• Job Description

  Req#: C9287-25-0931?language=en&page=639&sort=publicationDateDesc

  Job summary

  The NHS Specialist Pharmacy Service (SPS) is looking for an experienced pharmacist to join the Medicines Advice (MA) function. The post holder will be a member of our horizon scanning (HS) team as well as the cross function SPS group delivering the best value biologic implementation agenda.

  The post holder will lead aspects of the HS service, work with colleagues to implement change and contribute to the delivery of highly valued resources.

  Best value biologic implementation is a key NHS England strategy. MA works with other SPS functions to deliver a range of resources including webpages, webinars, podcasts and bulletins. This post holder will lead the MA contribution to the biosimilar aspect of this work and be involved in wider MA workstreams.

  Expressions of interest in either one or both of these workstreams will be considered. The post will be split 0.4WTE for horizon scanning and 0.4WTE for biosimilar work with 0.2 WTE allocated to other duties within the NHS SPS MA service, as required. Flexibility is essential to deliver outputs and projects on time.

  This post is hosted by the Liverpool University Hospitals Foundation Trust and based at the Pharmacy Practice Unit with opportunity to work remotely. Note the job description and person specification describes generic leadership roles, responsibilities and qualities. An application would be expected to outline experience relevant to the horizon scanning and biosimilar roles outlined above.

  Main duties of the job

  The NHS SPS requires the post-holder to act as an advanced level pharmacist for the NHS SPS MA service for England as commissioned by NHSE and outlined in the NHS SPS service specification.

  The national specification for Medicines Advice includes provision of a medicines clinical enquiry service and provision of resources to support medicines optimisation, best practice and the safe and effective use of medicines.

  The post holder will manage the day-to-day operations and/or provide subject matter expertise in the delivery of the MA service . The post holder will work in collaboration with peers and under the direction of the relevant Professional and Associate MA Leads to assist with the safe, efficient, cost effective and patient-centred development and delivery of the SPS MA service, advising senior NHS managers on all aspects of medicines optimisation.

  About us

  About SPS

  The NHS Specialist Pharmacy Service (SPS) supports the NHS to develop best practice systems of work-related to buying, making and using medicines. The service provides leadership, instructive and informative specialist input and operational support to the sourcing, supply and use of medicines across the system.

  Our strengths are borne out of connecting national expertise with policy teams and arm's length bodies to ensure consistency and high standards. The service supports both regional and local connections to ensure that the service's outputs resonate with and support local NHS organisations which deliver care to patients. The key successes of SPS are through the development of a "Do Once and Share" methodology.

  Details

  Date posted

  05 June 2025

  Pay scheme

  Agenda for change

  Band

  Band 8b

  Salary

  £62,215 to £72,293 a year per annum

  Contract

  Permanent

  Working pattern

  Full-time, Part-time, Flexible working, Home or remote working

  Reference number

  287-PPU-5-25

  Job locations

  Pharmacy Practice Unit

  70 Pembroke Place

  Liverpool

  L69 3GF

  
  

  Job description

  Job responsibilities

  The post-holder will support leadership and service delivery of a workstream within the MA service. The post holder will work in collaboration with peers and under the direction of the relevant Associate Hub, and Hub Leads for these functions.

  The post-holder will work collaboratively with other Lead MA Pharmacists to implement objectives and actions for the MA service.

  The post-holder will support in the scoping, organising and delivering of any changes to service delivery necessary across England in order to meet NHSEs ongoing requirements.

  The post-holder will be expected to work closely with the SPS MA Professional/Associate Leads to ensure budgetary responsibilities are met.

  The post-holder is expected to undertake and promote research & development, where such activities support the broader strategic objectives of the SPS MA. They will also be expected to support the development and delivery of innovative approaches to the delivery of the SPS MA Service

  The post-holder would be expected to manage, train, appraise and set direction for several pharmacy professionals.

  The post holder is expected to have an intermediate level of proficiency in Microsoft Office software packages.

  For full information, please refer to the attached job description.

  Job description

  Job responsibilities

  The post-holder will support leadership and service delivery of a workstream within the MA service. The post holder will work in collaboration with peers and under the direction of the relevant Associate Hub, and Hub Leads for these functions.

  The post-holder will work collaboratively with other Lead MA Pharmacists to implement objectives and actions for the MA service.

  The post-holder will support in the scoping, organising and delivering of any changes to service delivery necessary across England in order to meet NHSEs ongoing requirements.

  The post-holder will be expected to work closely with the SPS MA Professional/Associate Leads to ensure budgetary responsibilities are met.

  The post-holder is expected to undertake and promote research & development, where such activities support the broader strategic objectives of the SPS MA. They will also be expected to support the development and delivery of innovative approaches to the delivery of the SPS MA Service

  The post-holder would be expected to manage, train, appraise and set direction for several pharmacy professionals.

