Principal Clinical Pharmacist Mental Health - Division Leads

Job summaryWe are seeking an experienced and motivated clinical pharmacist to join our pharmacy team as a Division Lead Pharmacist (Band 8a).Our Division Lead Pharmacists provide senior clinical leadership across the following divisions: Adult Acute and Urgent Care Services; Specialist Services (Children and Young People and Older People); Learning Disabilities and Forensic Services; and Adult Community Services. The current vacancy is within Adult Acute and Urgent Care Division.The role is suited to a forward-thinking pharmacist keen to influence practice, develop services and progress as a senior clinical leader. Experience in mental health or learning disabilities is desirable but not essential, and applicants with strong transferable clinical and leadership skills are encouraged to apply.Working closely with the pharmacy management team, senior clinicians and multidisciplinary teams, you will lead the safe, effective and person-centred use of medicines across the Division. You will provide specialist clinical expertise, influence prescribing practice and support delivery of the Trust's Pharmacy and Medicines Optimisation Strategy.You will join a supportive and progressive pharmacy team with strong links to multidisciplinary colleagues, senior Trust leaders and academic partners, offering opportunities to develop leadership, research and advanced practice aligned with national credentialling frameworks.Main duties of the jobAs a Division Lead Pharmacist, you will provide highly specialist clinical pharmacy expertise in mental health, learning disabilities and forensic servicesYou will lead and develop pharmacy services across the assigned division, ensuring high-quality, evidence-based and cost-effective medicines useInfluence prescribing practice and contribute to Trust-wide medicines optimisation strategy and governanceUse Independent Prescribing skills (where qualified) within agreed scopes and Trust policySupport medicines safety through incident review, learning, audit and quality improvement initiativesLine manage and develop Band 6/7 pharmacists and other pharmacy staff, fostering a strong learning cultureDeliver and oversee education and training for pharmacists, technicians and wider healthcare professionalsContribute to policy development, formulary management and Trust committees (e.g. Drugs & Therapeutics)Work collaboratively across services and systems to support safe and seamless transfer of carAbout usHertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust is one of just five mental health trusts to achieve an overall rating of 'Outstanding' from the Care Quality CommissionOur family of over 4,000 members of staff provide health and social care for people with mental ill health, physical ill health and learning disabilities across Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Essex and Norfolk, delivering these services within the community and several inpatient settings. Everything is underpinned by choice, independence and equality, with our Trust values embedded throughout:Welcoming. Kind. Positive. Respectful. Professional.In return, we can offer you:leadership and management training opportunities5% on top of basic salary high cost allowance supplement (subject to a minimum and a maximum payment pro rata)27 days holiday rising to 33 days (depending on NHS Trust service) plus bank holidays (pro rata where applicable)One of the UK's best pension schemesFree Pilates lessonsComprehensive health and wellbeing servicesSpecial leave for family and personal reasonsNHS Car Lease SchemeEmployee Assistance ProgrammeOur staff survey results tell a story of highly engaged, motivated, passionate people working at HPFT. The survey has shown that staff overwhelmingly believe that their role makes a difference to service users, to the extent that HPFT had the best score nationally for this question.DetailsDate posted17 September 2026Pay schemeAgenda for changeBandBand 8aSalary
59,798 to 67,020 a year
per annum, pro rata (5% HCAS Included)
ContractPermanentWorking pattern

Full-time

Reference number367-CORP- -CJob locationsKingfisher Court, Kingsley Green, Radlett, Hertfordshire. WD7 9FBKingsley GreenRadlettWD7 9FBUnited KingdomJob descriptionJob responsibilitiesTo work with the Chief Pharmacist and a team of clinical pharmacists and technicians to provide and support the integrated delivery of pharmaceutical care initiatives to patients with mental and physical health needs and learning disabilities in identified areas of HPFT to ensure safe, appropriate and cost-effective use of medicines.To provide highly specialist pharmaceutical advice concerning the care and treatment of service users in Mental Health (including Forensics) and Learning Disabilities Services and to promote safe, effective and evidence-based cost effective use of medicines within the Trust.To actively lead the provision and development of pharmaceutical services to a specific division.To provide highly specific advice to clinical team members on the management of complex medicines related issues, such as complex drug interactions, medicines use in pregnancy, unlicensed/off-label use of medicines etc.To provide and receive highly complex, highly sensitive or highly contentious information, where developed persuasive, motivational, negotiating, training, empathetic or re-assurance skills are required. This may be because agreement or co-operation is required or because there are barriers to understanding. This may also involve presenting complex, sensitive or contentious information to a large group of staff, service users or carers.To work as part of a multidisciplinary team to provide clinical pharmaceutical support to designated areas in order to maximise benefits and minimise risk to service users. This will include medicines reconciliation, prescription review, medication reviews, identification and management of drug interactions and adverse effects, advice on clinical monitoring, medicines information, advising on supply problems, compliance with legislation, compliance with Trust policies and guidelines and participation in multidisciplinary team meetings where appropriate.For a more detailed description, please see attached job description and person specification or contact Georgia Michael, or Harsha Patel ,
