Associate Director Pharmacy, Medicines Assurance & Pharmacy Governance

NHS; Coventry; On-site; GBP 76,000 - 89,000; Part time

Job summary

A healthcare provider is seeking an Associate Director of Pharmacy, Medicines Assurance & Pharmacy Governance. This role involves leading the medicines assurance framework and managing a dedicated team in ensuring compliance and governance in medication practices. Ideal candidates will be experienced pharmacists with strong leadership skills and a commitment to continuous improvement in patient care.

Qualifications

• Must be a qualified pharmacist with a relevant degree.
• Experience in leadership roles within clinical pharmacy.
• Deep understanding of medicines governance and assurance.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Trust Medicines Assurance Framework and Pharmacy Governance.
• Support the Director of Pharmacy in achieving departmental goals.
• Manage the Pharmacy Governance Team and oversee medication assurance strategies.

Skills

Leadership in Clinical Pharmacy

Medicines Assurance Knowledge

Governance Strategies

Education

Pharmacy Degree

Postgraduate Training

Job description

Overview

Go back University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust

Associate Director Pharmacy, Medicines Assurance & Pharmacy Governance

The closing date is 07 October 2025

Are you a ready now Clinical Pharmacy Leader looking for the next challenge in your career? An exciting opportunity has arisen for a dynamic and dedicated pharmacist to lead the trust medicines assurance and pharmacy governance at University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust.

The opportunity has arisen as the current post holder has opted for a job share as part of our flexible working approach.

The primary role of this post is the professional strategic leadership of the Trust Medicines Assurance Framework and Pharmacy Governance. Also act as the professional secretary for the Trust Medicines Optimisation Committee (MOC) and Chair of the Medicines Policy and Practice Committee (MPPC).

The post holder will play a key strategic role in supporting the Director/Deputy Director of Pharmacy and Trust Quality team to ensure all our medication related committees and groups focus their outputs towards statutory Trust assurance needs, internal continual improvement and aligning towards a progressive Trust Medicines Optimisation Strategy.

As the secretary of the centralised Trust MOC, support Chairs of the committees and groups which are closest to clinical practice and the enablement of innovative practice. All committees output and reporting being accountable to MOC.

Successful applicants will be required to provide an immunisation and vaccination report, from either their current UK occupational health provider or their UK GP.

Main duties

At an ICS level the post holder will also support the medicines governance group via the delegated authority of the Pharmacy Governance Team which includes the Medication Safety Officer (MSO).

The post holder is supported by an experienced Pharmacy Governance Team, Trust Medicines Safety Officer (MSO) and Lead Pharmacist - Clinical Guidelines and PGD's (see attached structure charts). The post holder will also provide direct line management of the supportive structure. Medication Assurance has also been transformed by the introduction of our Electronic Patient Record (EPR) system (Cerner), the team and post holder will support the EPR Pharmacy team closely.

The post holder will be responsible for the development and implementation of safe and sustained improvements in Medicines Optimisation across the Pharmacy department and Trust.

Support the Director of Pharmacy to constitute their duties:

• As controlled drugs accountable officer (CDAO). - CD Lin reporting/attendance, Adios reporting
• Provide assurance of all our medication supply chains as robust, procedure led, transparently auditable and timely. - For example CQC standards, self-assessments, home office declarations, pharmacy and activity registration statuses
• Ensure standards are assured across all our statutory and local requirements. - e.g. GPhC, RPS, Trust Medicines Optimisation Strategy
• Medication related Datix oversight (via Governance Team)Serious Incidents and patient safety incidents oversight (via MSO)

About us

We are extremely proud of our employees across our hospital sites, with high quality patient care at the heart of everything we do.

Boasting some of the most modern facilities in Western Europe, the Trust is renowned for being at the forefront of research and innovation as part of its blossoming reputation as a worldwide leader in healthcare.

