Job Introduction
An opportunity has arisen for an enthusiastic and dynamic pharmacist to join our forward-thinking healthcare service within HMP Chelmsford.
The main focus of the work will be to provide a dispensary based pharmacy service and working closely with the Lead Pharmacist and pharmacy technicians on providing medicines management support to a number of different wings within the prison.
You will be based within the in-house pharmacy team, ensuring safe and smooth running of the dispensary i.e.
- supply of medications to wings, depending on the business needs
- ensuring the safe and secure transport of medicines within the prison
- ensuring adherence to Controlled Drugs regulations
- providing professional supervision of the pharmacy technicians
With appropriate training you will be providing medication review services to patients via clinics, deliver pharmaceutical care plans, and improve the quality of patient care and medicines optimisation as assigned by the Lead Pharmacist. This is an exciting job with potential opportunities in medicines optimisation, prescriber training and further long-term condition management.
Within the prison pharmacy you will see everything you would in a community pharmacy and a hospital under one roof and you will work closely with other healthcare colleagues across teams to ensure the patients get equivalent care to those in the community.
The working hours for this role will be Tuesday to Friday, 7.30am to 6:00pm (with a 30-minute lunch break)
Main Responsibility
Dispensary & Medicines Management:
- Ensure the safe, timely, and secure supply of medications to prison wings.
- Oversee the safe transport and handling of medicines, adhering to Controlled Drug regulations.
- Provide clinical supervision to pharmacy technicians and support staff.
- Maintain the day-to-day operation of the prison dispensary.
Clinical Duties:
- Conduct medication reviews and develop pharmaceutical care plans.
- Conduct comprehensive yearly audits focusing on compliance and best practices for Controlled Drugs, antibiotic usage, and the application of Patient Group Directions (PGDs).
- Provide structured medication reviews (SMRs) for eligible patients.
- Participate in clinics, offering advice on prescribed and over-the-counter medications.
- Manage minor ailments and common conditions within your clinical competency.
- Support patients in making the best use of their medicines through optimisation initiatives.
- Administer medications on the wing, depending on the business needs
Prescribing & Monitoring:
- Clinically screen prescriptions to ensure accuracy, legality, safety, and effectiveness.
- Review medication histories of new admissions, recommending adjustments as needed.
- Monitor antimicrobial prescribing in line with AMR guidelines.
- Evaluate prescribing trends and advise prescribers in line with formulary standards.
The Ideal Candidate
Essential:
- Registration with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) as a Pharmacist
- Master’s degree in Pharmacy or equivalent
- Previous experience in UK-based prison, hospital, or community pharmacy settings
Desirable:
- Postgraduate Certificate in Clinical Pharmacy
- Experience delivering services to patients with mental health conditions or substance misuse issues
This is a rewarding opportunity to make a meaningful difference in a unique healthcare setting, where your skills will contribute directly to improving patient outcomes and supporting a holistic model of care within the prison service.
Package Description
As a “Clinical Pharmacist”, you’ll be part of our valued team:
- Salary £55,000.00 with group pension
- 25 days annual leave + bank holiday hours
- Company Policy Sick pay
- Enhanced Maternity Package
- Life Assurance
- Membership of My Reward Hub, giving you access to discounts on everyday purchases like grocery shopping as well as cashback and voucher offers for treats for you and those special to you
- Access to your wages as you earn them to help cover life’s emergencies and avoid overdraft fees or high interest rates
- Online and face to face help with your mental and physical wellbeing – from healthy recipes and activity challenges through to post trauma support, legal, debt and life management help, as well career coaching and counselling
- Access to eLearning, bespoke career pathways and opportunities for continuing professional development through our ‘Outstanding’ learning and development team, The Learning Enterprise
- An open, just culture where you’re encouraged to have and implement ideas which can help us deliver our purpose: changing lives through transforming health and care – backed up by at least £100,000 of ringfenced innovation funding each year