260223 (KA) Advanced Pharmacist, Clinical Trials

Job reference:

260223

Salary:

Band 8A (£65,125 - £70,303)

Job closing date:

05/10/2026

Job Type:

Other Therapeutic

Location:

Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh/Western General Hospital

Employment type:

Fixed-term

Hours Per Week:

Various

Job posted date:

21/09/2026

Employer (NHS Board):

NHS Lothian

Department:

• Pharmacy Department
• Where to find us
• location_on
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• Job Advert
• Advanced Pharmacist Clinical Trials
• NHS Lothian Pharmacy & Medicines Service
• Western General Hospital/Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh

Band 8A | 1.5 WTE | 2 posts (1 x 36 hours based at Western General Hospital and 1 x 18 hours based at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh)

12 months Fixed term/Secondment

(with some weekend and public holiday working)

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.

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Please note: we anticipate a high level of interest in this position and may close the vacancy early once a sufficient amount of applications are received. Therefore, please make sure you complete and submit your application at an early stage.

We will fully support disabled candidates, and candidates with long-term conditions or who are neurodivergent by making reasonable adjustments to our recruitment policy and practices.

This post requires the post holder to have a PVG Scheme membership/record. If the post holder is not a current PVG member for the required regulatory group (i.e. child and/or adult) then an application will need to be made to Disclosure Scotland and deemed satisfactory before they can begin in post.

Please note: As this post is part-time, the salary will be pro-rata.

Are Ready to take on your next big challenge? Step into the world of Clinical Trials and deliver cutting-edge, life-changing therapies that are shaping the future of medicine. Working at the intersection of research and clinical practice, this role truly makes a difference, supporting patients to access new treatments and advancing person-centred care.

We are delighted to offer this exciting opportunity to contribute to NHS Lothian’s ambitious clinical trials portfolio across a wide range of specialties. There are 2 x fixed term (12 month) positions available.

You will play a pivotal role in managing and delivering trials focused on cancer and non-cancer therapies and emerging innovative treatments, aligned with NHS Lothian’s pharmacy and research strategies and national ambitions for the UK to be a world leader in clinical research.

This is a time of significant growth and opportunity for the Pharmacy Clinical Trials Service as we embed a new service structure and look to the future and there is real scope to shape and expand this role as we strive to be a high‑performing team. We are looking for motivated pharmacists with strong team values, excellent professional judgement, and a passion for quality improvement and innovation to join our well-established multidisciplinary team.

About the Role

The NHS Lothian Pharmacy Clinical Trials Team plays a vital role in delivering around 200 clinical trials across multiple sites and clinical specialties.

In this role, you will help expand our clinical trials portfolio and support the implementation of both local and national research strategies. You will work collaboratively with pharmacy services and the wider research community to ensure equitable access to clinical trials across NHS Lothian.

These posts are based at the Western General Hospital and Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh. You will be supported to maintain clinical practice through sessional commitments, with the potential for hybrid working arrangements.

Why Join Us?

This is a fantastic opportunity to join a forward-thinking and innovative team, dedicated to modernising pharmacy services and expanding the roles of pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, and support staff in delivering high-quality clinical trials.

You will play a key role in developing services that improve patient access to research and enhance how care is delivered. The role offers exposure to a wide range of novel therapies across multiple disease areas, making it an excellent environment for professional growth.

About You

Essential Qualifications and Competencies

• A Master of Pharmacy Degree (or equivalent).
• Registration with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC).
• An Independent Prescribing Qualification.
• Candidates who have completed a Postgraduate Clinical Pharmacy Diploma or MSc in Clinical Pharmacy should complete the learning needs analysis (LNA) using the LNA tool in the RPS e-portfolio, identifying any gaps that will need addressed as part of PDP plans.
• Candidates who have not completed a Postgraduate Clinical Pharmacy Diploma or MSc in Clinical Pharmacy must demonstrate substantial progress across the four pillars of the RPS Core Advanced Pharmacist Curriculum through:
• Engagement with the RPS Core Advanced 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 Advanced Curriculum and any gaps that will need addressed as part of PDP plansExperience and Knowledge
• Hospital pharmacy clinical trials service delivery experience and working within relevant clinical specialities.
• Experience in developing procedures, policies and guidelines and providing medicines management advice for pharmacy and multi-disciplinary teams.
• Experience of working within complex multi-disciplinary environments.About NHS Lothian

NHS Lothian covers Edinburgh city, East Lothian, Midlothian and West Lothian. We are the second largest health system in NHS Scotland and one of only four teaching Boards. We have strategic partnerships with local Universities, Local Authorities and our four Integration Joint Boards. We serve a population of 900,000, providing a range of primary, community based and acute hospital services.

We foster a culture of collaboration, innovation, and professional development, making NHS Lothian an exciting place to work and grow your career.

Ready to Take the Next Step?

For further information on what is included in the role and the skills/experience we’re looking for, please refer to the job description and person specification linked below. However, we understand that there's only so much a job pack can convey. We warmly encourage you to get in touch with the hiring manager. This is a great chance to have an informal discussion, ask questions, and explore how this role aligns with your career goals.

For further information on what is included in the role and what skills/experience are being looked for, click on the links at the bottom of the screen to the job description and person specification. If after reading this information you have any questions, please contact Ben Elliott, Lead Pharmacist, Clinical Trials – ben.elliott@nhs.scot

For internal Pharmacy candidates: Please ensure that you have discussed your application with your line manager and that a completed and signed 'Pharmacy Secondment Approval Form' has been authorised prior to attending your interview.