Pharmacist

As a Specialist Pharmacist, you will work alongside andsupport the Senior Lead Pharmacists across various clinical rotations andareas, with a primary focus on medicines safety and governance . Yourrole will include developing and delivering comprehensive medicines managementservices to patients across our mental health services, as well as ensuringeffective pharmaceutical care in inpatient, outpatient, and community settings. This role is an exciting opportunity for those who aremotivated to advance clinical pharmacy services, drive quality improvement, andcontribute to shaping policies that enhance patient care and safety. You willalso have the opportunity to supervise and develop junior pharmacy staff,including Band 6 and pre-registration pharmacists, ensuring they receive thesupport and training necessary to thrive. Main duties of the job

• Optimizing Medicines Use : Ensure safe and appropriate use of medications for maximum benefit and minimal risk, regularly reviewing prescriptions, identifying significant drug interactions, and monitoring compliance with applicable laws, including the Medicines Act and Mental Health Act.
• Pharmaceutical Care at Ward Level : Act as the primary pharmacist at ward level, providing clinical guidance to the multidisciplinary teams.
You will be responsible for completing medication histories, formulating pharmaceutical care plans, and monitoring patient outcomes to ensure medicines are effective and safely managed. Patient Discharge Planning : Play a vital role in discharge planning to facilitate timely and accurate dispensing and ensure medicines are labeled and prepared for safe patient use post-discharge., Job Advert : Specialist Pharmacist (Band 7) Camden & Islington NHS Foundation Trust Location : Highgate Mental Health Centre Salary : AfC Band 7 Contract : Full-time, hours per week Are you an enthusiastic and skilled pharmacist with a passion for delivering high-quality patient care in a mental health setting?, We are dedicated to delivering patient-centered, compassionate care, and as a Specialist Pharmacist, you will be integral in supporting our multidisciplinary teams in achieving these goals., As a Specialist Pharmacist, you will work alongside and support the Senior Lead Pharmacists across various clinical rotations and areas, with a primary focus on medicines safety and governance . Your role will include developing and delivering comprehensive medicines management services to patients across our mental health services, as well as ensuring effective pharmaceutical care in inpatient, outpatient, and community settings. This role is an exciting opportunity for those who are motivated to advance clinical pharmacy services, drive quality improvement, and contribute to shaping policies that enhance patient care and safety. You will also have the opportunity to supervise and develop junior pharmacy staff, including Band 6 and pre-registration pharmacists, ensuring they receive the support and training necessary to thrive. Key Responsibilities 1. Clinical Practice
• Optimizing Medicines Use : Ensure safe and appropriate use of medications for maximum benefit and minimal risk, regularly reviewing prescriptions, identifying significant drug interactions, and monitoring compliance with applicable laws, including the Medicines Act and Mental Health Act.
• Pharmaceutical Care at Ward Level : Act as the primary pharmacist at ward level, providing clinical guidance to the multidisciplinary teams.
You will be responsible for completing medication histories, formulating pharmaceutical care plans, and monitoring patient outcomes to ensure medicines are effective and safely managed.
• Patient Discharge Planning : Play a vital role in discharge planning to facilitate timely and accurate dispensing and ensure medicines are labeled and prepared for safe patient use post-discharge.
• Advice on Unlicensed Medicines : Provide essential clinical advice on unlicensed medication use, collaborating closely with the Lead Pharmacist to guide treatment plans.
• Risk Reduction : Contribute to the Trusts safe medication practice agenda by identifying and reporting medication errors, working proactively to prevent harm.
2. Communication
• Supporting Patients and Teams : Respond effectively to the pharmaceutical information needs of patients, caregivers, and healthcare professionals, delivering information in formats appropriate to each audience.
• Liaison and Collaboration : Build and maintain communication channels with community pharmacists, primary care providers, and secondary care organizations to facilitate seamless medication management and supply continuity across transitions in patient care.
• Addressing Barriers : Manage and overcome communication barriers, such as learning disabilities, mental impairment, or non-compliant patients, adapting your approach to meet each patient's needs., Training Delivery : Assist in delivering medication education to clinical staff and multidisciplinary team members, supporting the Clinical Lead Pharmacist in delivering the Trusts Medicines Management program.
• Mentorship & Supervision : Take an active role in training and supporting Band 6 pharmacists, pre-registration pharmacists, and medicines management technicians.
You will also be responsible for providing ward-based training to undergraduate students. Continuous Professional Development : Maintain and develop your professional competencies and portfolio in compliance with General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) standards to ensure continued high-quality practice. 4. Policy & Service Development
• Policy Review & Development : Support the Lead Pharmacist in updating and implementing Trust policies related to medication management, ensuring they are applied effectively in your clinical area.
• Service Modernization : Contribute to the development and modernization of pharmacy services, participating in initiatives that improve clinical governance and support quality improvement across the Trust.
5. Management of Resources
• Supervision of Junior Staff : Oversee and guide junior pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, and support staff, ensuring a high standard of pharmaceutical service and efficient day-to-day operations.
• Medicines Storage & Security : Ensure compliance with Trust policies on medicines storage, managing the secure handling and timely stock replenishment of prescription-only and controlled substances within clinical settings.
• Workload Planning : Manage your own workload effectively to meet the needs of the service and ensure efficient task completion, especially during on-call and weekend shifts.
6. Research & Development
• Quality Improvement (QI) Initiatives : Actively participate in the Trusts Quality Improvement and Medicines Audit programs, collecting and analyzing data to drive positive changes.
• Clinical Audits : Design and implement your own quality improvement projects and audits that target service delivery improvements, optimized medicine use, or enhanced patient outcomes.
• Clinical Trials Participation : Where required, you will also have opportunities to engage in clinical trials within your clinical specialty area.
Additional Responsibilities You will participate in the Trust's on-call rota, weekend, and bank holiday dispensary services, ensuring patients have continual access to pharmacy services., Joining our Trust means becoming part of a compassionate team dedicated to making a difference in mental health services. You will work in a supportive environment where your skills are valued, your ideas are welcomed, and you have numerous opportunities for professional growth. Our commitment to diversity and inclusion , ongoing training , and development ensures that you have the support you need to excel in your role and further your career in clinical pharmacy.


• Registration : Current registration with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC).
• Experience : Previous experience in a clinical pharmacy setting, ideally with experience in mental health.
• Clinical Knowledge : Comprehensive understanding of medication management, risk assessment, and patient safety in a mental health setting.
• Communication Skills : Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to adapt to different audiences and overcome barriers.
• IT Skills : Proficiency in IT applications, including Trust Clinical Information Systems for data entry and report generation.
Desirable Skills
• Experience supervising or mentoring pharmacy staff.
• Knowledge of the Camden and Islington NHS Foundation Trust policies and practices related to medication management.
• Familiarity with the Agenda for Change NHS Terms of Service., Registration : Current registration with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC).
• Experience : Previous experience in a clinical pharmacy setting, ideally with experience in mental health.
• Clinical Knowledge : Comprehensive understanding of medication management, risk assessment, and patient safety in a mental health setting.
• Communication Skills : Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to adapt to different audiences and overcome barriers.
Desirable
• Experience supervising or mentoring pharmacy staff.
• Knowledge of the Camden and Islington NHS Foundation Trust policies and practices related to medication management.
• Familiarity with the Agenda for Change NHS Terms of Service.
  
  Here at NHS Professionals, we run England's largest NHS staff bank and are experts at putting people in places to care. Every year we help thousands of dedicated and highly skilled NHS workers enjoy better career opportunities, more flexible shifts, and a healthier work-life balance across our partnered Trusts.
Career Progression access to Learning & Development opportunities, so that you can take on new roles and challenges Work-life Balance flexible shifts, committed shifts, wellbeing resources and build paid annual leave Opportunity & Access over 50 partner NHS Trusts to give you the flexibility of choice to work how and where you want, Our Trust is renowned for its commitment to providing outstanding mental health and social care services to the people of Camden and Islington.


• Competitive salary in line with AfC NHS Band 7 pay scale.
• Access to comprehensive training, development programs, and quality improvement training.
• Opportunities to participate in research, clinical trials, and policy development.
• Generous NHS pension scheme and annual leave entitlement.
• Access to staff wellbeing initiatives and mental health support services.
• Support for professional development and continuous learning.