Specialist Pharmacist

NHS; Milton Keynes; On-site; GBP 46,000 - 53,000; Full time

Job summary

Join the pharmacy team at a leading NHS hospital as a Specialist Pharmacist, where you'll play a crucial role in improving pharmaceutical care for patients in surgical settings. This permanent, full-time position offers a supportive environment with flexible working options and a competitive salary, along with excellent benefits including free parking and a generous leave package.

Benefits

Free on-site parking

Free tea and coffee

Flexible working opportunities

Discounted gym membership

Generous annual leave and pension scheme

On-site nursery (chargeable)

Extensive staff health and well-being programme

Qualifications

• Registered with GPhC.
• Experience in hospital-based clinical post required.
• Evidence of ongoing CPD in line with GPhC requirements.

Responsibilities

• Deliver clinical pharmacy services for surgical division.
• Support effective use of medicines across CSUs.
• Supervise and develop junior colleagues.

Skills

Effective pharmaceutical skills

Time management

Problem solving

Communication

Leadership

Education

B.Sc. / B.Pharm. / M.Pharm

Postgraduate Certificate in Clinical Pharmacy

Job description

Job summary

Specialist Pharmacist

Department: Pharmacy

Band 7 £46,148 - £52,809 per annum

Full-Time 37.5hrs per week, all MKUH roles will be considered for flexible working

Are you a specialist pharmacist with a passion for the surgical speciality?

Would you like to contribute to advancing pharmaceutical care for patients undergoing both planned and unplanned surgery? If this describes you, we invite you to get in touch with us.

Now is an excellent time to become part of the pharmacy team at MKUH; we are a friendly, forward-thinking department who continue to grow in both size and influence. Recent enhancements include a major departmental refurbishment, the introduction of a new Pharmacy Robot, the establishment of a new Pharmacy and Aseptic Unit in the Cancer Centre, and the opening of a new Outpatient Pharmacy.

If successful, you will be part of a supportive and learning environment that encourages both professional and personal development. Are you the person to help us make this happen? If so, we look forward to hearing from you.

For additional information about this post, please contact Lauren Ramm (Clinical Pharmacy Manager - W&C and Surgery) on 01908 995729 or [e-mail]

Interview date: W/C 14.07.2025

Main duties of the job

• To take a key role in the delivery, development and evaluation of the Pharmaceutical Service provided to Divisional Teams and Clinical Service Units (CSU); to meet the requirements of pharmacy customers in accordance with pharmaceutical legislation, national guidance and departmental objectives. This post will be rotational (normally 12 months)
• To facilitate and support the efficient and cost-effective use of medicines across the Trust.
• To deputise, with appropriate support, for the Principal Pharmacists at meetings and in delivery of training within their assigned areas of pharmaceutical care.
• To provide ward-based clinical pharmacy services, working alongside our other specialist pharmacists and technicians, and supporting pharmacists and technicians and trainees. To work as, or work towards a role as, an independent prescriber.
• To work with the Principal Pharmacists and Clinical pharmacy managers, to ensure that policies and procedures for medicines use are followed and are consistent with Trust requirements and priorities.
• To comply with Trust and Pharmacy Procedures, Clinical Governance, Quality Assurance and Risk Management.

About us

"We care We communicate We collaborate We contribute"

"Our staff scored Autonomy and Control at 7.19, well above the national average. Here, you're trusted to lead, innovate and shape your work (NHS Staff Survey 2024)."

You can expect a warm welcome at Milton Keynes University Hospital, our staff are friendly and welcoming. We listen to each other and work together to embed our Trusts values and behaviours. At MKUH we appreciate our staff and reward them with an outstanding benefits package including:

• Free on-site parking
• Free tea and coffee
• Great flexible workingopportunities
• Discounted gym membership
• Lease car scheme
• Generous annual leave and pension scheme
• On site nursery (chargeable)
• Extensive staff health and well-being programme

Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, in partnership with the University of Buckingham, is a University Teaching Hospital; we conduct research and teaching on site to improve the care of our patients. The hospital is undergoing significant investment, and we are proud to be rated good by the CQC. Visit our website to catch up on our latest news.

