Principal Pharmacist Medicines Optimisation & Governance
North Cheshire and Mersey NHS Foundation Trust (WHH)
The closing date is 17 June 2026
The Principal Pharmacist – Medicines Optimisation & Governance provides strategic leadership for medicines optimisation, safety, governance, and digital pharmacy services across the Trust.
Working as part of the senior pharmacy leadership team, the postholder oversees the safe and effective delivery of clinical pharmacy services, leads medicines safety and governance initiatives, and drives innovation.
They are responsible for ensuring high-quality, cost-effective use of medicines, managing risk, supporting workforce development, and providing expert pharmaceutical guidance to multidisciplinary teams while maintaining a clinical role, including prescribing where appropriate.
Main duties of the job
* Lead the strategic development and delivery of medicines optimisation, medicines safety, governance
* Provide expert professional leadership and advice across the Trust
* Oversee medication safety initiatives and manage the Medication Safety Officer function
* Lead on EPMA, digital pharmacy developments, and formulary management
* Act as professional secretary to the Medicines Governance Committee, ensuring robust governance and decision‑making
* Drive cost-effective prescribing, financial stewardship, and medicines optimisation programmes
* Manage and support senior pharmacy staff, fostering a high‑performing, innovative team culture
* Contribute to Trust-wide strategy, policy development, and service transformation
They will also maintain a clinical presence and play a key role in ensuring safe, effective pharmaceutical care across wards and services.
Qualifications
* 4‑year Vocational Master's Degree in Pharmacy
* Post Graduate Diploma in Clinical Pharmacy (or demonstrable equivalent experience)
* Registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council
Experience
* Relevant supervisory/management and change management experience
* Experience of medicines Governance / medicines management work
* Experience of lecturing/giving presentations to other healthcare professionals
* Experience of peer reviewExperience in formulary updates and compliance work
Knowledge and Skills
* Broad knowledge and experience of Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics
* Excellent management and leadership skills and able to motivate staff
* Able to critically appraise medical literature
* PSIRF (Patient Safety Incident Response Framework) trained and able to apply principles in practice
* Strong understanding of clinical governance frameworks and regulatory requirements (e.g. CQC, NICE)
* Ability to develop and implement policies, SOPs, and guidelines
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.
Equal Opportunities
North Cheshire and Mersey NHS Foundation Trust is an equal, diverse and inclusive employer. We employ almost 6,500 people from more than 80 nationalities and fully commit to ensuring that no job applicant or employee is disadvantaged at any stage of their journey.
We are also proud to be an Armed Forces Friendly organisation and welcome applications from members of the Armed Forces community, including veterans, reservists and families.
North Cheshire and Mersey NHS Foundation Trust (WHH)
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