Specialist Pharmacist - Medicines Advice Service

NHS; Bournemouth; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 51,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading NHS Trust is seeking a Specialist Pharmacist to expand its Medicines Advice Service. This role offers an opportunity to communicate complex information, support staff development, and contribute to quality improvement projects in pharmacy. Candidates should hold a Master's in Pharmacy and possess relevant NHS experience, ideally in Medicines Advice.

Benefits

Access to QI and leadership training courses

Flexible working and part-time opportunities

Qualifications

• Registered with General Pharmaceutical Council.
• 2-4 years NHS experience post qualification.
• Experience working in a Medicines Advice department.

Responsibilities

• Support delivery and development of a high-quality Medicines Advice Service.
• Provide advice on the use of medicines, evaluate options, and ensure patient safety.
• Train and develop pharmacy staff in Medicines Advice.

Skills

Communication

Problem-solving

Analytical skills

Organisational skills

Education

Master's degree in Pharmacy

Diploma in Clinical Pharmacy

Job description

Go back University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust

Specialist Pharmacist - Medicines Advice Service

The closing date is 22 June 2025

Are you a pharmacist looking for a role that enables you to maintain and expand your medicines knowledge across a range of specialities?

Do you like problem-solving, researching, analysing, and applying clinical information to a patient scenario?

Are you able to communicate complex information to fellow healthcare professionals?

If the answer is yes, we would love to have you join us as a Specialist Pharmacist in Medicines Advice at University Hospitals Dorset (UHD).

Location: Royal Bournemouth Hospital

Interview Date: Tuesday 1st July 2025. If you are unavailable on this date, please contact us as we may be able to offer an alternative date.

This position is a Band 7 role, however if you do not meet the essential criteria, a Band 6 to 7 Progression Post will be considered for the right candidate.

Main duties of the job

• We are a friendly and welcoming team, looking for a dynamic, experienced, and self-motivated pharmacist to join us, to deliver a growing medicines advice service, answering clinical queries from staff and patients. We have established relationships with regular service users and consistently get fantastic feedback.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills are essential, as well as the ability to work independently and as part of a team. The post holder will require good organisational and prioritisation skills, with an interest in supporting staff development and training.
• The post offers the opportunity for the successful candidate to develop their analytical skills, researching and answering complex questions about medicines, whilst supporting medicines optimisation.
• Full training will be provided, and once established in the role, we will offer the opportunity to attend the National UK Medicines Information Training Course. Whilst NHS hospital pharmacy experience is preferred, applications from pharmacists working in general practice with experience of answering medicines related enquiries will be considered.
• As we evolve our service for the new trust, there will be opportunities for quality improvement and service development projects, with plenty of scope for personal development. Access to the trust's QI and leadership training courses will be supported.
• As part of the role, you will also be required to provide a regular ward clinical pharmacy commitment.

About us

Our values define who we are as #TeamUHD. They underpin everything we do now and in the future, defining how we treat our patients, visitors, and each other, our valued teammates and colleagues.

UHD are investing in services across the Trust, with many being transformed and developed following merger and the New Hospital Programme.

This means that some services may move site this year or next, either temporarily or long term. Recruiting Managers interviewing for this role will be happy to answer any questions that you may have at interview.

The pharmacy team is dedicated to patient care are supportive of each other. We are innovative and always looking for ways to improve efficiency, sustainability and safety. RBH has had near-patient dispensing and designated pharmacy hubs on our wards for several years. EPMA is established in inpatient areas across Bournemouth and Poole Hospitals.

The trust and pharmacy team values and champions inclusivity and diversity. We are open to discussions on flexible working, part time and job share opportunities. Full-time (37.5 hours per week), part-time and job shares will be considered.

To support seven-day working, pharmacy staff work Weekends, Bank Holidays and early evenings on a rotational basis. Weekend shifts are 1 in 5 (either Saturday or Sunday) and approximately one Bank Holiday per year. This role requires one late finish per week (around 6pm) and participation in the on-call rota.

Job responsibilities

• Support the Lead Pharmacist for Medicines Advice Service for the delivery and development of a proactive, high quality, cost effective, safe and responsive Medicines Advice Service.
• Provide written or verbal advice and information to answer enquiries about the use of medicines in patients, so that problems can be overcome and the patient managed safely and effectively. Evaluate available options and offer advice to clinicians based on the best evidence available. Use professional judgement and clinical experience where there is limited or no information, and where information is controversial or conflicting.
• Support training and development of pharmacy staff in Medicines Advice
• To provide a clinical pharmacy service, as part of the multidisciplinary team, to ensure optimal medicines usage and value for money.
• As a band 7 pharmacist, the post holder will be required to manage, support and provide training for band 6 pharmacists and act as a mentor to trainee pharmacists.
• The post holder will contribute to audits and policy or procedure development.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• Registered with General Pharmaceutical Council
• Master's degree in Pharmacy or equivalent
• Diploma in Clinical Pharmacy or equivalent experience

Experience

• 2-4 years NHS experience post qualification
• Experience working in a Medicines Advice department

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.

University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust