Job summary
Are you an experienced, motivated pharmacist looking for your next challenge, or a developing clinician with ambition to grow into a senior role?
We are excited to offer an internal opportunity for a Senior Clinical Pharmacist (Band 8a) to join our compassionate, dynamic, and committed Medicines Optimisation team at Devon Partnership NHS Trust, based at North Devon District Hospital in Barnstaple.
This is a key role within our Medicines Optimisation (MO) service, offering both full time and part time opportunities.
We also welcome applications from individuals interested in a Band 7 trainee role, with a structured competency-based training programme designed to support progression to Band 8a once competencies are successfully completed. See Progression Pathway in supporting documents section
About the Role
As a Senior Clinical Pharmacist, you will play a pivotal role in the delivery of high-quality, safe, and person-centred medicines optimisation services across our inpatient and community mental health settings. You will have the opportunity to shape the future direction of the MO service in Barnstaple, contributing your knowledge, skills and ideas to support service improvement and innovation.
Successful candidates will receive a full and comprehensive induction, with dedicated support and time to settle into your new role. You will be encouraged to develop your clinical expertise, with opportunities for further professional development and training.
Main duties of the job
The pharmacist will be expected to provide expert clinical
advice and support, proactive and reactive, in relation to complex medication
related matters to members of the multidisciplinary team and
patients/carers/relatives for both community services and associated inpatient
wards.
It is expected that a Clinical Pharmacist (band 7) post
holder will develop their knowledge and skills whilst in post to the level of
practice of a Senior Pharmacist (band 8a).
Once progression to Senior Clinical
Pharmacist is achieved, the post holder will be expected to work more
autonomously and will carry a higher level of responsibility for many of the
duties described. The progression pathway identifies some of the criteria for
progression and highlights the gradual introduction of key responsibilities as
experience is gained working as a Clinical Pharmacist.
After being in post around 24-36 months the
pharmacist is expected to demonstrate they have met the key responsibilities,
and the pharmacist will be eligible for progression to a Senior Clinical
Pharmacist position.
If the individual already meets or exceeds the criteria
and expectations within the Job Description, they will be employed directly
into Senior Pharmacist position.
Interview date is scheduled for Wednesday 20th August 2025
About us
About Devon Partnership Trust
We provide mental health, learning disability and neurodiversity services, as well as a range of specialist & secure services for the wider south west region & nationally. We are passionate about promoting good mental health & wellbeing. We strive to use the expertise & resources within our organisation, and through our partnerships, to deliver high quality services that are safe & focused on people's recovery.
We are committed to developing a culture of coproduction, involving patients, families & carers in everything we do
Our values
We not only recruit based on qualifications & experience - we recruit individuals who possess & demonstrate the behaviours which underpin our Trusts core values. These include such attributes as showing a commitment to quality of care, improving lives of others, giving respect, dignity & compassion. We can bring those values to life in our everyday tasks by giving a smile; making time for people; challenging ourselves & others, & being open to new ideas.
We are committed to being an inclusive employer & applications are encouraged & welcomed from all sections of the community, regardless of any protected characteristics as governed by the Equality Act 2010. Part time & flexible working applications will be considered & supported, where possible. We particularly encourage applicants with lived experience of mental health conditions, neurodiversity or learning disabilities. We are a Disability Confident Leader.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please refer to the full Job Description and Person specification attached to this advert which will provide further information on this role.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please refer to the full Job Description and Person specification attached to this advert which will provide further information on this role.
Person Specification
Knowledge & Skills
Essential
- Evidence of post registration Pharmacy practice, knowledge and experience to demonstrate the competency in the following areas: Broad clinical and pharmaceutical knowledge, with an understanding of national policies and issues impacting on prescribing and medicines optimisation services.
- Advanced theoretical and practical knowledge acquired through vocational master's degree in pharmacy (4 years) plus 1 year pre-registration training plus specialist knowledge acquired through diploma level experience (Band 8a)
- Broad clinical and pharmaceutical knowledge, with an understanding of national policies and issues impacting on prescribing and medicines optimisation services. Demonstrate an up to date and detailed knowledge of relevant guidelines and clinical practice in speciality. (Band 8a)
Desirable
- Willingness to obtain further qualifications in mental health or pharmacy practice if not already held as identified through the post holders personal development plan.
- Knowledge of relevant health legislation and awareness of current issues in mental health and learning disability services
Qualifications
Essential
- Masters degree in pharmacy (or equivalent)
- Successful completion of pre-registration/trainee pharmacist program
- Current registration General Pharmacy Council (GPhC).
- Evidence of Continuing Professional Development.
- Postgraduate diploma in clinical pharmacy / therapeutics or equivalent clinical experience (Band 8a)
- Certificate/Diploma or Masters in Psychiatric Pharmacy practice or equivalent clinical experience (Band 8a)
- Independent Prescribing Qualification (or be working towards completion) (Band 8a)
Desirable
- Certificate/Diploma or Masters in Psychiatric Pharmacy practice
- Member of the College of Mental Health Pharmacy.
- RPS Advanced Practice Framework completed (Band 8a)
Experience
Essential
- Experience of working within a multidisciplinary healthcare team / environment.
- Ability to supervise activities of pharmacy technicians and assistants.
- Managing change in a complex environment and evidence of having successfully implemented change.
- The ability to work under pressure, to deadlines where there are conflicting priorities.
Desirable
- The ability to work under pressure, to deadlines where there are conflicting priorities.
- Experience of undertaking clinical audit.
- Experience of delivering training programmes
- Evidence of involvement in change management and/or clinical service improvement (Band 8a)
Skills & Abilities
Essential
- Excellent, communication and interpersonal skills, including presentation skills for a wide variety of audiences.
