NHS Scotland is committed to encouraging equality and diversity among our workforce and eliminating unlawful discrimination. The aim is for our workforce to be truly representative and for each employee to feel respected and able to give their best. To this end, NHS Scotland welcomes applications from all sections of society.
Please note: we anticipate a high level of interest in this position and may close the vacancy early once a sufficient amount of applications are received. Therefore, please make sure you complete and submit your application at an early stage.
We will fully support disabled candidates, and candidates with long-term conditions or who are neurodivergent by making reasonable adjustments to our recruitment policy and practices.
To work in the United Kingdom, there is a legal requirement for an individual to demonstrate that they have the relevant permission to work in the country. This permission is, without exception, granted by the UK Visa and Immigrations Service. Further information on what NHS Scotland Boards are required to do to check this as well as what your responsibilities include can be found in the further information for this vacancy.
This post requires the post holder to have a PVG Scheme membership/record. If the post holder is not a current PVG member for the required regulatory group (i.e. child and/or adult) then an application will need to be made to Disclosure Scotland and deemed satisfactory before they can begin in post.
Please note: As this post is part-time, the salary will be pro-rata.
Specialist Pharmacist
Medicines Advice and Guidance
NHS Lothian Pharmacy & Medicines Service
West Port
Band 7 | 0.6wte WTE | 22.2 Hours
Fixed Term or Secondment
£48,788 - £56,747
(flexible working requests will be considered)
Join our dedicated Pharmacy & Medicines team and play a key role in delivering high-quality care across NHS Lothian. This is an exciting opportunity for an enthusiastic pharmacist to contribute to patient-centred care, prescribing decisions, and multidisciplinary collaboration within a supportive and friendly team. Would you like to gain more experience in medicines governance, leadership and working with multiple clinical services at once? This post will support all of those things.
About the Role
The Medicines Advice and Guidance team, is a newly formed team bringing together medicines governance, formulary and medicines information. The team interact across various specialist clinical specialities and primary care. In this temporary post you will play a role in ensuring safe and effective use of medicines in Patient Group Directions. You will influence how PGDs are used and will ensure robust governance processes are followed.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Supporting the delivery of a high-quality clinical service, supporting vaccination services with their PGDs
• Contributing to the development of PGDs to support service delivery across a number of different specialties
• Contributing to the embedding of new processes supporting the safe and appropriate use of PGDs, including audit and service improvements
• Working as a key member of the multidisciplinary team.

Why Join Us?

When you join the Medicines Advice and Guidance team, you’ll be part of a forward-thinking small team that value professional growth and high-quality patient care. You will benefit from:

• Specialist experience in the governance of PGDs, using your clinical experience to influence and support clinical services.
• Opportunities for career progression, including developing advanced leadership and medicine governance skills.
• A role with real impact, supporting critical decision-making and improving patient care.

About you
We are looking for a highly motivated pharmacist with a passion for delivering exceptional clinical care.

Essential Qualifications and Experience:

• A Master of Pharmacy Degree (or equivalent).
• Registration with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC).
• Completed training or equivalent competence mapped to the RPS Post-Registration Foundation Pharmacist Curriculum.

Skills and Attributes:

• Experience in proactively influencing prescribing, using clinical knowledge to optimise patient care.
• A strong patient-focused approach, with the ability to work effectively within a multidisciplinary team.
• Excellent communication and problem-solving skills, enabling effective decision-making.
• A proactive attitude, with a commitment to continuous learning and professional development.

Your working pattern can be agreed on appointment to the post, but there will be a requirement to work on a Monday.
Please note that agreement from your line manager regarding secondment is required before you apply.
About NHS Lothian
NHS Lothian serves a population of 900,000 across Edinburgh, East Lothian, Midlothian, and West Lothian. As Scotland’s second-largest health system, we are one of four teaching Boards, fostering strong partnerships with universities and research institutions. Our Pharmacy & Medicines Service is dedicated to delivering clinically led, person-centred care, ensuring the best possible outcomes for our patients.
Ready to Take the Next Step?
For further information on what is included in the role and the skills/experience we’re looking for, please refer to the job description and person specification linked below. We know that a job advert can only tell you so much. To discuss this opportunity further and explore how it could fit your career goals, reach out today to start the conversation – we’d love to hear from you!
Gillian Cameron, Lead Pharmacist – Non-medical Prescribing
Email: gillian.cameron@nhs.scot

• Supporting the delivery of a high-quality clinical service, supporting vaccination services with their PGDs
• Contributing to the development of PGDs to support service delivery across a number of different specialties
• Contributing to the embedding of new processes supporting the safe and appropriate use of PGDs, including audit and service improvements
• Working as a key member of the multidisciplinary team