Lead Pharmacist - Substance

Job details

• Job reference: 258186
• Salary: Band 8A (£65,125 - £70,303)
• Job closing date: 15/09/2026
• Job Type: Other Therapeutic
• Location: Spittal Street Centre
• Employment type: Permanent
• Hours Per Week: 36
• Job posted date: 01/09/2026
• Employer (NHS Board): NHS Lothian
• Department: Pharmacy

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NHS Lothian Pharmacy & Medicines Service

Royal Edinburgh Hospital

Lead Pharmacist Substance Misuse Services

Band 8A: £65,125 - £70,303

Permanent 36 hours per week (1.0wte)

Are you ready to lead and shape medicines management within Substance Misuse Services across NHS Lothian?

About the Role

We are looking for an enthusiastic and motivated pharmacist to join our established multidisciplinary Substance Misuse Service. This is an exciting opportunity to play a key role in advancing pharmaceutical care, medicines optimisation, and prescribing practice across a complex and rewarding clinical specialty.

Working within a highly collaborative service, you will contribute to the delivery and development of evidence-based, clinically effective, and cost-efficient prescribing and medicines management across Substance Misuse Services throughout Lothian.

Why joins us?

At NHS Lothian, we are committed to delivering excellent patient care while supporting innovation, professional development and collaborative working.

As part of our Pharmacy & Medicines Service, you will benefit from:

• The opportunity to lead and contribute to meaningful service development projects.
• Working within a supportive and experienced multidisciplinary team.
• A role that directly contributes to reducing health inequalities and improving outcomes for vulnerable patient groups.
• Opportunities to influence local and national pharmacy practice.
• Ongoing professional development, leadership support and career progression opportunities.

Within this role, you will have the opportunity to develop specialist expertise in substance misuse services while helping shape future service delivery across NHS Lothian.

About You

We are looking for a highly motivated pharmacist who is passionate about improving patient care and driving service improvement.

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 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.
• 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 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 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 serves a population of approximately 900,000 people across Edinburgh, East Lothian, Midlothian and West Lothian. As one of Scotland's largest teaching health boards, we are committed to delivering high-quality, person-centred care through innovation, collaboration and continuous improvement.

Our Pharmacy & Medicines Service plays a vital role in supporting safe and effective medicines use across acute, primary care, mental health and specialist services.

Ready to Take the Next Step?

For further information on what is included in the role and the skills and experience we are looking for, please refer to the job description and person specification.

We also encourage informal enquiries to learn more about this exciting opportunity.

Paul Maguiness - Lead Clinical Pharmacist, Mental Health and Associated Services

paul.maguiness@nhs.scot

📞 0131 537 6842

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.