Principal Pharmacist, Medicines Advice and Governance
The closing date is 13 May 2026
We are seeking a dynamic Principal Pharmacist to lead our Medicines Information and pharmacy advice services.
Responsibilities
- Provide expert Medicines Information and pharmacy advice to the Trust and service users.
- Collaborate with Lead Pharmacists to address and report on medicines safety and governance issues.
- Lead the training of pharmacy staff, ensuring they deliver professional, evidence‑based medicines advice that meets the highest standards and user needs.
- Deliver and quality assure the Trust Medicines Information (MI) service in line with UKMi standards and local procedures.
- Coordinate the Trust pharmacy response to medicines shortages and recalls.
- Be responsible for the development, maintenance and evaluation of evidence‑based treatment guidelines, policies, procedures and patient group directions (PGDs).
- Lead departmental document management for pharmacy policies, procedures and SOPs.
- Produce and quality assure medicines governance communications (including Medicines Matters Bulletins and Pharmacy Weekly Briefing).
- Collate and analyse medicines‑related safety intelligence (including DATIX data, audit findings, MI enquiry themes and national safety communications), develop practical risk controls (policy, education, system design and assurance monitoring) and provide regular updates for governance forums as agreed with the Lead Pharmacist, Governance and Medicines Safety.
Qualifications
- GPhC registration
- Post Graduate Diploma in Clinical Pharmacy or equivalent
- Pharmacy Degree - MPharm
- Membership of Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain
- Member of the faculty of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society (or working towards) at Faculty Advanced Stage II or Advanced level practice against the Core Advanced Cirriculum
Experience
- Experience of leading service and quality improvement projects
- Demonstrates evidence of excellent clinical knowledge and skills
- Clinical governance and risk management
- Extensive post registration hospital experience at least Band 7 level
- Previous management experience with responsibility for pharmacy staff
- Knowledge of CMM (formerly JAC) pharmacy computer system
- Previous experience in delivering education and training
- Development of PGD
- An understanding of how digital tools / EPR functionality can improve clinical practice in the hospital setting
Skills
- Critical appraisal skills
- Computer literate including familiarity with electronic prescribing systems
- Excellent organisational skills -self and others.
- Excellent communication skills-verbal and written
- Ability to motivate self and others
- Ability to analyse and interpret complex clinical information
- Up to date on changes to pharmacy and hospital standards
- In-depth understanding of the principles of Quality Improvement
- Ability to understand the needs of a breadth of stakeholders, including patients, and develop solutions
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.
Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust
£63,665 to £70,887 a year per annum pro rata incl. outer HCAS
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