Clinical Pharmacist (Acute and Specialist Services)

NHS National Services Scotland; Lerwick; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Distant Island Allowance

Relocation Assistance

Job summary

NHS Shetland is seeking an experienced Advanced Pharmacist within Acute and Specialist Services at Gilbert Bain Hospital, Lerwick. This senior role focuses on advanced clinical practice, leadership, service development, medicines governance and quality improvement in a remote rural setting.

Approximately 60% of the role involves direct patient care across inpatient and outpatient settings, with 40% devoted to service improvement, education, audit and pathway development.

Qualifications

• Registered as a Pharmacist Independent Prescriber with GPhC.
• Significant post-registration clinical pharmacy experience within acute hospital services.
• Working towards, or have completed, RCPharm Core Advanced Pharmacist Curriculum accreditation.
• Experience in leadership, education, quality improvement and service development.
• Committed to collaborative working and improving patient care.
• Adaptable, innovative and motivated to deliver high-quality care in a remote and rural setting.

Responsibilities

• Direct patient care across inpatient and outpatient settings (about 60%).
• Lead service improvement, medicines governance, education, audit and pathway development.
• Contribute to quality improvement initiatives and clinical leadership.
• Participate in on-call rota and occasional public holiday work.

Skills

Clinical pharmacy

Leadership

Education

Quality improvement

Service development

Education

GPhC Independent Prescriber

RCPharm Core Advanced

Job description

Clinical Pharmacist (Acute and Specialist Services) (Ref: 253144)

Substantive

Full-Time – 36 hours per week

Band 8A Salary Range - £65,125 to £70,303 per annum

Distant Island Allowance of £2,578 per annum

Relocation Assistance of up to £8000 available

A rare opportunity has arisen for an experienced and motivated pharmacist to join NHS Shetland as an Advanced Pharmacist within Acute and Specialist Services.

This is a substantive senior pharmacist role for someone who can practice at advanced clinical levels, while contributing to clinical leadership, service development, education, medicines governance and quality improvement activities within a supportive remote and rural healthcare setting.

Practicing as a pharmacist in Shetland is exciting as it offers the opportunity for people to work within broad advanced roles, with a defined portfolio that connects well with local population need and your own personal development planning. Initially, this will focus on frailty and clinical governance, with opportunities to develop other areas such as specialist longitudinal care, digital pathways, respiratory medicine, or women and children’s services.

Approximately 60% of the role will involve direct patient care across inpatient and outpatient settings, with the remaining 40% dedicated to service improvement, medicines governance, education, audit, pathway development and quality improvement. You will work in partnership with multidisciplinary colleagues across primary and secondary care, to supporting improving people’s outcomes and delivering safe, effective and sustainable use of medicines throughout their health journey.

This post offers an excellent opportunity for an experienced pharmacist looking to further develop their clinical, leadership and strategic skills. We are seeking a pharmacist who:

• Is registered as a Pharmacist Independent Prescriber with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC)
• Has significant post-registration clinical pharmacy experience within acute hospital services
• Is working towards, or has completed, their RCPharm Core Advanced Pharmacist Curriculum accreditation, with completion expected within two years of appointment. Support and mentorship will be provided.
• Has experience of leadership, education, quality improvement and service development
• Is committed to collaborative working and improving patient care
• Is adaptable, innovative and motivated to deliver high-quality care in a remote and rural setting.

The Gilbert Bain Hospital provides acute and specialist care for Shetland’s residents and visitors across medicine, surgery, maternity, emergency care, specialist outpatient clinics and Hospital at Home. You will join a friendly and supportive pharmacy team comprising pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, pharmacy support workers and administrative staff working collaboratively to deliver high-quality pharmaceutical care.

This post includes participation in the pharmacy on-call rota and occasional public holiday working.

Why Shetland?

The Shetland Islands are home to around 23,000 people and offer an exceptional quality of life surrounded by stunning coastlines, abundant wildlife and vibrant communities. Alongside a rewarding career, you’ll have the opportunity to practice at an advanced level across organizational boundaries, develop broad generalist clinical expertise and make a meaningful impact on patient care.

Lerwick, Shetland’s main town and home to the Gilbert Bain Hospital, offers a wide range of amenities including leisure facilities, arts and cultural venues, cafes, restaurants and schools. Whether you enjoy walking, cycling, sailing, wildlife, photography or simply living in a safe and welcoming community, Shetland offers an outstanding work-life balance while remaining only a short flight from mainland Scotland.

To find out more about living and working in Shetland visit:

• Pharmacy Careers in Shetland
• www.shetland.org
• www.shetland.org/life

Informal enquiries are welcomed and should be directed to: Jane Wylie, Lead Pharmacist – Acute and Specialist Services [e-mail] Tel: [phone].

Closing date: 20/09/26

Interview date: 05/10/26

Preferred candidates will be required to join the Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) Scheme or undergo a PVG Scheme update prior to a formal offer of employment being made.

In promoting equal opportunities, we welcome applications from all sections of the community.