Advanced Specialist Pharmacist - HIVNHS

Job summary

An opportunity has arisen for an Advanced Specialist Pharmacist - HIV (Band 8a) to lead and deliver a highly specialist HIV pharmacy service within Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

The post holder will provide expert pharmaceutical care for patients with HIV across outpatient and inpatient settings, working as a core member of the multidisciplinary HIV team. The role supports safe, effective and evidence-based use of antiretroviral therapy in line with national guidance, including BHIVA standards, and contributes to service development, medicines optimisation, governance and prescribing activity (subject to qualification).

As part of maintaining broader clinical pharmacy services, the post holder will also spend approximately one day per week supporting general pharmacy clinical activities, including ward-based clinical services and dispensary work.

This is a key role in ensuring the Trust meets service specification requirements and manages medicines-related risk within HIV services.

Main duties of the job

• Lead and deliver a specialist clinical pharmacy service for patients with HIV.
• Provide expert advice on antiretroviral therapy, including complex regimens, drug interactions and resistance.
• Deliver clinic-based pharmacy services, including adherence support and patient counselling.
• Contribute to outpatient and inpatient services within the specialist area.
• Work as a key member of the multidisciplinary HIV team, contributing to MDT discussions and treatment planning.
• Provide specialist HIV medicines advice to pharmacy colleagues, ward teams and external healthcare professionals.
• Support general pharmacy clinical activities one day per week, including ward working and dispensary services.
• Support education and training for pharmacy staff and the wider MDT.

Job description

• Ensure the safe, effective and costeffective use of medicines within the HIV service.
• Provide specialist clinical input for patients with complex HIV and comorbidities.
• Support inpatient HIV services, including access to specialist pharmacy advice.
• Contribute to medicines safety, incident review, audit and service improvement activity.
• Develop and review local guidelines, policies and procedures in line with Trust and national standards.
• Support medicines optimisation and service planning, including contribution to financial and activity information.
• Act as a professional role model, maintaining advanced specialist knowledge within HIV pharmacy practice.

See job description for further details.

About us

The Pharmacy Department at Blackpool Teaching Hospitals is a large department (over 150 staff) and a friendly environment with established senior support. We are dedicated to education and professional development and encourage/support ongoing education. We have a very favourable on-call commitment, that all pharmacists in the department contribute to.

Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is ideally situated just a forty-five-minute drive from Manchester. The Trust provides services to the 440,000 residents of Blackpool, Fylde & Wyre and North Lancashire, as well as specialist tertiary care for Cardiac, Haematology and Cystic fibrosis patients.

As one of the United Kingdom's largest coastal resort, Blackpool has plenty to offer its residents -it's not just a good place to work; it's a great place to live. In addition to its bustling centre and historic seafront, the town is world famous for its many attractions, including the famous Blackpool Tower. Blackpool also offers several scenic cycling routes round our local parks and across the surrounding countryside, as well as boasting panoramic views of the coast on its picturesque Promenade. Further afield, Blackpool also benefits from less than three-hour connections via rail to Edinburgh in the north and London in the South.