Lead Pharmacist - Rheumatology & MSK | Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust

Southend University Hospital NHS Trust; Southend-on-Sea; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A local NHS Trust in Southend-on-Sea is seeking a qualified Lead Pharmacist to oversee pharmacy services for the rheumatology department and trauma wards. This dynamic role requires strong communication skills and the ability to deliver clinical services effectively. The ideal candidate will have diverse clinical experience and a commitment to improving patient care. Join us to contribute to our mission of providing excellent healthcare and support a thriving work environment.

Qualifications

• Experience in a variety of clinical areas with readiness to specialise in adult medicine.
• Proven track record of delivering change within dynamic environments.

Responsibilities

• Provide clinical service to the wards and outpatients.
• Attend clinical ward rounds and meetings as appropriate.
• Monitor safe storage of medications within the pharmacy and wards.

Skills

Excellent communication

Strong interpersonal skills

Service delivery management

Ability to implement guidelines

Education

Pharmacy degree

Job description

Overview

We are looking for a lead pharmacist to take overarching responsibility for our service to the rheumatology department and our trauma and orthopaedic wards. This is a great opportunity for a highly motivated, open minded and dynamic pharmacist who is an excellent communicator with strong interpersonal / relationship building skills. You will lead the pharmacy clinical service within your specialty day to day at the Southend Hospital site, supporting the site Clinical Lead Pharmacist by ensuring patients receive a safe and effective service. You will work closely with the other lead clinical pharmacists for rheumatology and medicine based at the Basildon and Broomfield sites. The successful candidate will need to be an experienced pharmacist that has worked across a variety of clinical areas and is now ready to specialise in adult medicine. You will have experience in good service delivery and management, and a proven track record of delivering change within dynamic environments.

Responsibilities

• Providing a clinical service to the wards, discharge and outpatients service.
• Attend clinical ward rounds, clinical and multidisciplinary meetings as appropriate.
• Regularly recording clinical interventions and activities.
• Provide specialist pharmaceutical information to medical, nursing and other staff within the Trust where appropriate.
• Promote the safe, appropriate and economic use of drugs.
• Counsel and advise patients on use of medicines.
• Take part in the emergency on-call pharmacist rota. Working alone as the on-call pharmacist, provide medicines information, advice and supply out of hours, and sourcing of urgently required drugs from external suppliers.
• You will support the Trust Medication Safety Officer and Pharmacy Risk Governance Pharmacy Team with the medicines optimisation and governance agenda.
• Monitor the safe and secure storage of medication both within the pharmacy department and on the wards.
• Implement local and national guidelines where appropriate (e.g. NICE).
• Supervise trainee pharmacists, undergraduate students and ward-based technicians.

Qualifications / Experience

• Experience across a variety of clinical areas with readiness to specialise in adult medicine.
• Experience in service delivery and management with a proven track record of delivering change within dynamic environments.

Our ambition is to deliver excellent local and specialist services, to improve the health and wellbeing of our patients, and provide a vibrant place for staff to develop, innovate and build careers. We aim to make the most of our skills and experiences so we can become the best we can be. As one organisation we will recruit the finest and retain more specialist staff due to more employment opportunities across our Trust.

Are you looking for an exciting Lead Pharmacist role using your unique qualities, then we want to hear from you?

For full details about this varied and rewarding role, please see attached job description.

We look forward to your application.

This advert closes on Tuesday 30 Sep 2025