Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Our vibrant pharmacy team at BHFT collaborates with system partners across the Bedfordshire Care Alliance. We have an exciting opportunity for an inspirational and motivated individual to join us as
Principal Pharmacist, Education & Training . This renewed position is integral to the successful design, transformation, and delivery of our innovative Education, Training, and Staff Development strategy. This position leads a team of five staff dedicated to E&T, responsible for streamlined delivery across four domains: pre-registration, foundation level framework, advanced level framework, and consultant level framework. This role specifically leads on the
Advanced and Consultant Level Framework
training and accreditation for Pharmacists in accordance with RPS standards. You will focus on managing, leading, strategic planning, and coordination of the ALF training and development plan, providing expert guidance, mentorship, and support. You will be a representative and key stakeholder for BHFT at local and regional levels, developing close working relationships with our collaborative schools of pharmacy. You will play a pivotal role with the Trust Practice Development Team in ensuring effective, integrated, and system-wide readiness for future pharmacy prescriber professionals on the journey to 2026. Main Duties of the Job
Develop a strategic plan to attract, train, develop, and retain the pharmacy workforce, building on the Pharmacy Integration & Medicines Optimisation Strategy. Network with counterparts across the Integrated Care System in the development of a 'one BLMK workforce.' Be responsible for the development and delivery of suitable education and training for all pharmacy staff. Manage, lead, strategically plan, and co-ordinate the ALF training and development plan for registered pharmacy staff, providing expert guidance, mentorship, and support. Be the named Trainee Pharmacist Manager as required by the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC), providing assurance as necessary. Chair and convene the 'Pharmacy Forum,' giving a voice to all grades of pharmacy staff and supporting well-being events for the department. Be a key member of the Senior Pharmacy Leadership Team (PSLT), working with the Chief Pharmacist and Heads of Pharmacy to review, refresh, and deliver the education, training, and workforce development aspects of the Pharmacy Strategy to meet the needs of the Trust, its staff, and its patients. About Us
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 well-being 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. Our Values
We not only recruit based on qualifications and experience - we recruit individuals who demonstrate the behaviours that underpin our Trust's core values. We achieve this by using values-based recruitment. We are dedicated to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible for everyone, promoting equality and diversity, and creating a culture that values differences. Please note that vacancies may close prior to the advertised closing date when a sufficient number of applications have been received. All new staff will be subject to a probationary period covering the 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. Job Responsibilities
Please see the complete Job description for a full breakdown of roles and responsibilities, included in the supporting documents. Person Specification
Qualifications
Pharmacy degree (Masters level) Registration with the GPhC Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical Pharmacy or equivalent Registered as an Independent Prescriber with the GPhC Accredited Diploma Tutor or Pre-Reg tutor Train the Trainer qualification Postgraduate Masters in Pharmacy Member of the RPS Stage II Faculty Member of the RPS (MIIFRPS) Agile / Prince 2 Foundation Leadership or Management training course QI Training Experience
Extensive recent post-registration hospital experience as a clinical pharmacist at band 8a in the relevant specialist clinical area Experienced clinical pharmacist with a range of clinical specialities Experience as a personal tutor to trainee pharmacists and diploma students Experience of delivering clinical supervision to both foundation and specialist pharmacy practitioners Experience of developing and leading on projects including change management and service development within the area of E&T Experience of managing and leading a team Experience of business case preparation, submission, and implementation of outcomes Experienced clinical pharmacist who has covered a range of clinical specialities in more than one hospital Recent practical experience of independent prescribing for a designated group of patients Experience of writing for pharmaceutical or educational publications Presentation to Trust-wide and external meetings Experience as a personal tutor to pharmacists undertaking postgraduate studies at Master level and above Knowledge
Advanced detailed clinical knowledge of drugs and therapeutic trends within the specialist area Knowledge of NICE, Health Education England (HEE), NHS Improvement patient and their local implementation In-depth knowledge of the General Level and Advanced Level Framework for Pharmacists (and equivalent for Pharmacy Technicians) Knowledge of legislation/guidance relating to medicines usage and prescribing Knowledge of developments in NHS strategy particularly in Pharmacy E&T and systems to implement into NHS services Knowledge and awareness of implications of current developments in pharmacy practice and NHS strategies Computer literate with knowledge of Word, PowerPoint, and Excel (or equivalent IT systems) Knowledge of systems for non-medical prescribing Principles of Quality Improvement Advanced level of clinical reasoning and judgement. Ability to apply logical and analytical skills to manage clinical risk during the use of medicines Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975, and as such, it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions. Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust Address #J-18808-Ljbffr
