Lead Clinical Pharmacist - Governance and Formulary

Medway NHS Foundation Trust; England; On-site; GBP 64,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent healthcare institution in England seeks a Lead Pharmacist for Governance and Formulary. The role involves providing specialized clinical and professional pharmaceutical services to ensure safe and cost-effective medicine use. Candidates should have a Master's degree in pharmacy, relevant clinical experience, and advanced IT skills. This position offers a competitive salary and is pivotal in supporting high-quality pharmaceutical care in the Trust.

Qualifications

• Previous relevant specialist clinical experience.
• Experience working with senior healthcare professionals outside of pharmacy at a senior level.
• Experience monitoring drug use and expenditure.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership for formulary management.
• Maintain the Trust formulary and oversee non-formulary processes.
• Ensure safe and effective medicine use.

Skills

Advanced IT skills

Problem-solving

Collaborative leadership

Education

Master's degree in pharmacy or equivalent

Higher degree/Diploma in clinical pharmacy

Registration with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC)

Job description

Job summary

Lead Pharmacist - Governance and Formulary

Division: Cancer & Core Clinical Services

Care Group: Diagnostics and Therapies

Band: 8b

Salary: £64,455 - £74,896 per annum/pro rata

Interview Date: 16th December 2025

Main duties of the job

The lead pharmacist will provide highly specialist and advanced clinical and professional pharmaceutical services and guidance for the formulary and governance workstreams at Medway Maritime Hospital NHS Foundation Trust to promote the optimised, safe and cost‑effective use of medicines.

You will be a core member of the Trust's pharmacy department, providing professional pharmaceutical governance, medicines safety, medicines information, medicines finance, education and training and medicines optimisation support to the team.

You will build relationships and work with internal stakeholders and external partners to support the delivery of high‑quality pharmaceutical care to patients.

Our values are Bold, Every Person Counts, Sharing and Open and Together. It is important that you understand and refer to our values when completing your application and always reflect them throughout your employment with the Trust.

We are committed to endorsing diversity, multiculturalism and inclusion; our policies and procedures ensure that all applicants are treated fairly at every stage of the recruitment process.

To contribute to our exciting future and become part of our team, apply today.

About us

Medway NHS Foundation Trust is a key partner in the healthcare of our local population, committed to delivering excellent care and operating with a patient‑first focus. Our culture is built on the core values B, E, S and T, and we encourage staff to work together to achieve our shared vision.

Job description

Job responsibilities

This role provides strategic leadership for formulary management, medicines governance, optimisation, and clinical pharmacy practice across the Trust.

• Maintain the Trust formulary and oversee non‑formulary and individual funding request processes.
• Ensure safe, effective and cost‑efficient medicine use.
• Represent the organisation at multiple regional groups and collaborate on national and regional medicines optimisation initiatives.
• Lead the Medicines Management Group and provide senior clinical advice.
• Negotiate on complex or contentious medicines issues and deliver training on formulary processes.
• Lead the Pharmacy Governance Group, supervise relevant staff and ensure compliance with national policies.
• Oversee procedures such as IVIG, Patient Group Directions, unlicensed medicines and controlled drugs.
• Drive the audit programme and manage responses to drug shortages and recalls.
• Support the development of Trust‑wide medicines policies; ensure adherence to SOPs, mandatory training and CQUIN requirements.
• Provide complex financial and horizon‑scanning advice and support efficiency programmes, forecasting drug budget impacts.
• Lead and participate in research, quality improvement projects, and share findings through publication and presentation.
• Act as visible leader, promote a positive and inclusive culture, produce business cases and promote the pharmacy service.
• Maintain professional standards; comply with governance, legal and safety requirements.
• Perform clinical responsibilities including independent prescribing, providing specialist clinical pharmacy services, supervising trainees and staff, supporting operational services, participating in rotas and maintaining active professional development.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential:

• Master's degree in pharmacy or equivalent.
• Higher degree/Diploma in clinical pharmacy.
• Registration with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC).

Desirable:

• Independent prescribing qualification.

Knowledge

Essential:

• Knowledge of and ability to apply all aspects of regulatory legislation and guidelines.
• Specialist clinical knowledge and skills relevant to the area of practice, or the ability to develop highly specialist knowledge in a therapeutic area.
• Expert clinical knowledge and skills relevant to the area of practice.

Experience

Essential:

• Previous relevant specialist clinical experience.
• Experience working with senior healthcare professionals outside of pharmacy at a senior level.
• Experience monitoring drug use and expenditure.

Skills

Essential:

• Advanced IT skills – including Word, Excel, e‑mail and PowerPoint.
• Ability to solve difficult and ambiguous problems by advanced reasoning and sound technical judgment.
• Demonstrable empowering and collaborative leadership skills.

Values Based Question

Essential:

• Give an example of a time when you have gone the extra mile to help someone.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and a submission for Disclosure to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly CRB) is required 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.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see the relevant licensing body.

Employer details

Medway NHS Foundation Trust

Windmill Road, Gillingham, Kent, ME7 5NY