Senior Pharmacist - Rheumatology

Job summaryAn exciting opportunity has arisen to join our dynamic Pharmacy team as a Senior Pharmacist (Band 8a) working within theRheumatologyDirectorate.This position offers a wealth of unique clinical and professional development opportunities within the 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 jobLead 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.In addition, you will be required to:* 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 usEast Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust aims to deliver the highest quality care to its patients. We employ dedicated staff, some of which 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 very 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 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. DetailsDate posted17 September 2026Pay schemeAgenda for changeBandBand 8aSalary
57,528 to 64,750 a year
per annum
ContractPermanentWorking pattern

Full-time

Reference number435-D161-26Job locationsRoyal Blackburn Teaching HospitalHaslingden RoadBlackburnBB2 3HHUnited KingdomJob descriptionJob responsibilitiesSee attached documents for full details of the job description and person specification.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 (ClinicalLead Pharmacist - Medicine) on orEmma Coupe (Assistant Director of Clinical Pharmacy and Governance) on or via email.
Job description
Job responsibilitiesSee attached documents for full details of the job description and person specification.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 (ClinicalLead Pharmacist - Medicine) on orEmma Coupe (Assistant Director of Clinical Pharmacy and Governance) on or via email.Person Specification
Qualifications
EssentialMPharm Degree (4 years) or equivalentMember GPhCPostgraduate clinical diploma/qualification (or equivalent NHS hospital experience)Non-medical Prescriber (to be undertaken on appointment if not already a registered NMP)Evidence of CPDDesirablePostgraduate qualification in rheumatologyMembership of the Royal College of Pharmacy (prev. Royal Pharmaceutical Society)
Skills & Abilities
EssentialAbility to provide a high level of pharmaceutical care within a specialismAbility to holistically and critically analyse prescriptions and treatment plansAdvanced clinical assessment skillsAbility to work on own initiative or as part of a multi-disciplinary teamAbility to work under pressureAbility to supervise / mentor staff and support othersGood time management, ability to prioritise and evaluate appropriatelyComputer skillsAware of limitations
Knowledge & Experience
EssentialRelevant post-registration hospital pharmacy experienceThorough knowledge of care boundary issues and medication commissioningClinical experience in rheumatology and of delivering clinical pharmacy servicesExperience of initiating, leading and managing a range of projectsExperience of budgetary management and financial controlExperience of managing and motivating staff, appraising and giving feedbackExperience of audit and quality improvementAbility to work in a busy environment with daily contact with patientsDesirableExperience of teaching or tutoringExperience of research practice
Judgement
EssentialIntuition - anticipate difficulties and take appropriate actionKnows when to consult (own limitations)Reflects on own practice and learns from experience
Communication Skills
EssentialExcellent oral communication skillsAble to provide written information in a concise readable manner for patients and colleaguesFormal presentation skillsExcellent report writing skillsFacilitating and negotiating skillsAble to build effective working relationships with a range of stakeholders
Personal Qualities
EssentialSelf-motivatedArticulateWilling to adapt to change and learn new systemsInnovativeOrganised and methodical approach to workHave integrity in all aspects of workCommitted to providing a high quality pharmacy service
Other Requirements
EssentialFlexible and adaptive approach
Person Specification

Qualifications
EssentialMPharm Degree (4 years) or equivalentMember GPhCPostgraduate clinical diploma/qualification (or equivalent NHS hospital experience)Non-medical Prescriber (to be undertaken on appointment if not already a registered NMP)Evidence of CPDDesirablePostgraduate qualification in rheumatologyMembership of the Royal College of Pharmacy (prev. Royal Pharmaceutical Society)
Skills & Abilities
EssentialAbility to provide a high level of pharmaceutical care within a specialismAbility to holistically and critically analyse prescriptions and treatment plansAdvanced clinical assessment skillsAbility to work on own initiative or as part of a multi-disciplinary teamAbility to work under pressureAbility to supervise / mentor staff and support othersGood time management, ability to prioritise and evaluate appropriatelyComputer skillsAware of limitations
Knowledge & Experience
EssentialRelevant post-registration hospital pharmacy experienceThorough knowledge of care boundary issues and medication commissioningClinical experience in rheumatology and of delivering clinical pharmacy servicesExperience of initiating, leading and managing a range of projectsExperience of budgetary management and financial controlExperience of managing and motivating staff, appraising and giving feedbackExperience of audit and quality improvementAbility to work in a busy environment with daily contact with patientsDesirableExperience of teaching or tutoringExperience of research practice
Judgement
EssentialIntuition - anticipate difficulties and take appropriate actionKnows when to consult (own limitations)Reflects on own practice and learns from experience
Communication Skills
EssentialExcellent oral communication skillsAble to provide written information in a concise readable manner for patients and colleaguesFormal presentation skillsExcellent report writing skillsFacilitating and negotiating skillsAble to build effective working relationships with a range of stakeholders
Personal Qualities
EssentialSelf-motivatedArticulateWilling to adapt to change and learn new systemsInnovativeOrganised and methodical approach to workHave integrity in all aspects of workCommitted to providing a high quality pharmacy service
Other Requirements
EssentialFlexible and adaptive approachDisclosure and Barring Service CheckThis 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.Certificate of SponsorshipApplications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Additional information
Disclosure and Barring Service CheckThis 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.Certificate of SponsorshipApplications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).Employer detailsEmployer nameEast Lancashire Hospitals NHS TrustAddressRoyal Blackburn Teaching HospitalHaslingden RoadBlackburnBB2 3HHUnited KingdomEmployer's websiteEmployer detailsEmployer nameEast Lancashire Hospitals NHS TrustAddressRoyal Blackburn Teaching HospitalHaslingden RoadBlackburnBB2 3HHUnited KingdomEmployer's website