Our vibrant pharmacy team at BHFT collaborates with system partners across the Bedfordshire Care Alliance. We have an exciting opportunity for an inspirational and motivated individual to join us as
Principal Pharmacist, Education & Training . This renewed position is integral to the successful design, transformation, and delivery of our innovative Education, Training, and Staff Development strategy. This position leads a team of five staff dedicated to E&T, responsible for streamlined delivery across four domains: pre-registration, foundation level framework, advanced level framework, and consultant level framework. This role specifically leads on the
Advanced and Consultant Level Framework
training and accreditation for Pharmacists in accordance with RPS standards. You will focus on managing, leading, strategic planning, and coordination of the ALF training and development plan, providing expert guidance, mentorship, and support. You will be a representative and key stakeholder for BHFT at local and regional levels, developing close working relationships with our collaborative schools of pharmacy. You will play a pivotal role with the Trust Practice Development Team in ensuring effective, integrated, and system-wide readiness for future pharmacy prescriber professionals on the journey to 2026. Main Duties of the Job
Develop a strategic plan to attract, train, develop, and retain the pharmacy workforce, building on the Pharmacy Integration & Medicines Optimisation Strategy. Network with counterparts across the Integrated Care System in the development of a 'one BLMK workforce.' Be responsible for the development and delivery of suitable education and training for all pharmacy staff. Manage, lead, strategically plan, and co-ordinate the ALF training and development plan for registered pharmacy staff, providing expert guidance, mentorship, and support. Be the named Trainee Pharmacist Manager as required by the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC), providing assurance as necessary. Chair and convene the 'Pharmacy Forum,' giving a voice to all grades of pharmacy staff and supporting well-being events for the department. Be a key member of the Senior Pharmacy Leadership Team (PSLT), working with the Chief Pharmacist and Heads of Pharmacy to review, refresh, and deliver the education, training, and workforce development aspects of the Pharmacy Strategy to meet the needs of the Trust, its staff, and its patients. About Us
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 well-being 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. Our Values
We not only recruit based on qualifications and experience - we recruit individuals who demonstrate the behaviours that underpin our Trust's core values. We achieve this by using values-based recruitment. We are dedicated to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible for everyone, promoting equality and diversity, and creating a culture that values differences. Please note that vacancies may close prior to the advertised closing date when a sufficient number of applications have been received. All new staff will be subject to a probationary period covering the 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. Job Responsibilities
Please see the complete Job description for a full breakdown of roles and responsibilities, included in the supporting documents. Person Specification
Qualifications
Pharmacy degree (Masters level) Registration with the GPhC Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical Pharmacy or equivalent Registered as an Independent Prescriber with the GPhC Accredited Diploma Tutor or Pre-Reg tutor Train the Trainer qualification Postgraduate Masters in Pharmacy Member of the RPS Stage II Faculty Member of the RPS (MIIFRPS) Agile / Prince 2 Foundation Leadership or Management training course QI Training Experience
Extensive recent post-registration hospital experience as a clinical pharmacist at band 8a in the relevant specialist clinical area Experienced clinical pharmacist with a range of clinical specialities Experience as a personal tutor to trainee pharmacists and diploma students Experience of delivering clinical supervision to both foundation and specialist pharmacy practitioners Experience of developing and leading on projects including change management and service development within the area of E&T Experience of managing and leading a team Experience of business case preparation, submission, and implementation of outcomes Experienced clinical pharmacist who has covered a range of clinical specialities in more than one hospital Recent practical experience of independent prescribing for a designated group of patients Experience of writing for pharmaceutical or educational publications Presentation to Trust-wide and external meetings Experience as a personal tutor to pharmacists undertaking postgraduate studies at Master level and above Knowledge
Advanced detailed clinical knowledge of drugs and therapeutic trends within the specialist area Knowledge of NICE, Health Education England (HEE), NHS Improvement patient and their local implementation In-depth knowledge of the General Level and Advanced Level Framework for Pharmacists (and equivalent for Pharmacy Technicians) Knowledge of legislation/guidance relating to medicines usage and prescribing Knowledge of developments in NHS strategy particularly in Pharmacy E&T and systems to implement into NHS services Knowledge and awareness of implications of current developments in pharmacy practice and NHS strategies Computer literate with knowledge of Word, PowerPoint, and Excel (or equivalent IT systems) Knowledge of systems for non-medical prescribing Principles of Quality Improvement Advanced level of clinical reasoning and judgement. Ability to apply logical and analytical skills to manage clinical risk during the use of medicines Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975, and as such, it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions. Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust Address #J-18808-Ljbffr
