Main area Pharmacy Grade NHS AfC: Band 8b Contract Permanent: Late nights, weekend, On-Call Hours Full time - 37.5 hours per week Job ref 370-CSS8BPHA-1470
Employer North Cheshire and Mersey NHS Foundation Trust Employer type NHS Site Warrington, Halton, Community Town Warrington Salary £66,582 - £77,368 PA Salary period Yearly Closing 17/06/2026 23:59 Interview date 29/06/2026
NHS AfC: Band 8b
Job overview
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
As a senior member of the Pharmacy Leadership Team, you will:
* 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
You 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 review
* Experience 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
Further Information
NCM holds a Sponsor Licence; this means that we may be able to sponsor you providing the Home Office requirements are met. To be eligible for sponsorship, there is a minimum set of criteria that must be met and not all roles are eligible. You can find more information on the Government website.
Please review your eligibility and the eligibility of the role before submitting your application.
All advertised roles may close early if there are high numbers of suitable candidates.
Pre‑employment checks for applicants with previous NHS service will include confirmation of any Mutually Agreed Resignation Scheme (MARS), Voluntary Redundancy or Compulsory Redundancy payments received.
Application numbers
This vacancy is due to close on the advertised date. However, we reserve the right to close the vacancy early should we receive a high volume of suitable applications. We recommend submitting your application as soon as possible.
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