Lead Pharmacist for Adult Inherited Metabolic Diseases (IMD)
The closing date is 24 March 2026
UHBW is expanding its specialist pharmacy workforce and is seeking an enthusiastic, motivated pharmacist to join our adult IMD service, newly commissioned by NHS England. After consolidating what is provided through the Bristol NHS Group, you will be part of a team developing a coordinated service across the SW region for adults living with an IMD.
IMDs are problems with the pathways the body uses to get energy from food. These problems are primarily genetic, with secondary phenomena arising in specific disorders. IMDs are individually rare, but together, they are more common than you might think. Dietary modifications utilising prescribed products, specialist medications which are orphan drugs, or novel drugs just reaching licensing approval, are often part of IMD care pathways providing a rich and evolving specialism to grow into.
You will play a key role delivering safe, effective, and person‑centred pharmaceutical care across our IMD pathway. Working closely with our multidisciplinary metabolic team—consultants, specialist nurses, dietitians, and laboratory colleagues—you will help optimise medicines use, support service development, and contribute to high‑quality clinical outcomes for this unique patient group.
Main duties of the job
What you’ll be doing
* Providing specialist clinical pharmacy input to adults living with IMD in both inpatient and outpatient settings.
* Supporting therapeutic decision‑making, medicines optimisation, and monitoring of high‑risk and specialised therapies.
* Acting as a key point of contact for IMD medicines queries from MDT clinicians, patients, families, and external partners.
* There may be opportunities to support national centres providing enzyme replacement therapy and contribute to the regional lipid service delivered at UHBW.
* Participating in MDT outpatient clinics and inpatient outreach, offering expert pharmaceutical advice.
* Leading and supporting quality improvement, audit, and service‑development initiatives within the IMD service.
* Providing education and training to pharmacy colleagues, medical staff, and other healthcare professionals.
* Supporting governance processes, including guideline development, risk management, and medicines safety work.
What we offer
* A supportive, forward‑thinking pharmacy department with a strong culture of professional development.
* Opportunities to gain specialist knowledge and experience in a nationally commissioned service.
* Access to postgraduate training, CPD, and advanced practice pathways.
* Flexible working options and a commitment to staff wellbeing.
* The chance to make a meaningful impact for patients and families living with rare and complex conditions.
About us
UHBW is one of the largest acute Trusts in the country, providing world‑class care across Bristol and Weston. The hospital is situated in the centre of a vibrant and buzzing city well known for its restaurants, culture, harbour side and sporting activities balanced by easy access to the motorway networks and airport links.
Our pharmacy team offers an inclusive, compassionate working environment with a strong focus on wellbeing. We are committed to helping you grow and develop through a wide range of educational and developmental opportunities.
Please take a moment to watch our video introducing the pharmacy department: Pharmacy at UHBW
If you would like more information or an informal discussion, please get in touch
Person Specification
Qualifications and Training
* Master's degree (or equivalent) in pharmacy.
* Registration with General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC).
* Evidence of continuing professional development (CPD).
* Postgraduate Diploma or MSc in Clinical Pharmacy.
* Membership of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society.
* Qualification in Independent Prescribing – NB: To be undertaken on appointment if not already a registered non‑medical prescriber.
* Leadership and Management training.
Knowledge and Experience
* A thorough knowledge of UK hospital pharmacy practice, safe management at transfers of care and medication commissioning.
* Experience of one‑to‑one and small group teaching.
* Previous experience of audit & quality improvement.
* Experience and ability to initiate, lead, manage and supervise a range of projects.
* Knowledge of the legal framework for the dispensing, prescribing and administration of medicines.
* Knowledge of IMD conditions and clinical issues encountered for adult patients, and of safe and appropriate drug treatments.
* Knowledge of inherited dyslipidaemias/disorders of cholesterol metabolism and relevant high cost/novel drug treatments.
* Line‑management or equivalent experience.
* Understanding of processes for formulary and non‑formulary requests for medication, including involvement in new formulary requests.
* Knowledge of budgetary management and financial control.
Skills and Abilities
* Ability to holistically & critically analyse prescriptions and treatment plans for clinical appropriateness, clinical risk, cost‑effectiveness, adherence to local & national guidance and legality.
* Ability to use professional judgement to challenge inappropriate prescribing and otherwise influence prescribing decisions to enable optimal therapy.
* Excellent written and oral communication skills.
* Excellent interpersonal skills.
* Holistic problem identification and solving.
* Good time management, able to prioritise appropriately and effectively.
* Able to mentor, manage and support others.
* Computer literate with experience of working with Microsoft Office suite.
* Able to act as a role model.
* Be able to manage a project at team and/or service level.
* Advanced clinical assessment skills.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This 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.
University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust (UHBW)
£55,690 to £62,682 a year, pro rata for part time roles
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