247238 Specialist Pharmacist Medicines Information (LI)

Job Description

Equal Opportunity

NHS Scotland is committed to encouraging equality and diversity among our workforce and eliminating unlawful discrimination. The aim is for our workforce to be truly representative and for each employee to feel respected and able to give their best. To this end, NHS Scotland welcomes applications from all sections of society.

Working Hours & Compensation

From 1/4/26, the Agenda for Change full time working week will be reducing from 37 to 36 hours per week. Part time hours will be reduced pro rata. However, there will be a corresponding increase in the hourly rate so that pay will not be affected.

We will fully support disabled candidates, and candidates with long term conditions or who are neurodivergent by making reasonable adjustments to our recruitment policy and practices.

Important Information

Please note: we anticipate a high level of interest in this position and may close the vacancy early once a sufficient amount of applications are received. Therefore, please make sure you complete and submit your application at an early stage.

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 United Kingdom Visa and Immigration Service. Further information on what NHS Scotland Boards are required to check this as well as what your responsibilities include can be found in the further information for this vacancy.

Technology Use

• Show us the real you: Your application should reflect your skills, experience, and motivations authentically.
• Use AI wisely: It’s fine to use AI for ideas or to check spelling and grammar, but don’t let it write your answers.
• Why this matters: Applications that rely on AI generated content may be withdrawn. By applying, you confirm your responses are based on your own knowledge and achievements.

Tip: Think of AI as a helper, not a substitute. We want to understand you-not an AI tool.

Background Checks

This post requires the post holder to have a PVG Scheme membership or record. If the post holder is not a current PVG member for the required regulatory group (i.e. child and/or adult) then an application will need to be made to Disclosure Scotland and deemed satisfactory before they can begin in post. Due to legislative changes from 1 April 2025, this post may require a different level of criminal records check than is currently the case. If the post is assessed as a regulated role, your appointment will be subject to joining the Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) Scheme. If there is any change to what is currently required, this will be confirmed by either the Hiring Manager or the Recruitment Team.

For more details on these changes please visit Disclosure Scotland Changes.

Role Summary

Specialist Pharmacist Medicines Information, Clinical Effectiveness and Governance – NHS Lothian Pharmacy & Medicines Service – Waverley Court. Band 7 2.0 WTE 36 hrs/week Permanent.

• £50,861 – £59,159

A new and exciting opportunity has arisen for two dynamic and motivated pharmacists to join the Medicines Advice and Guidance team. These posts will support the development and delivery of Medicines Information, Clinical Effectiveness and Medicines Governance services as well as supporting the Yellow Card Centre (YCC) Scotland and working in partnership with the East Region Formulary (ERF). YCC is a national service hosted by NHS Lothian and ERF is the first regional formulary to be established in Scotland. Together, these roles will play a key part in promoting high quality, evidence based medicines use, ensuring safe, effective and person centred care for patients locally and nationally.

About the role

These posts will be based at Waverley Court, within the Medicines Advice and Guidance team. The post holders will deliver a high quality Medicines Information (MI) service and deliver on clinical effectiveness (CE) work by providing evaluated and evidence based responses to enquiries and commissions from a wide range of healthcare professionals across NHS Lothian. The posts will also support YCC Scotland by developing plans to promote adverse drug reaction reporting across Scotland while also delivering education and training to support the public and professionals.

The post holders will work closely with colleagues across primary and secondary care; aiming to improve prescribing through the various medicines governance groups and in adherence to policies and procedures. This includes supporting the development of protocols and guidelines, and ad hoc participation in medicines governance committees and specialist groups. In addition, the post holders will have the opportunity to undertake a weekly clinical session in an agreed area of practice to maintain clinical skills and understand the impact of medicines advice and guidance work to patient care.

Why join us?

NHS Lothian Pharmacy & Medicines Service is committed to delivering clinically led, person centred services that ensure patients across Lothian get the best from their medicines. Our vision emphasises creating an environment where every team member can flourish, develop and contribute meaningfully to service improvement. You will join a friendly, forward thinking team that values innovation, collaboration and high quality pharmaceutical care. The Medicines Advice and Guidance team works across the entire health system, giving you unique exposure to multidisciplinary clinical practice, senior leadership forums, and the inner workings of medicines governance.

About You

We are looking for highly motivated pharmacists with a passion for delivering exceptional clinical care. You will have proven organisational skills and can demonstrate a clear understanding of medicine enquiry answering. You will also be a clear communicator, with strong analytical and problem solving skills. We value a proactive attitude, excellent attention to detail, and a commitment to continuous learning and professional development.

Essential Qualifications and Experience

• Master of Pharmacy Degree or equivalent and registration with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC)
• Have completed the Post Registration Foundation Training or have equivalent competence mapped to the RPS post registration foundation pharmacist curriculum

Skills and Attributes

• Strong clinical decision making and critical appraisal skills.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to present complex information clearly and confidently.
• A strong alignment with NHS Lothian’s values and a willingness to contribute to our dynamic team.

About NHS Lothian

NHS Lothian serves a population of 900,000 across Edinburgh city, East Lothian, Midlothian, and West Lothian. As Scotland’s second largest health system, we are one of four teaching Boards, fostering strong partnerships with universities and research institutions. Our Pharmacy & Medicines Service is dedicated to delivering clinically led, person centered care, and ensuring the best possible outcomes for our patients.

Ready to Take the Next Step?

For further information on what is included in the role and the skills/experience we’re looking for, please refer to the job description and person specification linked below. We know that a job advert can only tell you so much. To discuss this opportunity further and explore how it could fit your career goals, reach out today to start the conversation – Come Meet us Before you Apply! We can arrange a meeting on Teams, and/or you can drop in to an informal info session to learn more about what it is like to work in the Medicines Information and Clinical Effectiveness Team, meet team members, and ask questions.

• Zarah Swain, Lead Medicines Information and Clinical Effectiveness Pharmacist,
• Lesley Macher, Lead Pharmacist, Medicines Advice and Guidance,