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.
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
Details
Date posted
02 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: preeti. singh@berkshire. nhs. uk 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.
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: preeti. singh@berkshire. nhs. uk 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.
What you will do
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.
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: preeti. singh@berkshire. nhs. uk 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.
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: preeti. singh@berkshire. nhs. uk 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.
