Most clinical pharmacist jobs in general practice sit within primary care networks (PCNs), funded through the Additional Roles Reimbursement Scheme (ARRS). The scheme sets out what the role involves, which shapes what employers ask for.
This guide explains the role as NHS England defines it for 2026/27, the training requirement, and how locum and remote work fit alongside permanent posts.
What an ARRS clinical pharmacist does
NHS England’s specification lists the key responsibilities. They include:
- working in a patient-facing role in the practice team, clinically assessing and treating patients;
- being a prescriber, or training to become one;
- managing patients with long-term conditions and carrying out clinical medication reviews, especially for people with complex polypharmacy;
- structured medication reviews that help patients get the best from their medicines;
- leading on medicines optimisation and quality improvement, including antimicrobial stewardship.
Sources: NHS England: Network Contract DES specification 2026/27
The 18-month training pathway
An ARRS clinical pharmacist must be enrolled in, or have qualified from, an approved 18-month training pathway or equivalent, such as the CPPE pathways for pharmacists in general practice. While still training, the role must be at least 0.5 whole-time equivalent, so the pharmacist can attend training and give continuity.
You also need GPhC registration to practise in England, Scotland or Wales. Northern Ireland has its own regulator, the Pharmaceutical Society of Northern Ireland.
Sources: NHS England: Network Contract DES specification 2026/27 · CPPE: clinical pharmacists in general practice education · GPhC: the registers
Pay and what the PCN can reclaim
ARRS clinical pharmacist roles sit at indicative Agenda for Change bands 7 to 8a. The maximum a PCN can reclaim for 2026/27 is £71,725 a year per whole-time role (£83,040 in inner London), covering salary plus employer National Insurance and pension. That is a reimbursement ceiling, so your salary will be lower.
Sources: NHS England: Network Contract DES specification 2026/27
Where locum and remote work fit
ARRS posts must be intended to last at least six months, so a PCN cannot fund session-by-session locum work through the scheme. Practices still book locum pharmacists directly for clinics, reviews and backlogs, and PCNs can claim for fixed-term cover when an ARRS pharmacist is on sickness or parental leave.
Remote ARRS roles are possible when the full role is delivered. NHS England expects a consistent pharmacist working with the PCN team, so a different person every shift would not qualify.
Sources: NHS England: Network Contract DES specification 2026/27 · NHS England: Network Contract DES Part B guidance 2026/27
Find PCN and GP practice work
Search for PCN pharmacist, GP practice pharmacist and clinical pharmacist roles, and read the duties before the title. On FindALocum, registration is free and there is no work-finding fee: tell us your experience, prescribing status, systems and the sessions you want.
Common questions
Do I need to be a prescriber for a PCN pharmacist job?
The ARRS role expects you to be a prescriber or to be training to become one. Individual employers may set their own requirements.
Can I work as a locum pharmacist for a PCN?
Yes. Practices and PCNs book locum pharmacists directly, and PCNs can claim ARRS funding for fixed-term cover of an ARRS pharmacist on sickness or parental leave.
Can a PCN pharmacist role be fully remote?
It can, if the whole role is delivered and the same pharmacist works consistently with the PCN team. Some posts are hybrid, with regular on-site sessions.
Official sources
Sources checked . Requirements can differ by country, employer and role; use the current guidance relevant to the work.
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