Clinical Adviser

NHS National Services Scotland; City of Edinburgh, Glasgow; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Part time

Job summary

A leading healthcare organization seeks a Clinical Adviser to guide the evaluation and introduction of new medicines. This senior role supports strategic developments within SMC and NHSScotland. The candidate must be a registered healthcare professional with strong leadership and communication skills in multidisciplinary settings. This position offers part-time, hybrid working arrangements in Scotland, with responsibilities including influencing methods and supporting partnerships with various stakeholders.

Qualifications

• Professional credibility in their field and beyond.
• Proven ability to lead and motivate at a national level.
• Practical experience with ADTC, NDC, SMC or equivalent highly desirable.

Responsibilities

• Support the SMC Chief Pharmaceutical Adviser with workstreams.
• Influence SMC methods and policies.
• Represent SMC at national and international groups.

Skills

Leadership and influence

Communication of complex issues

Knowledge of medicines regulation

Experience in multidisciplinary groups

Knowledge of health technology assessment

Education

Registered healthcare professional

Job description

Clinical Adviser for Scottish Medicines Consortium (238665)

Commensurate with existing salary

16 hours per week (0.4 WTE)

Secondment until 31 December 2028

Edinburgh or Glasgow – hybrid working applying for the foreseeable future

The purpose of SMC is to improve healthcare through health technology assessment of new medicines, with the provision of advice to Health Boards on their clinical and cost-effective use. SMC is part of the Evidence and Digital Directorate of Healthcare Improvement Scotland.

The SMC Clinical Adviser supports the SMC Executive and senior team with strategic development issues and the implementation of significant changes to methodology. This post is a senior clinical role providing leadership within SMC and NHSScotland in the evaluation and managed introduction of new medicines.

We are seeking an outstanding healthcare professional to provide leadership to SMC and NHSScotland in the evaluation and managed introduction of new medicines by doing the following:

• working closely with and supporting the SMC Chief Pharmaceutical Adviser and senior team on evolving workstreams, for example the Innovative Licencing and Access Pathway
• influencing SMC methods and policy as part of the SMC Executive
• supporting strategic partnerships with stakeholder groups in Scotland including Area Drug and Therapeutics Committees, clinicians, the pharmaceutical industry and patient groups
• representing SMC, as part of Healthcare Improvement Scotland, at national and international groups

All candidates should have:

• professional credibility within and beyond their professional field
• experience of effectively chairing complex multidisciplinary groups
• experience of working in a complex, emergent environment
• proven ability to lead, influence and motivate at national level
• the ability to communicate complex issues to differing audiences
• a detailed knowledge of medicines regulation and health technology appraisal and a sound knowledge of health technology assessment, including the principles of health economics
• practical relevant experience by membership of an ADTC, NDC, SMC or equivalent body is highly desirable

The postholder must be a practicing and registered healthcare professional, subject to appraisal and revalidation with the relevant professional body and hold a substantive NHS post.

The post is responsible to the Director of Evidence. Secondees also have professional accountability to the relevant professional lead within HIS.

Any individual wishing to pursue this opportunity as a secondment must first seek the support of their line manager.

For further information on the role, please contact Yvonne Semple, Chief Pharmaceutical Adviser via email [e-mail].

It is anticipated that interviews will be held on 24 February 2026.

Closing date: Sunday 15 February 2026 at midnight