Lead Pharmacist - Clinical Specialties

Fixed Term / Secondment for 2 years

Raigmore Hospital’s Pharmacy and Gastroenterology Departments, are seeking an experienced and proactive pharmacist to take a leading role in medicines optimisation and therapeutic monitoring for patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). This is a new role, which offers a fantastic opportunity for an experienced and motivated pharmacist to develop their career, focussing on the management of complex medication regimens in IBD, including biologic drugs, immunomodulators and JAK inhibitors.

This role will provide excellent opportunities to undertake further professional development, which may include undertaking the RPS Advanced or Consultant level frameworks, as appropriate. The post holder will be supported by the pharmacy and IBD teams, including access to 5 development days per year, a peer support group, and by linking in with the Lead Pharmacist for Advance Practice within NHS Highland.

About The Role

We are looking for an experienced, enthusiastic and motivated pharmacist to join our team and lead on medicines optimisation for patients with IBD. You will work closely alongside an established multidisciplinary team, including Consultants, Advanced and Specialist Nurses, Dietitians and Co-ordinators, and alongside other members of the pharmacy team.

You Will

• Develop, review, and implement IBD treatment and medication pathways
• Monitor and manage prescribing for IBD patients
• Lead on biosimilar switches to optimise patient care and maximise cost efficiencies
• Horizon scan for new IBD drugs and work with pharmacy and the IBD MDT to financially plan and review treatment pathways accordingly
• Work towards establishing pharmacist led IBD clinic, which may include reviewing new or existing patients, monitoring response to therapy and formulating treatment plans
• Provide expert advice and information on medications, for patients, other members of the MDT and colleagues within primary and secondary care

Work with primary care colleagues to develop shared care protocols for prescribing and monitoring appropriate medications for IBD

Support the overall development of the IBD service by involvement with audit, quality improvement, clinical governance and research

Work closely with the NHS Highland Homecare Team to ensure seamless and cost effective delivery of medications for IBD patients

Work closely with the Lead Pharmacist for Gastroenterology to ensure seamless care for IBD patients, across acute and outpatient settings

Deliver IBD education and training to pharmacy colleagues

This post includes participation in pharmacy rotas for on-call, weekends and public holiday.

What We Are Looking For

• You will have a strong clinical knowledge and experience, preferably within gastroenterology or IBD, or within another clinical area with experience of complex medications
• You will be a qualified and practicing independent prescriber
• You will have excellent communication skills, with the ability to influence prescribing decisions
• You will have a proactive and organised approach to problem solving
• You will be self motivated, and able to work independently, whilst contributing to the wider IBD team
• You will be enthusiastic about delivering education, training, clinical supervision and mentoring to other members of the pharmacy and IBD teams
• You will have experience of quality and service improvement, including the implementation of new guidelines
• You should have a Postgraduate Clinical Pharmacy Diploma or MSc in Clinical Pharmacy. Candidates who have not completed a Postgraduate Clinical Pharmacy Diploma or MSc in Clinical Pharmacy can demonstrate development by showing progress across the four pillars of the RPS Core Advances Pharmacist Curriculum through:
• Engagement with the RPS Core Advances 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 Advances Curriculum.

Informal enquiries are most welcome, to Damon Horn, Clinical Team Lead Medical; email: or bleep 1127 via switchboard (01463 704000) or Rebecca Hall, Consultant Gastroenterologist; email:

NHS Scotland is committed to encouraging equality and diversity among our workforce and eliminating unlawful discrimination. The aim is for our workforce to be truly representative and for each employee to feel respected and able to give their best. To this end, NHS Scotland welcomes applications from all sections of society.