Job summary Specialist Mental Health Pharmacist - Band 7 with progression to 8A A progressive department offering a progression opportunity for a talented clinical mental health pharmacist to develop themselves through a structured development pathway within a forward thinking and supportive team. If you are an enthusiastic and motivated clinical pharmacist, we will work with you to support you to develop a portfolio of evidence to demonstrate achievement of competencies in order to provide you with progression and development. You will be a team worker but have the ability to act independently, and have a strong clinical knowledge and drive for quality improvement. The pharmacy department at Gloucestershire Royal Hospital provides the clinical pharmacy and dispensing services to Gloucestershire Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust (GHC) under a service level agreement. This post is part of the commitment to increase specialist mental health pharmacists working in community mental health teams. This post will require travel to wards and units across Gloucestershire. Additional contact: If you would like to arrange a visit or a chat please phone 0300 422 6289 and speak to any of the team. Main duties of the job The expectation of this role is that the post holder will develop their knowledge and skills whilst in post to the level of practice of a band 8A. To deliver and further develop clinical pharmacy services to community mental health teams within Gloucestershire, and support the lead pharmacist for community mental health teams. With support from the Lead Pharmacist for Community Mental Health Teams, to be the lead clinical pharmacist for clozapine services within the pharmacy team and to lead the operational delivery of pharmacy clozapine services. To be a clinical specialist in mental health pharmacy, and act as an independent prescriber where appropriate. To have a commitment to covering an Mental Health inpatient ward To deliver a comprehensive clinical pharmacy and medicines management service to patients under the care of Gloucestershire Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust (GHC) and to the multidisciplinary team (MDT) responsible for their care. To support the education, training and development needs of pharmacyprofessionals and other multidisciplinary staff Trust wide. To support patients and their families by providing advice about the actions and use of medication. To contribute to good physical health wellbeing of patients Mon-Fri 8:30-4:30 (plus weekend working as per rota) About us The GHNHSFT pharmacy department provides the pharmacy services to the local mental health trust (GHC) under a service level agreement. This post is based within the specialist mental health pharmacy team (approx 20 staff) which is part of the wider pharmacy department. Date posted 03 March 2025 Pay scheme Agenda for change Band Band 7 Salary £46,148 to £52,809 a year per annum Contract Permanent Working pattern Full-time, Part-time, Job share Reference number 318-25-T0186 Job locations Gloucestershire Royal Hospital Gloucestershire GL1 3NN Job description Job responsibilities Within the Pharmacy department at Gloucestershire Hospitals NHSFT, we are committed to supporting the South West Inclusive Pharmacy Practice manifesto ( https://pwds.nhs.uk/associates/sw-ipp/ ), creating a diverse and inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued and respected. We recognise that a diverse team enhances our ability to provide patients with the best possible care and innovative solutions. We welcome applications from all individuals regardless of race, ethnicity, gender identity, age, sexual orientation, disability, religion, or socioeconomic background. We are dedicated to ensuring equal opportunities in all aspects of employment, from recruitment to career development. We like members of our team to feel empowered to carry out their duties to the best of their abilities and we actively promote a culture of inclusivity and mutual respect. If you require any adjustments or support during the application process or in the workplace, please let us know. We are here to ensure that all candidates and employees can contribute fully and thrive in their roles. Join us in making a differencetogether, we can build a workplace that celebrates diverse perspectives and experiences. Full details are in the attached JD Clozapine Services Be the named pharmacist for clozapine services for the trust. Contribute to operational and clinical aspects of service delivery relating to the provision of clozapine within the Trust. Responsible for ensuring robust governance processes are adhered to surrounding the dispensing and supply of clozapine. To support the pharmacy technician team delivering POCHi clinics across the Trust. Support appropriate training of the pharmacy staff delivering clozapine clinic services. Support the development of POCHi clinics across the county as required. Support audits relating to clozapine services. To support the delivery of education and training to pharmacy and other mental healthcare staff about clozapine. Community Mental Health Teams (CMHTs) Work with the Lead Pharmacist for CMHTs to review clinical policies and procedures relating to the CMHT work carried out by all clinical pharmacists. Work with the Lead Pharmacist for CMHTs to develop the clinical pharmacy strategy to expand clinical pharmacy