Lead Pharmacist for Medicines Governance

NHS; Wales; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 77,000; Full time

Job summary

A regional health authority in Wales is seeking a Lead Pharmacist for Clinical Innovation to ensure effective medicines management and oversee governance frameworks. The ideal candidate will have a Master's in Pharmacy, be a registered pharmacist, and possess extensive experience in healthcare. This role offers a salary range of £65,424 to £76,021 annually and involves strategic leadership to modernize healthcare services.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in healthcare.
• Specialist knowledge of medicines management systems.
• Experience of budget management and clinical audits.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development and implementation of medicines management systems.
• Drive continuous improvement within pharmacy services.
• Ensure compliance with governance frameworks and standards.

Skills

Leadership skills

Strong governance focus

Medicines management expertise

Innovation in healthcare

Bilingual communication (Welsh)

Education

Master's degree in Pharmacy

Registered pharmacist with GPhC

Postgraduate management or leadership qualification

Job description

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 a strong focus on robust governance, medicines management oversight, assurance and regulatory compliance ensuring safe, effective, and efficient use of medicines across the organisation.

You will provide expert oversight of medicines optimisation and governance frameworks, ensuring high standards are maintained while enabling innovation through the adoption of 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.

You will:

• Provide strategic leadership and oversight for the safe, effective, and efficient use of medicines across HDdUHB , ensuring compliance with governance frameworks and regulatory standards.

Main duties of the job

• 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 operational leadership to ensure pharmacy remains integral to the delivery of high-quality care.
• Provide expert advice and leadership on formulary development, shared care guidance, and prescribing policy, including input into horizon scanning and the introduction of new therapies.
• Lead the HDdUHB response to Patient Safety Alerts, Drug Safety Alerts, and Welsh Health Circulars, ensuring robust systems are in place 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 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 responsibilities

You will be able to find a full job description and person specification attached within the supporting documents.

The Health Board is committed to supporting its staff to fully embrace the need for bilingualism thereby enhancing patient and service user experiences. In our commitment to increase the number of staff who are able to communicate in Welsh with patients and professionals, we welcome applications from Welsh speakers.

The ability to communicate in Welsh is desirable for this post. If you do not meet the Welsh Language requirements specified, the Health Board offers a variety of learning options and staff support to help you meet these minimal desirable requirements during the course of your employment with us.

Interviews will be held on 21.10.2025

Person Specification

Qualifications and Knowledge

• Master's degree in Pharmacy
• Registered pharmacist with GPhC
• Diploma, post graduate qualification in pharmacy related area or equivalent experience
• Postgraduate management or leadership qualification
• Member of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society
• Membership of specialist body e.g. UKCPA.

Experience

• Extensive experience in healthcare
• Specialist knowledge of medicines management systems and process 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 re-design and delivering transformational change.
• Training and education of pharmacy staff and other HCPs
• Experience of delivering presentations to large groups
• Experience of teaching/tutoring role
• Evidence of research

Other

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

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.

Lead Pharmacist for Clinical Innovation and VBHC

£65,424 to £76,021 a yearper annum (pro rata if part time)