Job summary
- Main area
- Pharmacy
- Grade
- NHS AfC: Band 8a
- Contract
- Permanent
- Hours
- Full time
- Flexible working
- Job ref
- 179-7741168-C
- Employer
- West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- West Suffolk Hospital
- Town
- Bury St Edmunds
- Salary
- £55,690 - £62,682 per annum pro rata
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Closing
- 16/03/2026 23:59
Employer heading
Lead Pharmacist- Medicines Safety
NHS AfC: Band 8a
Job overview
The Lead Pharmacist – Medicines Safety leads the development, delivery and monitoring of the Trust’s medicines safety agenda. Working as part of the multidisciplinary safety system, the post holder analyses safety insights, coordinates proportionate responses to medication safety events in line with PSIRF, and implements evidence‑based improvements to reduce avoidable harm. The role provides specialist advice, education and engagement across clinical services, and reports assurance and learning to pharmacy and Trust governance forums. The post holder reports to the Principal pharmacist- Safety, Governance & Audit, and Medication Safety (MSO)
Main duties of the job
Please see the attached job description and person specification for further details around the main duties of the job role.
Working for our organisation
#BeKnown at West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust. By us. By our patients. By our community
We are a busy, friendly, rural NHS Trust providing high-quality care and compassion to more than a quarter of a million people across west Suffolk. We care for, treat and support people in hospital, at home and in various community settings.
The West Suffolk Hospital in Bury St Edmunds provides acute and secondary care services (emergency department, maternity and neonatal services, day surgery unit, eye treatment centre, Macmillan unit and children's ward). It has 500+ beds and is a partner teaching hospital of the University of Cambridge.
Adult and paediatric community services, provided in collaboration with West Suffolk Alliance partners, include a range of nursing, therapy, specialist, and ongoing temporary care and rehabilitation, some at our Newmarket Community Hospital.
We do our utmost to achieve outstanding clinical outcomes for patients and our values of fairness, inclusivity, respect, safety and team work guide how we work and behave as a team.
With nearly 5,000 staff, from all over the world, we strive to make our organisation a great place to work. Whatever your role or ambition, we want to help you be the best you can be.
We promote a diverse and inclusive community where everyone voice counts and you can #BeKnown for whoever you are.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Please see the attached job description and person specification for further details around the main responsibilities of the job role.
Person specification
Education & Qualification
Essential criteria
- Masters Degree in Pharmacy or equivalent
- Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical or Technical Pharmacy or equivalent demonstrable experience
- Registered as a pharmacist with The General Pharmaceutical Council
Desirable criteria
- MSc in Clinical or Technical Pharmacy
- Independent prescribing qualification
- Member of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society
Experience & Knowledge
Essential criteria
- Extensive post-registration experience with substantial hospital experience
- Experience of multidisciplinary team working
- Experience in providing and evaluating pharmacy education & training including mentorship
- Experience of managing or supervising other staff
- Experience of implementing and/or reviewing policies, guidelines, PGDs or equivalent
- Evidence of on-going revalidation with the GPhC
- Knowledge of risk management, patient safety strategies and learning culture
- Knowledge of how the delivery of the clinical pharmacy service must meet the needs of local and national priorities
- Knowledge of pharmacy based computer systems
Desirable criteria
- Previous undertaking of the role of Medication Safety Officer
- Experience of working directly within a medication safety specialism
- Experience in the provision of pharmacy expertise to the clinical governance agenda
- Experience of providing post-graduate level training and/or education
- Experience of managing the entry of new medicines into a hospital formulary
- Experience of budgetary responsibility and/or experience with high cost drugs
Skills & Abilities
Essential criteria
- Able to communicate effectively with a wide range of healthcare professionals and patients
- Able to provide expert advice on the use of medicines to treat patients within a specialist area
- Able to manage difficult or ambiguous situations
- Able to manage time effectively and meet tight deadlines
- Able to prioritise and manage workload
- Able to demonstrate an advanced level of reasoning and judgment
- Able to present complex information to a large groups of staff
- Able to train and supervise staff
- Able to undertake prescription review of complex medication regimes
- Attention to detail and good problem solving skills
- Proficient computer skills
Personal Qualities
Essential criteria
- Takes responsibility for own actions and promotes positive team working ethic
- Shares information and good practice appropriately
- Treats others with courtesy and respect at all times
- Maintains high levels of concentration for prolonged periods of time
- Excellent verbal and written skills
Employer certification / accreditation badges
Applicant requirements
You must have appropriate UK professional registration.
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.
Application numbers
Documents to download
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Wegdan Mohamed
- Job title
- Deputy Chief Pharmacist
- Email address
- [email protected]
- Telephone number
- 01284713157
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