At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and deliver advanced pharmaceutical care in a dynamic Rheumatology team.
- Company: Join East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust, known for exceptional patient care and staff development.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, professional growth, and a supportive work environment.
- Other info: Flexible working hours and opportunities for mentorship and research.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in patient outcomes while advancing your pharmacy career.
- Qualifications: MPharm degree, GPhC membership, and clinical experience in rheumatology required.
The predicted salary is between 57528 - 64750 £ per year.
An exciting opportunity has arisen to join our dynamic Pharmacy team as a Senior Pharmacist (Band 8a) working within the Rheumatology Directorate. This position offers a wealth of unique clinical and professional development opportunities within both the Rheumatology and Pharmacy Department. The successful candidate will play a pivotal role in delivering exceptional pharmaceutical care and services, working collaboratively within a multi-disciplinary team to support optimal patient outcomes.
You will:
- Work as an integral member of the multi-disciplinary team to provide specialist clinical pharmacy support to the Rheumatology service.
- Be responsible for leading and developing the clinical pharmacy service to the Medicines and Emergency Care (MEC) Division in accordance with the objectives set by the Divisional Lead Pharmacist, with particular emphasis on the Rheumatology Directorate.
- Provide highly specialised advice in all pharmaceutical matters.
- Work as an independent prescriber managing a defined patient caseload within Rheumatology.
- Ensure that medicine use within the Rheumatology speciality is safe, effective and cost-effective.
- Work with the homecare pharmacy team to ensure appropriate use of homecare medicine supply.
- Monitor and provide comment on drug expenditure as required e.g. in relation to high cost (biologics and biosimilars) and the introduction of new therapeutic agents.
Main duties of the job:
- Lead and deliver an advanced specialist pharmaceutical care service to patients within the rheumatology service, in accordance with the priorities set by the post-holder and the Clinical Lead Pharmacist, in order to ensure safe, clinically effective and cost-efficient use of medicines and taking into account national and corporate priorities.
- Lead the development of the Rheumatology pharmacy service including; setting up and delivering pharmacist-led rheumatology clinics, providing patient education on systemic treatments for rheumatology and initiate appropriate medication and associated monitoring ensuring accurate transfer of care information and follow-up.
- Maintain clinical competencies and support the Clinical Pharmacy team by working on in-patient wards or the dispensary.
- Assist in the development of relevant policies, guidelines and pathways.
- Monitor compliance with NICE guidance and TAs, and other nationally and locally agreed guidelines, pathways and audits.
- Work with the homecare pharmacist to incorporate relevant treatments or undertake medicine switches.
- Proactively undertake quality improvement and/or research.
About us:
East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust aims to deliver the highest quality care to its patients. We employ dedicated staff, some of whom have won awards for their work and are internationally renowned. Whilst being spread across sites and having a large number of staff we are very welcoming to all and have many assistants, technicians and pharmacists who have worked and progressed with us for many years. We have strong links with our local universities with three teacher practitioners who support junior pharmacists and provide teaching to medical and pharmacy undergraduates. We have highly specialist pharmacists working within other clinical areas e.g. Homecare and Medicines Information and those who deliver clinics for Cardiology, Dermatology and Paediatrics. We are keen to support the professional development of our staff and look to the future of Consultant Pharmacist roles at the Trust. It is a challenging time for all in the NHS, but at East Lancashire Teaching Hospitals you will be given support, mentorship, autonomy and the Pharmacy Management Team will work hard to ensure that you reach and maintain your potential whilst having a rewarding and fulfilled career.
Details:
- Date posted: 30 October 2026
- Pay scheme: Agenda for change
- Band: Band 8a
- Salary: £57,528 to £64,750 a year per annum
- Contract: Permanent
- Working pattern: Full-time
- Reference number: 435-D208-26-A
- Job locations: Royal Blackburn Teaching Hospital, Haslingden Road, Blackburn, BB2 3HH, United Kingdom
If you have any questions or would like to arrange an informal visit, please don't hesitate to get in touch.
Please contact:
- Hannah Robinson (Clinical Lead Pharmacist - Medicine) on 01254 732251 or via email: hannah.robinson@elht.nhs.uk
- Emma Coupe (Assistant Director of Clinical Pharmacy and Governance) on 01254 732791 or via email: emma.coupe@elht.nhs.uk
Person Specification:
- Qualifications
- Essential: MPharm Degree (4 years) or equivalent, Member GPhC, Postgraduate clinical diploma/qualification (or equivalent NHS hospital experience), Non-medical Prescriber (to be undertaken on appointment if not already a registered NMP), Evidence of CPD.
- Desirable: Postgraduate qualification in rheumatology, Membership of the Royal College of Pharmacy (prev. Royal Pharmaceutical Society).
- Skills & Abilities
- Essential: Ability to provide a high level of pharmaceutical care within a specialism, Ability to holistically and critically analyse prescriptions and treatment plans, Advanced clinical assessment skills, Ability to work on own initiative or as part of a multi-disciplinary team, Ability to work under pressure, Ability to supervise / mentor staff and support others, Good time management, ability to prioritise and evaluate appropriately, Computer skills, Aware of limitations.
- Knowledge & Experience
- Essential: Relevant post-registration hospital pharmacy experience, Thorough knowledge of care boundary issues and medication commissioning, Clinical experience in rheumatology and of delivering clinical pharmacy services, Experience of initiating, leading and managing a range of projects, Experience of budgetary management and financial control, Experience of managing and motivating staff, appraising and giving feedback, Experience of audit and quality improvement, Ability to work in a busy environment with daily contact with patients.
- Desirable: Experience of teaching or tutoring, Experience of research practice.
- Judgement
- Essential: Intuition - anticipate difficulties and take appropriate action, Knows when to consult (own limitations), Reflects on own practice and learns from experience.
- Communication Skills
- Essential: Excellent oral communication skills, Able to provide written information in a concise readable manner for patients and colleagues, Formal presentation skills, Excellent report writing skills, Facilitating and negotiating skills, Able to build effective working relationships with a range of stakeholders.
- Personal Qualities
- Essential: Self-motivated, Articulate, Willing to adapt to change and learn new systems, Innovative, Organised and methodical approach to work, Have integrity in all aspects of work, Committed to providing a high-quality pharmacy service.
- Other Requirements
- Essential: Flexible and adaptive approach.
Senior Pharmacist - Rheumatology in London employer: National Health Service
Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and collaborative work environment for healthcare professionals in North Wales. With a commitment to employee development and a focus on compassionate care, staff have access to continuous professional development opportunities and the chance to make a meaningful impact in both acute and community paediatrics. The Health Board's integrated approach ensures that employees are part of a dynamic team dedicated to improving health outcomes for the local population.
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We think this is how you could land Senior Pharmacist - Rheumatology in London
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We think you need these skills to ace Senior Pharmacist - Rheumatology in London
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!
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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.
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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.
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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.
