Job overview

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.

 

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. 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.

It is an exciting time to join the newly formed Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. We run two busy hospital sites in Bedford and Luton. Our 7,500 staff provide high quality care for a growing population of around 700,000 across Bedfordshire and the surrounding areas.

 

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. Travel between hospital sites may be required. 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.