Details Date posted

16 June 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 7

Salary

£46,148 to £52,809 a year per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

430-CC25-144A

Job locations

Pharmacy (Dept)

Milton Keynes

MK6 5LD

Job description Job responsibilities

You will become part of a growing team of Clinical Pharmacists and Specialist Pharmacists, who support patient care across a wide range of clinical specialties within the Trust. With the support of the Principal Pharmacists for planned and unplanned surgery, you will deliver high-quality, patient-centred care within your chosen area of expertise. In addition to delivering ward-based clinical pharmacy services for the surgical division there will also be the opportunity to gain excellent experience on the intensive care unit overseeing high acuity patients, as well as clinical support to the dispensary. You will also have the opportunity to gain experience in supporting and supervising junior staff, undertaking quality improvement and audit work, advocating for medicines optimisation and safety initiatives at the ward level, and collaborating with the Principal Pharmacists to address any medicines related issues affecting the ward teams.

This role is crucial to the delivery, development, and evaluation of pharmaceutical services across the hospital. It plays a key part in helping divisions optimise medicines use within available resources.

Our standard working hours consist of four long days (8 am to 6.30 pm) per week, with coverage on Saturdays, Sundays, and Bank Holidays on a rota basis. After a period of induction and training, you will contribute to the pharmacy out-of-hours service.

Our services are evolving to provide our pharmacists and pharmacy technicians with more time to work alongside patients while supporting their medical and nursing colleagues. Our commitment is to ensure that every patient receives safe, high-quality care, placing our patients at the heart of our mission. This role is a compelling career opportunity for a skilled and dedicated pharmacist to join our hardworking, forward-looking, and innovative pharmacy team.

• To support the effective and safe use of medicines within the CSUs, in line with agreed Trust priorities, and in line with pharmacys activities to optimise medicines management across the Trust and at the interfaces with primary and tertiary care.
• To deliversafe, effective and efficient clinical pharmacy services; to contribute appropriately to the training and development of staff in pharmacy and within the CSUs to promote safer medicines use in line with Trust priorities.
• To practice in compliance with the General Pharmaceutical Council code of professional conduct within the scope of practice, being responsible and accountable for own decisions, actions and omissions.
• To contribute to the day to day pharmacy activities and be part of the team providing dispensary, Saturday and Bank Holidays rota service cover and provide an on call service in line with the On-Call Procedure.
• Specialist Pharmacists (band7) do not have line management responsibility for any staff. However, all posts with responsibility for managing and supporting staff in operational delivery are expected to lead, motivate, develop and reward staff and are required to comply with the Trust's Policies and Manager's Code of Conduct
• Tocontribute to the development of training packages for junior staff undertaking rotations; to support the Principal Pharmacists in their roles in training and education.
• Tocontribute to the planning and future development of all aspects of pharmacy services at Milton Keynes University Hospital.

Please refer to the Job Description for further details

We believe success lies in the diversity of our employees and are committed to promoting equality, encouraging diversity and embracing inclusion. We welcome applications from everyone interested in working for us.

MKUH is committed to equal opportunities and improving the working lives of our staff and as such we offer a range of flexible working practices.

We reserve the right to expire vacancies prior to the advertised closing date once a sufficient number of applications have been received.

MKUH uses identification scanning technology to confirm the authenticity of documents; all prospective employees of MKUH will have their original documents verified using this technology.

By applying for this role, you accept if successful, that information from your application will be transferred into the national NHS Electronic Staff Record (ESR) system. Your personal data may be transferred from the Trust to another NHS organisation where your employment transfers within the NHS. This is in accordance with the streamlining programme which aims at saving you time and improving efficiencies within the NHS when your employment transfers.

Upon commencing employment with the Trust, all employees (except Medical & Dental Staff on national terms and conditions) are subject to a probationary period lasting a period of six months with an option to extend for a further six months to a total of 12 months.

