Job summary We are seeking an experienced, motivated, and forward-thinking Principal Pharmacist for Formulary & Clinical Effectiveness. This is a senior leadership role with responsibility for the development, delivery and continuous improvement of the Trust's Formulary and Clinical Effectiveness functions. The post holder will work across the organisation and the wider healthcare economy to ensure the safe, evidence-based and cost-effective use of medicines. You will act as the Trust's expert in formulary management, medicines evaluation and clinical effectiveness, providing high-level pharmaceutical advice to senior medical, nursing and operational leaders. The role includes significant partnership working across the system to support alignment of medicines optimisation priorities. You will support the Associate Chief Pharmacist, Formulary & Governance and play a key role in the Trust's medicines governance, NICE implementation and strategic medicines optimisation programmes. We are looking for an experienced clinical pharmacist with strong leadership skills, advanced knowledge of formulary and medicines governance processes, and the confidence to influence senior stakeholders. You will have excellent critical appraisal skills, a commitment to evidence-based practice, and the ability to drive high-quality, safe and cost-effective prescribing across the organisation. You should be proactive, collaborative and able to work effectively across organisational boundaries. Main duties of the job The focus of the post is to lead on the Formulary and Clinical Effectiveness agenda, in accordance with the priorities set by the post holder, Associate Chief Pharmacist, Formulary & Governance, General Manager(s) and Clinical Director(s). The post holder is responsible for Acting as a specialist role model and as an expert in Formulary and Clinical Effectiveness and demonstrating an advanced level of knowledge in the field Ensure safe, effective and cost-efficient use of medicines across the Trust Lead, update and maintain all Trust Formulary processes Represent the Trust at system-wide groups including the Integrated Medicines Optimisation Committee and Joint Formulary Committee Build and maintain strong relationships with senior medical, nursing and pharmacy colleagues regarding the introduction and evaluation of medicines across the local health economy Developing and implementing guidelines and policies for the use of medicines Promote effective prescribing aligned with the Trust Formulary and NICE guidance To work with colleagues internal and external to the Trust on development and maintenance of prescribing pathways Collaborate with internal and external partners on regional and national medicines optimisation workplans (e.g. Pan-London programmes) Provide teaching, training and expert advice within the Trust and externally Initiate and coordinate research, audit and quality improvement activity in the specialist area About us King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is one of the UK's largest and busiest teaching Trusts with a turnover of £1 billion, 1.5 million patient contacts a year and more than 15,000 staff based across South East London. The Trust provides a full range of local and specialist services across its five sites. The trust-wide strategy of Strong Roots, Global Reach is our Vision to be BOLD, Brilliant people, Outstanding care, Leaders in Research, Innovation and Education, Diversity, Equality and Inclusion at the heart of everything we do. By being person-centred, digitally-enabled, and focused on sustainability, we aim to take Team King's to another level. We are at a pivotal point in our history and we require individuals who are ready to join a highly professional team and make a real, lasting difference to our patients and our people. King's is committed to delivering Sustainable Healthcare for All via our Green Plan. In line with national Greener NHS ambitions, we have set net zero carbon targets of 2040 for our NHS Carbon Footprint and 2045 for our NHS Carbon Footprint Plus. Everyone's contribution is required in order to meet the goals set out in our Green Plan and we encourage all staff to work responsibly, minimising their contributions to the Trust's carbon emissions, waste and pollution wherever possible. Details Date posted 18 December 2025 Pay scheme Agenda for change Band Band 8b Salary £72,921 to £83,362 a year per annum, including HCA Contract Permanent Working pattern Full-time Reference number 213-Division-A-7676595 Job locations King's College Hospital Denmark Hill London SE5 9RS Job description Job responsibilities See Job description for full details but in summary: To lead the clinical effectiveness and formulary agenda within Pharmacy in accordance with the priorities set by the post holder, Deputy Chief Pharmacist, General Manager(s) and Clinical Director(s) To develop, maintain and update Formulary processes within the Trust To work with senior leaders within the Trust to develop and uphold best practice in use and introduction of medicines To identify a vision for Formulary and Clinical Effectiveness within the Trust To respond to queries from within and external to the Trust relating to Medicines supply and formulary issues To work with colleagues internal and external to the Trust on development and maintenance of prescribing pathways To be a member of and actively participate in Trust and system-wide committees relevant to role To sit on ICB Medicines Management Committees/Implementation Groups To work with colleagues across the ICS including pharmaceutical advisors and GPs to promote best care for patients To motivate and inspire others (both within pharmacy and the Trust) To ensure that issues relating to pharmaceutical care are appropriately represented within Trust and Regional Committee Structures To utilise critical appraisal skills to provide evidence reviews for new medicines requested for formulary inclusion Responsible for the policy and procedures that govern the introduction of new medicines procured into the Trust and their risk assessment, including the running of the New Drug Panel To develop, implement and monitor policies, guidelines, protocols and procedures at Trust and regional level, as required To propose and comment on policy and service changes and plans within the clinical pharmacy service To review and monitor use of unlicensed medicines within the Trust To ensure services provided are in line with national agendas, policies, guidelines and frameworks. To actively participate in and contribute to the development, promotion and local implementation of local and regional prescribing and clinical services guidance To work with the Associate Chief Pharmacist, Formulary & Governance to strategically develop pharmacy services across the Trust To lead on specific projects or initiatives across all of the Pharmacy Service To work with clinicians, nurses and other