Lead Pharmacist for Medicines Governance

Hywel Dda University Health Board; United Kingdom; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading health board in Wales is seeking a Senior Pharmacy Leader to shape the future of pharmacy services. This role requires strategic leadership, ensuring governance compliance and innovation in medicines management. The ideal candidate will have extensive healthcare experience and a Master’s degree in Pharmacy. Join us in transforming healthcare delivery in West Wales.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in healthcare and medicines management systems.
• Evidence of introducing innovation in a healthcare system.
• Demonstrable evidence of service redesign and transformational change.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic oversight for effective use of medicines across the organization.
• Lead development of medicines management systems.
• Drive continuous improvement in pharmacy services.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Medicines management expertise

Governance compliance

Innovation in healthcare

Education

Master’s degree in Pharmacy

Registered pharmacist with GPhC

Independent Prescriber Qualification

Job description

Overview

Are you ready to shape the future of pharmacy services in West Wales? Hywel Dda University Health Board is seeking a strategic and detail-oriented leader to join our senior pharmacy team during a pivotal period of transformation. This role demands robust governance, medicines management oversight, assurance and regulatory compliance to ensure the safe, effective, and efficient use of medicines across the organisation. You will provide expert oversight of medicines optimisation and governance frameworks, ensuring high standards while enabling innovation through advanced clinical, technical, and digital solutions. If you are passionate about modernising healthcare delivery and can balance innovation with robust systems of accountability, this is your opportunity to make a meaningful and lasting impact.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership and oversight for the safe, effective, and efficient use of medicines across HDdUHB, ensuring compliance with governance frameworks and regulatory standards.
• Lead the development and implementation of robust medicines management systems that support high-quality, patient-centred care across primary and secondary care settings.
• Drive continuous improvement and transformation within pharmacy services.
• Ensure the Health Board maximises the clinical and financial value of medicines through evidence-based decision-making, data-driven insights, and strong stewardship of resources.
• Coordinate and lead governance activities across the Pharmacy and Medicines Management Directorate, including prescribing, procurement, supply, administration, and monitoring of medicines.
• Act as a senior leader within the organisation, fostering collaboration across services and providing operational leadership to keep pharmacy integral to high-quality care.
• Provide expert advice and leadership on formulary development, shared care guidance, and prescribing policy, including horizon scanning and introduction of new therapies.
• Lead the HDdUHB response to Patient Safety Alerts, Drug Safety Alerts, and Welsh Health Circulars, ensuring robust systems to reduce risk and improve medicines safety.

About us

Hywel Dda University Health Board plans and delivers NHS services for the communities of Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, Pembrokeshire, and surrounding areas. With over 13,000 dedicated staff, we provide a full spectrum of healthcare services to approximately 384,000 people in a geographical area that covers a quarter of Wales.

Our network includes:

• Four acute hospitals: Bronglais General (Aberystwyth), Glangwili General (Carmarthen), Prince Philip (Llanelli), and Withybush General (Haverfordwest)
• Seven community hospitals across the region
• A wide range of primary care providers including 48 GP practices, 99 community pharmacies, and 47 dental practices
• Extensive mental health and learning disability services

We work in close partnership with local authorities, third sector organisations, and volunteers to deliver integrated, person-centred care.

Job details

Interviews will be held on 21.10.2025. The Health Board is committed to bilingualism and welcomes applications from Welsh speakers. Welsh language ability is desirable; if not meeting the requirement, learning options and staff support are available during employment.

Person Specification

Qualifications and Knowledge

• Essential: Master’s degree in Pharmacy; Registered pharmacist with GPhC; Diploma or postgraduate qualification in a pharmacy-related area or equivalent experience; Independent Prescriber Qualification.
• Desirable: Postgraduate management or leadership qualification; Member of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society; Membership of a specialist body (e.g., UKCPA).

Experience

• Essential: Extensive experience in healthcare; Specialist knowledge of medicines management systems and processes in an integrated NHS; Experience of budget management, clinical audit and research; Evidence of introducing innovation in a healthcare system; Demonstrable evidence of implementing service redesign and delivering transformational change; Training and education of pharmacy staff and other HCPs; Experience of delivering presentations to large groups.
• Desirable: Experience of teaching/tutoring roles; Evidence of research.

Other

• Essential: Ability to travel between sites in a timely manner.
• Desirable: Welsh Speaker (Level 1) is desirable but not essential for this post.

Other information

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 DBS is necessary 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 relevant UK government pages. From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants applying for entry clearance into the UK must present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided in for 12 months or more in the past 10 years; adult dependants are also subject to this requirement.

UK Registration Applicants must have current UK professional registration.