About this role
Job summary
We are pleased to offer an exciting opportunity for a motivated pharmacist to lead clinical pharmacy services for our 12-bed Critical Care Unit, recovery units, and operating theatres at Bedford Hospital. You will work closely with the multidisciplinary team to support a varied caseload of medical and surgical patients requiring multi-organ support.
As a specialist pharmacist, you will contribute to the development and delivery of our clinical pharmacy service, with responsibilities that include line management, training, and supporting junior staff. We are seeking a dynamic and organised pharmacist with experience across a range of clinical specialties, including critical care. You will be supported to further develop your expertise and advance your specialist skills.
You will bring energy, vision, and strong influencing skills to ensure the highest standards of patient care. Effective collaboration with medical, nursing, and pharmacy colleagues is essential.
As a GDE site, we are a digitally advanced Trust with electronic prescribing across inpatient wards and critical care. You will play an active role in supporting and developing further digital innovations within the service.
We are committed to your professional development and offer a range of opportunities, including support to gain additional qualifications relevant to this specialist role.
Main duties of the job
Lead the specialist clinical pharmacy service by working autonomously and with fellow pharmacists to plan, develop, and deliver an advanced service aligned with the priorities of the Clinical Service Line (CSL). Ensure all activity complies with national and local policies, best-practice standards, and legislation to support the safe, effective, and cost-efficient use of medicines and resources.
Take responsibility for meeting agreed service KPIs, collaborating closely with Lead and Specialist Pharmacists to ensure consistent performance. Provide specialist pharmaceutical care, including non-medical prescribing where appropriate and within scope, while managing clinical risk and ensuring adherence to guidance.
Support the CSL and Pharmacy Department in fulfilling clinical governance, financial, and risk-management responsibilities related to medicines use. Lead clinical pharmacy audits and practice-based research within critical care, contributing to projects that enhance patient safety and service quality.
Provide clinical supervision to junior pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, assistants, and pre-registration pharmacists, promoting high standards of practice. Act as a professional role model, demonstrating integrity, accountability, and leadership. Offer specialist critical care pharmacy advice to colleagues and other healthcare professionals across the organisation.
About us
Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust provides hospital services to a growing population of around 700,000 people living across Bedfordshire and the surrounding areas across two busy hospital sites in Bedford and Luton. Both hospital sites offer key services such as A&E, Obstetrics-led Maternity and Paediatrics. You will be joining a friendly, high performing Trust committed to ensuring the health and wellbeing of staff. As one of the largest NHS Trusts in our region you will have access to a programme of high quality training and development to help you grow your career. The Trust continues to be committed to delivering the best patient care using the best clinical knowledge and technology available.
We not only recruit based on qualifications and experience - we recruit individuals who demonstrate the behaviours which underpin our Trusts core values. We achieve this by using values based recruitment. We are dedicated to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible for everyone, we are committed to promoting equality and diversity, and creating a culture that values differences.
Please note that vacancies may close prior to the advertised closing date when sufficient number of applications have been received. All new staff will be subject to a probationary period covering first 6 months in post. Travel between hospital sites may be required. Please review all documents attached to ensure you familiarize yourself with all requirements of the job.
Job description Job responsibilities
The Job Description and Person Specification are attached to this job, please review for the full details and responsibilities.
Person Specification
Qualifications Essential
Bachelor/Master of Pharmacy degree or equivalent GPhC Pharmacist Registration Post graduate Diploma in Clinical Pharmacy or equivalent (or close to completion) Independent prescribing qualification (or planning to start) Relevant senior experience
Desirable
Accredited Diploma Tutor Stage II RPS Faculty Member (MIIFRPS) or portfolio in preparation Quality Improvement Training MSc in relevant subjects (or equivalent) Train the trainer qualification Independent pharmacist prescriber Member of the RPS
Experience Essential
Experience of specialist practitioner practice Experience of collaborative working in multidisciplinary settings as an influential member Relevant continued professional development Experience of clinically supervising and training staff Policy and service development Evidence of managing and delivering a project
Desirable
Risk Management Presentation to trust wide meetings Research and audit experience to improve patient care Line management experience E&T experience to undergraduates and postgraduates of various health professionals
Knowledge Essential
Expert knowledge and understanding of relevant standards and guidelines Knowledge and awareness of implications of current developments in pharmacy practice and NHS strategies Knowledge and understanding of medicines legislation Understanding the need of confidentiality awareness at all times
Desirable
Awareness of the current commissioning arrangements in the NHS Recognised as a specialist within the defined speciality
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 Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Address Bedford Hospital
Kempston Road
Bedford
MK42 9DJ
Employer's website https://www.bedfordshirehospitals.nhs.uk/working-here/ (Opens in a new tab)