Advanced Mental Health Clinical Pharmacist (Inpatients- Chelmsford)

Job summaryWe are seeking an inspiring and dynamic pharmacist to join our inpatient mental health pharmacy team. The role will provide clinical leadership within the clinical pharmacy service in Chelmsford, to support the medicines-related care of patients, address and improve existing pathways in mental health, participate in training, education and research as required, and to support robust medicines optimisation. The role will deputise for the Pharmacist Team Manager for Adult and Elderly Inpatient Mental Health Services in Mid and South Essex. This post would suit an experienced pharmacist with uncompromising standards who will strive to make a deep footprint on quality of care we provide to our patients. The post is based in Chelmsford, with responsibility for Mid and South Essex Inpatient and Urgent Care Services.They will be highly visible on wards in actively modelling best practice to and coaching our ward teams to ensure that our patients consistently receive the best pharmaceutical care. Working with our senior departmental team of specialists and within the wider Trust, you will set the professional standard and develop our pharmacy team members to achieve their best, and make the transition to the next level of their careers. The role is full time (37.5 hours per week), including participation in on-call, weekend, early, late and Bank Holiday rotas, as necessary.Main duties of the jobThe successful candidate will exemplify EPUT values of we care, we learn and we empower, and demonstrate the ability to create a high-performing team from the outset. You might not be conventional in your approach, but kindness and empathetic leadership are a must, as is the ability to see the bigger picture and help take our team in this direction. This is an ideal opportunity for someone who is committed to driving improvements, and whose passion for patient care is infectious. You should have a Master's Degree in Pharmacy or equivalent, be registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council and be able to demonstrate evidence of postgraduate training and continuing professional development in clinical pharmacy practice. Whilst ideally this would be in mental health, this post is first and foremost about operational delivery of Great Care - your transferrable skills means you will have what it takes to do what it takes. Experience in mentoring and line managing teams with energy and enthusiasm are vital ingredients, and anyone with a track record of similar in a non-specialist trust is encouraged to apply.About usValuing you. Recognising your dedication. At EPUT, we look after you.Receive supervision and support to help you fulfil your potential.Join an inclusive EPUT community and connect with others through engagement events and equality or champion networks.If you need help, we provide mental health and wellbeing services, occupational health advice and counselling.We run recognition awards to recognise staff's hard work and dedication.Benefits27 days holiday, plus bank holidays, rising to 33 days after 10 years' service.Excellent pension of up to14.5% of your pensionable pay.Staff discounts include Blue Light Card, NHS discount offers, and staff benefits.8K relocation package if you move to Essex to join usSeason ticket loans are interest-free to cover the cost of travelling to and from work via tram, rail, or bus.Work that wraps around your needsFlexible working: available from day one for most roles.Job share: Applications for job shares are welcomed.DetailsDate posted15 September 2026Pay schemeAgenda for changeBandBand 8aSalary
57,528 to 64,750 a year
per annum
ContractPermanentWorking pattern

