Lead Clinical Pharmacist
Child and Adolescent Mental Health (CAMHS)
NHS Lothian Pharmacy & Medicines Service
Royal Edinburgh Hospital
Band 8A | 1.0 WTE | 37 Hours | Fixed Term (24 months)
£62,681- £67,665
(with public holiday and on‑call commitment)
Are you an experienced clinical pharmacist ready to lead and innovate in mental health care? Do you want to make a real difference in the lives of patients by shaping pharmaceutical services in a dynamic and supportive environment?
We are delighted that following ongoing Scottish Government investment into mental health recovery and renewal, we are growing our team with the addition of a lead pharmacist post delivering mental health pharmaceutical care to Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS).
About the Role
This post will have responsibility for clinical pharmacy services to in‑patient and outpatient services within CAMHS, with provision of a proactive service to the Melville Unit of the Royal Infirmary Edinburgh and CAMHS outpatient services. The postholder will also provide line management responsibilities to the CAMHS pharmacy team.
In this role, you will:
* Lead clinical pharmacy services for child and adolescent in‑patients in the Melville Unit at RHCYP/Little France
* Post holder will also be required to work from REH base site on ad‑hoc basis
* Collaborate with senior hospital staff across disciplines to ensure safe, effective, and person‑centred care.
* Line‑manage a team of clinical pharmacists, supporting their development and performance.
* Contribute to service development and innovation across NHS Lothian’s mental health services.
Why Join Us?
At NHS Lothian, we value innovation, teamwork, and professional growth. As part of our pharmacy leadership 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.
About you
To excel in this role, you will need:
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:
o Engagement with the RPS Core Advanced Curriculum
o Active participation in a community of practice/peer network
o Submit a screenshot of portfolio (programme of learning page)
o 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
* Candidates who have completed a Postgraduate Clinical Pharmacy Diploma or MSc in Clinical Pharmacy should complete the learning needs analysis (LNA) using the LNA tool in the RPS e‑portfolio, identifying 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.
About NHS Lothian
NHS Lothian is the second‑largest health system in Scotland, covering Edinburgh, East Lothian, Midlothian, and West Lothian. Our Pharmacy & Medicines Service is driven by a commitment to clinically led, person‑centred care, ensuring every patient benefits from safe, effective, and efficient pharmaceutical services.
We foster a culture of collaboration, innovation, and professional development, making NHS Lothian an exciting place to work and grow your career.
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. Flexible working requests will be considered as appropriate. Contact:
Paul Maguiness - Lead Clinical Pharmacist, Mental Health & Associated Services
📞 0131 537 6482 | Bleep 7518
📧 Email: paul.maguiness@nhs.scot
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.
As from 1/4/26, the Agenda for Change full‑time working week will be reducing from 37 to 36 hours per week. Part time hours will be reduced pro‑rata. Please note that the pay scale in this advert will not be changing as a result.
Please note: we anticipate a high level of interest in this position and may close the vacancy early once a sufficient number 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 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.
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.
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