Job summary
This is a remote working role.
This post is essential for delivering a modern, specialist mental health service across the primary-secondary care interface in Berkshire. The post holder will develop, co-ordinate and provide an expert medicines optimisation service for CPE.
Using advanced clinical knowledge and experience, they will lead medicines optimisation within allocated BHFT mental health and community services.
They will review medical referrals requiring medication advice, reviews or changes, working closely with CPE psychiatrists to manage referrals and provide advice and guidance to primary care colleagues.
As the primary referral point for CPE healthcare professionals, they will undertake clinical audits to improve services.
They will advise patients and carers on medication, optimise drug therapy, support team members and liaise with care providers to ensure seamless transfers of care.
They will provide expert advice to GPs on managing mental health conditions and support interventions to improve physical health where appropriate.
They will assist the Clinical Pharmacy Services Lead in developing medicines and prescribing policies, procedures and systems.
Research with the Pharmacy and Reading University's Academic Practice Unit is encouraged.
Main duties of the job
- To develop, plan, manage and lead the provision of a high quality medicines optimisation service to CPE and to other teams or services within BHFT.
- To provide an expert, specialist medication referral point for healthcare professionals working in the CPE and be a core multidisciplinary team member, as necessary to optimise the care of patients and their families.
- To work alongside CPE team members to provide expert advice on medication and physical health improvement needs of individuals referred to the service.
- To work closely with relevant other Local Mental Health Services and inpatient specialist clinical pharmacists to ensure that seamless pharmaceutical care is provided throughout each patient's journey through the various Trust services.
- To liaise with community pharmacists and GP practices to ensure Trust patients receive the most appropriate supplies of medication, and where appropriate, facilitates further patient monitoring by the community pharmacist.
- To liaise directly with GPs on specific prescribing/de-prescribing as appropriate.
Details
- Date posted: 02 November 2026
- Closing date: 09 November 2026
- Pay scheme: Agenda for change
- Band: Band 8a
- Salary: £59,798 to £67,020 a year per annum
- Contract: Fixed term
- Duration: 14 months
- Working pattern: Full-time, Home or remote working
- Reference number: 371-MHS1213
- Job locations: London House, London Road, Bracknell, Berkshire, RG12 2UT, Bracknell, RG12 2UT, United Kingdom
Job description
Job responsibilities
The must haves for this role:
- Masters in pharmacy or equivalent from a British School of pharmacy or recognised equivalent
- Statutory registration with GPhC
- Clinical or psychiatric postgraduate certificate
- Clinical or psychiatric postgraduate diploma
- Independent prescriber
For further information about the role, please see attached job description and person specification.Your application is your opportunity to demonstrate to us how you meet the requirements of the role. We recognise that AI tools can support accessibility, equity and confidence for applicants. However, its important that examples and responses given in your supporting statement genuinely reflect your own experience and abilities, as these will be explored further during the selection process. AI must not be used to provide misleading or false information during any stage of the application journey.
In addition to explaining how you meet the person specification, you must complete your employment history for at least the last five years. Any experience, skills or responsibilities referenced in your supporting statement should be evidenced within your employment history. Applications that do not include sufficient employment history to support the experience claimed may not be shortlisted.
Were committed to equal opportunities and welcome applications from all sections of the community. Our commitment to inclusion is reflected in our accreditations: Stonewall Proud Employer, Race Equality Matters Silver Trailblazer, Neurodiversity in Business Corporate Member, Disability Confident Leader, Carer Confident Level 2, and the Armed Forces Covenant Gold Award. Reasonable adjustments will be provided to candidates as needed.
We welcome a conversation about flexibility and any other questions you may have. Please dont hesitate to call: Preeti Singh on 03003652000 or email: [email protected] wholl be delighted to help.
Please note, if we receive a high number of applications, we may close this role earlier than the advertised closing date, so please submit your application as soon as possible.
Person Specification
Education, qualifications or training
Essential
- Masters in pharmacy or equivalent from a British School of pharmacy or recognised equivalent
- Statutory registration with GPhC
- Clinical or psychiatric postgraduate certificate
- Clinical or psychiatric postgraduate diploma
- Independent prescriber
Desirable
- Membership with RPS
- Membership of the CMHP
Continuous Professional Development
Essential
- Evidence of commitment to continuing professional development
Desirable
- Able to constructively contribute towards other staff member's learning and development, as identified in Supervision, appraisal and service development plan.
Previous Experience
Essential
- Suitable length of post registration experience as a practicing pharmacist
- Minimum of 2 years' experience in mental health hospital pharmacy
- Good working knowledge of clinical governance and medicines management issues
- Good working knowledge of mental health therapeutics and prescribing issues in mental health
- Experience in clinical audit
Knowledge, skills and abilities
Essential
- Excellent written and verbal skills for communicating with pharmacy team members, public and other healthcare professionals
- Ability to establish effective working relationships
- Demonstrate the ability to work well as a team member
- Ability to work well independently
- Ability to critically appraise research and incorporate into practice
- Ability to prioritise and manage own workload
Additional Requirements
Essential
- Mobility to travel across sites.
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.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
About us
Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust is a specialist mental health and community health services trust. Rated 'outstanding' by the CQC, we're committed to providing the best possible care to people across Berkshire. As an employer, we're committed to offering an inclusive and compassionate environment where our people share in a sense of belonging and are supported to flourish.
Our values at Berkshire Healthcare are:
- Caring for and about you is our top priority
- Committed to providing good quality, safe services
- Working Together with you to develop innovative solutions
Your wellbeing is important to us. Some of the benefits of working for us include:
- Flexible working options to support work-life balance
- 27 days' annual leave rising with service + opportunity to buy and sell
- Generous NHS pension scheme
- Excellent learning and career development opportunities
- 'Cycle to Work' and car leasing scheme including electric vehicles
- Access to a range of wellbeing tools and services
- Discounts at hundreds of popular retailers and restaurants
- Staff networks for race, diversity, disabilities, the environment and armed forces community to support equality
- Generous maternity, paternity, adoption and special leave
- Free parking across Trust sites
Employer details
- Employer name: Berkshire Healthcare Foundation Trust
- Address: London House, London Road, Bracknell, Berkshire, RG12 2UT, Bracknell, RG12 2UT, United Kingdom
- Employer's website: https://www.berkshirehealthcare.nhs.uk/