Pharmacist / Superintendent

About the Role

We are recruiting for a Pharmacist to join our team. As a small, independent community pharmacy, we also need a Superintendent Pharmacist to hold overall professional and regulatory responsibility for the business.

The successful candidate could occupy both roles, or we are happy to split the two positions if that is the best way to find the right people. We will consider both full-time and part-time applications, and applications for either role individually.

This is an excellent opportunity for a pharmacist who wants to develop into, or continue, a Superintendent role, or for an experienced Superintendent Pharmacist looking for a friendly, well-supported community pharmacy with no weekend, evening or bank holiday working.

About the Pharmacy

Location

Attached to a Medical Centre in Helmsley, North Yorkshire

Volume

Approximately 10,000 items dispensed per month

Blister packs

70 community blister packs (MDS) dispensed per week

Opening hours

9.00am – 5.30pm, Monday to Friday — no weekend, evening or bank holiday requirement

Core team

4 fully trained dispensers and an Accuracy Checking Technician (ACT); one dispenser also acts as day-to-day Pharmacy Manager

Additional cover

A bank of locum dispensers and pharmacists is available to call on when short-staffed

NHS services

Includes Pharmacy First and emergency hormonal contraception, alongside core NHS community pharmacy services

Salary

Competitive — dependent on experience and whether the role is combined or split; to be discussed with candidates

Contract

Full-time or part-time considered

Role A: Pharmacist — Job Description

The Pharmacist is responsible for the safe, accurate and efficient clinical delivery of pharmacy services, providing excellent patient care and working closely with the dispensing team, the ACT, and (where the roles are split) the Superintendent Pharmacist.

Key Responsibilities

• Accurately and safely clinically check and dispense prescriptions, including against relevant prescription documentation.
• Ensure the safe and accurate issue of completed dispensed items to patients.
• Deliver NHS community pharmacy services including Pharmacy First and emergency hormonal contraception.
• Support the dispensing and preparation of the weekly community blister pack (MDS) service.
• Provide clinical advice, medicines optimisation support and patient-facing consultations.
• Supervise and support the day-to-day work of the dispensing team and ACT, working closely with the Pharmacy Manager.
• Maintain accurate patient medication records and ensure confidentiality and information governance standards are met.
• Contribute to the safe disposal of returned medicines and expired stock.
• Build effective working relationships with local prescribers, the Medical Centre team and other healthcare professionals.
• Complete all mandatory and directed training and keep up to date with own continuing professional development (CPD).
• Deputise for, or work alongside, the Superintendent Pharmacist as required.

Role B: Superintendent Pharmacist — Job Description

The Superintendent Pharmacist holds overall professional responsibility for the safe and effective running of the pharmacy, in accordance with GPhC standards, and for the governance, workforce and business aspects of the pharmacy. Where the role is combined with the Pharmacist role, these accountabilities sit alongside the clinical duties above.

Key Responsibilities

• Hold overall accountability for the safe, efficient and effective delivery of all pharmacy services, in accordance with GPhC, national and local standards.
• Take responsibility for professional, legal and ethical decision-making within the pharmacy.
• Oversee daily business and administrative operations, improving processes for optimal efficiency.
• Ensure adequate, up-to-date Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) are in place and followed, as required by the GPhC.
• Take responsibility for the ordering and management of all medicines and stock.
• Advise on and support an appropriate workforce plan, ensuring sufficient trained and competent pharmacy staff.
• Actively support the development, education and training of the wider pharmacy team.
• Ensure procedures are in place for the safe disposal of returned medicines and expired stock.
• Keep reference sources, patient information leaflets and displayed materials current and professional.
• Ensure pharmacy systems (including dispensing software) are kept up to date, with business continuity plans in place.
• Ensure the premises are maintained to a high professional standard at all times.
• Report on performance and progress to the pharmacy owners/directors.
• Fulfil the statutory responsibilities required of a Superintendent Pharmacist by the GPhC and the Department of Health and Social Care.

Person Specification

Qualifications & Registration

MPharm degree (or equivalent) and current registration with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC)

Independent Prescriber qualification

Experience – Pharmacist role

Post-registration experience as a practising community pharmacist

Experience delivering Pharmacy First and other advanced NHS community pharmacy services

Experience – Superintendent role

At least 3 years’ post-qualification experience (Superintendent only). Previous Superintendent or Pharmacy Manager experience is not required — we will consider applicants who have not held the role before

Proven experience in a Pharmacy Manager or Superintendent Pharmacist role; experience of drug purchasing and stock management

Knowledge

Sound, up-to-date clinical and pharmacy practice knowledge; understanding of GPhC standards

Knowledge of pharmacy business operations, national and local NHS service provision, and pharmacy governance/regulatory requirements (Superintendent only)

Leadership & People Skills

Able to work collaboratively within a small, close-knit team

Proven leadership and team management experience; able to provide clear guidance and support staff development (Superintendent only)

Business Skills

Well organised, with good attention to detail and administrative accuracy

Commercially astute, with the drive to implement services and support the profitability of an independent pharmacy business (Superintendent only)

Communication

Excellent face-to-face communication skills with patients, colleagues and prescribers

Experience building relationships with a GP practice or Primary Care Network

Personal Attributes

Enthusiastic, patient-focused, reliable and professional; committed to own CPD and learning

Independent-minded, financially and clinically focused, with an interest in developing a long-term career in an independent community pharmacy

Other Requirements

Flexible and happy to support during core opening hours (Monday to Friday, 9.00am – 5.30pm); no weekend, evening or bank holiday working is required

Willing to work full-time or part-time, and open to discussing either the combined role or one of the two split roles

What We Offer

• Competitive salary — dependent on experience and role structure
• Monday to Friday working only: 9.00am – 5.30pm, with no evenings, weekends or bank holidays
• A supportive, well-established team of 4 dispensers and an ACT, plus a Pharmacy Manager
• Access to a bank of locum dispensers and pharmacists for additional cover
• Flexibility to shape the role — combined Pharmacist/Superintendent position, or split roles — around the right candidate(s)
• On-site parking
• A close working relationship with the neighbouring Medical Centre and its Clinical Pharmacists

About Our Area

Helmsley sits on the western edge of the North York Moors National Park, around 25 miles from the north-east coast and popular tourist spots including Whitby, Staithes, Scarborough and Filey. It's a beautiful part of North Yorkshire with easy access to major motorway and rail networks, excellent opportunities for country sports and outdoor pursuits, and a range of historic sites, local schools, and community amenities — including the Helmsley Arts Centre, which runs its own theatre company and a popular Youth Theatre.

Pay: £50,000.00-£60,000.00 per year

Work Location: In person