At a Glance
- Tasks: Join our community mental health team to optimise medicines and support patient care.
- Company: Lancashire & South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust provides vital mental health services across the region.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working hours, a supportive team, and opportunities for professional development.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on patient outcomes while working in a collaborative and innovative environment.
- Qualifications: Must be a registered pharmacist with experience in mental health; non-medical prescribing qualification is a plus.
- Other info: We welcome flexible working applications and encourage a healthy work/life balance.
The predicted salary is between 42000 - 60000 £ per year.
Location: Community Mental Health Team (CMHT), Lancaster and Morecambe, based at East Barn, Pathfinders Drive, Lancaster.
Are you a pharmacist with experience in mental health and a passion for medicines optimisation in the community setting? The Trust is currently embarking on a community mental health transformation journey and we’re seeking to recruit a compassionate and motivated individual to work in the community mental health team as a key member of the multidisciplinary team. The post will also involve close liaison with other community-based mental health services, primary care and in-patient mental health services.
As an integral member of the clinical team, and alongside pharmacy colleagues, you’ll address the pharmaceutical care needs of community-based service users. You will also ensure safe and effective medicines management processes, developing new ways of working and integrating within the evolving community transformation model. As a senior member of the pharmacy team, you will also have the opportunity to contribute to broader Trust initiatives and priorities.
The role is for 30 hrs per week and allows flexibility to undertake this as 4 full working days (days may be negotiated based on service need and applicant request) or spread across 5 days Monday-Friday.
The post provides an opportunity for the following:
- Pharmaceutical care planning and clinical review of prescriptions
- Involvement of service users in decisions about their medicines to optimise treatment, support adherence and improve outcomes
- Provision of specialist pharmaceutical advice to the multi-disciplinary team (MDT)
- Development of a non-medical prescribing role
- Provision of clinical supervision, professional leadership and line management to other members of the team
- Ensure appropriate governance arrangements are in place for the management of medicines, including the monitoring of prescribing and medicines use
- Attendance at best practice groups and strategic network meetings
- Actively working to contribute to and deliver the Trust medicines optimisation strategy
This post presents a great opportunity for an enthusiastic and experienced pharmacist motivated by the desire to improve patient care to perform this key position within the MDT. The role demands an organised, flexible individual with excellent communication and interpersonal skills and an ability to work on their own initiative.
You will have current registration with the General Pharmaceutical Council, a postgraduate qualification or equivalent experience, and post registration experience in a mental health setting. A qualification as a non-medical prescriber would be desirable but applicants with a willingness to work towards this qualification will also be considered.
The Clinical Pharmacy service is highly regarded within the organisation and should you wish to join our team you will become one of a large team of Clinical Pharmacists, Pharmacy Technicians, Medicines Management Nurses and Pharmacy Assistants working across the Trust. We welcome flexible working applications and job shares.
Lancashire & South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust provides a range of services including secondary mental health care across this area. Specialist provision comprises inpatient child and adolescent mental health services, perinatal mental health and forensic services including low and medium secure care.
The Trust also provides a range of physical health and well-being services in the community alongside a range of partners in the Lancashire, Cumbria and Sefton area.
Lancashire & South Cumbria Foundation Trust encourages flexible working, we believe that a positive work/life balance benefits NHS employees through improved health and wellbeing. We would consider working patterns such as; term time, part time, compressed hours, flexi-time and career breaks. We encourage applicants to state clearly on their application forms this request and discuss these options at interview.
For more information please visit our website via Lancashire & South Cumbria NHS FT.
Please see attached the job description and person specification for more information about this role.
This advert closes on Wednesday 11 Dec 2024.
Senior Mental Health Pharmacist Lancashire & South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust employer: Lancashire Care NHS Foundation Trust
Contact Detail:
Lancashire Care NHS Foundation Trust Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Mental Health Pharmacist Lancashire & South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the community mental health transformation journey that the Trust is embarking on. Understanding their goals and how your role as a Senior Mental Health Pharmacist fits into this vision will help you articulate your passion for medicines optimisation during any discussions.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with current employees or professionals in similar roles within the NHS. Engaging with them can provide insights into the team dynamics and expectations, which can be invaluable when discussing your potential contributions during interviews.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your experience in multidisciplinary teams. Highlight specific examples where you've collaborated with other healthcare professionals to improve patient outcomes, as this is a key aspect of the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Show your willingness to develop professionally by expressing your interest in non-medical prescribing. Even if you don't currently hold this qualification, demonstrating your commitment to furthering your skills will make you a more attractive candidate.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Mental Health Pharmacist Lancashire & South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Read the job description thoroughly to understand the responsibilities and requirements of the Senior Mental Health Pharmacist position. Highlight key skills such as medicines optimisation, clinical review, and teamwork in your application.
Tailor Your CV: Customise your CV to reflect your experience in mental health pharmacy. Emphasise relevant qualifications, such as your registration with the General Pharmaceutical Council and any postgraduate qualifications or non-medical prescribing experience.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your passion for improving patient care and your ability to work within a multidisciplinary team. Mention specific examples of how you've contributed to medicines management and patient outcomes in previous roles.
Highlight Flexibility and Communication Skills: Since the role allows for flexible working, mention your willingness to adapt your working hours. Also, emphasise your excellent communication and interpersonal skills, which are crucial for liaising with various healthcare professionals and service users.
How to prepare for a job interview at Lancashire Care NHS Foundation Trust
✨Show Your Passion for Mental Health
Make sure to express your genuine interest in mental health and how it drives your work as a pharmacist. Share any personal experiences or motivations that led you to this field, as it will resonate with the interviewers.
✨Demonstrate Your Teamwork Skills
As this role involves working closely with a multidisciplinary team, be prepared to discuss examples of how you've successfully collaborated with other healthcare professionals in the past. Highlight your communication skills and ability to integrate into a team.
✨Prepare for Clinical Scenarios
Expect to be asked about specific clinical situations related to pharmaceutical care in mental health. Brush up on your knowledge of medicines optimisation and be ready to discuss how you would approach various patient cases.
✨Discuss Your Flexibility and Organisational Skills
Given the flexible working options mentioned in the job description, be ready to talk about how you manage your time effectively and adapt to changing circumstances. Provide examples of how you've successfully balanced multiple responsibilities in previous roles.