Advanced Pharmacist, Education Research & Development

Job details

• Job reference: 250509
• Salary: Band 8A (£65,125 - £70,303)
• Job closing date: 22/06/2026
• Job Type: Other Therapeutic
• Location: Western General Hospital
• Employment type: Permanent
• Hours Per Week: 36
• Job posted date: 08/06/2026
• Employer (NHS Board): NHS Lothian
• Department: Pharmacy

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An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced pharmacist to lead on our Post-registration Foundation Pharmacist (PRFP) Programme and to support the RPS Core Advanced Pharmacist Curriculum, increasing engagement and completion across the managed service (hospital and primary care).

You will lead on developing a programme of support to complement that offered by Public Services Delivery Scotland (PSDS), and the Royal College of Pharmacy (RCP), ensuring early years pharmacists gain the confidence and competence required for their roles. You will also develop a supportive learning pathway for the post registration supervisors in the service.

Based within the Pharmacy Department (ERD Team) at the Western General Hospital, Edinburgh, you will work across NHS Lothian sites and Health and Social Care Partnerships (HSCPs).

About the Role

This post contributes to national and local priorities in pharmacy education, through liaison with other education and training pharmacists in Scotland, with PSDS and the Schools of Pharmacy and other training providers.

The post will scope current and future service needs, and the pharmacists’ workforce knowledge and skills requirements for service delivery.

This post will have key role in the ERD team’s leadership in the assurance of research governance, support for research and service development programmes, professional development for staff in the research pillar of practice, and the facilitation of clinical academic career pathways. This post contributes to pharmacy practice research and supports staff and students to undertake projects and disseminate their findings.

You will be supported to deliver a clinical session alongside ERD responsibilities, and you also be given opportunities to be trained in and to facilitate Simulation Based Education and Physical Assessment Skills.

Why Join Us?

The vision for the Pharmacy & Medicines Service is to deliver clinically led, person-centred services to ensure patients across Lothian get the best from their medicines and pharmacy services. We are focussed on creating an environment where each person in the team has the opportunity to flourish, develop and make best use of their skills.

About You

We are looking for enthusiastic and highly motivated leader with an interest in developing a portfolio of education, research and development. You will have experience of undertaking practice-based research and supervising others undertaking research, audit or quality improvement projects. Experience of development of training programmes and delivery of teaching would be advantageous.

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:Engagement with the RPS Core Advanced CurriculumActive participation in a community of practice/peer networkSubmit a screenshot of portfolio (programme of learning page)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
• Engagement with the RPS Core Advanced Curriculum
• Active participation in a community of practice/peer network
• Submit a screenshot of portfolio (programme of learning page)
• 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.

• Engagement with the RPS Core Advanced Curriculum
• Active participation in a community of practice/peer network
• Submit a screenshot of portfolio (programme of learning page)
• 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

Experience, Knowledge and Skills

• 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

At NHS Lothian, we are committed to fostering equality, diversity, and inclusion in our workforce. Serving a population of 900,000, we are the second-largest health system in Scotland and home to one of its four teaching boards. Join a dynamic organisation that values innovation, research, and excellence in healthcare delivery.

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. If you’d like to learn more about this exciting role, the team you’ll be joining, or the opportunities available, we encourage you to get in touch with the hiring manager. This is a great chance to have an informal discussion, ask questions, and explore how this role aligns with your career goals. The service will also consider flexible working where it can be accommodated.

For further information please contact the following:

Elaine Rankine | Head of Pharmacy Education, Research and Development - Email: elaine.rankine@nhs.scot

Seonaid McIntyre | Advanced Pharmacist, Pharmacy Education, Research and Development - Email: seonaid.mcintyre@nhs.scot

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 do to check this as well as what your responsibilities include can be found in the further information for this vacancy.

Please note: we anticipate a high level of interest in this position and may close the vacancy early once a sufficient amount 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.

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.