Job Title: Pharmacist / Practice-Based Pharmacist

Location: Antrim

Duration: Temporary, 3–6 months

Start Date: Immediate

Hours: Monday – Friday, office hours

Hours: Full-time preferred, although part-time will be considered

Apple Recruitment is currently recruiting for a Pharmacist / Practice-Based Pharmacist to work within a specialist Healthcare in Prison service.

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced pharmacist to join a multidisciplinary healthcare team and provide high-quality, patient-centred pharmacy services within a secure healthcare environment.

Candidates at Band 6 Pharmacist or Band 7 Practice-Based Pharmacist level will be considered, depending on qualifications and experience.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide comprehensive pharmaceutical services within the healthcare setting, including medicines management and pharmacy duties.
• Provide accurate medicines information and advice to patients and healthcare professionals.
• Support the safe and effective use of medicines through prescription monitoring, identification of drug interactions, adverse drug reactions and medicines-related issues.
• Undertake medicines reconciliation and obtain accurate medication histories where required.
• Assess patients’ own medicines and support appropriate prescribing and medicines optimisation.
• Assist with the development and review of pharmaceutical care plans.
• Provide medication counselling and education to patients.
• Work closely with GPs, nurses and other healthcare professionals to resolve medicines-related issues.
• Support evidence-based, safe and cost-effective prescribing practices.
• Contribute to clinical audits, quality improvement initiatives and medicines optimisation projects.
• Maintain accurate clinical and pharmaceutical records in accordance with relevant standards and procedures.
• Participate in the development and implementation of policies, procedures and standard operating procedures.
• Provide pharmaceutical advice and support to the wider multidisciplinary team.
• Support the delivery of training and education relating to medicines management where required.
• Maintain professional registration and continuing professional development requirements.
• Work effectively as part of a multidisciplinary healthcare team.
• Manage workload effectively and prioritise tasks according to clinical and service needs.
• Comply with all relevant professional, legal, clinical governance, confidentiality and safeguarding requirements.

Band 7 / Practice-Based Pharmacist Responsibilities

For candidates appointed at Band 7 Practice-Based Pharmacist level, responsibilities may include:

• Providing autonomous clinical pharmacy and medicines optimisation services.
• Undertaking structured medication reviews, including for long-term conditions, polypharmacy and high-risk medicines.
• Supporting repeat prescribing systems and medicines re-authorisation processes.
• Providing prescribing advice and supporting prescribing improvements.
• Using prescribing data and clinical systems to identify risks, trends and opportunities for improvement.
• Contributing to medicines-related audit and quality improvement activity.
• Providing expert pharmaceutical advice within complex clinical situations.
• Supporting and delivering education and training to healthcare professionals.
• Acting as a professional medicines expert within the multidisciplinary team.

Essential Criteria Band 6 Pharmacist applicants must have:

• Registration with the Pharmaceutical Society of Northern Ireland (PSNI) or eligibility for membership.
• An MPharm or equivalent qualification.
• Successful completion of the pre-registration year and professional examination.
• Effective communication skills.
• The ability to work effectively as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• The ability to use initiative and manage workload effectively.
• Excellent time management and organisational skills.
• A current full driving licence valid for use in the UK and access to a car, where required to undertake the duties of the role.
• The ability to successfully complete the required Counter Terrorist Check (CTC) prior to accessing the prison site.
• The right to work in the UK and UK residency, as required for access to the secure environment.

Band 7 Practice-Based Pharmacist applicants must additionally have:

• Registration with the Pharmaceutical Society of Northern Ireland (PSNI) or eligibility for membership.
• An undergraduate degree in Pharmacy.
• A minimum of 3 years’ post-registration pharmacy experience.
• Strong therapeutic and clinical knowledge and understanding of evidence-based healthcare.
• An understanding of primary care prescribing, rational prescribing and medicines optimisation.
• Excellent communication, organisation and time management skills.
• The ability to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team.

Desirable Experience

• An Independent Prescriber qualification.
• Previous experience working within a primary care or secure environment.
• Previous experience using Encompass or similar healthcare information systems.
• A recognised post-registration Foundation programme or relevant postgraduate pharmacy qualification.

Important Information Due to the nature of the role, the successful candidate will be required to undergo a Counter Terrorist Check (CTC) before commencing work.

Candidates must meet the relevant security, right-to-work and residency requirements associated with working within a secure environment.

The service currently operates primarily Monday to Friday during office hours; however, candidates may be required to work flexibly, including occasional weekend, public holiday or extended hours, depending on service requirements.

How to Apply If you wish to apply or would like more information, please email your CV to Darcie at darcie.donohoe@applerecruitment.com.

Please ensure your CV is accurate and up to date, including your full employment history, qualifications and current contact details.

All details will be treated in the strictest confidence.

Apple Recruitment Services is acting as an Employment Business in relation to this vacancy. Apple Recruitment Services is an Equal Opportunities Employer.