Lead Pharmacist - Critical Care and Anaesthetics

NHS; Swindon; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 63,000; Full time

Job summary

A regional healthcare provider in Swindon is seeking a pharmacist to specialize in critical care and anesthetics. The role involves providing advanced clinical pharmacy services, leading on medicines optimization, and collaborating with a multidisciplinary team. The position requires an MPharm degree, GPhC registration, and experience in acute hospital settings. This permanent full-time role offers a competitive salary and professional development opportunities.

Qualifications

• MPharm Degree or equivalent with registration.
• Evidence of continuing professional development.
• Experience in acute hospital settings.

Responsibilities

• Act as an advanced Pharmacy practitioner in critical care.
• Provide a specialist clinical pharmacy service to patients.
• Contribute to the strategic development of pharmacy services.

Skills

Acute Hospital Experience

Evidence of CPD

Non-medical prescriber

Education

MPharm Degree or equivalent and GPhC registration

Post Graduate Diploma in Clinical Pharmacy

Job description

Job summary

The Great Western Hospital is delighted to offer a fantastic opportunity for a pharmacist to work with us as the lead for critical care and anesthetics. This is a great opportunity for a pharmacist looking to specialise in intensive care medicine. As a key member of the multi-disciplinary team you will attend daily ward rounds and lead on all aspects of medicines optimisation and pharmaceutical care. You will be supported by a friendly team and work closely with the lead pharmacist for family and specialist services to innovate and develop the service.

Main duties

• To be responsible for the management and delivery of a responsive, proactive, patient focused clinical pharmacy service to a defined clinical specialty within the Trust. This includes ensuring the safe, effective and cost-effective use of medicines.
• To act as an advanced clinical critical care pharmacist ensuring the accuracy, legality, safety and efficacy of prescribed medication in line with local and national procedures.
• To deputise both operationally and professionally for the divisional clinical pharmacy lead, in the management of the clinical Pharmacy service.
• To support responsible person and deputies in ensuring that the facilities and service are compliant with all aspects of Good Distribution Practice (EU GDP 2013/C 343/01), and all other relevant medicines regulations and quality standards.
• To manage related training provision to all operational staff within the facility.
• To act as an operational lead in any relevant aspects of regulatory audit (internal and external).

About us

Our STAR values - Service, Teamwork, Ambition and Respect - are a golden thread running through everything we do. These values serve as a guiding principle, driving us towards our vision of delivering great joined up services to our local community. Whether at home, in the community, or within the hospital, our goal is to empower individuals to lead independent and healthier lives.

Swindon is set in the South West of England on the edge of the North Wessex Downs. The hospital was built in 2003 and is a modern hospital which provides a pleasant working environment. It is well placed close to junction 15 of the M4 and located allowing commutes to accommodate family members' jobs in cities such as Oxford, Bristol, Bath, Reading, Cheltenham and Gloucester. There are a wealth of attractive villages in the area and good schools including grammar schools within commuting distance. There is a good rail connection to London (1 hour).

Details

Date posted: 22 September 2025

Pay scheme: Agenda for change

Band: Band 8a

Salary: £55,690 to £62,682 a year pro rata per annum

Contract: Permanent

Working pattern: Full-time, Flexible working

Reference number: 249-7376697-2

Job locations: Great Western Hospital, Marlborough Road, Swindon, SN3 6BB

Job responsibilities

Clinical Pharmacy

1. Act as an advanced Pharmacy practitioner in critical care, anaesthetics and pain, to plan the care and identify areas of concern related to medicine use within this specialty.
2. Provide a specialist clinical pharmacy service to patients in critical care wards, clinical areas, anaesthetic and pain teams in line with clinical pharmacy standards and objectives.
3. Assist in clinical decision making to ensure patient safety and medication effectiveness through the medicines optimisation agenda.
4. Discuss with patients any issues about their medication, and liaise with other health care professionals in Primary and Secondary Care as appropriate.
5. Review results of external audit related to patient care and develop action plan as necessary.
6. Become an Independent Prescriber (IP) and continue to develop the role of pharmacist independent prescriber within the Trust.
7. Contribute to the strategic development of pharmacy services and lead by example to enhance the Pharmacy Service reputation both at a local and national level.

Qualifications and experience

Education, Qualification and Training

• MPharm Degree or equivalent and GPhC registration
• Post Graduate Diploma in Clinical Pharmacy
• Evidence of CPD
• Non-medical prescriber or willing to complete training

Desirable

• RPS credentialled at advanced stage I or II (Critical Care or Generalist)
• Critical Care training
• Management and Leadership Qualification
• Member of Royal Pharmaceutical Society working

Experience

• Essential: Acute Hospital Experience; Experience of working across departmental and organisation boundaries to deliver specific targets and improve services for patients
• Desirable: Previous experience as a divisional pharmacist; Experience of managing a team; Experience of Critical Care

Other information

Disclosure and Barring Service Check: This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship: Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website. From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants.

UK Registration: Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website.