Job description Job responsibilities

You will become part of a growing team of Clinical Pharmacists and Specialist Pharmacists, who support patient care across a wide range of clinical specialties within the Trust. With the support of the Principal Pharmacists for planned and unplanned surgery, you will deliver high-quality, patient-centred care within your chosen area of expertise. In addition to delivering ward-based clinical pharmacy services for the surgical division there will also be the opportunity to gain excellent experience on the intensive care unit overseeing high acuity patients, as well as clinical support to the dispensary. You will also have the opportunity to gain experience in supporting and supervising junior staff, undertaking quality improvement and audit work, advocating for medicines optimisation and safety initiatives at the ward level, and collaborating with the Principal Pharmacists to address any medicines related issues affecting the ward teams.

This role is crucial to the delivery, development, and evaluation of pharmaceutical services across the hospital. It plays a key part in helping divisions optimise medicines use within available resources.

Our standard working hours consist of four long days (8 am to 6.30 pm) per week, with coverage on Saturdays, Sundays, and Bank Holidays on a rota basis. After a period of induction and training, you will contribute to the pharmacy out-of-hours service.

Our services are evolving to provide our pharmacists and pharmacy technicians with more time to work alongside patients while supporting their medical and nursing colleagues. Our commitment is to ensure that every patient receives safe, high-quality care, placing our patients at the heart of our mission. This role is a compelling career opportunity for a skilled and dedicated pharmacist to join our hardworking, forward-looking, and innovative pharmacy team.

• To support the effective and safe use of medicines within the CSUs, in line with agreed Trust priorities, and in line with pharmacys activities to optimise medicines management across the Trust and at the interfaces with primary and tertiary care.
• To deliversafe, effective and efficient clinical pharmacy services; to contribute appropriately to the training and development of staff in pharmacy and within the CSUs to promote safer medicines use in line with Trust priorities.
• To practice in compliance with the General Pharmaceutical Council code of professional conduct within the scope of practice, being responsible and accountable for own decisions, actions and omissions.
• To contribute to the day to day pharmacy activities and be part of the team providing dispensary, Saturday and Bank Holidays rota service cover and provide an on call service in line with the On-Call Procedure.
• Specialist Pharmacists (band7) do not have line management responsibility for any staff. However, all posts with responsibility for managing and supporting staff in operational delivery are expected to lead, motivate, develop and reward staff and are required to comply with the Trust's Policies and Manager's Code of Conduct
• Tocontribute to the development of training packages for junior staff undertaking rotations; to support the Principal Pharmacists in their roles in training and education.
• Tocontribute to the planning and future development of all aspects of pharmacy services at Milton Keynes University Hospital.

Please refer to the Job Description for further details

We believe success lies in the diversity of our employees and are committed to promoting equality, encouraging diversity and embracing inclusion. We welcome applications from everyone interested in working for us.

MKUH is committed to equal opportunities and improving the working lives of our staff and as such we offer a range of flexible working practices.

We reserve the right to expire vacancies prior to the advertised closing date once a sufficient number of applications have been received.

MKUH uses identification scanning technology to confirm the authenticity of documents; all prospective employees of MKUH will have their original documents verified using this technology.

By applying for this role, you accept if successful, that information from your application will be transferred into the national NHS Electronic Staff Record (ESR) system. Your personal data may be transferred from the Trust to another NHS organisation where your employment transfers within the NHS. This is in accordance with the streamlining programme which aims at saving you time and improving efficiencies within the NHS when your employment transfers.

Upon commencing employment with the Trust, all employees (except Medical & Dental Staff on national terms and conditions) are subject to a probationary period lasting a period of six months with an option to extend for a further six months to a total of 12 months.

Person Specification Qualifications and knowledge Essential

• B.Sc. / B.Pharm. / M.Pharm
• Registered with GPhC
• Postgraduate Certificate in Clinical Pharmacy (or equivalent)
• Evidence of on-going CPD (in line with GPhC requirements)

Desirable

• Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical Pharmacy or evidence of equivalent experience e.g. GLF
• Member of RPS
• Evidence of a good understanding of medicines management issues at the interfaces between primary, secondary and tertiary care

Experience Essential

• Post registration experience in a hospital-based clinical post
• Experience working as part of a multi-disciplinary team to provide patient care
• Experience of clinical audit work.
• An awareness of current national standards, guidelines and service delivery issues.
• Experience of Medicines Information.
• Knowledge of the medical management of disease in a range of the specialties

