Job Description

We have an exciting opportunity for an enthusiastic pharmacist (Band 8A) to join NHS Specialist Pharmacy Service (SPS). This is a newly established post (1.0 WTE), creating a cross function role within the Medicines Advice (MA) function and the Medicines Use and Safety (MUS) function.
This post is hosted by the Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust but it is expected that the successful candidate will work fully remotely. This is one of two similar posts that SPS is advertising (the other being a fixed term post).
Main duties of the job
The post holder will:

• Sit within both the MA and MUS functions of the NHS Specialist Pharmacy Service; working with key individuals to deliver against the workplan of both functions, including pan-SPS projects
• Contribute to the development, delivery and maintenance of quality assured MA and MUS resources to support commissioners, organisations, and health professionals. Resources may be webinars, podcasts, videos, website articles and workspaces on NHS Futures.
• Support senior colleagues with the preparation of information to support the management of national drug shortages and in the preparation of the Medicines Awareness Daily Bulletin (MAD).
• Answer medication related queries, including those related to medicines supply issues, Patient Group Directions (PGDs) and other medicines mechanisms and, medication safety.

About us
Medicines Use and Safety (MUS) team
Our Medicines Use and Safety (MUS) team are a well-respected team who work closely with policy makers, regulators and strategic leaders and engage with an extensive range of clinical networks to share experience and expertise. We interpret legislation and deliver practical guidance and support to NHS organisations and practitioners in providing safe patient care across the entire medicines pathway. Our resources support healthcare professionals to assess and improve medication safety culture, strategy and policy within the healthcare system.
Medicines Advice (MA) team
The MA team supports the provision of a national medicines clinical enquiry answering service. This includes providing long standing support to the Medicines Supply team at the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) and the Medicines Procurement and Supply Chain (MPSC) on medicines shortages. We produce a current awareness bulletin (Medicines Awareness Daily) that has been in circulation for over two decades, helping readers keep up to date with the latest developments in clinical and pharmacy practice, horizon scanning, safety alerts, and regulatory news. We also contribute towards writing and updating of SPS webpages to support best practice and the safe use of medicines.
Details
Date posted
11 September 2025
Pay scheme
Agenda for change
Band
Band 8a
Salary
55,690 to 62,682 a year per annum
Contract
Permanent
Working pattern
Full-time, Home or remote working
Reference number
287-PPU-8-25
Job locations
Pharmacy Practice Unit
70 Pembroke Place
Liverpool
L69 3GF
Job description
Job responsibilities

• The post-holder will sit within both the Medicines Advice (MA) and the Medicines Use andSafety (MUS) functions of the NHS Specialist Pharmacy Service; working with keyindividuals to deliver against the workplan of both functions, including pan-SPS projects.
• Contributes to the development, delivery and maintenance of quality assured MA and MUS workstream resources to support commissioners, organisations, and health professionals. Resources may be webinars, podcasts, videos, website articles and workspaces on NHSFutures.
• Supports the MA and MUS team to improve legacy material and create new websitecontent. Achieves this by working closely with the SPS Digital Team, by applying an agile approach, and through reference and application to NHS Digital and aligned gov.uk contentstandards.
• Answers medication related queries, including those related to medicines supply issues,Patient Group Directions (PGDs) and other medicines mechanisms and, Medication Safety.

Job description
Job responsibilities

• The post-holder will sit within both the Medicines Advice (MA) and the Medicines Use andSafety (MUS) functions of the NHS Specialist Pharmacy Service; working with keyindividuals to deliver against the workplan of both functions, including pan-SPS projects.
• Contributes to the development, delivery and maintenance of quality assured MA and MUS workstream resources to support commissioners, organisations, and health professionals. Resources may be webinars, podcasts, videos, website articles and workspaces on NHSFutures.
• Supports the MA and MUS team to improve legacy material and create new websitecontent. Achieves this by working closely with the SPS Digital Team, by applying an agile approach, and through reference and application to NHS Digital and aligned gov.uk contentstandards.
• Answers medication related queries, including those related to medicines supply issues,Patient Group Directions (PGDs) and other medicines mechanisms and, Medication Safety.

Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential

• Vocational masters degree in pharmacy or equivalent
• Pharmacist (registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council)
• Postgraduate diploma in clinical pharmacy or other relevant field e.g. management, or equivalent experience of working in a specialist area

Desirable

• Additional post graduate qualification i.e. MSc in Clinical Pharmacy or equivalent experience

Experience
Essential

• Demonstrable diploma level experience related to the practice of clinical pharmacy in a range of settings
• Multidisciplinary working and an ability to work across both professional groups and across organisational bodies
• Significant experience of delivering medicines advice to healthcare professionals
• Experience of supporting healthcare professionals and organisations in the management of medicines shortages and NHS supply issues

Desirable

• Managing difficult situations and motivating others for service delivery
• Experience of working in a complex matric type working environment within a diffuse national organisation
• Demonstrable experience in relevant MUS workstreams e.g. medication safety, PGDs, medicines optimisation, network engagement

Knowledge
Essential

• In depth knowledge of medicines optimisation as it pertains to both primary and secondary care
• A clear awareness and appreciation of the roles of other healthcare professionals in the delivery of healthcare services to patients
• A clear understanding of programme and project management
• Contemporary knowledge of NHS policy and understanding of its application in primary, secondary and tertiary care, including an appreciation of the relationship between the DHSC, NHSE, provider and commissioner organisations
• Contemporary knowledge of the provision of medicines advice across the NHS provided through SPS. Understanding how this supports medicines optimisation

Desirable

• Prior use of content management systems to create, manage and publish online article and digital publications with knowledge of the principles of good online publishing

Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential

• Vocational masters degree in pharmacy or equivalent
• Pharmacist (registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council)
• Postgraduate diploma in clinical pharmacy or other relevant field e.g. management, or equivalent experience of working in a specialist area

Desirable

• Additional post graduate qualification i.e. MSc in Clinical Pharmacy or equivalent experience

Experience
Essential

• Demonstrable diploma level experience related to the practice of clinical pharmacy in a range of settings
• Multidisciplinary working and an ability to work across both professional groups and across organisational bodies
• Significant experience of delivering medicines advice to healthcare professionals
• Experience of supporting healthcare professionals and organisations in the management of medicines shortages and NHS supply issues

Desirable

• Managing difficult situations and motivating others for service delivery
• Experience of working in a complex matric type working environment within a diffuse national organisation
• Demonstrable experience in relevant MUS workstreams e.g. medication safety, PGDs, medicines optimisation, network engagement

Knowledge
Essential

• In depth knowledge of medicines optimisation as it pertains to both primary and secondary care
• A clear awareness and appreciation of the roles of other healthcare professionals in the delivery of healthcare services to patients
• A clear understanding of programme and project management
• Contemporary knowledge of NHS policy and understanding of its application in primary, secondary and tertiary care, including an appreciation of the relationship between the DHSC, NHSE, provider and commissioner organisations
• Contemporary knowledge of the provision of medicines advice across the NHS provided through SPS. Understanding how this supports medicines optimisation

Desirable

• Prior use of content management systems to create, manage and publish online article and digital publications with knowledge of the principles of good online publishing

Skills Required