Senior Pharmacist - Rheumatology | East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust


Company:	East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust
Salary:	£57,528 - £64,750 per annum
Hours:	Full-time
Location:	Blackburn, BB2 3HH
Job type:	Permanent
Posting date:	17 Sept 2026
Closing date:	17 Oct 2026

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Summary

An excitingopportunityhas arisento join ourdynamicPharmacy teamas aSenior Pharmacist(Band 8a)working withinthe Rheumatology Directorate. 

This position offers a wealth of unique clinical and professional development opportunities within the both the Rheumatology and Pharmacy Department.

The successful candidate will play a pivotal role in delivering exceptional pharmaceutical care and services, working collaboratively within a multi-disciplinary team to supportoptimalpatient outcomes.

You will: 

• Work as an integral member of themulti-disciplinary teamto provide specialist clinical pharmacy support to the Rheumatologyservice.

• Be responsible forleading and developing the clinical pharmacy service to the Medicines and Emergency Care (MEC) Divisionin accordance withtheobjectivesset by the Divisional Lead Pharmacist, with particular emphasis on the RheumatologyDirectorate.

• Providehighly specialised advice in all pharmaceutical matters.

• Work as an independent prescriber managing a defined patient caseloadwithin Rheumatology.

• Ensure that medicine use within the Rheumatology speciality is safe,effectiveand cost effective.

• Work with the homecare pharmacy team to ensureappropriate useof homecare medicine supply.

• Monitor and provide comment on drug expenditure asrequirede.gin relation tohigh cost(biologics and biosimilars) and the introduction of new therapeutic agents.

Lead and deliver an advanced specialist pharmaceutical care service to patients within the rheumatology service, in accordance with the priorities set by the post-holder and the Clinical Lead Pharmacist, in order to ensure, safe, clinically effective and cost-efficient use of medicines and taking into account national and corporate priorities.

Lead the development of the Rheumatology pharmacy service including; setting up and delivering pharmacist-led rheumatology clinics, providing patient education on systemic treatments for rheumatology and initiate appropriate medication and associated monitoring ensuring accurate transfer of care information and follow up.

Maintain clinical competencies and support the Clinical Pharmacy team by working on in-patient wards or the dispensary.

In addition, you will be required to:

* Assist in the development of relevant policies, guidelines and pathways.

* Monitor compliance with NICE guidance and TAs, and other nationally and locally agreed guidelines, pathways and audits.

* Work with the homecare pharmacist to incorporate relevant treatments or undertake medicine switches.

* Proactively undertake quality improvement and/or research.

East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust aims to deliver the highest quality care to its patients. We employ dedicated staff, some of which have won awards for their work and are internationally renowned. 

Whilst being spread across sites and havinga large number ofstaff we are very welcoming to all and have many assistants, technicians and pharmacists who have worked and progressed with us for very many years.

We have strong links with our local universities with three teacher practitioners who support junior pharmacists and provide teaching to medical and pharmacy undergraduates.

Wehave highlyspecialist pharmacists working within other clinical arease.gHomecare and MedicinesInformationand those who deliver clinics for Cardiology,DermatologyandPaediatrics. We are keen to support the professional development of our staff and look to the future of Consultant Pharmacist roles at the Trust.

It is a challenging time for all in the NHS, but at East Lancashire Teaching Hospitals you be given support, mentorship,autonomyand the Pharmacy Management Team will work hard to ensure that you reach and maintain your potential whilst having a rewarding and fulfilled career. 

See attached documents for full details of the job description and person specification. 

If you have any questions or would like to arrange an informal visit,  pleasedon'thesitate to get in touch.

Please contact:

Hannah RobinsonHannah.robinson@elht.nhs.uk(Clinical Lead Pharmacist -Medicine)on 01254 732251or

Emma CoupeEmma.coupe@elht.nhs.uk(Assistant Director of Clinical Pharmacy and Governance)on 01254 732791or via email.

This advert closes on Thursday 1 Oct 2026

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