At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a specialist HIV pharmacy service and provide expert pharmaceutical care.
- Company: Join the friendly team at Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, professional development, and a supportive work environment.
- Other info: Experience a vibrant coastal town with plenty of attractions and outdoor activities.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in patients' lives while advancing your career in a dynamic setting.
- Qualifications: Must have a master's degree in pharmacy and relevant clinical experience.
The predicted salary is between 57528 - 64750 £ per year.
An opportunity has arisen for an Advanced Specialist Pharmacist - HIV (Band 8a) to lead and deliver a highly specialist HIV pharmacy service within Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. The post holder will provide expert pharmaceutical care for patients with HIV across outpatient and inpatient settings, working as a core member of the multidisciplinary HIV team. The role supports safe, effective and evidence-based use of antiretroviral therapy in line with national guidance, including BHIVA standards, and contributes to service development, medicines optimisation, governance and prescribing activity (subject to qualification).
As part of maintaining broader clinical pharmacy services, the post holder will also spend approximately one day per week supporting general pharmacy clinical activities, including ward-based clinical services and dispensary work. This is a key role in ensuring the Trust meets service specification requirements and manages medicines-related risk within HIV services.
Main duties of the job:- Lead and deliver a specialist clinical pharmacy service for patients with HIV.
- Provide expert advice on antiretroviral therapy, including complex regimens, drug interactions and resistance.
- Deliver clinic-based pharmacy services, including adherence support and patient counselling.
- Contribute to outpatient and inpatient services within the specialist area.
- Work as a key member of the multidisciplinary HIV team, contributing to MDT discussions and treatment planning.
- Provide specialist HIV medicines advice to pharmacy colleagues, ward teams and external healthcare professionals.
- Support general pharmacy clinical activities one day per week, including ward working and dispensary services.
- Support education and training for pharmacy staff and the wider MDT.
The Pharmacy Department at Blackpool Teaching Hospitals is a large department (over 150 staff) and a friendly environment with established senior support. We are dedicated to education and professional development and encourage/support ongoing education. We have a very favourable on-call commitment, that all pharmacists in the department contribute to.
Details:
- Date posted: 27 July 2026
- Pay scheme: Agenda for change
- Band: Band 8a
- Salary: £57,528 to £64,750 a year + £2,400 per annum Emergency Duty Commitment
- Contract: Permanent
- Working pattern: Full-time
- Reference number: 382-NBC23-26
- Job locations: Blackpool Teaching Hospitals, Whinney Heys Road, Blackpool, FY3 8NR, United Kingdom
- Ensure the safe, effective and cost-effective use of medicines within the HIV service.
- Provide specialist clinical input for patients with complex HIV and comorbidities.
- Support inpatient HIV services, including access to specialist pharmacy advice.
- Contribute to medicines safety, incident review, audit and service improvement activity.
- Develop and review local guidelines, policies and procedures in line with Trust and national standards.
- Support medicines optimisation and service planning, including contribution to financial and activity information.
- Act as a professional role model, maintaining advanced specialist knowledge within HIV pharmacy practice.
Education and Qualifications:
- Essential: Vocational master's degree in pharmacy, 12 months pre-registration training and experience, Registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC), Non-medical Prescribing Qualification or working towards, Postgraduate qualification in Clinical Pharmacy.
- Desirable: MSc in Clinical Pharmacy, Management/Leadership qualification, Membership of The Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain.
Experience and Knowledge:
- Essential: Minimum of 4 years post-registration experience of which 2 years must be within a Clinical Pharmacy role within a hospital setting at band 7, Previous experience in providing information to support the annual budget setting process and trends within expenditure, Previous experience in inputting to training programmes in a clinical setting, Experience of working within a role involving multidisciplinary communication, Demonstrable experience of staff supervision/management including the ability to delegate appropriately, Experience in the development of policies, procedures and guidelines, Experience in clinical audit.
