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Deputy Chief Pharmacist, Inpatient, Specialist and Secure Services

Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust

Chelmsford, CM1 3AG £79,504 – £91,609 a year Permanent Posted 21 August 2026 Apply by 11 September 2026

Home Office register entry: Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust, Wickford

Visa sponsorship

This role is listed by an employer that holds a live Home Office sponsor licence on the Skilled Worker route.

Closest occupation match: SOC 2251, Pharmacists. Pay for this occupation is set by national pay scales (NHS bands), so no single Home Office going rate applies.

This occupation falls under the Health and Care Worker route. Public reference figures for that route: the general salary minimum is £25,000 a year, and salaries set by national pay scales (NHS bands) at or above the relevant band rate typically meet the occupation's requirement. Individual eligibility depends on personal circumstances. These figures are public reference information, not advice or a verdict on this job.

Role description

Job summary

We are seeking a highly experienced pharmacist with excellent leadership skills to join our senior pharmacy management team as Deputy Chief Pharmacist. You will lead on the provision of pharmacy and medicines optimisation services to mental health services, and work closely and collaboratively with the lead pharmacists within community health services.

Ideally you will have a track record in a similarly complex position at a senior level managing the delivery of operational services, and have a background in mental health services.

Main duties of the job

As Deputy Chief Pharmacist you will represent the service at the highest levels within the Trust, deputising for the Director of Pharmacy at Trustwide and external meetings.

You should be able to work on your own initiative as well as within a larger team, and will be supported by the wider Trust pharmacy team. Central to the role is modelling good clinical practice to our ward pharmacists and technicians and inspiring them to perform to their best.

We are looking for someone with excellent communication skills, who demonstrates the values of the Trust and who through their previous experience is in a position to support the Director of Pharmacy in overseeing day-to-day operations and shaping our team for the future.

About us

Valuing you. Recognising your dedication. At EPUT, we look after you.

  • Receive supervision and support to help you fulfil your potential.
  • Join an inclusive EPUT community and connect with others through engagement events and equality or champion networks.
  • If you need help, we provide mental health and wellbeing services, occupational health advice and counselling.

Benefits

  • 27 days holiday, plus bank holidays, rising to 33 days after 10 years' service.
  • Excellent pension of up to 14.5% of your pensionable pay.
  • Staff discounts include Blue Light Card, NHS discount offers, and staff benefits.
  • £8K relocation package if you move to Essex to join us
  • Season ticket loans are interest-free to cover the cost of travelling to and from work via tram, rail, or bus.

Work that wraps around your needs

  • Job share: Applications for job shares are welcomed.

Details

Date posted

21 August 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 8c

Salary

£79,504 to £91,609 a year per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

364-B-388

Job locations

Units E&F Chelford Court, Widford Ind Estate

37 Robjohns Road

Chelmsford

CM1 3AG

United Kingdom


Job description

Job responsibilities

Please see the attached job description and person specification for the detailed outline of the job requirements.

Person Specification

Education/Qualifications

Essential

  • Master's Degree in Pharmacy or equivalent acceptable for registration by the General Pharmaceutical Council
  • Current and continued registration with the General Pharmaceutical Council as practicing member
  • Postgraduate Diploma in mental health pharmacy and therapeutics, or equivalent clinical experience
  • Member of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society and a member or willing to work towards Faculty membership
  • Member of the College of Mental Health Pharmacy

Desirable

  • Certificate in Management studies or equivalent management experience

Knowledge

Essential

  • Ability to influence senior pharmacy, management and healthcare staff
  • Ability to critically evaluate clinical material and disseminate findings to others. Demonstrate an advanced level of clinical knowledge and skills
  • Broad technical, clinical and pharmaceutical knowledge relating to the promotion of high quality, effective and cost efficient use of medicines
  • The ability to identify and manage risks. Good organisational skills e.g. prioritising and time management, managing others, and able to work as part of a team or alone

Skills/Experience

Essential

  • Significant post-registration clinical pharmacy experience gained working within a number of specialities within acute, community and mental health settings
  • Experience of providing relevant pharmacy services within a mental health / learning disability setting
  • Experience of working with senior healthcare professionals outside of pharmacy to achieve goals.
  • Experience of co-ordinating and leading clinical audit and able to demonstrate how it is used to improve practice
  • Experience of managing, developing and mentoring staff

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website.

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details

Employer name

Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Units E&F Chelford Court, Widford Ind Estate

37 Robjohns Road

Chelmsford

CM1 3AG

United Kingdom


Employer's website

https://eput.nhs.uk/

Apply now

Last verified against our ingestion on 24 August 2026; sponsor register dataset 2026-08-25.