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NHS Lothian Pharmacy & Medicines Service
St John’s Hospital - Livingston
Band 8A | 1.0 WTE | 36 Hours
£62,681 - £67,665
(including weekend, late night and public holiday rota commitments)
Are you ready to drive innovation and shape hospital pharmacy services across NHS Lothian?
Do you want to make a meaningful impact by working within Acute Medicine? If you are an experienced pharmacist with a passion for service development and a track record of delivering results, this role offers an exciting opportunity to lead transformative change across hospital pharmacy services in Lothian.
About the Role
As the Lead Pharmacist for Acute Medicine, you will play a pivotal role in developing, leading and delivering key service improvements. This strategically important post supports patient flow within some of the busiest front‑door clinical areas, including the Medical Admissions Unit (MAU) and the Enhanced Care Unit (ECU).
You will work collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams to provide expert pharmaceutical input, champion high-quality clinical care, and support training and development of staff. The role contributes directly to local, regional, and national healthcare priorities while ensuring services continue to evolve to meet patient needs.
You will also support the expansion of pharmacy presence within Same Day Emergency Care (SDEC) and the Emergency Medical Assessment (EMA) areas, further enhancing the delivery of safe and effective patient care.
Why Join Us?
At NHS Lothian, we value innovation, teamwork, and professional growth. As part of our pharmacy team, you’ll benefit from:
- The opportunity to lead impactful projects that directly improve patient outcomes and reduce health inequalities.
- A collaborative and supportive environment, where your ideas and contributions are valued.
- Ongoing support for professional development, including advanced clinical learning and leadership opportunities.
Within this post specifically, we offer an excellent opportunity to work within a specialist clinical environment, where innovation and service development are encouraged. You will be a key part of a supportive multidisciplinary team, contributing to patient-centred care. This role provides professional development opportunities and the chance to influence pharmacy practice at a senior level.
About you
We are looking for a highly motivated and enthusiastic pharmacist with a passion for delivering exceptional clinical care.
Essential Qualifications and Competencies
- A Master of Pharmacy Degree (or equivalent).
- Registration with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC).
- An Independent Prescribing Qualification.
- Postgraduate Clinical Pharmacy Diploma or Masters of Science (MSc) in Clinical Pharmacy or evidence of progress against the Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) Core Advanced Curriculum.
- Candidates who have not completed a Postgraduate Clinical Pharmacy Diploma or MSc in Clinical Pharmacy must demonstrate substantial progress across the four pillars of the RPS Core Advanced Pharmacist Curriculum through:
- Engagement with the RPS Core Advanced Curriculum
- Active participation in a community of practice/peer network
- Submit a screenshot of portfolio (programme of learning page)
- Complete the RPS learning needs analysis tool to assess progress with the Core Advanced Curriculum and any gaps that will need addressed as part of PDP plans
- Candidates who have completed a Postgraduate Clinical Pharmacy Diploma or MSc in Clinical Pharmacy should complete the learning needs analysis (LNA) using the LNA tool in the RPS e-portfolio, identifying any gaps that will need addressed as part of PDP plans.
Experience and Knowledge
- Proven expertise in service development, including the design and implementation of healthcare initiatives.
- A strong background in training and education, with experience delivering impactful sessions for healthcare professionals.
- Excellent communication and problem-solving skills, enabling effective decision-making.
About NHS Lothian
NHS Lothian serves a population of 900,000 across Edinburgh, East Lothian, Midlothian, and West Lothian. As Scotland’s second-largest health system, we are one of four teaching Boards, fostering strong partnerships with universities and research institutions. Our Pharmacy & Medicines Service is dedicated to delivering clinically led, person-centred care, ensuring the best possible outcomes for our patients.
Ready to Take the Next Step?
For further information on what is included in the role and the skills/experience we’re looking for, please refer to the job description and person specification on JobTrain. However, we understand that there's only so much a job pack can convey. That’s why we encourage you to reach out for an informal conversation to learn more about this exciting opportunity. Contact:
Patrick Downie, Lead Pharmacist SJH
📞 01506 522033 📧 Email: Patrick.downie@nhs.scot
Make your mark on the future of hospital pharmacy—apply today!
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