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Job summary

Main area
Pharmacy
Grade
Band 8a
Contract
Permanent
Hours
Full time - 37.5 hours per week (Post includes weekend and bank holiday working on a sessional basis)
Job ref
339-CCS6269-DY
Employer
Bristol NHS Foundation Trust
Employer type
NHS
Site
Southmead Hospital
Town
Bristol
Salary
£57,528 - £64,750 pa pro rata
Salary period
Yearly
Closing
23/11/2026 23:59

Employer heading

Bristol NHS Foundation Trust logo

Highly Specialised Neurosciences Lead Clinical Pharmacist

Band 8a

North Bristol NHS Trust (NBT) and University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust (UHBW) have merged as of 1st July 2026 to become Bristol NHS Foundation Trust. This will create an exciting future that brings together the best of both organisations. As a single, strong and sustainable organisation, we will not only be able to deliver better outcomes for our patients and fairer care for our population, but it will also provide greater opportunities for our people.

Bristol NHS Foundation Trust recognise the value of a healthy work-life balance. When applying, speak to us about how we might be able to accommodate flexible working, so your work life fits around your home life.

We particularly welcome applications from Black, Asian and minority ethnic candidates as they are under-represented within the Trust.

Our job adverts may close as soon as sufficient applications have been received. Considering this, if you are interested in this role, please do apply as soon as you can.

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Job overview

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a forward-thinking, adaptable, and experienced clinical pharmacist to join our team at the Southmead Hospital Operating Unit (SHOU) to lead the neurosciences pharmacy team.

As the Band 8a Highly Specialist Lead Pharmacist for Neurosciences, you will utilise your strong problem-solving capabilities and exceptional interpersonal skills to  lead and deliver expert pharmaceutical care across our Neurosciences Directorate including; the acute neurology and neurosurgical wards and the Hyper Acute Stroke Unit.

We are seeking a self-motivated professional who thrives in a fast-paced multidisciplinary environment, possesses a sharp eye for clinical governance, and is passionate about mentoring junior staff. Ideally, you will hold an independent Non-Medical Prescribing qualification to fully integrate into our clinical pathways.

By stepping into this role, you will join a supportive and progressive pharmacy team located within the Brunel Building at Southmead Hospital, which prides itself in fostering a caring and compassionate workplace culture dedicated to facilitating advanced clinical practice and professional development.

Main duties of the job

  • Partner closely with the Neurosciences Directorate and work with the multi-disciplinary team at Southmead Hospital Operating Unit (SHOU) to deliver a high-quality clinical pharmacy service that aligns with Bristol Foundation NHS Trust (BFT) policies, national legislation, and professional standards. 
  • Lead clinical pharmacy services for Neurology, Neuropsychiatry, and Neurosurgery patients, managing care across both inpatient settings and HomeCare services. 
  • Champion the safe, effective, and optimised provision of medicines for all Neuroscience patients across the organisation. 
  • Support the Trust’s vision by contributing to strategic planning and service reviews to meet future healthcare demands. 
  • Lead the education, training, and professional development of junior Pharmacists, Pharmacy Technicians and the wider healthcare team in the Neurosciences Directorate on topics relating to medicines. 
  • Practise autonomously and enhance patient pathways as a qualified Independent Prescriber. 

Working for our organisation

Bristol NHS Foundation Trust brings together more than 28,000 staff to deliver over 160 clinical services across thirteen hospital locations, operating from three main sites at Southmead, Bristol city centre and Weston.  

With an annual turnover of £2.3 billion, we are now one of the largest NHS trusts in the United Kingdom. Our hospitals are spread across Bristol and Weston, join us and you can enjoy the very best of both worlds; city living within a stone’s throw of the countryside or beside the seaside, both with easy access to all that the South West has to offer. 

Bristol NHS Foundation Trust values all people as individuals. As an equal opportunities employer actively working towards a diverse workforce we aim to recruit and retain a workforce which represents the rich diversity of the local population at all levels and are committed to designing our services around the needs of individual patients and those around them. Anonymous information will be used from your application in order to ensure we’re meeting our pledge. 

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

For a more detailed job description and main responsibilities, please refer to the job description document attached to this vacancy.

Person specification

Education and qualifications

Essential criteria
  • UK registered Pharmacist with GPhC
  • Degree in Pharmacy (4-year programme leading to MPharm, BPharm or BSc [Pharmacy]) and successful completion of the trainee year and registration exam
  • Completed the clinical diploma or other recognised postgraduate qualification suitable for this role
  • Qualified Independent Prescriber (or willing to complete)

Experience

Essential criteria
  • Previous experience as a qualified hospital pharmacist for at least 1 year at band 7 or higher
  • Experience of producing and maintaining policies, procedures and guidelines
  • Experience of teaching or supporting learning (e.g. mentoring, DPP, DPS, Educational Supervisor)
  • Evidence of leadership
  • Problem solving appropriate to the level of the post. Including; responding to queries at a high level from senior clinical and non clinical staff.
  • Experience of service development or project delivery
Desirable criteria
  • Clinical pharmacy experience in managing neurosciences patients in the secondary care setting
  • Experience of supporting neurosciences service objectives
  • Experience of working with colleagues across organisational boundaries

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

Essential criteria
  • Evidence of continual CPD
  • Experience of audit and quality systems
  • Familiar with all relevant Trust policies and departmental Standard Operating Procedures
  • Ability to proactively use, maintain and develop professional knowledge in specialist area to enhance patient care through the safe and effective use of medicines
  • Review and process complex information with minimum supervision
  • IT skills – pharmacy computer system, standard PC office software to ECDL level and data base searches
  • Able to advise on pharmacy legislation relevant to specialist area
  • Ability to plan, manage, monitor and review therapeutic programmes for patients
  • Ability to review and process complex information e.g. provision of reports on drug expenditure and other performance indicators, applications for new formulary medications
Desirable criteria
  • Evidence of ability to publish, including posters

Personal qualities

Essential criteria
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to present information, both orally and written, in a clear and concise manner.
  • Excellent interpersonal skills in order to communicate effectively with patients/carers, medical and nursing staff, colleagues within the pharmacy and staff working in external organisations
  • Able to manage time and prioritise effectively
  • Ability to use own initiative and work as part of a team using an adaptable and flexible approach.
  • Proactive approach to the application of specialist pharmaceutical knowledge in order to enhance patient care
  • Ability to successfully develop knowledge in specialist area
  • Adaptable and flexible approach to work

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Trust IDDisability Confident - two yearsVeteran AwareApprenticeships logoNo smoking policyAge positiveCare quality commission - GoodMindful employer.  Being positive about mental health.Disability confident employerNHS Pastoral CareStep into healthMenopause Workplace PledgeDefence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) - GoldPride In Veterans

Applicant requirements

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Documents to download

Apply online now

Further details / informal visits contact

Name
Rachael Pilkington
Job title
Co-Lead Principal Pharmacist for NMSK
Email address
[email protected]
Telephone number
0117 41 42267
Additional information

Please note I only work on Tuesday, Thursday and Fridays.

Alternatively, please contact the current post holder, Gemma Westlake

[email protected]

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