Job summary
- Main area
- Pharmacy
- Grade
- NHS AfC: Band 8a
- Contract
- Permanent
- Hours
- Full time - 37.5 hours per week (Late shifts, weekends as per rota and back-up on-call rota)
- Job ref
- 418-AHP2443-MR
- Employer
- Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- Bedford Hospital
- Town
- Bedford
- Salary
- £53,755 - £60,504 PA
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Closing
- 25/07/2025 23:59
Employer heading

Lead Pharmacist, Education & Training
NHS AfC: Band 8a
Job overview
Support the Delivery of a High-Quality Pharmacy Education & Training Strategy
Are you an experienced and motivated pharmacist with a passion for education and workforce development? We are looking for a Lead Pharmacist – Education & Training to play a crucial role in developing and implementing the pharmacy education and training strategy at Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.
Working closely with the Principal Pharmacist, Education & Training, you will contribute to shaping the strategic training agenda while leading the practical delivery of high-quality education and development initiatives for our pharmacy workforce. This is a fantastic opportunity to mentor, support, and guide pharmacists and pharmacy staff while ensuring training meets the evolving needs of the NHS.
Why Join Us?
· Implementation-Focused Leadership Role – Play a key role in executing the Trust’s pharmacy education and training strategy.
· Networking – Work across Bedford Hospital and associated Trust sites, engaging with regional and national training networks.
· Career Development – Support pharmacists through Foundation Level training, postgraduate qualifications, and CPD opportunities, whilst the Trust supports your development.
· Collaborative Team Culture – Work alongside a highly skilled Pharmacy Senior Leadership Team and Trust-wide education leads.
Main duties of the job
Main Duties:
- Training Implementation – Lead and coordinate structured training programmes for Foundation Level and postgraduate pharmacists.
- Workforce Development – Provide mentorship, supervision, and competency support for pharmacy staff.
- Trainee Pharmacist Support – Ensure compliance with GPhC training standards through structured learning.
- CPD & Education Strategy – Support CPD initiatives and workforce training aligned with national standards.
- Collaboration & Engagement – Work with HEE, universities, and clinical supervisors to enhance education.
- Clinical & Governance Contribution – Participate in prescribing training, audit, and workforce planning.
- Strategic Workforce Input – Assist in shaping long-term pharmacy workforce development strategies.
Candidate Requirements:
- Registered GPhC Pharmacist with expertise in education and workforce development.
- Strong leadership, mentorship, and training implementation experience.
- Ability to balance strategic planning with hands-on training delivery.
- Excellent organisational and collaborative skills with internal and external stakeholders.
- Passionate about advancing pharmacy education and improving service delivery.
Working for our organisation
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.
We have state-of-the art facilities placing us at the heart of cutting edge health care. The Trust continues to be committed to delivering the best patient care using the best clinical knowledge and technology available.
Please note that vacancies may close prior to the advertised closing date when sufficient number of applications have been received. Please ensure that you make your application as soon as possible.
All new staff will be subject to a probationary period covering their first six months in post. Travel between hospital sites may be required.
Please review all documents attached to this advert to ensure you familiarise yourself with all requirements of the job.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
The Job Description and Person Specification are attached to this job, please review for the full details and responsibilities.
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
- Post graduate Diploma in Clinical Pharmacy or equivalent
- Clinical Diploma tutor/Educational Supervisor
- Independent prescriber
Desirable criteria
- QI Training
- Stage 1 Faculty Member (MIFRPS)
- Train the trainer qualification
Experience
Essential criteria
- • Experienced clinical pharmacist across a range of clinical specialities at band 7 or above
- Staff line management experience
- Experience in supervising and training staff
- Experience in delivering E&T to various health care professionals
Desirable criteria
- Recent practical experience of independent prescribing for a designated group of patients
- Service development
Skills
Essential criteria
- Knowledge of Health Education England (HEE) work-plans
- • In-depth knowledge of the Foundation and General Level Framework for Pharmacists (and equivalent for Pharmacy Technicians)
- Ability to prioritise work and meet deadlines
Desirable criteria
- • Knowledge of developments in NHS strategy particularly in Pharmacy E&T and systems to implement into NHS services
- Enthusiastic about development of pharmacy services
- Team player
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
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Dilesh Khandhia
- Job title
- Head of Pharmacy - Bedford Hospital
- Email address
- [email protected]
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