  The post holder is expected to have an intermediate level of proficiency in Microsoft Office software packages.

  For full information, please refer to the attached job description.

  Person Specification

  Qualifications

  Essential

  • Pharmacist (Registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council)
  • Post graduate diploma or MSc in clinical pharmacy or other relevant field e.g. management, or equivalent experience of working in specialist area

  Desirable

  • Post graduate qualification in evidence-based healthcare, or equivalent
  • Post graduate level original research and/or publication in an area relevant specifically to the delivery of Medicines Optimisation

  Experience

  Essential

  • Knowledge and experience of working with medicines optimisation and/or medicines decision making groups within the NHS e.g. Area Prescribing Committees or equivalent)
  • In depth knowledge of medicines optimisation as it pertains to both primary and secondary care
  • Knowledge of medicines advice, its current provision across England through SPS and its role in delivering Medicines Optimisation
  • Some experience of working with medicines commissioning and decision making structures within the NHS to influence change
  • Clear understanding of project management
  • Experience of working in a complex matrix type working environment within a diffuse national organisation

  Desirable

  • Existing knowledge of the Specialist Pharmacy Service and its development and role in delivery of Medinces Optimisation
  • An understanding of financial management
  • Managing difficult situations and motivating others for service delivery

  Skills and Abilities

  Essential

  • Manage own time and workload with good organisational skills
  • Plan the work of others where they are directly managed
  • Motivate and influence work of others
  • Manage large projects and use own initiative, within agreed cost, quality and time
  • Organise and deliver a specialist service
  • Organise research, teaching and audit activities
  • Plan and organise a broad range of complex activities, formulating and adjusting plans to reflect changing circumstances
  • Work under pressure, in a changing strategic environment, to tight deadlines and with competing agendas
  • Critically appraise and analyse service and other data to interpret and present results coherently
  • Critically appraise options for service and Medicines Optimisation/ Information delivery rationally and systematically, to reach logical and informed conclusions, and to present those coherently to high-level decision-making audiences

  Person Specification

  Qualifications

  Essential

  • Pharmacist (Registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council)
  • Post graduate diploma or MSc in clinical pharmacy or other relevant field e.g. management, or equivalent experience of working in specialist area

  Desirable

  • Post graduate qualification in evidence-based healthcare, or equivalent
  • Post graduate level original research and/or publication in an area relevant specifically to the delivery of Medicines Optimisation

  Experience

  Essential

  • Knowledge and experience of working with medicines optimisation and/or medicines decision making groups within the NHS e.g. Area Prescribing Committees or equivalent)
  • In depth knowledge of medicines optimisation as it pertains to both primary and secondary care
  • Knowledge of medicines advice, its current provision across England through SPS and its role in delivering Medicines Optimisation
  • Some experience of working with medicines commissioning and decision making structures within the NHS to influence change
  • Clear understanding of project management
  • Experience of working in a complex matrix type working environment within a diffuse national organisation

  Desirable

  • Existing knowledge of the Specialist Pharmacy Service and its development and role in delivery of Medinces Optimisation
  • An understanding of financial management
  • Managing difficult situations and motivating others for service delivery

  Skills and Abilities

  Essential

  • Manage own time and workload with good organisational skills
  • Plan the work of others where they are directly managed
  • Motivate and influence work of others
  • Manage large projects and use own initiative, within agreed cost, quality and time
  • Organise and deliver a specialist service
  • Organise research, teaching and audit activities
  • Plan and organise a broad range of complex activities, formulating and adjusting plans to reflect changing circumstances
  • Work under pressure, in a changing strategic environment, to tight deadlines and with competing agendas
  • Critically appraise and analyse service and other data to interpret and present results coherently
  • Critically appraise options for service and Medicines Optimisation/ Information delivery rationally and systematically, to reach logical and informed conclusions, and to present those coherently to high-level decision-making audiences

  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.

  Certificate of Sponsorship

  Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

  From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

  UK Registration

  Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

  Additional information

  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.

  Certificate of Sponsorship

  Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

  From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

  UK Registration

  Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

  Employer details

  Employer name

  Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

  Address

  Pharmacy Practice Unit

  70 Pembroke Place

  Liverpool

  L69 3GF

  
  

  Employer's website

  https://www.liverpoolft.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

  Employer details

  Employer name

  Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

  Address

  Pharmacy Practice Unit

  70 Pembroke Place

  Liverpool

  L69 3GF

  
  

  Employer's website

  https://www.liverpoolft.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

• About the company

  National Health Service (NHS) is the umbrella term for the publicly-funded healthcare systems of the United Kingdom (UK). The founding principles were that services should be comprehensive, universal and free at the point of delivery—a health service based on clinical need, not ability to pay. Each service provides a comprehensive range of health services, free at the point of use for people ordinarily resident in the United Kingdom apart from dental treatment and optical care.

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