We are proud to be recognised as a Pathway to Excellence designated organisation - please click the link for further details about this prestigious award. Pathway To Excellence - University Hospitals Coventry & Warwickshire (uhcw.nhs.uk)

By joining our exciting journey, you will form part of a passionate, talented team and will be able to access a wide range of learning and development opportunities. There has never been a better time to join our team.

The Trust is committed to building an organisation that makes full use of the talents, skills, experience, and different perspectives available in our diverse society. We want everyone to feel they are respected, valued, can achieve their potential and receive the most appropriate and relevant care. We will create an environment where the equality and human rights principles of fairness, respect, equality, dignity and autonomy are promoted and are part of the organisation's core values.

Job responsibilities

The post holder will work closely with SLT colleagues and will be supported and mentored by the Director of Pharmacy. As an expanding and busy service there will always be opportunities to stretch and develop, the only moderation being the pace you want to set, support from SLT being implicit.

Interested and considering applying? We would encourage you to get in touch with us to arrange an informal discussion and/or visit. Please also review the attached JD/Person Spec, advert and structure chat for a detailed view of what kind of leader we are looking for. Look forward to hearing from our next Associate Director - Trust Medicines Assurance and Pharmacy Governance. The post holder will:

• Ensure Trust Medication related policies are robust, enabling and reviewed with stakeholders as a key Trust assurance.
• Provide professional leadership and management of the pharmacy Governance Team, delegating certain aspects through the Lead Pharmacist(s) and Technician(s) as appropriate.
• Be responsible for the continual development and implementation of medicines assurance strategies and policies that meet the needs of the Trust, its patients and any local or national drivers, standards or legislation.
• Support the Director and Deputy Director of Pharmacy in achieving the long terms goals and vision of the Trust and Pharmacy Department.
• Deputise for certain aspects of the Deputy Director and Directors role as needed.
• Develop and maintain a Medication Strategy Dashboard (Trust) and maintain the internal pharmacy governance dashboard
• Pro-actively influence safe and cost effective therapy with medicines with other senior clinical staff within the Trust, aligned to governance drivers
• Be a member of and provide specialist and expert advice and direction to various Trust committees that may include, Medicines Management/Practice Committee, OMT and QIPS
• Ensure the Lead Pharmacist - Clinical Guidelines and PGDs and Lead Pharmacist - Medication Safety Officer are supported and accountable via line management to deliver their portfolios. Line manage other senior staff across the department where required as part of a supportive SLT role.
• Work with the Pharmacy SLT to regularly review and alter staff skill mix to meet changing needs and capacity.
• Demonstrate innovation in the delivery of Medicines Optimisation approaches so the boundaries of current service delivery are extended and the potential skills of the workforce are utilised to the maximum.
• Provide pharmaceutical and governance input to the development, implementation and maintenance of EPR/EPMA or any other IT related system at the Trust, supported by the Lead
• Pharmacist EPR/EPMA and supporting the Deputy Director of Pharmacy.
• Lead, encourage and cultivate an environment of clinical and practice based research and audit. To develop and contribute to current and future research and audit projects associated with the use of medicines, prescribing and related matters.

Please note that interviews will be scheduled for the end of October or early November 2025.

If you are successful in the shortlisting round you will be invited to attend a recruitment and selection process. This is likely to take place in Early November.

See attached JD/Person Spec, advert and structure attachments for a more detailed and informative view.

Person Specification

Qualifications & Training

• See supporting documents
• See supporting documents

Experience

• See supporting documents
• See supporting documents

Knowledge

• See supporting documents
• See supporting documents

Skills & Abilites

• See supporting documents
• See supporting documents

Commitment to Trust Values and Behaviours

• see supporting documents

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.

University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust

Address

University Hospital Coventry and Warwickshire

£76,965 to £88,682 a year pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Part-time,Job share

Reference number

218-APST-B8C-7485250

Job locations

University Hospital Coventry and Warwickshire