Job overview
We are pleased to offer an excellent progression opportunity for a motivated pharmacist to take a leading role in delivering clinical pharmacy services across the critical care unit, recovery unit, and operating theatres at Bedford Hospital. Our hospital supports a diverse range of medical and surgical patients requiring complex, multiorgan care.
In this role, you will also contribute as a specialist pharmacist, with responsibilities including line management and training, helping to shape and strengthen our clinical pharmacy service. We are seeking a dynamic and enthusiastic pharmacist with experience across a variety of clinical specialties, particularly critical care. You will be supported to further develop your expertise and progress from specialist pharmacist to advanced specialist pharmacist.
This position requires vision, energy, and a commitment to delivering the highest standards of patient care. Strong collaboration skills are essential, as you will work closely with colleagues across medical, nursing, pharmacy, and management teams.
As a Global Digital Exemplar (GDE) site, we are a digitally advanced trust with electronic prescribing already embedded across our wards and critical care unit. A key aspect of your role will be to support and drive further digital innovations within critical care.
We are committed to your professional growth and will provide opportunities for further training, along with support to gain additional qualifications relevant to this role.
Main duties of the job
1. Lead, supervise, and act as a role model for pharmacists to plan, develop, and deliver a specialist clinical pharmacy service aligned with the priorities of the Clinical Service Line (CSL). Ensure compliance with local and national policies, legislation, and best practice to guarantee the safe, effective, and cost‑efficient use of medicines and staff resources.
2. Take responsibility for achieving defined service KPIs, working closely with other Lead Pharmacists to ensure consistency and quality.
3. Provide specialist pharmaceutical care, including non‑medical prescribing within the agreed scope of practice, while managing risk and ensuring adherence to clinical guidance.
4. Support the CSL and Pharmacy Department in fulfilling risk management, financial management, and clinical governance responsibilities related to medicines use.
5. Lead and contribute to clinical pharmacy audits and research within critical care, actively participating in projects that enhance patient safety.
6. Deliver clinical supervision for junior pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, pharmacy assistants, and pre‑registration pharmacists.
7. Serve as a professional role model to all clinical pharmacy staff, demonstrating integrity, accountability, and leadership in every aspect of the role
Working for our organisation
Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust provides hospital services to a growing population of around 700,000 people living across Bedfordshire and the surrounding areas across two busy hospital sites in Bedford and Luton. Both hospital sites offer key services such as A&E, Obstetrics-led Maternity and Paediatrics. You will be joining a friendly, high performing Trust committed to ensuring the health and wellbeing of staff. As one of the largest NHS Trusts in our region you will have access to a programme of high quality training and development to help you grow your career. The Trust continues to be committed to delivering the best patient care using the best clinical knowledge and technology available.
We not only recruit based on qualifications and experience - we recruit individuals who demonstrate the behaviours which underpin our Trusts core values. We achieve this by using values based recruitment. We are dedicated to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible for everyone, we are committed to promoting equality and diversity, and creating a culture that values differences.
Please note that vacancies may close prior to the advertised closing date when sufficient number of applications have been received. All new staff will be subject to a probationary period covering first 6 months in post. Travel between hospital sites may be required. Please review all documents attached to ensure you familiarize yourself with all requirements of the job.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Please refer to the attached Job Description and Person Specification for full details.
In this role, you will lead, supervise, and act as a role model for pharmacists, planning and developing a specialist clinical pharmacy service aligned with the priorities of the Clinical Service Line (CSL). You will ensure compliance with local and national policies, legislation, and best practice to guarantee the safe, effective, and cost‑efficient use of medicines and staff resources.
You will take responsibility for delivering defined service KPIs, working closely with other Lead and Specialist Pharmacists. The post involves providing specialist pharmaceutical care, including non‑medical prescribing (where applicable) within the agreed scope of practice, undertaking risk management, and ensuring adherence to clinical guidance.
Supporting the CSL and Pharmacy Department, you will contribute to risk management, financial management, and clinical governance responsibilities around medicines use. You will also lead and develop clinical pharmacy audits and practice‑based research within critical care, actively participating in projects that enhance patient safety.
The role includes clinical supervision of junior pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, pharmacy assistants, and pre‑registration pharmacists. You will act as a professional role model, demonstrating integrity, accountability, and leadership in all aspects of the role. Finally, you will develop advanced specialist knowledge in critical care and anaesthesia, serving as a source of expert advice for pharmacists and other healthcare professionals.
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
8. Bachelor/Master of Pharmacy degree or equivalent
9. GPhC Pharmacist Registration
10. Post graduate Certificate in Clinical Pharmacy or equivalent
11. Relevant clinical experience
Desirable criteria
12. Accredited Diploma Tutor
13. Stage II RPS Faculty Member (MIIFRPS) or portfolio in preparation
14. Quality Improvement Training
15. MSc in relevant subjects (or equivalent)
16. Train the trainer qualification
17. Independent pharmacist prescriber
18. Member of the RPS
19. Post graduate Diploma in Clinical Pharmacy or equivalent
Experience
Essential criteria
20. Experience of specialist clinical practice
21. Experience of collaborative working in multidisciplinary settings as an influential member
22. Relevant continued professional development
23. Experience of clinically supervising and training staff
Desirable criteria
24. Risk Management
25. Presentation to trust wide meetings
26. Research and audit experience to improve patient care
27. Line management experience
28. E&T experience to undergraduates and postgraduates of various health professionals
29. Policy and service development
30. Evidence of managing and delivering a project
Knowledge
Essential criteria
31. Expert knowledge and understanding of relevant standards and guidelines
32. Knowledge and awareness of implications of current developments in pharmacy practice and NHS strategies
33. Knowledge and understanding of medicines legislation
34. Understanding the need of confidentiality awareness at all times
Desirable criteria
35. Awareness of the current commissioning arrangements in the NHS
36. Recognised as a specialist within the defined speciality
Applicant requirements
You must have appropriate UK professional registration.
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.