Deputy Chief Pharmacist - Medicines Optimisation

The Deputy Chief Pharmacist for Medicines Optimisation is a senior leadership position within the Pharmacy team, providing strategic leadership across medicines optimisation, medicines governance, assurance, quality and patient safety. The post holder will work closely with the Chief Pharmacist and Associate Chief Pharmacist to develop and deliver the Trust's medicines optimisation strategy whilst ensuring compliance with professional, statutory and regulatory requirements.

The role is responsible for providing senior oversight and assurance for a broad range of medicines governance functions, including controlled drugs, medicines safety, procurement, homecare services, unlicensed medicines, Patient Group Directions, medicines-related policies and medical gases. The post holder will provide expert advice on medicines legislation and governance and act as a recognised source of professional expertise across the Trust.

The successful candidate will lead the development and implementation of medicines optimisation and governance strategies, ensuring effective systems are in place to support safe, effective and cost-efficient use of medicines. They will monitor performance, identify opportunities for improvement and provide assurance regarding medicines-related risks across the organisation. They will deliver medicines-related cost-improvement programmes (CIP) for the trust.

The post holder will provide leadership for key governance and assurance structures, supporting the delivery of medicines safety priorities, quality improvement programmes and organisational objectives. They will work collaboratively with clinical, operational and corporate teams to ensure medicines governance considerations are embedded within wider Trust initiatives, including digital transformation, innovation and service redesign.

A key aspect of the role will be influencing and engaging at senior levels both within and outside the organisation, representing pharmacy at Trust, system and regional forums and building effective partnerships across organisational boundaries. The post holder will contribute to strategic planning, service development and transformation programmes while fostering a culture of continual improvement, patient safety and professional excellence.

The successful candidate will join the organisation during a period of significant opportunity and change, including continued digital transformation, evolving medicines optimisation models, workforce innovation and major service developments. They will play a central role in ensuring that medicines governance, quality and assurance arrangements remain robust, innovative and responsive to future healthcare needs.