Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead patient safety initiatives and develop professional standards in pharmacy.
- Company: Royal Pharmaceutical Society, a leader in pharmacy practice.
- Benefits: Hybrid working, competitive salary, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in patient safety and pharmacy standards.
- Qualifications: Pharmacy degree, clinical experience, and leadership skills required.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with flexible working arrangements.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Role: Head of Professional Standards, Guidance and Patient Safety
Location: London, Cardiff or Edinburgh
The Head of Professional Standards, Guidance and Patient Safety is responsible for ensuring that the RPS can demonstrate a sound understanding and recognition of the importance of patient safety, and the leadership of it, through ensuring both active leadership and engagement with patient safety networks, patient representative organisations, regulators, national and local commissioners of service, the pharmaceutical industry and the supply chain in all pharmacy settings.
Main Accountabilities:
- Accountable for the production of high quality content relating to professional standards and guidance as required and identified by the changing pharmacy landscape.
- To ensure the appropriate delivery of all support and guidance content through whatever channels are appropriate to ensure most effective impact with the user audience.
- Provide support for RPS policy development, supporting the Country Directors by working with the three national teams and Boards for England, Scotland and Wales to provide comment and expertise as required for relevant policy and position statements.
- Supporting the coordinated organisation wide process of responding to external consultations relating to professional standards and patient safety matters.
- To manage the team leading the development of standards, guidance, RPS resources and the museum.
Knowledge and Skills required:
- Pharmacy degree, with substantial experience in clinical practice. RPS member (essential).
- Sound understanding of the core issues regarding patient safety as it pertains to pharmacy, ideally with an additional qualification in patient safety/human factors or willing to study for such a qualification.
- A sound understanding of the core issues encountered in daily pharmacy practice.
- Evidence of having produced high quality written professional resources at a national or regional level.
- Demonstrable experience in leadership, prioritisation, balancing competing demands and delivering in line with objectives and quality standards.
How we are currently working:
RPS supports and works in a hybrid way, which means you will be able to work from home, however, there will be an expectation for collaborative face-to-face working – on average and typically this may be something between 4-8 working days per month at one of our offices. We have offices in London, Cardiff and Edinburgh and this role could be based at any of these.
Closing date: 11th March 2026
Head of Professional Standards, Guidance and Pa... in Edinburgh employer: Royal Pharmaceutical Society
Contact Detail:
Royal Pharmaceutical Society Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Professional Standards, Guidance and Pa... in Edinburgh
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the pharmacy field. Attend events, join online forums, and engage with professionals on LinkedIn. The more connections you make, the better your chances of hearing about job opportunities.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your expertise! When you get the chance to chat with potential employers or during interviews, don’t hold back on sharing your knowledge about patient safety and professional standards. This is your moment to shine and demonstrate why you're the perfect fit for the role.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for those tricky interview questions! Research common questions related to leadership and patient safety, and practice your responses. We want you to feel confident and ready to tackle anything that comes your way.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to engage directly with us. So, don’t hesitate – hit that apply button!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Professional Standards, Guidance and Pa... in Edinburgh
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to reflect the specific requirements of the Head of Professional Standards role. Highlight your experience in patient safety and professional standards, showing us how you fit into our vision.
Showcase Your Writing Skills: Since high-quality written resources are key for this position, include examples of your previous work. We want to see your ability to produce clear, concise, and impactful content that resonates with various audiences.
Demonstrate Leadership Experience: We’re looking for someone who can lead and manage a team effectively. Share specific instances where you've successfully balanced competing demands and delivered results, showcasing your leadership style and approach.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Royal Pharmaceutical Society
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on the latest trends and issues in patient safety and pharmacy practice. Familiarise yourself with the RPS's current policies and guidance, as well as any recent changes in legislation or standards that could impact the role.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully led teams or projects in the past. Highlight your ability to balance competing demands and deliver quality outcomes, as this role requires strong leadership and prioritisation skills.
✨Engage with Patient Safety Networks
Demonstrate your understanding of the importance of collaboration by discussing your experience working with patient representative organisations, regulators, and other stakeholders. Be ready to share how you've engaged with these networks to improve patient safety.
✨Prepare Thoughtful Questions
Think of insightful questions to ask during the interview. This shows your genuine interest in the role and the organisation. Consider asking about the future direction of professional standards or how the RPS plans to enhance its engagement with the pharmacy community.