A career in pharmacy

A career in pharmacy

Our Pharmacy team provides a wide range of support to our hospitals, and we play a crucial role in applying expert knowledge of medicines to optimise patient care, all whilst ensuring the safe and effective use of medicines.

If you enjoy science and are keen to help others, pharmacy could be for you.

Latest news from Pharmacy

Pharmacy Frailty team HSJ
Pharmacist team who are supporting frail patients who attend the Emergency Department shortlisted for national award

Our pharmacy team has been shortlisted for a prestigious national award for improving safety and quality of care for frail patients attending the Emergency Department at Royal Derby Hospital, through ...

The Medicines Optimisation team has been shortlisted in the 2024 HSJ Patient Safety Awards
National recognition for pharmacy team's work to ensure patients' medication is managed correctly following hospital admission

Pharmacists across UHDB are “proud to be keeping patients safe even after they leave our care” after being recognised at a national level for their work. The Medicines Optimisation te...

Why join our Pharmacy team?

Our Pharmacy team is far reaching within Derbyshire and Burton, and we provide a wide variety of roles and opportunities to suit all our staff.

A career in pharmacy can be flexible to suit your needs, and no two days will be the same in this varied and fast paced environment. You'll gain a sense of fulfilment by helping people every day, making a significant impact to their lives, even with the smallest of actions.

Our diverse Pharmacy team is always looking to the future, helping pave the way for exciting new developments in drug treatments and procedures, and using up to date technology to deliver excellent patient care. Innovative roles are always being developed in our teams, and you'll have plenty of opportunity to develop your own pharmacy career.
 

A short NHS Health Careers video, explaining more about a career in pharmacy.

Meet our teams and areas of work

Medicines Supply (dispensary and pharmacy stores) 

There are pharmacy dispensaries located at four of our sites, two of which have automated dispensing robots. Dispensary staff play a crucial role in the safe supply of medications and treatments to patients, and each day is different.

The Pharmacy Stores and Procurement teams ensure that ‘stock’ medicines are available to wards, clinics, and Dispensary teams in a safe and timely way.   Working in stores gives you an opportunity to meet different people every day.

Each of these areas have an evolving and diverse team who offer a friendly welcome to anyone.


Clinical Pharmacy and Medicines Management services

Our Clinical Pharmacy service ensures the use of medication is both safe and appropriate, and that patients receive the best possible care. The Clinical Pharmacy team are a useful source of information for patients, nursing, and medical staff on the ward, actively offering advice and guidance on medication issues to promote the safe and effective use of medicines. We also work closely with primary care to ensure the safe transfer of care across the healthcare sector.

By working in Clinical Pharmacy you will be able to make a real difference to direct patient care. Working as a part of a multi-disciplinary team, you will get the opportunity to develop your clinical pharmacy skills in this growing and supportive team. We are constantly evolving and developing our Clinical Pharmacy service with the launch of new advanced clinical technician roles, alongside a growing number of independent prescribing pharmacists posts. Now is a great time to join the team.


Digital 

A small, diverse, and friendly team working together supporting the department and the wider Trust to design and implement the future of data and systems. Our IT systems touch every single patient, every minute of the day, providing lots of opportunity to maximise patient benefit.


Technical Services 

Our Technical Services team play a crucial role in the safe preparation and supply of injectable medicines and chemotherapy treatments to patients. The team is equipped to deal with an ever-changing environment, and each colleague is trained to have inter-changeable skills.


Commissioning and Outsourcing

Our Commissioning and Outsourcing team do vital work focussing on high-cost drugs, ensuring that they are being used appropriately and in line with both regional and national guidance. This ensures that NHS resources are being utilised in the most efficient way and that individual patients are receiving the most optimised medicines.

The team work very closely with a number of external partners who help us to serve our patients. This includes work with Pride Pharmacy, who provide Outpatient Pharmacy services at Royal Derby Hospital, and with a variety of homecare providers, who help us to deliver medications directly to patient homes, preventing the need to visit the hospital itself.

Thousands of patients benefit from using these services every year.

Roles in the team

A career in pharmacy can begin from entry level, and the career pathways are endless. Support and opportunity are given to all our colleagues for further training and leadership development. Some roles which you may have heard of include:

  • Pharmacists
  • Pharmacy Technicians
  • Senior and Assistant Technical Officers
  • Admin and Clerical staff
  • Healthcare Scientists
  • Quality Assurance Manager


For more information about a career in pharmacy, visit the Joined Up Care Derbyshire website (opens in new window) >.