Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust

Clinical Pharmacist for Mental Health and Learning Disabilities

The closing date is 29 November 2026

Job summary
Clinical Pharmacist - Band 6 to 7 Progression Pathway This post provides a structured Band 6 to Band 7 progression pathway, supporting pharmacists to develop the clinical knowledge, skills and competencies required to practise at Band 7 level within mental health services. Progression to Band 7 is subject to successful completion of the agreed competency and development requirements.

We are looking for a pharmacist who demonstrates a person-centred approach, with effective interpersonal, communication and organisational skills. Previous NHS hospital pharmacy experience, including experience in mental health, would be desirable but is not essential.

Why Join Us?

• Be part of an Outstanding Trust, committed to developing high-quality and innovative patient care in mental health.
• Benefit from a structured Band 6 to Band 7 development pathway, supporting your progression as a clinical pharmacist.
• Receive support for postgraduate development and qualifications.
• Develop specialist knowledge and experience in mental health pharmacy and medicines optimisation.
• Candidates who can demonstrate the required level of skills, competencies and experience may be considered for direct appointment at Band 7.

Here's what our team says:

"It's a privilege to help people make the changes they want to see in their lives. As a pharmacist, I advocate for my patients, ensuring they're involved in decisions about their medicines." - Current Clinical Pharmacist

Main duties of the job
As a Clinical Pharmacist, you will:

• Deliver high-quality, person-centred clinical pharmacy services across a range of mental health settings.
• Work within multidisciplinary teams to support safe, effective medicines optimisation.
• Contribute to service improvement and delivery of the Trust's Pharmacy and Medicines Optimisation Strategy.
• Demonstrate strong clinical, communication and organisational skills, with compassion and respect for people using mental health services.
• Participate in the weekend pharmacy service following appropriate induction and training.
• Maintain active GPhC registration.

You will join a supportive and forward-thinking pharmacy team, with opportunities for postgraduate education, professional development and, where appointed at Band 6, structured progression to Band 7 on completion of the required competencies.

About us
Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (HPFT) is an outstanding organisation with ambitions to match. We are one of just five mental health trusts to achieve an overall rating of 'Outstanding' from the Care Quality Commission, and our aim is to be the leading provider of mental health and specialist learning disability services in the country. Our family of over 3500 members of staff provide health and social care for over 400,000 people with mental ill health, physical ill health and learning disabilities across Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire, and Norfolk, delivering these services within the community and several inpatient settings. We also deliver a range of nationally commissioned specialist services including Tier 4 services for children and young people, perinatal services, plus medium and low secure learning disabilities services. The care we provide makes a fantastic difference to the lives of our service users, their families and carers - everything is underpinned by choice, independence and equality, with our Trust values embedded throughout:

Our Trust values are: Welcoming. Kind. Positive. Respectful. Professional.

These values are at the core of who we are, everything we do, and how we do it!

Would you like to be part of the HPFT family? Would you like work with us to ensure our service users live the fullest lives possible they can? Would you like to be supported in your career to be the best that you can be?

Details
Date posted: 13 November 2026
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 6
Salary: £41,957 to £58,785 a year per annum, pro rata (Inclusive of 5% HCAs)
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Full-time, Flexible working
Reference number: 367-CORP-101794
Job locations: Kingfisher Court Pharmacy Department, Kingsley Green, Harper Lane, Radlett, WD7 9FB

Job description
Job Summary
The Pharmacy and Medicines Optimisation team within HPFT provides dispensary and clinical pharmacy services to mental health, learning disabilities and child and adolescent (CAMHS) services across Hertfordshire and beyond, where HPFT is contracted to provide a service.

The post holder will contribute to the work of the Pharmacy and Medicines Optimisation team to deliver the standards set by regulators and professional bodies such as the Care Quality Commission (CQC), Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC), Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) etc.

The service will be provided to all medical, nursing, managerial, pharmaceutical and clinical professionals working in Mental Health and Learning Disabilities in designated units for which the post holder will be responsible.

All staff should comply with the Trusts Anti-Discriminatory Statement, Employee Charter, Trust Policies and Procedures, Code of Conduct and Equality and Diversity.

Key Responsibilities:

• To provide 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 provide specific advice to clinical team members on the management of medicines related issues, such as drug interactions, medicines use in pregnancy, unlicensed/off-label use of medicines etc.
• To work as part of a multidisciplinary team to provide clinical pharmaceutical support to designated areas 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.
• Participate in relevant quality improvement (QI) projects to support service improvements and learning and development.
• To support on updating, reviewing, and maintaining Trust Policies and Guidance in relation to medicines.
• To attend relevant team meetings; attend and contribute to pharmacy team meetings, this may involve clinical presentations and case studies.
• To supervise junior pharmacy staff and students in their delivery of the pharmacy service.
• Participate in the dispensary rota in line with departmental requirements and recognised best practice.
• Participate in the provision and development of patient education sessions on relevant wards and units.
• Assist senior pharmacy colleagues in the development and delivery of training for clinical staff (e.g., prescribers, nurses) within the Trust. This may include participation in the Trusts induction programme.
• Participant in ward-based training to undergraduate students and in training programmes for pharmacy and other healthcare staff.
• Be responsible for own continuing professional development in line with professional requirements, in order to continue to update clinical knowledge and skills.

Please see the attached JD for further details.

Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential

• UK Registered Pharmacist
• Working towards (or be willing to) a postgraduate clinical pharmacy qualification

Desirable

• Registration with the Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS)
• Additional areas of training through short courses e.g., computer training
• Non-medical prescriber

Experience
Essential

• Previous participation in audit, development of audit tools, data collection and collation
• Relevant experience in patient-facing pharmacist roles

Desirable

• Specialist theoretical and practical knowledge/experience working in a hospital setting
• Experience of working in a multidisciplinary team
• Up to date knowledge of medication available for prescription in mental health

Skills
Essential

• Good communicator, both verbally and in writing
• Empathetic and reassurance skills
• Able to make judgements involving complex facts or situations which require analysis, interpretation and comparison of a range of options
• Excellent computer skills to include Word, PowerPoint, Excel and the Internet
• Shows initiative and has well-developed problem-solving skills
• Able to critically appraise clinical trial data and research papers

Desirable

• Ability to work without close supervision, making decisions and acting upon them within the limitations and understanding of the job responsibilities, or to refer appropriately

Accessibility

• Have a UK driving licence and access to a vehicle

Diversity

• Show respect and treat people with dignity
• Communicates in a form or manner which is consistent with the person's level of understanding, culture, background and preferred ways of communicating

General

• Self-motivated and able to work independently
• Team worker: Self-confident and able to influence professionals

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship
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.

UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website.

Employer details
Employer name: Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust
Address: Kingfisher Court Pharmacy Department, Kingsley Green, Harper Lane, Radlett, WD7 9FB

Employer contact details
For questions about the job, contact: Lead Pharmacist for Education and Training, Harsha Patel, harsha.patel7@nhs.net, 01923633740

Date posted: 13 November 2026
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 6
Salary: £41,957 to £58,785 a year per annum, pro rata (Inclusive of 5% HCAs)
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Full-time, Flexible working
Reference number: 367-CORP-101794