Advanced Clinical Pharmacist

Band 8a Advanced Clinical Pharmacist – Mental Health and Learning Disabilities Pharmacy Team, New Craigs Hospital, Inverness

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Band 8a Advanced Clinical Pharmacist to join our Mental Health and Learning Disabilities Pharmacy Team at New Craigs Hospital, Inverness. We are seeking an experienced and proactive pharmacist with advanced clinical expertise, who also has excellent leadership, interpersonal and communication skills. The successful candidate will be able to work under pressure, prioritise and manage time effectively.

The post holder will lead the development and delivery of specialist pharmacy services within mental health services and across sectors. Working autonomously and collaboratively as a senior member of the multidisciplinary team, you will provide expert pharmaceutical advice, support medicines optimisation, drive clinical governance, and lead service development, education, training, and quality improvement initiatives.

• Masters Degree in Pharmacy (or equivalent).
• Registration with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC).
• Registration as an independent pharmacist prescriber with the GPhC.
• Post‑graduate qualification (Diploma level) in psychiatric clinical pharmacy or equivalent experience.
• At least 5 years’ experience in hospital/general practice setting, including at least 3 years in the psychiatric specialty and the ability to demonstrate a high level of professional practice and expert clinical knowledge, reasoning and judgement.
• Evidence of commitment to CPD in accordance with the GPhC requirements and willingness to undertake statutory and mandatory training set by the organisation.
• Full UK driving licence.

• Working towards or completion of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society’s advanced practice framework.
• Experience of organising and delivering education and training at different levels and in different formats.
• Experience of clinical audit, quality improvement and service development.

This post offers an excellent opportunity to work at an advanced level, leading and shaping clinical pharmacy services within Mental Health and Learning Disabilities in NHS Highland. The successful candidate will be supported by a skilled, forward‑thinking pharmacy team and will have scope to innovate and improve patient care pathways.

Informal enquiries welcome to Rebecca McLelland, Principal Pharmacist for Mental Health and Learning Disabilities; email: rebecca.mclellandt; tel:

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.