Skills and Abilities:
- Essential: Good interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills with ability to influence all members of the healthcare team, Good organisational and time management skills, Ability to work on own initiative and effectively as part of a team both within Pharmacy and a multidisciplinary environment, Ability in problem solving, Pro-active and innovative, Ability to organise and motivate oneself and others efficiently, Evaluates quality of own work, Ability to think strategically, Applies sound professional judgement to legal and ethical issues, Good clinical pharmacy knowledge - maintains a broad level of pharmacy practice, Experience in Medicines Safety, Demonstrates knowledge and understanding of safe pharmacy practice.
- Desirable: Good presentation skills, Negotiating skills, Understanding of key NHS issues in relation to Pharmacy, Experience in investigating and identifying solutions for medication incidents, Previous experience of working within this clinical area.
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.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications.
Applicants must have current UK professional registration.
Advanced Specialist Pharmacist - HIV in Blackpool employer: National health service
Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and collaborative work environment for Advanced Specialist Pharmacists. With a strong commitment to professional development and education, employees benefit from ongoing training opportunities while enjoying a favourable work-life balance in the vibrant coastal town of Blackpool, known for its rich culture and scenic beauty.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Advanced Specialist Pharmacist - HIV in Blackpool
✨Unlock Networking Opportunities
Dive into industry-specific events like pharmaceutical conferences and seminars, where you can meet hiring managers from companies like National health service. These are goldmines for making connections and learning about job openings before they hit the mainstream job boards.
✨Join Relevant Professional Bodies
Get involved with organisations such as the Royal Pharmaceutical Society or your local pharmaceutical professionals' network. Being an active member can boost your credibility and may even lead to job referrals in top organisations like National health service.
✨Leverage Internships for Full-time Roles
If you can, consider pursuing internships in the pharmaceutical industry, especially with companies like National health service. These opportunities often pave the way for full-time positions and allow you to demonstrate your capabilities firsthand.
✨Tailor Your Approach
When you're applying for roles, don't rush it! Take the time to customise your applications for specific positions, showcasing relevant skills and experiences that align with what National health service is looking for. A tailored application can really make you stand out!
We think you need these skills to ace Advanced Specialist Pharmacist - HIV in Blackpool
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Relevant Experience:When applying for a role in the pharmaceutical industry, it's crucial to highlight any relevant experience you have. Whether that's internships, lab work, or even related coursework, make sure to weave this into your CV and cover letter. We want to see how your background aligns with the role you're applying for at National health service!
Emphasise Your Understanding of Regulations:The pharmaceutical industry is heavily regulated, so it's important to indicate your familiarity with industry standards and regulations. In your cover letter, mention any training or certifications you've received that are relevant, or discuss projects where you’ve navigated compliance. This will show National health service that you're not just a fit for the job but also a safety-conscious candidate!
Tailor Your CV to Be Result-Driven:Craft your CV to highlight quantifiable achievements, especially if you have previous roles in pharmaceuticals or related fields. Use metrics to demonstrate your impact, such as improved processing times or successful project completions while working on trials. This analytical approach will resonate well with hiring managers at National health service!
Convey Your Passion for the Industry:In your cover letter, express why you are passionate about working in the pharmaceutical sector. Whether it’s your desire to contribute to groundbreaking drug research or improve patient outcomes, let it shine through! At National health service, we value candidates who are truly enthusiastic about their work—you might just stand out from the crowd.
How to prepare for a job interview at National health service
✨Understand the Science
Make sure you brush up on key pharmaceutical concepts and recent developments in the industry. You might get asked some technical questions during the interview at National health service that show your grasp of drug development processes or regulatory requirements, so be ready to discuss them clearly.
✨Showcase Relevant Experience
If you have any hands-on experience or internships in a laboratory setting, be sure to highlight these in your responses. Think about the projects you worked on, the methodologies you used, and the impact you made. It's all about telling a story that connects your background to the role you're applying for.
✨Know Their Products
Take some time to familiarise yourself with National health service’s product range and recent breakthroughs. Understanding their portfolio not only shows your enthusiasm for the role but also allows you to ask insightful questions that demonstrate your interest in actively contributing to their projects.
✨Be Ready for Regulatory Scenarios
In a full-time pharmaceutical role, understanding the regulatory landscape is crucial. Prepare for situational questions that may test your problem-solving skills concerning compliance and safety standards. You could be asked how you'd handle a hypothetical issue regarding a drug’s market release, so think through your approach.