The role will be handed to pharmacists who “combine the highest level of clinical competence, with a drive to innovate at pharmacy level”, the multiple said. It gave the example of pharmacists working at the “cutting edge of pharmacy”, from “pioneering research to [having an] outstanding clinical impact” in the community.

Boots pharmacists who have been qualified for at least 18 months can apply for the role, and an independent prescribing qualification is preferred. Royal Pharmaceutical Society faculty membership is also “desirable”, the multiple said yesterday (February 4).

Applicants must have identified a business sponsor – someone who works in an area specific to their work, Boots explained.

Pharmacists will be in the role for a “set period of time” – determined by a newly created “specialist practitioner review panel” – and will be on an “enhanced salary scale”.

“Upon review, should they no longer be carrying out the role at a specialist practitioner level, they will revert to a standard pharmacist…or with the job title and grade of the role they were doing previously,” Boots said.

Six Boots pharmacists have already been recruited to the role, the multiple said.

“Clear, clinical career pathways”

Boots chief pharmacist Marc Donovan said the multiple wants to ensure it has “clear, clinical career pathways and support” for all its pharmacists.

“As the landscape of pharmacy changes, the role of the pharmacist is evolving to respond to the additional opportunities to further impact patients’ lives. As an organisation, we want to ensure we attract and retain the very best pharmacist colleagues,” Mr Donovan said.

Pharmacists appointed to the role will “lead by applying expert clinical and professional knowledge in the design and delivery of innovative services and care in pharmacy”, he added.

C+D has asked Boots for further details on the “specialist pharmacist practitioner” role.

You can also search for the latest vacancies at Boots on C+D Jobs