Band 8A - Highly Specialist (Advanced) Pharmacist, Older People

West Hertfordshire Hospitals NHS Trust; Watford; On-site; GBP 52,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Watford, is seeking an experienced Band 8A Highly Specialist Pharmacist for Older People. The role is full-time and fixed-term, delivering specialist clinical pharmacy support and medicines optimisation across the Older People’s Services.

You will lead and mentor pharmacy staff, contribute to audits, research and service development, and promote high-quality care for older patients.

Responsibilities

• Assist the lead pharmacist in delivering a high-quality clinical pharmacy service for Older People.
• Provide expert medicines advice, manage risk, and ensure compliance with medicines legislation.
• Participate in clinical audits and practice research.
• Train pharmacy staff and other multidisciplinary team members.
• Deprescribe as an independent pharmacist prescriber and train on deprescribing tools to reduce polypharmacy in frail patients.

Job description

Band 8A - Highly Specialist (Advanced) Pharmacist, Older People

A Vacancy at West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust.

We are seeking an experienced and motivated pharmacist to join our Pharmacy team on a full-time, fixed-term basis.

Working within Older People’s Services, you will provide specialist clinical pharmacy support, expert medicines optimisation advice, and leadership to multidisciplinary teams across the Trust.

This role offers the opportunity to influence patient care, support service development, supervise and mentor pharmacy staff, and contribute to audit, research, and quality improvement initiatives.

We are looking for a pharmacist with excellent clinical knowledge, strong communication skills, and a passion for delivering high-quality care for older patients.

If you are looking to further develop your specialist practice within a supportive and forward-thinking pharmacy department, we would love to hear from you.

The successful candidate will be required to:

• Assist the lead pharmacist in the delivery, development and evaluation of a high-quality clinical pharmacy service for Older People.
• Provide expert advice on pharmaceutical matters, undertaking risk management and ensuring compliance with medicines legislation.
• Participate in clinical audit and practice research.
• Undertake training of pharmacy staff and other member of the multi-disciplinary team.
• Actively deprescribe as a fully independent pharmacist prescriber and provide training in use of deprescribing tools to support reduction of polypharmacy in frail patients as per the Trust and departmental policies and procedures.

With a new hospital planned for Watford, work underway to update theatres at St Albans City Hospital and plans for a neighbourhood healthcare centre in Hemel Hempstead, this is an exciting time to join us.

We are building on the success of our award-winning virtual hospital and re-imagining models of care, working closely with partners and making the most of advances in digital healthcare.

Staff wellbeing and development are a priority, as is the role of innovation in improving clinical care, outcomes and patient experience.

Our vision is Excellent patient care, together and our values are to be empowered, compassionate, professional and inclusive. They capture an important balance across what we must all do as individuals and to support others.

We offer a variety of flexible working options as we recognise the importance of a good work life balance.www.westhertshospitals.nhs.uk/flexibleworking

If you have a disability or long-term health condition and require support or guidance please [e-mail]

If you are a Service Leaver, Veteran, Military Reserve, Cadet Force Adult Volunteer, or partner/spouse of those serving please tick "Member of the Armed Forces Community" on the application form.

We reserve the right to close this advert early due to the volume of applicants.

If you do not hear back within 3 weeks of your application, please assume you have been unsuccessful on this occasion.

Please refer to the attached job description and person specification for a full list of duties and details about the role.

The Pharmacy Department at West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust operates across three sites, with over 100 staff members. The main department is based at Watford General Hospital.

The department provides a stimulating, friendly and professionally rewarding environment for staff to develop their clinical expertise.

This advert closes on Wednesday 11 Nov 2026