Associate Director Pharmacy, Medicines Assurance & Pharmacy Governance

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

Job summary

A leading healthcare organization in Coventry is looking for a Clinical Pharmacy Leader to manage pharmacy governance and assurance. The role includes strategic leadership of the Trust Medicines Assurance Framework and overseeing clinical guidelines. Ideal candidates will have a Pharmacy degree and significant leadership experience. This is a part-time role offering a salary range of £76,965 to £88,682 annually.

Benefits

Flexible working arrangements

Professional development opportunities

Qualifications

• Proven experience in a leadership role within pharmacy.
• Strong knowledge of pharmacy governance and assurance frameworks.
• Ability to manage teams and projects effectively.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Trust Medicines Assurance Framework.
• Manage pharmacy governance teams and strategies.
• Ensure compliance with all medication safety standards.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Clinical governance

Pharmacy management

Medication optimization

Education

Pharmacy degree

Job description

Overview

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 closet 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.

Responsibilities

• 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. 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) and Serious Incidents and patient safety incidents oversight (via MSO)

Organisation and culture

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. The Trust is renowned for being at the forefront of research and innovation and is part of Pathway to Excellence.

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 respected, valued, can achieve their potential and receive the most appropriate and relevant care. We will promote equality and human rights principles of fairness, respect, equality, dignity and autonomy as part of the organisation's core values.

Details

Date posted: 23 September 2025

Pay scheme: Agenda for change

Band: Band 8c

Salary: £76,965 to £88,682 a year per annum pro rata

Contract: Permanent

Working pattern: Part-time, Job share

Reference number: 218-APST-B8C-7485250

Job locations: University Hospital Coventry and Warwickshire, Clifford Bridge Road, Coventry, CV2 2DX

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

Essential: See supporting documents

Desirable: See supporting documents

Experience

Essential: See supporting documents

Desirable: See supporting documents

Knowledge

Essential: See supporting documents

Desirable: See supporting documents

Skills & Abilities

Essential: See supporting documents

Desirable: See supporting documents

Commitment to Trust Values and Behaviours

Essential: 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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website.

Employer details

Employer name: University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust

Address: University Hospital Coventry and Warwickshire, Clifford Bridge Road, Coventry, CV2 2DX

Employer's website: https://www.jobsatuhcw.co.uk