services to community teams. Work with other senior clinical pharmacists within the Clinical Pharmacy Group to ensure a smooth, efficient and co-ordinated overall service delivery. To contribute to multidisciplinary improvement projects and research involving the pharmacy service within CMHTs. Clinical Pharmacy Services to Inpatients Wards and CMHTs Be responsible and accountable for providing a clinical pharmacy service to inpatient wards and community team bases as allocated: Visit the designated wards and team bases at the agreed intervals. Routinely attend and contribute to multidisciplinary team (MDT) meetings Proactively review, rationalise and optimise patients medications. Review all prescriptions regularly, ensuring adherence to legislation, national and local guidelines and formularies. Advise on individual drug treatments, including possible adverse effects and interactions. Undertake medicines reconciliation assurance in conjunction with the medicines management technicians. Respond to and report medication errors. Work to improve patients concordance with medication. Provide information to staff, patients and their representatives, including individual counselling on newly prescribed medicines and discharge counselling. Produce comprehensive patient medication histories as needed Maintain appropriate clinical documentation and records. Advise consultants and other healthcare professionals on clinical pharmacy issues, answer queries and solve complex problems. Work across traditional boundaries as part of a fully integrated MDT. Provide advice to clinicians on unlicensed medicines use and areas of practice where the evidence base is lacking and medical opinion may differ. Responsibility for stock control and security of medicines on wards and outside units, ensuring compliance with medicine legislation. Responsibility for checking controlled drug stocks on wards and outside units. To provide expert, specialist medication advice to healthcare professionals in allocated wards and teams. Non-Medical Prescribing (NMP) To have a qualification in NMP or to undertake qualification whilst in post. To prescribe medicines as an NMP in line with current legislation, local policies and within own level of expertise and competence. Education and Training Contribute to the education and training of members of the pharmacy team and MDT. Support the education and training junior doctors, including at induction. Undertake the role of foundation pharmacist tutor as required. Develop and deliver education and training in line with local and national objectives and contribute to pharmacy modernisation initiatives being undertaken within the department. Support the education of patients and carers about psychotropic medicines, as needed. Identify own development needs, aligning these to service requirements and personal aspirations. Proactively develop and improve own practice. Undertake all mandatory training. Communication and working relationships To identify and respond to the specialist medication information needs of patients, carers, doctors, nurses, and other members of the healthcare team. To ensure information, which may be highly complex, in an appropriate format for the individual or group. To be readily available and to respond to enquiries in a timely manner. Able to present information in a suitable format (e.g., written and/or verbal) and style for the target audience. Barriers to effective communication may include learning disability, language difficulties, cognitive impairment and non-consenting/non-compliant patients. To communication effectively with other members of the pharmacy team. Leadership Act as a positive role model to junior colleagues, and motivate and inspire others Demonstrate innovation and extend the boundaries of the profession. Contribute to the leadership and development of the pharmacy technician delivered POCHi clozapine clinics. Responsible for supervision and/or line management of junior members of pharmacy staff in line with the team structure and developments. Contribute to writing and reviewing medicines related clinical guidelines and training programmes as required. Contribute to the development of lead clinical pharmacy services to community teams. Dispensary Duties The post includes a commitment to provide cover to the mental health dispensary as per the team rota. Supervise pharmacy staff in dispensary as needed. Clinically check prescriptions, ensuring adherence to legislation and local formularies and procedures. Accuracy check dispensed prescriptions. Dispense and supply medication. Compile discharge medication summaries. Ensure supplies are sent to wards and units in a timely manner. Access and interpret patients test results from pathology systems and other sources including the clozapine patient monitoring systems. Co-ordinate responses to email and telephone enquiries. Other Work with the clinical mental health pharmacy team manager to develop the clinical pharmacy service to nationally approved standards, strategic development of service and business planning and implementation of best practice guidance. Respond to medicines information queries from patients, medical and other healthcare professionals, using a wide range of information sources both electronic and hard copy regarding drug-related queries, and make appropriate records. Occasional handling of potentially hazardous substances (e.g., cytotoxic medication) in accordance with Standard Operating Procedures and COSHH regulations. Physical effort for lifting and moving light packages between locations. Requirement for frequent long periods of concentration when validating or checking prescriptions / calculations, dealing with interruptions for advice/requests as per service demand. Be competent in the use of all relevant Trust IT systems including the use of electronic patient record, email, Microsoft Office and pathology systems. Undertake any other duties as deemed fit by the GHFT management. Job description Job responsibilities Within the Pharmacy department at Gloucestershire Hospitals NHSFT, we are committed to supporting the South West Inclusive Pharmacy Practice manifesto ( https://pwds.nhs.uk/associates/sw-ipp/ ), creating a diverse and inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued and respected. We recognise that a diverse team enhances our ability to provide patients with the best possible care and innovative solutions. We welcome applications from all individuals regardless of race, ethnicity, gender identity, age, sexual orientation, disability, religion, or socioeconomic background. We are dedicated to ensuring equal opportunities in all aspects of employment, from recruitment to career development. We like members of our team to feel empowered to carry out their duties to the best of their abilities and we actively promote a culture of inclusivity and mutual respect. If you require any adjustments or support during the application process or in the workplace, please let us know. We are here to ensure that all candidates and employees can contribute fully and thrive in their roles. Join us in making a differencetogether, we can build a workplace that celebrates diverse perspectives and experiences. Full details are in the attached JD Clozapine Services Be the named pharmacist for clozapine services for the trust. Contribute to operational and clinical aspects of service delivery relating to the provision of clozapine within the Trust. Responsible for ensuring robust governance processes are adhered to surrounding the dispensing and supply of clozapine. To support the pharmacy technician team delivering POCHi clinics across the Trust. Support appropriate training of the pharmacy staff delivering clozapine clinic services. Support the development of POCHi clinics across the county as required. Support audits relating to clozapine services. To support the delivery of education and training to pharmacy and other mental healthcare staff about clozapine. Community Mental Health Teams (CMHTs) Work with the Lead Pharmacist for CMHTs to review clinical policies and procedures relating to the CMHT work carried out by all clinical pharmacists. Work with the Lead Pharmacist for CMHTs to develop the clinical pharmacy strategy to expand clinical pharmacy services to community teams. Work with other senior clinical pharmacists within the Clinical Pharmacy Group to ensure a smooth, efficient and co-ordinated overall service delivery. To contribute to multidisciplinary improvement projects and research involving the pharmacy service within CMHTs. Clinical Pharmacy Services to Inpatients Wards and CMHTs Be responsible and accountable for providing a clinical pharmacy service to inpatient wards and community team bases as allocated: Visit the designated wards and team bases at the agreed intervals. Routinely attend and contribute to multidisciplinary team (MDT) meetings Proactively review, rationalise and optimise patients medications. Review all prescriptions regularly, ensuring adherence to legislation, national and local guidelines and formularies. Advise on individual drug treatments, including possible adverse effects and interactions. Undertake medicines reconciliation assurance in conjunction with the medicines management technicians. Respond to and report medication errors. Work to improve patients concordance with medication. Provide information to staff, patients and their representatives, including individual counselling on newly prescribed medicines and discharge counselling. Produce comprehensive patient medication histories as needed Maintain appropriate clinical documentation and records. Advise consultants and other healthcare professionals on clinical pharmacy issues, answer queries and solve complex problems. Work across traditional boundaries as part of a fully integrated MDT. Provide advice to clinicians on unlicensed medicines use and areas of practice where the evidence base is lacking and medical opinion may differ. Responsibility for stock control and security of medicines on wards and outside units, ensuring compliance with medicine legislation. Responsibility for checking controlled drug stocks on wards and outside units. To provide expert, specialist medication advice to healthcare professionals in allocated wards and teams. Non-Medical Prescribing (NMP) To have a qualification in NMP or to undertake qualification whilst in post. To prescribe medicines as an NMP in line with current legislation, local policies and within own level of expertise and competence. Education and Training Contribute to the education and training of members of the pharmacy team and MDT. Support the education and training junior doctors, including at induction. Undertake the role of foundation pharmacist tutor as required. Develop and deliver education and training in line with local and national objectives and contribute to pharmacy modernisation initiatives being undertaken within the department. Support the education of patients and carers about psychotropic medicines, as needed. Identify own development needs, aligning these to service requirements and personal aspirations. Proactively develop and improve own practice. Undertake all mandatory training. Communication and working relationships To identify and respond to the specialist medication information needs of patients, carers, doctors, nurses, and other members of the healthcare team. To ensure information, which may be highly complex, in an appropriate format for the individual or group. To be readily available and to respond to enquiries in a timely manner. Able to present information in a suitable format (e.g., written and/or verbal) and style for the target audience. Barriers to effective communication may include learning disability, language difficulties, cognitive impairment and non-consenting/non-compliant patients. To communication effectively with other members of the pharmacy team. Leadership Act as a positive role model to junior colleagues, and motivate and inspire others Demonstrate innovation and extend the boundaries of the profession. Contribute to the leadership and development of the pharmacy technician delivered POCHi clozapine clinics. Responsible for supervision and/or line management of junior members of pharmacy staff in line with the team structure and developments. Contribute to writing and reviewing medicines related clinical guidelines and training programmes as required. Contribute to the development of lead clinical pharmacy services to community teams. Dispensary Duties The post includes a commitment to provide cover to the mental health dispensary as per the team rota. Supervise pharmacy staff in dispensary as needed. Clinically check prescriptions, ensuring adherence to legislation and local formularies and procedures. Accuracy check dispensed prescriptions. Dispense and supply medication. Compile discharge medication summaries. Ensure supplies are sent to wards and units in a timely manner. Access and interpret patients test results from pathology systems and other sources including the clozapine patient monitoring systems. Co-ordinate responses to email and telephone enquiries. Other Work with the clinical mental health pharmacy team manager to develop the clinical pharmacy service to nationally approved standards, strategic development of service and business planning and implementation of best practice guidance. Respond to medicines information queries from patients, medical and other healthcare professionals, using a wide range of information sources both electronic and hard copy regarding drug-related queries, and make appropriate records. Occasional handling of potentially hazardous substances (e.g., cytotoxic medication) in accordance with Standard Operating Procedures and COSHH regulations. Physical effort for lifting and moving light packages between locations. Requirement for frequent long periods of concentration when validating or checking prescriptions / calculations, dealing with interruptions for advice/requests as per service demand. Be competent in the use of all relevant Trust IT systems including the use of electronic patient record, email, Microsoft Office and pathology systems. Undertake any other duties as deemed fit by the GHFT management. Person Specification Qualifications Essential Registered Pharmacist with the GPHC Clinical or psychiatric postgraduate certificate Post graduate qualification in Non-Medical Prescribing (or willingness to work towards this qualification within an agreed timeframe) Desirable Member of RPS or CMHP Experience Essential Post registration training relevant to mental health pharmacy Desirable Experience in clinical audit Knowledge, Skills, Abilities Essential Knowledge of Quality Improvement Ability to act as a role model or mentor Able to influence prescribing Intermediate competence in standard range of IT programs Able to work alone with minimal supervision Desire to develop role to meet service user needs Qualities Essential Self-motivated Friendly yet professional Understands and shows commitment to continuing personal development Team Player Person Specification Qualifications Essential Registered Pharmacist with the GPHC Clinical or psychiatric postgraduate certificate Post graduate qualification in Non-Medical Prescribing (or willingness to work towards this qualification within an agreed timeframe) Desirable Member of RPS or CMHP Experience Essential Post registration training relevant to mental health pharmacy Desirable Experience in clinical audit Knowledge, Skills, Abilities Essential Knowledge of Quality Improvement Ability to act as a role model or mentor Able to influence prescribing Intermediate competence in standard range of IT programs Able to work alone with minimal supervision Desire to develop role to meet service user needs Qualities Essential Self-motivated Friendly yet professional Understands and shows commitment to continuing personal development Team Player 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 Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust Address Gloucestershire Royal Hospital Gloucestershire GL1 3NN Employer's website https://www.gloshospitals.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)