Job summary
We are seeking a skilled writer and researcher to join the Welsh Medicines Advice Service (WMAS) and help improve how medicines information is developed and communicated across Wales.
This role is ideal for someone who enjoys working with evidence, analysing complex information, and translating it into clear, accessible content for diverse audiences. You do not need to be a pharmacist; instead, we are looking for strong analytical, writing and critical-appraisal skills, and an interest in healthcare, public health or evidence-based decision-making.
As an Information Specialist, you will research health and medical literature, evaluate evidence, and produce high-quality materials such as safety updates, information summaries, public-facing medicine guides and reports that support healthcare decision-making. Your work will be used nationally by healthcare professionals, patients and policy teams.
You will also support audit and research projects, respond to complex information enquiries, and help improve processes through effective use of digital tools and technology. There will be opportunities to present findings, contribute to posters or publications, and support training in research and information skills.
This is a varied and impactful role for someone who is organised, detail-focused and motivated by improving healthcare through high-quality information. We welcome informal visits or questions.
Main duties of the job
The role involves producing, editing and maintaining high-quality written materials--including Individual Patient Funding Request (IPFR) evidence summaries, news articles, safety memos, medicine guides and monographs--to support safe medicines use and wider WMAS workstreams. Responsibilities include coordinating workloads with Advanced Pharmacists, leading timely development of publications, and providing clear, evidence-based advice to inform prescribing in Wales. The post requires comprehensive literature searching, critical appraisal and balanced drafting using approved templates, as well as preparing materials suitable for healthcare professionals or the public. It also involves gathering and integrating feedback, following UKMI quality assurance processes, and completing research and audit projects. Additional duties include proposing and leading research topics, producing conference outputs, writing for journals and supporting others undertaking research. The role contributes to the Medicines Advice enquiry service by answering complex queries, evaluating evidence and providing specialist advice. Teaching responsibilities include training pharmacists and students in literature searching, critical appraisal and effective writing. The post also reviews processes to improve the use of technology.
About us
Cardiff and Vale University Health Board is one of the largest Integrated Health Boards in the UK, employing over 17,000 staff, providing over 100 specialist services. Working across 6 hospital sites, we have a diverse range of career opportunities to offer. Serving over 500,000 people living in Cardiff and the Vale, we are focussed on the health and care needs of our local population whilst working with our partners to develop regional services. Together we are committed to improving health outcomes for everyone, delivering excellent care and support.
Our mission is "Living Well, Caring Well, Working Together", and our vision is that every person's chance of leading a healthy life should be equal. Our 10-year transformation and improvement strategy, Shaping Our Future Wellbeing, is our chance to work collaboratively with the public and our workforce to make our health board more sustainable for the future.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The ability to speak Welsh is desirable for this post; Welsh and/or English speakers are equally welcome to apply.
You will be able to find a full Job description and Person Specification attached within the supporting documents or please click Apply now to view in Trac.
Job description
Job responsibilities
The ability to speak Welsh is desirable for this post; Welsh and/or English speakers are equally welcome to apply.
You will be able to find a full Job description and Person Specification attached within the supporting documents or please click Apply now to view in Trac.
Person Specification
Qualifications and Knowledge
Essential
- A Bachelor of Science (BSc) degree
- Analysis and use of quantitative data, critical appraisal and evidence-based medicine
- Good understanding of a wide range of other health services research skills, including qualitative research methods, questionnaire development and statistical analysis.
- General knowledge of NHS developments
- Understanding, acceptance and adherence to the need for strict confidentiality, record management and information governance.
Desirable
- Knowledge of pharmacology or the therapeutic use of medicines.
- Postgraduate diploma qualifications, or equivalent level of knowledge acquired through experience and further training/development and a willingness to undertake further courses of study
Experience
Essential
- Specialist knowledge of the analysis and use of quantitative data, critical appraisal and evidence-based medicine.
- Literature searching and evaluation.
- Experience or familiarity with research design, methodology, conduct and reporting
Desirable
- Provision of information (verbal and written) on medicines within the NHS.