- Team working skills.
- Critical appraisal and analytical skills, with an understanding of evidence based medicine.
- The ability to deal with complex situations and bring to a satisfactory resolution.
- The ability to be flexible and adjust to a rapidly changing environment.
- Ability to analyse and interpret a wide range of data, including prescribing data.
- High-level time management skills.
- The ability to plan and organize broad range of complex activities, formulate strategic/ long-term plans involving uncertainty.
- The ability to work on own initiative, organize self and prioritise own workload, including resolution of conflicting priorities.
- The ability to work under pressure and complete work to tight deadlines.
- Logical approach to new situations and problem solving.
- Must be independently mobile across the Trust area and beyond. The post holder will need to travel to various locations throughout the Trust and beyond.
- Computer literacy including Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, Email and Internet.
- Understand, encourage and support clinical supervision and mentorship both within and across professional roles. (Band 8a)
- The ability to present complex information to a variety of audiences, including service-users and carers in an understandable way (Band 8a)
- The ability to plan and organise broad range of complex specialist service activities, as well as dealing with day to day issues this includes managing longer term service redesign and development ideas e.g. planning audit and expanding community services. (band 8a)
Desirable
- The ability to negotiate, facilitate and influence change
- The ability to present complex information to a variety of audiences, including service-users and carers, in an understandable way.
- Experience of using databases.
- Ability to communicate effectively with all stakeholders, including service users, clinicians, and senior leadership teams. This will require proven ability and leadership skills demonstrating motivational, visionary, diplomacy and negotiation skills. (Band 8a)
- Effective leadership skills relevant to role (i.e. demonstrated ability to provide clinical professional leadership) (Band 8a)
Person Specification
Knowledge & Skills
Essential
- Evidence of post registration Pharmacy practice, knowledge and experience to demonstrate the competency in the following areas: Broad clinical and pharmaceutical knowledge, with an understanding of national policies and issues impacting on prescribing and medicines optimisation services.
- Advanced theoretical and practical knowledge acquired through vocational master's degree in pharmacy (4 years) plus 1 year pre-registration training plus specialist knowledge acquired through diploma level experience (Band 8a)
- Broad clinical and pharmaceutical knowledge, with an understanding of national policies and issues impacting on prescribing and medicines optimisation services. Demonstrate an up to date and detailed knowledge of relevant guidelines and clinical practice in speciality. (Band 8a)
Desirable
- Willingness to obtain further qualifications in mental health or pharmacy practice if not already held as identified through the post holders personal development plan.
- Knowledge of relevant health legislation and awareness of current issues in mental health and learning disability services
Qualifications
Essential
- Masters degree in pharmacy (or equivalent)
- Successful completion of pre-registration/trainee pharmacist program
- Current registration General Pharmacy Council (GPhC).
- Evidence of Continuing Professional Development.
- Postgraduate diploma in clinical pharmacy / therapeutics or equivalent clinical experience (Band 8a)
- Certificate/Diploma or Masters in Psychiatric Pharmacy practice or equivalent clinical experience (Band 8a)
- Independent Prescribing Qualification (or be working towards completion) (Band 8a)
Desirable
- Certificate/Diploma or Masters in Psychiatric Pharmacy practice
- Member of the College of Mental Health Pharmacy.
- RPS Advanced Practice Framework completed (Band 8a)
Experience
Essential
- Experience of working within a multidisciplinary healthcare team / environment.
- Ability to supervise activities of pharmacy technicians and assistants.
- Managing change in a complex environment and evidence of having successfully implemented change.
- The ability to work under pressure, to deadlines where there are conflicting priorities.
Desirable
- The ability to work under pressure, to deadlines where there are conflicting priorities.
- Experience of undertaking clinical audit.
- Experience of delivering training programmes
- Evidence of involvement in change management and/or clinical service improvement (Band 8a)
Skills & Abilities
Essential
- Excellent, communication and interpersonal skills, including presentation skills for a wide variety of audiences.
- Team working skills.
- Critical appraisal and analytical skills, with an understanding of evidence based medicine.
- The ability to deal with complex situations and bring to a satisfactory resolution.
- The ability to be flexible and adjust to a rapidly changing environment.
- Ability to analyse and interpret a wide range of data, including prescribing data.
- High-level time management skills.
- The ability to plan and organize broad range of complex activities, formulate strategic/ long-term plans involving uncertainty.
- The ability to work on own initiative, organize self and prioritise own workload, including resolution of conflicting priorities.
- The ability to work under pressure and complete work to tight deadlines.
- Logical approach to new situations and problem solving.
- Must be independently mobile across the Trust area and beyond. The post holder will need to travel to various locations throughout the Trust and beyond.
- Computer literacy including Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, Email and Internet.
- Understand, encourage and support clinical supervision and mentorship both within and across professional roles. (Band 8a)
- The ability to present complex information to a variety of audiences, including service-users and carers in an understandable way (Band 8a)
- The ability to plan and organise broad range of complex specialist service activities, as well as dealing with day to day issues this includes managing longer term service redesign and development ideas e.g. planning audit and expanding community services. (band 8a)
Desirable
- The ability to negotiate, facilitate and influence change
- The ability to present complex information to a variety of audiences, including service-users and carers, in an understandable way.
- Experience of using databases.
- Ability to communicate effectively with all stakeholders, including service users, clinicians, and senior leadership teams. This will require proven ability and leadership skills demonstrating motivational, visionary, diplomacy and negotiation skills. (Band 8a)
- Effective leadership skills relevant to role (i.e. demonstrated ability to provide clinical professional leadership) (Band 8a)
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.
Applications 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 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.
Applications 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).