Trust staff to develop Trust-wide policies Job description Job responsibilities See Job description for full details but in summary: To lead the clinical effectiveness and formulary agenda within Pharmacy in accordance with the priorities set by the post holder, Deputy Chief Pharmacist, General Manager(s) and Clinical Director(s) To develop, maintain and update Formulary processes within the Trust To work with senior leaders within the Trust to develop and uphold best practice in use and introduction of medicines To identify a vision for Formulary and Clinical Effectiveness within the Trust To respond to queries from within and external to the Trust relating to Medicines supply and formulary issues To work with colleagues internal and external to the Trust on development and maintenance of prescribing pathways To be a member of and actively participate in Trust and system-wide committees relevant to role To sit on ICB Medicines Management Committees/Implementation Groups To work with colleagues across the ICS including pharmaceutical advisors and GPs to promote best care for patients To motivate and inspire others (both within pharmacy and the Trust) To ensure that issues relating to pharmaceutical care are appropriately represented within Trust and Regional Committee Structures To utilise critical appraisal skills to provide evidence reviews for new medicines requested for formulary inclusion Responsible for the policy and procedures that govern the introduction of new medicines procured into the Trust and their risk assessment, including the running of the New Drug Panel To develop, implement and monitor policies, guidelines, protocols and procedures at Trust and regional level, as required To propose and comment on policy and service changes and plans within the clinical pharmacy service To review and monitor use of unlicensed medicines within the Trust To ensure services provided are in line with national agendas, policies, guidelines and frameworks. To actively participate in and contribute to the development, promotion and local implementation of local and regional prescribing and clinical services guidance To work with the Associate Chief Pharmacist, Formulary & Governance to strategically develop pharmacy services across the Trust To lead on specific projects or initiatives across all of the Pharmacy Service To work with clinicians, nurses and other Trust staff to develop Trust-wide policies Person Specification Qualifications, Essential Masters degree MPharm Registered Pharmacist MRPharmS (Significant competency assessed and examined professional registration) Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical Pharmacy or Pharmacy Practice Specialist competencies in area relevant to practice or relevant short courses taught at postgraduate level Successful completion of short courses to the equivalent of a postgraduate certificate Desirable Registered Supplementary or Independent Prescriber Skills and Experience Essential Expert clinical knowledge, experience and skills relevant to area of practice Demonstrate high organisational skills - identifying, planning, organising and developing systems to improve service delivery Experience of supervising others, including for research and audit projects Experience of protocol/guideline development Demonstrates an advanced level of clinical reasoning & judgment Be able to provide highly complex information on both clinical pharmacy and finance issues and impart knowledge to other healthcare professionals (up to and including senior consultant level / regional and national level) Ability to work well under pressure by prioritising and managing time effectively Be able to identify and manage risks Ability to implement and manage change Ability to motivate self and others Be able to use available evidence to make sound judgments in relation to patient-or drug-specific issues Understands national and local priorities Demonstrates awareness of and commitment to the clinical governance agenda Experience of Formulary processes including pathway development Ability to influence senior pharmacy and medical staff, the multidisciplinary team and management Problem solving skills Desirable Advanced critical appraisal skills Person Specification Qualifications, Essential Masters degree MPharm Registered Pharmacist MRPharmS (Significant competency assessed and examined professional registration) Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical Pharmacy or Pharmacy Practice Specialist competencies in area relevant to practice or relevant short courses taught at postgraduate level Successful completion of short courses to the equivalent of a postgraduate certificate Desirable Registered Supplementary or Independent Prescriber Skills and Experience Essential Expert clinical knowledge, experience and skills relevant to area of practice Demonstrate high organisational skills - identifying, planning, organising and developing systems to improve service delivery Experience of supervising others, including for research and audit projects Experience of protocol/guideline development Demonstrates an advanced level of clinical reasoning & judgment Be able to provide highly complex information on both clinical pharmacy and finance issues and impart knowledge to other healthcare professionals (up to and including senior consultant level / regional and national level) Ability to work well under pressure by prioritising and managing time effectively Be able to identify and manage risks Ability to implement and manage change Ability to motivate self and others Be able to use available evidence to make sound judgments in relation to patient-or drug-specific issues Understands national and local priorities Demonstrates awareness of and commitment to the clinical governance agenda Experience of Formulary processes including pathway development Ability to influence senior pharmacy and medical staff, the multidisciplinary team and management Problem solving skills Desirable Advanced critical appraisal skills 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. Certificate of Sponsorship 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). UK Registration Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window). 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. Certificate of Sponsorship 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). UK Registration Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window). Employer details Employer name King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust Address King's College Hospital Denmark Hill London SE5 9RS Employer's website https://www.kch.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab) Employer details Employer name King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust Address King's College Hospital Denmark Hill London SE5 9RS Employer's website https://www.kch.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)