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.

(INCLUDING ON-CALL AND PUBLIC HOLIDAY ROTA COMMITMENTS)

Are you ready to drive innovation and shape hospital pharmacy services across NHS Lothian?
If you are an experienced pharmacist with a passion for service development and a track record of delivering results, this role offers an exciting opportunity to lead transformative change across hospital pharmacy services in Lothian.
About the Role
We are creating this new and exciting clinical pharmacy leadership post for a person with the right values, skills and proven track record in leading a team, to innovate pharmacy services and provide clinical leadership to a team of specialist clinical pharmacists within the East Lothian Community Hospital (ELCH). ELCH provides community health and care services to over 50k patients / year in out-patient clinic and resident across six wards covering step down care (including Orthopaedic Rehab), medicines of the elderly, dementia, HBCCC (continuing care for elderly) and residential mental health residential.
Why Join Us?

At NHS Lothian, we value innovation, teamwork, and professional growth. As part of our pharmacy team, you’ll benefit from:

• The opportunity to lead impactful projects that directly improve patient outcomes and reduce health inequalities.
• A collaborative and supportive environment, where your ideas and contributions are valued.
• A chance to be part of one of Scotland’s largest and most innovative health systems, serving over 900,000 people.
• Ongoing support for professional development, including advanced clinical learning and leadership opportunities.

Within this post specifically, we offer an excellent opportunity to work within a specialist clinical environment, where innovation and service development are encouraged. You will be a key part of a supportive multidisciplinary team, contributing to patient-centred care. This role provides professional development opportunities and the chance to influence pharmacy practice at a senior level.
About you
An experienced pharmacist with a real passion in leadership and improvement is best placed for this role. Prior experience working in hospital is desirable. NHS Lothian Pharmacy Service invests in developing their teams by optimising all local and national funding streams. This would be available to support any required agreed personal development for team members to undertake and grow in their roles successfully; and develop them for future career progression.

Essential Qualifications and Competencies

• A Master of Pharmacy Degree (or equivalent).
• Registration with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC).
• An Independent Prescribing Qualification.
• Candidates who have not completed a Postgraduate Clinical Pharmacy Diploma or MSc in Clinical Pharmacy must demonstrate substantial progress across the four pillars of the RPS Core Advanced Pharmacist Curriculum through:
• Engagement with the RPS Core Advanced Curriculum
• Active participation in a community of practice/peer network
• Submit a screenshot of portfolio (programme of learning page)
• Complete the RPS learning needs analysis tool to assess progress with the Core Advanced Curriculum and any gaps that will need addressed as part of PDP plans

Experience and Knowledge

• Proven expertise in service development, including the design and implementation of healthcare initiatives.
• A strong background in training and education, with experience delivering impactful sessions for healthcare professionals.
• Excellent communication and problem-solving skills, enabling effective decision-making.

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. However, we understand that there’s only so much a job pack can convey. That’s why we encourage you to reach out for an informal conversation to learn more about this exciting opportunity. Contact:
Contact Name: Alan Millarvie (Lead Pharmacist East Lothian Health and Social Care Partnership)
Email: alan.millarvie@nhs.scot
Make your mark on the future of hospital pharmacy—apply today!
Due to legislative changes from 1 April 2025, this post may require a different level of criminal records check done than is currently the case. If the post is assessed as a “regulated role”, your appointment will be subject to joining the Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) Scheme. If there is any change to what is currently required, this will be confirmed by either the Hiring Manager or the Recruitment Team. For more details on these changes please visit: Disclosure Scotland Changes.
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.
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
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 refer the Job description for details