Job Overview
We are seeking an experienced, enthusiastic and motivated clinical pharmacist to work with the Chief Pharmacist and the NHS England specialised commissioning team in the Clinical Commissioning Pharmacist role. The post-holder will contribute to the effective use of therapies within specialised commissioning, ensure local governance processes are in place and followed, deliver cost‑effective switches, and ensure best value in the use of high‑cost medicines. The role involves working across the Frimley Health Trust sites and contributing to the strategic development of the department within the Trust and the wider Integrated Care System.
Main Duties
- Provide specialist clinical pharmacy advice on NICE guidance and high‑cost/tariff‑excluded medicines to clinicians and multidisciplinary teams.
- Support clinicians with NHS England Individual Funding Requests (IFRs), ensuring high‑quality submissions and collaborating with clinical teams to optimise safe, effective and cost‑efficient use of medicines.
- Contribute to the development, implementation and monitoring of prescribing guidelines and treatment pathways.
- Undertake and present complex medicines evaluations to Trust and Integrated Care System committees.
- Lead implementation of NICE and NHS England commissioning policies for high‑cost drugs; assess and communicate clinical and financial impact of new guidance.
- Develop and oversee processes for approval and governance of high‑cost and non‑tariff medicines; deliver QIPP and medicines optimisation initiatives to improve value.
- Manage Patient Access Schemes, support income recovery, build strong relationships with stakeholders and commissioners, monitor expenditure, undertake audits, report performance, and represent the Trust at relevant committees.
Special Requirements
- Able to work at weekends and to participate in bank holiday working.
- Ability to travel between sites.
Qualifications – Essential
- MPharm (Master’s degree) or equivalent Bachelor’s degree.
- Registered Pharmacist with the General Pharmaceutical Council.
- Postgraduate diploma/degree in Clinical Pharmacy.
- Independent Prescriber, or willingness to complete training as an Independent Pharmacist prescriber.
Qualifications – Desirable
- Leadership & Management training.
Professional / Functional Experience – Essential
- Current clinical pharmacy experience in a patient‑facing specialist or ward/clinic role.
- Able to provide clinical pharmacy services within own area of expertise.
- Experience leading guideline development and implementation.
- Experience providing education and training to staff.
- Experience undertaking quality improvement projects or audits.
- Evidence of up‑to‑date CPD in clinical pharmacy.
Professional / Functional Experience – Desirable
- Experience within a pharmacist‑led clinic.
- Experience in commissioning.
- Experience managing staff, including recruitment and appraisal.
- Experience preparing budgetary reports.
- Experience using EPIC or WellSky.
Skills & Knowledge – Essential
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- Effective problem‑identification and solving skills.
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
- Excellent IT skills.
- Ability to identify skills/knowledge requiring development and take action to address these.
- Ability to be flexible and manage change in a complex and changing healthcare environment.
- Ability to work under pressure and cope with stressful situations.
- Demonstrated ability to think logically and reason.
- Ability and confidence to communicate with a wide range of individuals, from patients to consultants, including good presentation skills.
Skills & Knowledge – Desirable
- Ability to identify and manage risks and evaluate quality of own work/service.
- Able to influence key stakeholders.
- Critical evaluation skills.
