Job Title
Specialist Clinical Pharmacist, Palliative Care
Department
AHP
Band
Band 7
Reports To
Senior Specialist Clinical Pharmacist
Location
* 76 Grange Road, Erdington, Birmingham, B24 0DF
* 176 Raddlebarn Road, Birmingham, B29 7DA
Job Summary
We are pleased to offer an exciting opportunity for a motivated and patient-focused pharmacist to join our established Palliative Care Pharmacy Team, delivering specialist clinical pharmacy services for Birmingham Hospice.
Key Responsibilities
* Deliver specialist clinical pharmacy care to hospice inpatients.
* Work closely within a multidisciplinary team, providing expert medicines advice to medical, nursing and allied health colleagues.
* Support the development and delivery of a safe, effective and person-centred medicines management service across both hospice sites.
* Contribute to medicines education, governance and service development.
About You
We are looking for a pharmacist with a strong clinical background, excellent communication skills and a genuine interest in palliative and end‑of‑life care. You will be adaptable, confident working within a multidisciplinary team, and committed to delivering high‑quality, compassionate care.
Essential Experience
* Independent prescribing is desirable, but not essential.
* Previous palliative care experience is welcomed; pharmacists with relevant transferable skills and a desire to develop in this specialist area encouraged to apply.
Why Choose Birmingham Hospice
Birmingham Hospice is a large, well-established organisation providing specialist palliative and end‑of‑life care across the city. We are committed to innovation, education and continuous improvement, while keeping compassion and dignity at the heart of everything we do.
You Will Be Joining
* An experienced and supportive palliative care pharmacy team, including specialist pharmacists and technicians.
* A hospice that values staff wellbeing, reflection and professional development.
* A multidisciplinary environment where pharmacy input is respected and integral to patient care.
Supported Development
* Training and mentorship from experienced palliative care pharmacists and the wider MDT.
* Regular clinical supervision, peer support and reflective practice.
* Strong technician support to enable clinical focus.
What We Offer
* A role where your expertise changes lives every day.
* Generous benefits and recognition of NHS/hospice service for pension and leave.
* A culture that celebrates innovation, inclusion, and belonging.
About Us
We are committed to developing a dynamic and diverse team, representative of the communities it serves. We ask you to complete the Equal Opportunities monitoring form to help us in this aim. We value each person as an individual whether they are colleagues, patients, family members, carers or supporters – every person matters. We embrace diversity of culture, background and environment knowing it enriches our workplace and our relationships with our local communities. We are committed to building a culture of inclusion and belonging. We would love to hear from you about what makes you uniquely you and how this opportunity will support you to succeed.
Salary
£44,835 to £51,307 a year pro rata for part‑time.
Contract
Permanent
Working Pattern
Full‑time, Part‑time, Job share, Flexible working.
Reference Number
B0060-26-0003
Date Posted
06 February 2026
Clinical Patient Services
* Provide specialist palliative care clinical pharmacy services to patients, in line with priorities agreed with Senior Specialist Clinical Pharmacist and Director of Clinical Services.
* Manage a clinical caseload of patients with palliative care needs, working collaboratively across hospice inpatient units, community palliative care services, Hospice at Home, medical teams, therapy services and other relevant teams.
* Provide specialist pharmaceutical advice on a day‑to‑day basis to healthcare professionals including GPs, consultants, clinical nurse specialists, district nurses and allied health professionals, as well as to patients and carers.
* Ward‑based services include:
o Medicines reconciliation and confirmation of medication histories.
o Prescription review and optimisation of therapy.
o Advice on dosing, interactions, contraindications, monitoring and routes of administration.
o Monitoring efficacy, appropriateness and tolerability of medicines.
o Patient and carer education.
o Proactive discharge planning.
o Attendance at and active participation in ward rounds.
* Community‑based services include:
o Holistic medication review and optimisation.
o Management of complex symptoms.
o Advice on safe administration of medicines in the community.
o Liaison with GPs, district nurses and community pharmacies to ensure continuity of care.
o Assessment and arrangement of anticipatory medicines, with sensitive communication to patients and families.
o Prescribing medicines where appropriate, in line with professional competence and organisational policy.
* Support patients and healthcare professionals to access specialist palliative care medicines in the community and provide advice on appropriate alternatives where required.
* Attend and contribute to hospice and wider multidisciplinary team meetings as required.
