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- Tasks: Lead patient safety initiatives and develop professional standards in pharmacy.
- Company: Join the Royal Pharmaceutical Society, a leader in pharmacy excellence.
- Benefits: Hybrid working model, competitive salary, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in patient safety and pharmacy practice.
- Qualifications: Pharmacy degree and experience in clinical practice required.
- Other info: Embrace diversity and inclusion in a supportive work environment.
The predicted salary is between 55000 - 65000 £ per year.
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
If you would like to learn more about the role, please attach your CV and Cover Letter.
We are passionate about creating a culture of belonging, inclusion, and diversity; these are part of our core values at RPS and we are striving to have an organisation that represents the diversity of the profession. At RPS we do not discriminate on the basis of race, colour, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, age, or disability and we encourage applications from all backgrounds.
Head of Professional Standards, Guidance and Patient Safety 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 Patient Safety in Edinburgh
✨Network Like a Pro
Get out there and connect with people in the pharmacy field! Attend industry events, join relevant online forums, and engage with patient safety networks. The more you network, the better your chances of landing that Head of Professional Standards role.
✨Showcase Your Expertise
When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, make sure to highlight your experience in clinical practice and any high-quality resources you've produced. We want to see how your skills align with their needs, so be ready to share specific examples!
✨Be Ready for Collaborative Work
Since this role involves hybrid working, be prepared to discuss how you thrive in both remote and face-to-face settings. Share your experiences of leading teams and managing projects across different locations to show you're the right fit for the job.
✨Apply Through Our Website
Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are genuinely interested in joining our diverse and inclusive team at RPS.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Professional Standards, Guidance and Patient Safety in Edinburgh
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the specific skills and experiences that match the job description. Highlight your pharmacy degree, leadership experience, and any relevant qualifications in patient safety to show us you’re the right fit.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about patient safety and how your background aligns with our mission at RPS. Keep it engaging and personal – we want to get to know you!
Showcase Your Writing Skills: Since high-quality written resources are key for this role, include examples of your previous work or projects where you’ve produced professional content. This will demonstrate your ability to communicate effectively in writing.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us quickly and efficiently. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need about the role and our values there!
How to prepare for a job interview at Royal Pharmaceutical Society
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you have a solid grasp of patient safety issues in pharmacy. Brush up on recent developments and be ready to discuss how they impact professional standards. This shows you’re not just knowledgeable but also genuinely interested in the field.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples that highlight your leadership experience, especially in managing teams or projects related to patient safety. Think about times when you balanced competing demands and delivered quality results – these stories will resonate well with the interviewers.
✨Engage with the Audience
Since this role involves collaboration with various stakeholders, practice how you would engage with different groups, from patient representatives to regulators. Be ready to discuss how you would tailor your communication style to suit each audience.
✨Demonstrate Your Writing Skills
As producing high-quality written resources is key, bring along samples of your work or be prepared to discuss your writing process. Highlight any national or regional contributions you've made, as this will showcase your ability to create impactful content.