Senior Clinical Pharmacist – Surgical Services

Job Description

Who we are

NHS Ayrshire and Arran are one of 14 territorial NHS Boards within NHS Scotland.

In support of our core purpose of Working together to achieve the healthiest life possible for everyone in Ayrshire and Arran, we are committed to a culture that is Caring, Safe, and Respectful. You will be required to work collaboratively in a safe, caring and respectful way.

Position

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Senior Clinical Pharmacist – Surgical Services within our pharmacy department based across University Hospital Ayr and University Hospital Crosshouse.

This post is offered on a permanent basis.

Hours

37 hours per week. Core hours 08.30-16.30 Monday – Friday with commitment to supporting weekend and public holiday pharmacy services.

Job share will be considered for this post.

From 1 April 2026, the working week for NHS Agenda for Change staff in Scotland will be reduced. Full time hours will reduce from 37 to 36 hours (pro rated for part time staff) without loss of earnings.

UK Driving Licence

A UK driving licence is essential for this role.

What you will do

Job Purpose: The postholder shall provide expert clinical pharmacy input to surgical inpatients within the trauma and orthopaedic unit with University Hospital Crosshouse as part of a team. This role provides an exciting opportunity to lead a small team of a post registration rotational pharmacist and clinical pharmacy technician to provide and develop a clinical pharmacy service that includes operation of a pharmacy hub to support discharge pathways for prompt discharge from the unit. The post holder shall also provide expert clinical pharmacy advice to the elective orthopaedic unit within UHA.

In addition the post holder shall participate in the critical care pharmacist rota across both UHA and UHC sites.

Knowledge, training and/or experience required

Qualifications & Training

• Essential: Master of Pharmacy degree or equivalent.
• Essential: Registered as a pharmacist with the General Pharmaceutical Council.
• Post registration Foundation Programme for Pharmacists (or demonstrable evidence of clinical knowledge equivalent to that level).
• Desirable: Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical Pharmacy or RPS Core Advanced Curriculum (or demonstrable evidence of clinical knowledge equivalent to that level).
• Practice Certificate in Pharmacist Prescribing.
• Member of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society.

Experience

• Essential: Relevant clinical pharmacy experience.
• Good interpersonal skills.
• Computer literate with knowledge of information technology.
• Ability to work autonomously.
• Ability to work effectively as part of a team, in a pharmacy and multi disciplinary environment.
• Desirable: Approved tutor for trainee pharmacists or pharmacist/technicians undertaking further qualifications.

Knowledge

• Essential: Demonstrate an expert level of clinical pharmacy knowledge, skills, clinical reasoning and judgement.
• Requires advanced arithmetic skills.
• Good knowledge and understanding of relevant standards and guidelines.

Competencies & Skills

• Essential: Excellent communication skills: verbal and written.
• Ability to work flexibly within the service to meet changing demands.
• Ability to work under time constraints/deadlines.

Personal Characteristics and Other

• Essential: Sound reasoning and judgement.
• Good organisational skills.
• Evidence of CPD.

Right to Work / Sponsorship

To work in the United Kingdom, there is a legal requirement for an individual to demonstrate that they have the relevant permission to work in the country. This permission is, without exception, granted by the UK Visa and Immigration Service.

It is essential that you have checked that you already have an appropriate right to work in the UK or that the post would be eligible to be sponsored before submitting your application form.

NHS Ayrshire & Arran may be able to offer visa sponsorship for certain roles, provided the post meets the minimum salary threshold and any other required criteria. Sponsorship is not guaranteed and is assessed on a case by case basis following interview and at the commencement of pre employment checks.

We are unable to provide sponsorship for Band 2 posts or bank contracts.

Additional Information for Candidates

• You should apply for this post by completing the application process on NHS Jobs Scotland.
• Do NOT upload a CV as this will not be used for shortlisting purposes.
• Posts close at midnight on the indicated date. Late applications will not be accepted.
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• Please note, for all vacancies where a driving licence is required this must be a full UK/EU/EEA licence.