- Evidence of published work.
- Experience of undertaking audits and presenting their findings.
Skils
Essential
- Microsoft 365 Office skills
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to present complex information in a format suitable for a range of target audiences
- Report writing and editorial skills
- Ability to interrogate scientific literature databases
- Strong analytical skills with demonstrable ability to analyse and synthesise highly complex technical data and information
- Strong critical appraisal skills and evidence-based medicine
- Good utilisation of information resources
- Good presentation skills
- Organisational/negotiation skills
- Ability to establish effective internal and external working relationships with a range of professionals
- Ability to think and plan strategically and to exercise sound judgement when faced with conflicting pressures
Desirable
- Advanced Microsoft 365 Office skills e.g. Power Automate.
- Ability to use reference management software and familiarity with databases such as Medline, Embase and Cochrane
- Teaching/mentoring experience
- Leadership skills
- Knowledge/experience of effective use of communication tools e.g. social media
- Ability to communicate in Welsh
Personal Qualities
Essential
- Excellent interpersonal skills
- Self-motivated
- Shows initiative
- Emotional resilience
- Works to tight deadlines
- Flexible approach to meet the needs of the service
- Conscientious
- Ability to work as part of a team and independently, as appropriate
- Professional attitude
- Take personal responsibility
- Assertive
- Enthusiastic approach to work
- Organised/methodical
- Accuracy and attention to detail are critical
- Ability to plan work effectively and efficiently and prioritise personal workload which may cover multiple projects at different stages of development
Desirable
- Broad outlook
- Confident and calm
Person Specification
Qualifications and Knowledge
Essential
- A Bachelor of Science (BSc) degree
- Analysis and use of quantitative data, critical appraisal and evidence-based medicine
- Good understanding of a wide range of other health services research skills, including qualitative research methods, questionnaire development and statistical analysis.
- General knowledge of NHS developments
- Understanding, acceptance and adherence to the need for strict confidentiality, record management and information governance.
Desirable
- Knowledge of pharmacology or the therapeutic use of medicines.
- Postgraduate diploma qualifications, or equivalent level of knowledge acquired through experience and further training/development and a willingness to undertake further courses of study
Experience
Essential
- Specialist knowledge of the analysis and use of quantitative data, critical appraisal and evidence-based medicine.
- Literature searching and evaluation.
- Experience or familiarity with research design, methodology, conduct and reporting
Desirable
- Provision of information (verbal and written) on medicines within the NHS.
- Evidence of published work.
- Experience of undertaking audits and presenting their findings.
Skils
Essential
- Microsoft 365 Office skills
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to present complex information in a format suitable for a range of target audiences
- Report writing and editorial skills
- Ability to interrogate scientific literature databases
- Strong analytical skills with demonstrable ability to analyse and synthesise highly complex technical data and information
- Strong critical appraisal skills and evidence-based medicine
- Good utilisation of information resources
- Good presentation skills
- Organisational/negotiation skills
- Ability to establish effective internal and external working relationships with a range of professionals
- Ability to think and plan strategically and to exercise sound judgement when faced with conflicting pressures
Desirable
- Advanced Microsoft 365 Office skills e.g. Power Automate.
- Ability to use reference management software and familiarity with databases such as Medline, Embase and Cochrane
- Teaching/mentoring experience
- Leadership skills
- Knowledge/experience of effective use of communication tools e.g. social media
- Ability to communicate in Welsh
Personal Qualities
Essential
- Excellent interpersonal skills
- Self-motivated
- Shows initiative
- Emotional resilience
- Works to tight deadlines
- Flexible approach to meet the needs of the service
- Conscientious
- Ability to work as part of a team and independently, as appropriate
- Professional attitude
- Take personal responsibility
- Assertive
- Enthusiastic approach to work
- Organised/methodical
- Accuracy and attention to detail are critical
- Ability to plan work effectively and efficiently and prioritise personal workload which may cover multiple projects at different stages of development
Desirable
- Broad outlook
- Confident and calm
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.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
Additional information
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.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
