Specialist Pharmacist Children

Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust; England; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading NHS Trust in England is seeking a motivated Specialist Pharmacist for its Women and Children services. This role involves delivering expert clinical pharmacy care, overseeing junior staff, and innovating service development. Candidates should have a pharmacy degree and relevant clinical experience. The successful applicant will be supported in their career progression, working in a dynamic environment focused on high-quality patient care and rigorous adherence to NHS standards. This position offers a unique opportunity for professional growth and leadership.

Benefits

Professional development opportunities

Supportive work environment

Qualifications

• Proven experience in specialist clinical practice.
• Experience in supervising and training healthcare staff.
• Strong knowledge of NHS strategies and pharmacy regulations.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop a specialist clinical pharmacy service.
• Ensure compliance with local and national healthcare policies.
• Deliver clinical supervision and training to junior staff.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Collaboration

Education

Bachelor/Master of Pharmacy degree or equivalent

Post graduate Diploma in Clinical Pharmacy or equivalent

Job description

Specialist Pharmacist - Women and Children-Progression Post

The closing date is 25 January 2026

We are pleased to offer an excellent progression opportunity for a motivated pharmacist to take a leading role in delivering specialist clinical pharmacy services across Women and Children services at Bedford Hospital. This includes maternity, neonatology and paediatrics, gynaecology and supporting patients with complex and high‑risk medicines needs.

The post holder will act as a specialist pharmacist with responsibilities for service development, line management and training of junior staff, contributing to the ongoing development of the clinical pharmacy service. We are seeking a dynamic and enthusiastic pharmacist with experience across a range of clinical specialties and a strong interest in women's and children's care. The successful candidate will be supported to develop their expertise and progress from Specialist Pharmacist to Advanced Specialist Pharmacist.

This role requires vision, energy and a commitment to delivering safe, high‑quality patient‑centred care. Strong communication and collaboration skills are essential, as you will work closely with multidisciplinary teams across maternity, neonatal, paediatric, pharmacy and management services.

We are committed to supporting your professional development and will provide access to relevant training and development opportunities.

Main duties of the job

Lead, supervise, and act as a role model for pharmacists to plan, develop, and deliver a specialist clinical pharmacy service aligned with the priorities of the Clinical Service Line (CSL). Ensure compliance with local and national policies, legislation, and best practice to guarantee the safe, effective, and cost‑efficient use of medicines and staff resources.

Take responsibility for achieving defined service KPIs, working closely with other Lead Pharmacists to ensure consistency and quality.

Provide specialist pharmaceutical care, including non‑medical prescribing within the agreed scope of practice, while managing risk and ensuring adherence to clinical guidance.

Support the CSL and Pharmacy Department in fulfilling risk management, financial management, and clinical governance responsibilities related to medicines use.

Lead and contribute to clinical pharmacy audits and research within critical care, actively participating in projects that enhance patient safety.

Deliver clinical supervision for junior pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, pharmacy assistants, and pre‑registration pharmacists.

Serve as a professional role model to all clinical pharmacy staff, demonstrating integrity, accountability, and leadership in every aspect of the role.

About us

Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust provides hospital services to a growing population of around 700,000 people living across Bedfordshire and the surrounding area across two busy hospital sites in Bedford and Luton. Both hospital sites offer key services such as A&E, Obstetrics‑led Maternity and Paediatrics. You will be joining a friendly, high‑performing Trust committed to ensuring the health and wellbeing of staff. As one of the largest NHS Trusts in our region you will have access to a programme of high quality training and development to help you grow your career. The Trust continues to be committed to delivering the best patient care using the best clinical knowledge and technology available.

We not only recruit based on qualifications and experience – we recruit individuals who demonstrate the behaviours which underpin our Trust’s core values. We achieve this by using values‑based recruitment. We are dedicated to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible, are committed to promoting equality and diversity, and creating a culture that values differences.

Please note that vacancies may close prior to the advertised closing date when a sufficient number of applications have been received. All new staff will be subject to a probationary period covering the first 6 months in post. Travel between hospital sites may be required. Please review all documents attached to ensure you familiarize yourself with all requirements of the job.

Job responsibilities

Please refer to the attached Job Description and Person Specification for full details.

In this role, you will lead, supervise, and act as a role model for pharmacists, planning and developing a specialist clinical pharmacy service aligned with the priorities of the Clinical Service Line (CSL). You will ensure compliance with local and national policies, legislation, and best practice to guarantee the safe, effective, and cost‑efficient use of medicines and staff resources.

You will take responsibility for delivering defined service KPIs, working closely with other Lead and Specialist Pharmacists. The post involves providing specialist pharmaceutical care, including non‑medical prescribing (where applicable) within the agreed scope of practice, undertaking risk management, and ensuring adherence to clinical guidance.

Supporting the CSL and Pharmacy Department, you will contribute to risk management, financial management, and clinical governance responsibilities around medicines use. You will also lead and develop clinical pharmacy audits and practice‑based research within critical care, actively participating in projects that enhance patient safety.

The role includes clinical supervision of junior pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, pharmacy assistants, and preregistration pharmacists. You will act as a professional role model, demonstrating integrity, accountability, and leadership in all aspects of the role. Finally, you will develop advanced specialist knowledge in critical care and anaesthesia, serving as a source of expert advice for pharmacists and other healthcare professionals.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• Bachelor/Master of Pharmacy degree or equivalent
• Post graduate Certificate in Clinical Pharmacy or equivalent
• Relevant clinical experience
• Stage II RPS Faculty Member (MIIFRPS) or portfolio in preparation
• Quality Improvement Training
• MSc in relevant subjects (or equivalent)
• Train the trainer qualification
• Independent pharmacist prescriber
• Member of the RPS
• Post graduate Diploma in Clinical Pharmacy or equivalent

Experience

• Experience of specialist clinical practice
• Experience of collaborative working in multidisciplinary settings as an influential member
• Experience of clinically supervising and training staff
• Presentation to trust‑wide meetings
• Research and audit experience to improve patient care
• E&T experience to undergraduates and postgraduates of various health professionals
• Policy and service development
• Evidence of managing and delivering a project

Knowledge

• Expert knowledge and understanding of relevant standards and guidelines
• Knowledge and awareness of implications of current developments in pharmacy practice and NHS strategies
• Knowledge and understanding of medicines legislation
• Understanding the need of confidentiality awareness at all times
• Awareness of the current commissioning arrangements in the NHS
• Recognised as a specialist within the defined speciality

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.

Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust