Lead Clinical Pharmacist - Governance and Formulary

NHS; Gillingham; On-site; GBP 64,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

A regional healthcare provider in Gillingham seeks a Lead Pharmacist for Governance and Formulary to ensure optimal use of medicines and support high-quality pharmaceutical care. The role requires strategic leadership in formulary management, strong clinical expertise, and collaboration with healthcare stakeholders. Ideal candidates must possess a Master's degree in pharmacy, relevant clinical experience, and advanced leadership skills. A commitment to patient safety and ongoing professional development is essential.

Qualifications

• Specialist clinical knowledge and skills relevant to the therapeutic area.
• Previous relevant specialist clinical experience.
• Experience monitoring drug use and expenditure.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership for formulary management and governance.
• Maintain the Trust formulary and oversee funding processes.
• Lead the Pharmacy Governance Group to ensure compliance.

Skills

Advanced IT skills

Advanced reasoning and technical judgement

Empowering and collaborative leadership skills

Education

Masters 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

We are recruiting for a Lead Pharmacist who shares our ambition and vision to deliver the Best of Care by the Best People and has the drive to take us forward, by ensuring that the Trust continues to be the first choice for patients and our staff.

Main duties

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.

Values and commitment to diversity

Our values are Bold, Every Person Counts, Sharing and Open and Together. We are committed to endorsing diversity, multiculturalism and inclusion. All applicants are treated fairly at every stage of the recruitment process.

About the Trust

Medway NHS Foundation Trust is dedicated to delivering excellent patient care and operational excellence. We thrive on teamwork, innovation and a culture that places patients first.

Job responsibilities

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.
• Represent the organisation at regional groups, collaborate on national and regional optimisation initiatives, and lead the Medicines Management Group.
• Provide senior clinical advice, negotiate on complex medicines issues, and deliver training on formulary processes.
• Lead the Pharmacy Governance Group, supervise governance staff and ensure compliance with national policies.
• Oversight of procedures such as IVIG, Patient Group Directions, unlicensed medicines and controlled drugs.
• Drive audit programmes, manage responses to drug shortages and recalls, support the development of Trust‑wide medicines policies and ensure adherence to SOPs, mandatory training and CQUIN requirements.
• Support and deputise for the Lead Pharmacist within medicines optimisation, provide financial and horizon‑scanning advice, contribute to efficiency programmes and forecast drug budget impacts.
• Lead and participate in research, quality improvement projects and share findings through publication and presentation.
• Maintain a positive and inclusive culture, produce business cases, promote the pharmacy service and ensure professional standards.
• Clinical responsibilities: independent prescribing, specialist clinical pharmacy services, supervise trainees and staff, support operational services, participate in rotas and maintain active professional development.

Person Specification

Qualifications (Essential)

• Masters 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 and application of regulatory legislation and guidelines
• Specialist clinical knowledge and skills relevant to the therapeutic area
• Expert clinical knowledge and skills in the area of practice

Experience (Essential)

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

Skills (Essential)

• Advanced IT skills – Word, Excel, e‑mail and PowerPoint
• Advanced reasoning and technical judgement to solve difficult and ambiguous problems
• 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

Applicants must submit a Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly CRB) check.

Immigration and Sponsorship

Applications from skilled workers requiring sponsorship are welcome. Further details are available on the UK Visas and Immigration website.

UK Professional Registration

Applicants must hold current UK professional registration. See NHS Careers website for details.

Employer Details

Medway NHS Foundation Trust

Windmill Road, Gillingham, Kent, ME7 5NY

Recruitment Contact

For more information, please visit the Trust's website: https://www.medway.nhs.uk/