Medicines Management, Governance and Quality
* Support the delivery of a safe, effective and cost‑effective medicines management service across Birmingham Hospice sites.
* Work closely with Medicines Management Technicians to ensure compliance with medicines legislation, controlled drugs requirements and CQC standards.
* Contribute to the development, implementation and review of medicines‑related policies, procedures, guidelines and clinical care pathways.
* Participate in audit, service evaluation and quality improvement activities and make recommendations based on findings.
Education, Training and Mentorship
* Provide medicines‑related education and training to hospice staff in response to service and learning needs.
* Mentor pharmacy students during placements within Birmingham Hospice.
* Support prescribers within the organisation to promote safe, effective and evidence‑based prescribing practice.
Development and Support
Birmingham Hospice is committed to supporting pharmacists to develop specialist expertise in palliative and end‑of‑life care. The successful post holder will receive support to develop confidently in post, tailored to their previous experience and individual learning needs. This will include mentorship and clinical supervision from experienced palliative care pharmacists, supported clinical exposure across inpatient and community settings, and opportunities to develop prescribing practice, service development and leadership skills. Where required, support will be provided to undertake relevant postgraduate learning and to develop competence in specialist areas of palliative care practice.
Communication
* Communicate complex and sensitive medicines‑related information effectively to patients, carers and healthcare professionals, often in emotionally challenging and distressing situations.
* Use advanced verbal, nonverbal and written communication skills to discuss prescribing decisions, challenge practice constructively where appropriate, and support shared decision making.
* Maintain effective communication across primary, secondary and specialist care interfaces to ensure seamless patient care.
Freedom to Act and Professional Autonomy
* Work with a high level of autonomy, managing own workload and priorities within agreed service frameworks.
* Practice in accordance with the General Pharmaceutical Council Standards and be professionally accountable for own practice.
* Delegate appropriate tasks to other members of the pharmacy team to support efficient and effective service delivery.
* Undertake any other reasonable duties as agreed with the Senior Specialist Clinical Pharmacist or Director of Clinical Services.
General Duties
* Adhere to hospice policies relating to confidentiality and information governance, equality, diversity and inclusion, health and safety, infection prevention and control, safeguarding children, young people and vulnerable adults, mandatory training, appraisal and professional development.
Person Specification
Experience
* Experience of working as a clinical pharmacist.
* Experience working within multidisciplinary teams.
* Experience managing complex patients and clinical decision making.
* Experience of working under pressure and prioritising competing demands.
* Advanced clinical knowledge of therapeutics and medicines optimisation.
* Knowledge of medicines legislation, including controlled drugs.
* General knowledge of palliative and end‑of‑life medicines.
* Experience of providing specialist advice to healthcare professionals.
Desirable Experience
* Experience in palliative care.
* Experience across more than one pharmacy sector.
* Experience as a Non‑Medical Prescriber.
* Experience contributing to policy, guidance or pathway development.
* Experience delivering education or training to healthcare professionals.
* Experience of audit, service evaluation or quality improvement.
Personal Skills and Attributes
Essential
* Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
* Ability to communicate complex and sensitive information to patients and carers.
* Ability to provide specialist medicines advice and challenge practice constructively.
* Strong organisational and time management skills.
* High level of numerical and analytical skills.
* IT skills, including use of clinical systems and Microsoft Office.
* Ability to contribute to service development and quality improvement.
* Patient‑centred, compassionate and empathetic approach.
* High level of self‑motivation and ability to work independently.
* Flexible and adaptable in response to changing clinical priorities.
* Ability to work calmly and effectively in emotionally challenging situations.
* Professional integrity and accountability.
* Ability to lead, support and motivate others.
Desirable
* Leadership skills and ability to influence others.
* Ability to lead, support and motivate others.
Qualifications
Essential
* MPharm/BPharm Degree in Pharmacy.
* Registration with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC).
* Evidence of commitment to Continuing Professional Development.
* Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical Pharmacy or relevant specialist area or currently working towards completion.
Desirable
* Independent Prescriber.
* Relevant communication skills training.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and requires submission for Disclosure to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Employer Details
* Birmingham Hospice
* 76 Grange Road, Erdington, Birmingham, B24 0DF
* 176 Raddlebarn Road, Birmingham, B29 7DA
* Website: https://www.birminghamhospice.org.uk
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