Job description
Job responsibilitiesTo work with the Chief Pharmacist and a team of clinical pharmacists and technicians to provide and support the integrated delivery of pharmaceutical care initiatives to patients with mental and physical health needs and learning disabilities in identified areas of HPFT to ensure safe, appropriate and cost-effective use of medicines.To provide highly specialist pharmaceutical advice concerning the care and treatment of service users in Mental Health (including Forensics) and Learning Disabilities Services and to promote safe, effective and evidence-based cost effective use of medicines within the Trust.To actively lead the provision and development of pharmaceutical services to a specific division.To provide highly specific advice to clinical team members on the management of complex medicines related issues, such as complex drug interactions, medicines use in pregnancy, unlicensed/off-label use of medicines etc.To provide and receive highly complex, highly sensitive or highly contentious information, where developed persuasive, motivational, negotiating, training, empathetic or re-assurance skills are required. This may be because agreement or co-operation is required or because there are barriers to understanding. This may also involve presenting complex, sensitive or contentious information to a large group of staff, service users or carers.To work as part of a multidisciplinary team to provide clinical pharmaceutical support to designated areas in order to maximise benefits and minimise risk to service users. This will include medicines reconciliation, prescription review, medication reviews, identification and management of drug interactions and adverse effects, advice on clinical monitoring, medicines information, advising on supply problems, compliance with legislation, compliance with Trust policies and guidelines and participation in multidisciplinary team meetings where appropriate.For a more detailed description, please see attached job description and person specification or contact Georgia Michael, or Harsha Patel , Person Specification
QUALIFICATIONS/EDUCATION/TRAINING
EssentialBPharm / MPharm / BSc PharmacyRegistration with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC)Postgraduate clinical pharmacy certificate/ diploma or equivalent experience.Demonstrates own CPD record/ or documented CPDDesirableRegistration with the Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS)Postgraduate Certificate/diploma in Psychiatric Therapeutics or equivalent experiencePostgraduate diploma in Advanced Clinical PracticeLeadership or Management QualificationIndependent prescribing qualification (or working towards)Member of the RPS Education and Standards CommitteePost-registration Foundation or Core advanced credentialed with RPS
EXPERIENCE
EssentialExperience of working in a secondary care setting, (demonstrable post qualification hospital pharmacy practice)Experience of working in a multidisciplinary teamEvidence of involvement in clinical pharmacy provision and in operational managementWriting and reviewing of policies, guidelines, and proceduresDocumented evidence of completed audit work and research practiceGood, broad clinical knowledge and ability to apply to a ward, community and dispensary settingExperience in managing workloadDesirableExperience of working as a member of a multidisciplinary team in mental health and learning disabilitiesEvidence of education, training, performance management and development of staffGood management skills - including recruitment, supervision, and appraisalsExperience showing leadership skills or equivalentManaging quality and cost effectiveness initiativesExperience in incident analysis and investigationAwareness of current issues facing the NHSExperience of project managementExperience of carrying out clinical supervisionExperience of chairing committees
SKILLS / COMMUNICATION
EssentialAdvanced IT skills and comprehensive use of Microsoft office including power point and excelAn ability to organise and prioritise own workload and that of othersAn ability to lead, inspire and motivate a teamEngaging, compassionate and caring communication skills when dealing with patients/family/carers on complex/sensitive issuesExperience of delivering training to staffHighly developed physical skills in dispensing, preparing, and checking of medicines involving a high level of accuracy.English language competency sufficient to communicate effectively with all staff and deliver education sessions in an appropriate formAdvanced computer, keyboard and mouse skillsGood interpersonal skillsConfident, able to influence and assertive when dealing with other professionals.Excellent communication skills, both written and oralTeam player with leadership skillsAble to prioritise and meet deadlinesDemonstrates empathy towards client groupsShows initiative and has well-developed problemsolving skillsDemonstrates attention to detail, accuracy, and numeracy skillsDesirableAbility to analyse highly complex information, both clinical, financial, and managerial
KNOWLEDGE
EssentialAdvanced theoretical and technical, clinical and pharmaceutical knowledge relating to the promotion of high quality, effective and cost-efficient use of medicines, including a wide range of work procedures and practicesAn awareness of NHS Plan, and clinical governance prioritiesGood knowledge of all medicines legislation relating to the supply and storage of medicines
ABILITY
EssentialAble to deal with conflicting demands on workload and frequent interruptionsAbility to work under pressureAble to influence other professionalsAble to communicate with service usersAble to impart complex information in a manner understandable to junior staff and students.
ANALYTICAL SKILLS
EssentialAble to make judgements involving complex facts or situations which require analysis, interpretation, and comparison of a range of optionsAble to critically appraise clinical trial data and research papers.
