Job summary
We have an exciting opportunity available for an experienced and motivated pharmacist to join the Durham and Darlington pharmacy team based at West Park Hospital. The team provides clinical pharmacy services across inpatient settings in Darlington, Durham, and Bishop Auckland.
This post will require excellent leadership and organisational skills with responsibility for advancing the clinical pharmacy service in a designated area. The postholder will have the opportunity to take a lead role in medicines optimisation and further developing existing multi-disciplinary team relationships.
Prior experience of mental health pharmacy is desirable but not essential as training will be provided. Candidates must have significant clinical pharmacy experience (hospital, primary care or community) and hold an independent prescribing qualification or be in the process of working towards.
This role may be eligible for sponsorship under the UK Visas & Immigration (UKVI) Skilled Worker route. However, sponsorship can only be provided where applicants meet the specific requirements, therefore, we recommend that you assess your eligibility before applying for this position. Visit
Main duties of the job
We are looking for an experienced pharmacist wishing to develop the pharmacy and medicines optimisation service within the locality. You should have enthusiasm, confidence and drive to make a real difference to the lives of patients.
Duties include:
1. Provision of day to day leadership, working closely with Lead Pharmacist and Lead Pharmacy Technician in you locality, deputising for the Lead Pharmacist as required.
2. Developing the clinical pharmacy and medicines optimisation service to nationally approved standards.
3. Act as a line manager for Foundation / Specialist Pharmacists and / or other pharmacy professionals as appropriate.
4. Training and supervision of other members of staff
You should have experience of patient counselling, prescription screening/checking and have underpinning clinical pharmacy skills and knowledge demonstrated by the attainment of a clinical diploma. Excellent communication skills are essential.
About us
Our teams are friendly, supportive, and committed to providing the best possible services. We developed a 5-year Medicines Optimisation and Pharmacy Framework, which was co-created with the team enabling a shared set of themes and priorities. The trust has also co-created a direction of travel known as Our Journey to Change.
The Pharmacy team in TEWV has over 100 people including drivers, pharmacy assistants, admin, nurses, pharmacy technicians and pharmacists. Individual team members are spread across multiple sites, with a dispensary in each of our 3 localities.
We are committed to developing our staff and can provide the opportunity to undertake post graduate qualifications including the Aston University Post Graduate Certificate in Psychiatric Therapeutics or University of Bradford Specialist Mental Health Pharmacist Pathway.
We can offer flexible working arrangements to support your well-being and a healthy work-life balance. Our pharmacists can work flexibly within the needs of the service understanding that flexi-time is standard for all staff, weekend working is limited to half days on only 1 or 2 weekends per year. There are no late nights, and the on-call rota is currently covered with pharmacists opting in.
Don't miss this fantastic opportunity to work with a great team in a supportive environment.
Details
Date posted
22 April 2026
Pay scheme
Agenda for change
Band
Band 8a
Salary
£57,528 to £64,750 a year per annum
Contract
Permanent
Working pattern
Full-time
Reference number
346-PH-009-26
Job locations
West Park Hospital
Edward Pease Way
Darlington
DL2 2TS
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please refer to the attached job description and person specification for further detailed information to ensure that you meet the role criteria before applying.
If you are interested in this role then we would encourage you to contact us for more information either before or after applying.
Person Specification
Qualifications / registration
Essential
5. Masters degree in Pharmacy or equivalent
6. Member of the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC)
7. Postgraduate qualification in clinical pharmacy
8. Post graduate qualification in psychiatric pharmacy or willing to work towards
9. Evidence of Continuous Professional Development
Desirable
10. Attended Leadership and Management training or have (or studying for) formal Leadership qualification (. NHS LA, CPPE)
11. Associate or Full Credentialed Member of College of Mental Health Pharmacists
12. Completion of CPPE Mental Health module
13. Postgraduate Pharmacist independent/supplementary prescribing practice certificate
Experience
Essential
14. Substantial experience of mental health pharmacy or clinical experience in a variety of settings
Desirable
15. Supervised or managed others /Project management experience
16. Working as a lone pharmacist or pharmacy professional in a team or clinical setting
Knowledge
Essential
17. Confident and articulate communicator both written and verbal
18. Ability to work independently and as a member of a team
19. Understanding of the risk issues associated with medicines
20. Understanding of health service issues in primary and secondary care
Desirable
21. Critical appraisal skills
22. To use the Internet to provide useful information and search bibliographic databases
Skills
Essential
23. IT skills
24. Medicines Information skills