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Senior Clinical Pharmacist - MHSOP (Drug Monitoring Service)
The closing date is 28 August 2025
We are looking for a highly motivated and forward-thinking Clinical Pharmacist with a passion for innovation and patient care to join our dynamic pharmacy team at Northumbria Healthcare. This is an exciting opportunity to lead and shape a new clinical pharmacy service within our Mental Health Services for Older People (MHSOP) in the North Tyneside area.
Responsible for developing and delivering a specialist drug monitoring service for patients prescribed clozapine, lithium, and antipsychotic medicines, across in-patient and community settings. Supporting the safe initiation of high-risk medicines in line with NICE guidelines. Managing the monitoring and side-effect mitigation to improve treatment adherence and outcomes. Ensuring safe and coordinated transitions of care, including discharge and community follow-up. Championing holistic care through the "Making Every Contact Count" initiative. Supporting both physical and mental health needs of patients with severe mental illness.
What We're Looking For:A proactive, adaptable pharmacist eager to shape a new and impactful service. Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to work independently and collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team. An independent prescribing qualification is desirable, or a willingness to work towards achieving it.
Please note we reserve the right to close this vacancy prior to the closing date once the required number of suitable applications have been received
Main duties of the job
You will be a motivated and proactive clinical pharmacist, playing a key role in shaping a new, innovative service and strengthening the clinical pharmacy contribution within the MHSOP in North Tyneside.
Ideally, you will hold an independent prescribing qualification or be committed to working towards this. Within your area of responsibility, you will:
Lead the design and implementation of a specialist Drug Monitoring Service for patients initiated on clozapine, lithium, and antipsychotic medications, ensuring safe and effective ongoing management in both in-patient and community settings.
Provide clinical leadership within the MHSOP team, contributing actively to the multidisciplinary team (MDT) and wider service development.
Deliver prescribing and clinical pharmacy support, helping to optimise treatment outcomes and reduce medicine-related risks.
Offer expert advice and guidance on medicines use, including input into clinical guidelines, patient safety initiatives, and governance processes.
You will be expected to demonstrate strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work both independently and as part of a busy, multidisciplinary team. Collaboration with clinicians, nursing teams, and fellow pharmacy colleagues will be key to promoting the safe, effective, and cost-efficient use of medicines across the care pathway. Attendance at relevant directorate or governance forums will be part of your role.
About us
In addition to our state-of-the-art Northumbria Specialist Emergency Care Hospital, the first of its kind in England, we manage three major locality hospitals at North Tyneside, Wansbeck and Hexham, plus a number of smaller community hospitals and clinics from Tynemouth to Berwick on Tweed.
We also care for people in their homes and provide services from facilities in local communities such as health centres. We give people greater choice and control over their care to help them to live independently at home and avoid hospital admission where appropriate. High quality patient care is at the heart of everything we do and we strive to ensure every single patient and service user has an exceptional experience with us. We have one of the most extensive patient experience programmes of any trust in England.
Why Join Us? This is a unique opportunity to develop a new service and make a real difference in reducing health inequalities for older adults with severe mental illness. You'll work in a supportive, innovative environment at North Tyneside General Hospital and have the chance to collaborate with both local and neighbouring mental health teams.
Job responsibilities
1st degree - Vocational master's degree in pharmacy (4 years)One year's pre-registration trainingRegistered with General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC)Postgraduate clinical qualification (over and above that of the 1st degree, preferably at Masters level) and/or significant relevant clinical experience to demonstrate a similar level of knowledgeIndependent prescribing qualification or commitment to achieving on appointment Evidence of continuing professional development to at least meet the mandatory requirements of the GPhCIT skills to at least European Computer Driving Licence standard or equivalent experienceSignificant relevant post-registration hospital experienceKnowledge and experience of the operation of NHS OrganisationsExperience of supervising staffDemonstrable experience within clinical informatics, including using the trusts electronic prescribing system
Member of Royal Pharmaceutical Society and/or other professional groups to facilitate continuing professional developmentExperience of managing staffInvolvement in mental health networks or specialist interest groups
Person Specification
Qualifications/Registration/Experience
* 1st degree - Vocational masters degree in pharmacy (4 years)
* One year's pre-registration training
* Registered with General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC)
* Postgraduate clinical qualification (over and above that of the 1st degree, preferably at Masters level) and/or significant relevant clinical experience to demonstrate a similar level of knowledge
* Independent prescribing qualification or commitment to achieving on appointment
* Evidence of continuing professional development to at least meet the mandatory requirements of the GPhC
* IT skills to at least ECDL standard or equivalent experience
* Knowledge and experience of the operation of NHS Organisation
* Experience of supervising staff
* Member of Royal Pharmaceutical Society and/or other professional groups to facilitate continuing professional development
* Experience of managing staff
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.
Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
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