Desirable

• Relevant post registration experience in a hospital-based clinical post
• Evidence of influencing medicines use to optimise care and help clinicians manage expenditure
• Evidence of experience managing prioritisation in relation to the use of new drugs and new uses for drugs
• Evidence of significant contribution to innovative or developmental roles and activities within pharmacy

Skills Essential

• Effective and safe pharmaceutical skills
• Ability to manage time effectively and work to deadlines
• Ability to plan, prioritise and organise self and others and deal effectively with unexpected demands
• I.T. skills such as computer literacy, word processing and spreadsheet skills.
• Ability to communicate effectively with other staff, patients and members of the public
• Good presentation skills.
• Good written communication skills
• Problem solving
• Good team work and ability to work alone
• Evidence of leadership skills
• Ability to motivate and act as a role model

Desirable

• Good negotiation skills and ability to justify advice given should this be challenged
• Critical appraisal skills
• Evidence of understanding of clinical risk and clinical governance
• Innovative Thinking

Personal and people development Essential

• Experience of supervising and developing colleagues
• Evidence of Continuous Professional Development to meet GPhC standards
• Evidence of leadership

Communication Essential

• Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to influence others
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written
• Evidence of team working
• Evidence of effective and timely project delivery

Specific requirements Essential

• Able to perform the duties of the post with reasonable aids and adaptations
• Flexible, polite and courteous
• Dedicated professional attitude
• Able to take the initiative
• Ability and willingness to take responsibility for own actions and lead, when required, including when on call

Person Specification Qualifications and knowledge Essential

• B.Sc. / B.Pharm. / M.Pharm
• Registered with GPhC
• Postgraduate Certificate in Clinical Pharmacy (or equivalent)
• Evidence of on-going CPD (in line with GPhC requirements)

Desirable

• Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical Pharmacy or evidence of equivalent experience e.g. GLF
• Member of RPS
• Evidence of a good understanding of medicines management issues at the interfaces between primary, secondary and tertiary care

Experience Essential

• Post registration experience in a hospital-based clinical post
• Experience working as part of a multi-disciplinary team to provide patient care
• Experience of clinical audit work.
• An awareness of current national standards, guidelines and service delivery issues.
• Experience of Medicines Information.
• Knowledge of the medical management of disease in a range of the specialties

Desirable

• Relevant post registration experience in a hospital-based clinical post
• Evidence of influencing medicines use to optimise care and help clinicians manage expenditure
• Evidence of experience managing prioritisation in relation to the use of new drugs and new uses for drugs
• Evidence of significant contribution to innovative or developmental roles and activities within pharmacy

Skills Essential

• Effective and safe pharmaceutical skills
• Ability to manage time effectively and work to deadlines
• Ability to plan, prioritise and organise self and others and deal effectively with unexpected demands
• I.T. skills such as computer literacy, word processing and spreadsheet skills.
• Ability to communicate effectively with other staff, patients and members of the public
• Good presentation skills.
• Good written communication skills
• Problem solving
• Good team work and ability to work alone
• Evidence of leadership skills
• Ability to motivate and act as a role model

Desirable

• Good negotiation skills and ability to justify advice given should this be challenged
• Critical appraisal skills
• Evidence of understanding of clinical risk and clinical governance
• Innovative Thinking

Personal and people development Essential

• Experience of supervising and developing colleagues
• Evidence of Continuous Professional Development to meet GPhC standards
• Evidence of leadership

Communication Essential

• Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to influence others
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written
• Evidence of team working
• Evidence of effective and timely project delivery

Specific requirements Essential

• Able to perform the duties of the post with reasonable aids and adaptations
• Flexible, polite and courteous
• Dedicated professional attitude
• Able to take the initiative
• Ability and willingness to take responsibility for own actions and lead, when required, including when on call

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 (Opens in a new tab).

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 (Opens in a new tab).

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Additional 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 (Opens in a new tab).

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 (Opens in a new tab).

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details Employer name

Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Pharmacy (Dept)

Milton Keynes

MK6 5LD

Employer's website

https://www.mkuh.nhs.uk/working-at-mkuh (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details Employer name

Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Pharmacy (Dept)

Milton Keynes

MK6 5LD

Employer's website

https://www.mkuh.nhs.uk/working-at-mkuh (Opens in a new tab)