audit activities.
• Collaborate with other trust pharmacists to develop services across all sites, representing the directorate at meetings, providing training, and offering expert advice.
• Maintain and develop a personal clinical portfolio at a senior pharmacist level.
• Employ practice models that prioritize patient and carer needs, risk minimization, and safety.
• Supervise and develop pharmacy staff, including junior pharmacists and trainees.
• Monitor prescribing practices to ensure safety and effectiveness, resolving issues and contributing to staff education.
• Work with patients and healthcare professionals to develop and deliver services aligned with patient and provider priorities.
• Coordinate with pharmacy teams and external agencies on medicine management issues.
• Influence practice to promote safe medication use and good prescribing practices.
• Participate in the site-based senior pharmacy management team, contributing to strategy, policy, operations, and financial planning.

Person Specification

Special Requirements

• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to build relationships and influence others positively.
• Self-motivated, with the ability to motivate others and work as part of a team.
• Desire to develop clinical skills and prioritize workload effectively.

Special Skills & Knowledge

• Strong understanding of medicines reconciliation and hospital pharmacy functions.
• Ability to apply theoretical knowledge practically, providing complex information on medicines use, clinical pharmacy, and financial issues.
• Membership of relevant specialist groups and involvement in guideline development.
• Leadership, management, teaching skills, and experience in clinical guideline development.
• Knowledge of MI resources, current pharmacy issues, and NHS financial pressures.
• Demonstrated expertise in a pharmacy practice area, with contributions to research, audit, or publications.

Qualifications

• Masters Degree in Pharmacy or equivalent, with postgraduate qualifications or experience meeting RPS standards.
• Evidence of CPD and education.
• Independent Prescriber or willingness to work towards this qualification.
• Postgraduate management qualification and experience in clinical and classroom teaching.

Experience

• Experience leading and developing clinical pharmacy services, working autonomously across practice areas.
• Experience in developing relationships with healthcare professionals and providing directorate pharmacist services.
• Experience managing a team and providing HR support.
• Research experience and contributions to publications or conferences.

Statutory Registration

• Registered Pharmacist with GPhC.
• Membership of RPS or relevant clinical pharmacy organization.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This role is subject to DBS checks under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1975.

Salary: £53,755 to £60,504 per annum, pro-rata.