252223 (EPPP) Lead Pharmacist

Healthcare & Medical
Midlothian
July 3, 2026
Permanent
Urgent

Job Description

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.

Lead Pharmacist

HIV Services

Western General Hospital

Band 8A Up to 1.0 WTE Up to 36 Hours Permanent

(with weekend and public holiday working)

Are you a forward thinking pharmacist keen to apply your excellent clinical knowledge and skills in a highly patient focused specialist area? Then look no further than this opportunity to work as part of the Chalmers HIV and Gender Identity Clinic team; both truly supportive and welcoming multidisciplinary teams that highly value the input of pharmacy.

This post offers the opportunity to work in the specialist areas of HIV and Gender services, supporting the delivery of highly specialised outpatient services. This position is based at the Western General Hospital and Chalmers Sexual Health Centre. This opening has arisen due to the post holder being successful on a promotion.

About the Role

The main duties of this role, in addition to some regular technical and education and training commitments include:

  • Leadership for the Chalmers HIV pharmacy service to provide high quality care to patients with complex medicines as well as ensuring they receive a sustained supply of medicines from the Chalmers/Lauriston/PAEP Dispensary or via Homecare services.
  • Clinical input to the Gender service in partnership with the Lead Pharmacist for Sexual Health.
  • Collaborate closely with the highly supportive HIV and Gender multidisciplinary teams providing specialist pharmacist input and also advice on medicines governance as well as treatment pathway/protocol development.
  • Manage the high cost medicines budgets for NHS Lothian HIV medicines, working closely with the wider clinical, service and finance teams to maximise use of resources and deliver cost efficiencies.

Why Join Us?

This is a unique opportunity to experience working in two specialist outpatient teams with the support of the pharmacy team in the Regional Infectious Disease Unit. The pharmacy service is well established in these multidisciplinary teams. You’ll have the chance to work on:

  • Service development projects aimed at improving patient care, modernising service delivery and workforce development.
  • A wide variety of clinical experiences including undertaking independent pharmacist led clinics, all supported by robust training and development opportunities.

About you

To excel in this role, you will need:

Essential Qualifications and Competencies

  • A Master of Pharmacy Degree (or equivalent).
  • Registration with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC).
  • Candidates must have a Master of Pharmacy Degree or equivalent, be registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC), and should have completed Postgraduate Clinical Pharmacy Diploma or Masters of Science (MSc) in Clinical Pharmacy or be able to demonstrate competence to the level of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society Core Advanced Curriculum.
  • Candidates who have not completed a Postgraduate Clinical Pharmacy Diploma or MSc in Clinical Pharmacy must demonstrate substantial progress across the four pillars of the RPS Core Advanced Pharmacist Curriculum through:
    • Engagement with the RPS Core Advanced Curriculum
    • Active participation in a community of practice/peer network
    • Submit a screenshot of portfolio (programme of learning page)
    • Complete the RPS learning needs analysis tool to assess progress with the Core Advanced Curriculum and any gaps that will need addressed as part of PDP plans
  • Candidates who have completed a Postgraduate Clinical Pharmacy Diploma or MSc in Clinical Pharmacy should complete the learning needs analysis (LNA) using the LNA tool in the RPS e portfolio, identifying any gaps that will need addressed as part of PDP plans.

Experience and Knowledge

  • A commitment to improving patient care through pro active, evidence based pharmaceutical services.
  • Experience in influencing prescribing practices and working in a patient focused environment.

About NHS Lothian

NHS Lothian is the second largest health system in Scotland, covering Edinburgh, East Lothian, Midlothian, and West Lothian. Our Pharmacy & Medicines Service is driven by a commitment to clinically led, person centred care, ensuring every patient benefits from safe, effective, and efficient pharmaceutical services.

We foster a culture of collaboration, innovation, and professional development, making NHS Lothian an exciting place to work and grow your career.

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.

This post requires the post holder to have a PVG Scheme membership/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 done 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.

Location

Related Jobs