Full-time

Reference number364-A-9621-DJob locationsThe Linden CentrePudding Wood DriveChelmsfordCM1 7LFUnited KingdomJob descriptionJob responsibilitiesTo work within clinical competence, as part of a multi-disciplinary team, to provide highly specialised advice in medicines optimisation.Develop, promote and implement high quality, evidence based, and cost effective use of medicines, in a manner that maximises the benefits of medicines to patients and service users whilst minimising clinical, legal and financial risks To act as the senior referral point for healthcare professionals working within local inpatient and urgent care services and undertake clinical audit where required to improve services. To help support and maintain patients and their families seen by services by advising patients and carers about the actions and use of medication, optimising drug therapy, providing information for team members, and liaising with other care providers to enhance seamless transfer of care. To be experienced in dealing with service users who present with challenging and complex behaviour.To advise on physical health and wellbeing, support appropriate medicines monitoring and provide expert advice and perform interventions to improve physical health. To participate as an active member of clinical teams in Essex to support the safe and effective use of medicines. Communicate highly complex clinical pharmacy advice on the management of patients with mental illness in order to maximise benefit and minimise risk in relation to medicines. Develop, promote and implement tools that support the safe use of psychotropic medicines. Plan and organise research and audit within own clinical area. Analyse interventions implemented for effectiveness, audit and research.To plan, organise and provide education and training to secondary healthcare staff, service users and carers.
Job description
Job responsibilitiesTo work within clinical competence, as part of a multi-disciplinary team, to provide highly specialised advice in medicines optimisation.Develop, promote and implement high quality, evidence based, and cost effective use of medicines, in a manner that maximises the benefits of medicines to patients and service users whilst minimising clinical, legal and financial risks To act as the senior referral point for healthcare professionals working within local inpatient and urgent care services and undertake clinical audit where required to improve services. To help support and maintain patients and their families seen by services by advising patients and carers about the actions and use of medication, optimising drug therapy, providing information for team members, and liaising with other care providers to enhance seamless transfer of care. To be experienced in dealing with service users who present with challenging and complex behaviour.To advise on physical health and wellbeing, support appropriate medicines monitoring and provide expert advice and perform interventions to improve physical health. To participate as an active member of clinical teams in Essex to support the safe and effective use of medicines. Communicate highly complex clinical pharmacy advice on the management of patients with mental illness in order to maximise benefit and minimise risk in relation to medicines. Develop, promote and implement tools that support the safe use of psychotropic medicines. Plan and organise research and audit within own clinical area. Analyse interventions implemented for effectiveness, audit and research.To plan, organise and provide education and training to secondary healthcare staff, service users and carers.Person Specification
Education and Qualification
EssentialoCurrent and continued registration with the General Pharmaceutical Council as practicing memberoPostgraduate Diploma in relevant area of pharmacy practice, or willingness to work towardsoMember of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society and a member or willing to work towards Faculty membershipoMember of the College of Mental Health PharmacyDesirableoQualification as an independent Non-Medical Prescriber, or willingness to work towards.oCertificate in Management studies or equivalent management experience
Knowledge
EssentialoExcellent interpersonal, influencing and negotiating skills including effective written and verbal communication skillsoAbility to critically evaluate clinical material and disseminate findings to others. Demonstrate an advanced level of clinical knowledge and skillsoAble to identify own training needs and those of others. Evidence of Continuing Professional DevelopmentoProficient IT skills, e.g. ability to use Microsoft Office applications, internet etc.DesirableoTutoring and training skills and experience of planning and delivering trainingoEvidence of writing procedures, guidelines and protocols
Skills and Experience
EssentialoSignificant post-registration clinical pharmacy experienceoExperience of providing relevant pharmacy services within a mental health / learning disability settingoExperience of working as a member of a multi-disciplinary teamoExperience of clinical audit and able to demonstrate how it is used to improve practiceoExperience of managing, developing and mentoring staffoExperience of participating in multi-disciplinary research
Driving
EssentialHas valid UK Driving LicenseAccess to a car to travel in and around Essex
Person Specification

Education and Qualification
EssentialoCurrent and continued registration with the General Pharmaceutical Council as practicing memberoPostgraduate Diploma in relevant area of pharmacy practice, or willingness to work towardsoMember of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society and a member or willing to work towards Faculty membershipoMember of the College of Mental Health PharmacyDesirableoQualification as an independent Non-Medical Prescriber, or willingness to work towards.oCertificate in Management studies or equivalent management experience
Knowledge
EssentialoExcellent interpersonal, influencing and negotiating skills including effective written and verbal communication skillsoAbility to critically evaluate clinical material and disseminate findings to others. Demonstrate an advanced level of clinical knowledge and skillsoAble to identify own training needs and those of others. Evidence of Continuing Professional DevelopmentoProficient IT skills, e.g. ability to use Microsoft Office applications, internet etc.DesirableoTutoring and training skills and experience of planning and delivering trainingoEvidence of writing procedures, guidelines and protocols
Skills and Experience
EssentialoSignificant post-registration clinical pharmacy experienceoExperience of providing relevant pharmacy services within a mental health / learning disability settingoExperience of working as a member of a multi-disciplinary teamoExperience of clinical audit and able to demonstrate how it is used to improve practiceoExperience of managing, developing and mentoring staffoExperience of participating in multi-disciplinary research
Driving
EssentialHas valid UK Driving LicenseAccess to a car to travel in and around EssexDisclosure and Barring Service CheckThis 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.Certificate of SponsorshipApplications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).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 CheckThis 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.Certificate of SponsorshipApplications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).Employer detailsEmployer nameEssex Partnership University NHS Foundation TrustAddressThe Linden CentrePudding Wood DriveChelmsfordCM1 7LFUnited KingdomEmployer's websiteEmployer detailsEmployer nameEssex Partnership University NHS Foundation TrustAddressThe Linden CentrePudding Wood DriveChelmsfordCM1 7LFUnited KingdomEmployer's website