Associate Director Pharmacy, Medicines Assurance & Pharmacy Governance

UHCW NHS Trust; Coventry; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading NHS Trust in Coventry is seeking a Clinical Pharmacy Leader to oversee pharmacy governance and medicine assurance. The role requires strong leadership and a commitment to improving medication safety. The ideal candidate will have experience managing pharmacy teams and implementing strategic initiatives. This is a fantastic opportunity for career growth in a supportive and innovative environment.

Qualifications

• Strong leadership skills and experience in pharmacy governance.
• Proven ability to implement medication optimizations.
• Experience in managing pharmacy staff and teams.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership for the Pharmacy department.
• Ensure compliance with statutory and local standards.
• Oversee medication-related incidents and governance.

Skills

Leadership

Pharmacy Governance

Medication Safety

Education

Pharmacy degree (BPharm or equivalent)

Tools

Electronic Patient Record (EPR) system

Job description

Overview

A Vacancy at University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust.

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 post is available following a job share as part of our flexible working approach.

The post holder will provide professional strategic leadership of the Trust Medicines Assurance Framework and Pharmacy Governance. They will also act as the professional secretary for the Trust Medicines Optimisation Committee (MOC) and Chair of the Medicines Policy and Practice Committee (MPPC).

The role supports the Director/Deputy Director of Pharmacy and the Trust Quality team to ensure our medication-related committees and groups focus outputs on statutory assurance needs, internal continual improvement, and alignment with the Trust Medicines Optimisation Strategy.

As secretary of the centralised Trust MOC, the post holder will support Chairs of committees that are close to clinical practice and enable innovative practice. All committees outputs and reporting are accountable to MOC.

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

At ICS level the post holder will 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 PGDs. The post holder will also provide direct line management of the supportive structure. Medication Assurance has 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.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement safe and sustained improvements in Medicines Optimisation across the Pharmacy department and Trust.
• Support the Director of Pharmacy to undertake duties including:
• CD Lin reporting/attendance; act as controlled drugs accountable officer (CDAO).
• Provide assurance of medication supply chains that are robust, procedure-led, transparently auditable and timely.
• Ensure standards are assured across statutory and local requirements (e.g., GPhC, RPS, Medicines Optimisation Strategy).
• Oversee Medication related Datix (via Governance Team) and Serious Incidents/patient safety incidents oversight (via MSO).
• Provide professional leadership and management of the Pharmacy Governance Team, delegating aspects through Lead Pharmacists and Technicians as appropriate.
• Develop and maintain a Trust-wide Medication Strategy Dashboard and the internal pharmacy governance dashboard.
• Influence safe and cost-effective use of medicines with other senior clinical staff, aligned to governance drivers.
• Be a member of and provide specialist advice to committees such as Medicines Management/Practice Committee, OMT and QIPS.
• Ensure Lead Pharmacists for Clinical Guidelines, PGDs and MSO are supported and accountable via line management; line-manage other senior staff as part of a supportive SLT role.
• Regularly review staff skill mix with the Pharmacy SLT to meet changing needs and capacity.
• Demonstrate innovation in Medicines Optimisation delivery and extend service boundaries where possible.
• Provide governance input to the development, implementation, and maintenance of EPR/EPMA or other IT-related systems, supported by the Lead Pharmacist – EPR/EPMA.
• Lead, encourage and cultivate a research and audit-oriented environment related to medicines use, prescribing and related matters.

What we offer and culture

We are proud of our employees and the high quality patient care at the heart of our work. The Trust is modern and committed to research and innovation, recognised as a Pathway to Excellence.

The Trust values diversity and is committed to creating an environment where equality, fairness, and human rights principles are promoted as part of our core values. We strive for respect, dignity, and autonomy for all staff.

What to expect

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 be opportunities to stretch and develop, with pace and support aligned to the level you set.

Interviews are scheduled for the end of October or early November 2025. Shortlisted candidates will be invited to a recruitment and selection process, likely in Early November. See attached JD/Person Spec, advert, and structure attachments for further details.

How to apply

This advert closes on Tuesday 7 Oct 2025.