PHYSICAL EFFORT
EssentialMoving handling of laptop and other materialsSitting and standing for long periods of time in different settingsDriving across Hertfordshire to different bases/unitsAble to work late duties/ bank holidays/weekends as per rota/take part in annual stock take
MENTAL EFFORT
EssentialThe job will require frequent use of VDU equipment every day and intense concentration in a sometimes-noisy open plan office environmentThe post holder may encounter challenging/hostile service users when visiting the mental health unitsCommunication of complex information about medicines regarding individual service users within own organisation and across other organisations for example commissioning organisations, acute trusts, or community pharmacy
VALUES/MOTIVATIONAL/PERSONAL QUALITIES /DIVERSITY
EssentialWelcoming/Kind/Positive/Respectful/Professional
Person Specification

QUALIFICATIONS/EDUCATION/TRAINING
EssentialBPharm / MPharm / BSc PharmacyRegistration with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC)Postgraduate clinical pharmacy certificate/ diploma or equivalent experience.Demonstrates own CPD record/ or documented CPDDesirableRegistration with the Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS)Postgraduate Certificate/diploma in Psychiatric Therapeutics or equivalent experiencePostgraduate diploma in Advanced Clinical PracticeLeadership or Management QualificationIndependent prescribing qualification (or working towards)Member of the RPS Education and Standards CommitteePost-registration Foundation or Core advanced credentialed with RPS
EXPERIENCE
EssentialExperience of working in a secondary care setting, (demonstrable post qualification hospital pharmacy practice)Experience of working in a multidisciplinary teamEvidence of involvement in clinical pharmacy provision and in operational managementWriting and reviewing of policies, guidelines, and proceduresDocumented evidence of completed audit work and research practiceGood, broad clinical knowledge and ability to apply to a ward, community and dispensary settingExperience in managing workloadDesirableExperience of working as a member of a multidisciplinary team in mental health and learning disabilitiesEvidence of education, training, performance management and development of staffGood management skills - including recruitment, supervision, and appraisalsExperience showing leadership skills or equivalentManaging quality and cost effectiveness initiativesExperience in incident analysis and investigationAwareness of current issues facing the NHSExperience of project managementExperience of carrying out clinical supervisionExperience of chairing committees
SKILLS / COMMUNICATION
EssentialAdvanced IT skills and comprehensive use of Microsoft office including power point and excelAn ability to organise and prioritise own workload and that of othersAn ability to lead, inspire and motivate a teamEngaging, compassionate and caring communication skills when dealing with patients/family/carers on complex/sensitive issuesExperience of delivering training to staffHighly developed physical skills in dispensing, preparing, and checking of medicines involving a high level of accuracy.English language competency sufficient to communicate effectively with all staff and deliver education sessions in an appropriate formAdvanced computer, keyboard and mouse skillsGood interpersonal skillsConfident, able to influence and assertive when dealing with other professionals.Excellent communication skills, both written and oralTeam player with leadership skillsAble to prioritise and meet deadlinesDemonstrates empathy towards client groupsShows initiative and has well-developed problemsolving skillsDemonstrates attention to detail, accuracy, and numeracy skillsDesirableAbility to analyse highly complex information, both clinical, financial, and managerial
KNOWLEDGE
EssentialAdvanced theoretical and technical, clinical and pharmaceutical knowledge relating to the promotion of high quality, effective and cost-efficient use of medicines, including a wide range of work procedures and practicesAn awareness of NHS Plan, and clinical governance prioritiesGood knowledge of all medicines legislation relating to the supply and storage of medicines
ABILITY
EssentialAble to deal with conflicting demands on workload and frequent interruptionsAbility to work under pressureAble to influence other professionalsAble to communicate with service usersAble to impart complex information in a manner understandable to junior staff and students.
ANALYTICAL SKILLS
EssentialAble to make judgements involving complex facts or situations which require analysis, interpretation, and comparison of a range of optionsAble to critically appraise clinical trial data and research papers.
PHYSICAL EFFORT
EssentialMoving handling of laptop and other materialsSitting and standing for long periods of time in different settingsDriving across Hertfordshire to different bases/unitsAble to work late duties/ bank holidays/weekends as per rota/take part in annual stock take
MENTAL EFFORT
EssentialThe job will require frequent use of VDU equipment every day and intense concentration in a sometimes-noisy open plan office environmentThe post holder may encounter challenging/hostile service users when visiting the mental health unitsCommunication of complex information about medicines regarding individual service users within own organisation and across other organisations for example commissioning organisations, acute trusts, or community pharmacy
VALUES/MOTIVATIONAL/PERSONAL QUALITIES /DIVERSITY
EssentialWelcoming/Kind/Positive/Respectful/ProfessionalDisclosure 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 nameHertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation TrustAddressKingfisher Court, Kingsley Green, Radlett, Hertfordshire. WD7 9FBKingsley GreenRadlettWD7 9FBUnited KingdomEmployer's websiteEmployer detailsEmployer nameHertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation TrustAddressKingfisher Court, Kingsley Green, Radlett, Hertfordshire. WD7 9FBKingsley GreenRadlettWD7 9FBUnited KingdomEmployer's website