Associate Chief Pharmacist - Clinical Services

NHS; Bath; On-site; GBP 76,000 - 89,000; Full time

Job summary

A major healthcare provider in Bath is looking for an Associate Chief Pharmacist - Clinical Services. You will lead strategic integration of Pharmacy services in the Trust's Clinical Strategy. Candidates should have pharmacy leadership experience and a focus on service innovation and inclusivity. This role offers a salary range of £76,965 to £88,682 per year, with relocation support available.

Benefits

Relocation support allowance

Staff benefits package

Qualifications

• Experience in Pharmacy leadership at 8b grade level or above.
• Extensive Operational and Staff Management experience.
• Evidence of service redesign and improving equality and diversity.

Responsibilities

• Support Pharmacy Director in establishing strategy and policy.
• Promote improvements for research and quality in clinical services.
• Provide leadership and management of Pharmacy Clinical Services.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Change Management

Clinical Governance

Education

Pharmacist with General Pharmaceutical Council registration

Management Qualification

Senior Leadership accreditation

Job description

Associate Chief Pharmacist - Clinical Services

The closing date is 05 October 2025

We have a rare and exciting opportunity to join the Pharmacy team at the Royal United Hospital Bath NHS Trust as Associate Chief Pharmacist - Clinical Services. This is a key post for the strategic integration of Pharmacy services into our Trust Clinical Strategy.

You will be a key member of the Pharmacy Leadership Team, providing input into the strategic direction of Pharmacy, with transformational leadership in medicines optimisation for the department, Trust, our Acute Provider Collaborative and the BaNES, Swindon and Wiltshire (BSW) Integrated Care System. You will play a key role in service innovation to bring care and access to innovative medicines closer to home.

Our workforce and a culture of inclusivity are key to delivery of our ambitions, therefore evidence of compassionate leadership, experience in service redesign and reflection on practice are essential to this role. We welcome applications from individuals with excellent communication skills, a patient-centred attitude, and who will encourage a culture of inclusivity and innovation.

A relocation support allowance is also available subject to circumstances. This post is also available as a 8b-8c development opportunity for the right candidate. We strongly encourage applications from colleagues from protected and minority backgrounds and are happy to consider applications for part time or flexible working.

Main duties of the job

The primary roles and responsibilities of the Associate Chief Pharmacist - Clinical Services are to:

• Be a member of the Pharmacy Leadership Team supporting the Pharmacy Director in establishing strategy and policy for pharmacy and medicines optimisation throughout the Trust and ICS.
• Promote and instil a culture and measurable improvements for research and quality improvement in clinical services
• Provide professional leadership and management of Pharmacy clinical services both across inpatient specialties and in partnership with providers across the ICS
• Deputise for the Director of Pharmacy (Chief Pharmacist) in the oversight and assurance for medicines
• Deputise for the Chief Pharmacist as Accountable Officer for Controlled Drugs (CDAO)
• Provide leadership and management of Pharmacy Clinical Services across the organisation
• Ensure alignment of the projects with departmental, trust and national strategy

For more information on the duties of this role, please see the job description or contact the Director of Pharmacy for further information.

About us

At the RUH we're proud to put people at the heart of what we do, and the Pharmacy Department is no exception. You will be at the forefront of the medicines transformation to improve experience across the organisation, for patients and our community.

We are committed to creating a compassionate and inclusive environment - celebrating successes and creating opportunities to listen and learn. We value our differences, champion kindness and civility, and truly believe that diversity makes us stronger.

In Pharmacy we are especially proud of our 2022 Staff Survey response rate of 80% which showed just how engaged our team is in improving the patient and staff experience. Everyone's ideas are listened to and discussed through our regular huddle boards.

The RUH value staff wellbeing, with a well-established programme of support. We believe in a holistic approach spanning all aspects of living a healthy life. We even have a pool! In the Pharmacy department, you can be sure that your voice is heard and we have lots of staff socials to help you connect with your colleagues around you.

We are committed to supporting you and hope you want to join our team. In the meantime, find out more about living and working the beautiful historic city of Bath, learn about our extensive package of staff benefits, and read about how we're providing healthcare fit for the future with the landmark Dyson Cancer Centre and our passion for research.

Job responsibilities

Please find attached to the vacancy a detailed person specification and job description for further information about this role.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• Pharmacist with General Pharmaceutical Council (UK) registration
• Demonstrable evidence of reflection on practice and Continuing Professional Development
• Management Qualification or additional specialist management knowledge acquired through training and experience to Masters level or equivalent
• Senior Leadership accreditation (NHS Leadership Academy or equivalent)
• Formal management Training
• Member of the APTUK, RPS, UKCPA or other expert body

Knowledge and experience

• Pharmacy leadership experience at 8b grade level or above (or equivalent) in a provider setting
• Extensive operational and staff management plus senior/middle management training
• Experience of service redesign and use of tools and techniques for assessing the impact of change
• Knowledge of operational and legal requirements or standards for Pharmacy and the Trust, and key drivers for modernisation agenda
• Demonstrable track record of action to improve or promote equality, diversity and inclusion and cultural competency in healthcare
• Demonstrable track record of translating research evidence into clinical practice
• Experience of involving patients and/or customers in service developments.

Leadership

• Experience of managing and actively participating in programmes of continuous improvement and change management in complex environments
• Experience of compiling or supporting annual Service Delivery Plans, to include capacity planning and Business Case development
• Ability to influence others, motivate staff and manage change
• Ability to initiate and direct research

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.

Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust

£76,965 to £88,682 a year, per annum, pro rata. Relocation support allowance available

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Reference number

427-7426697

Job locations

Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust