Chief Pharmacist

Main area Pharmacy:
Oncology Grade NHS AfC:
Band 9 Contract Permanent Hours Full time - 37.5 hours per week (weekends and senior rota cover) Job  
-PHA

Site The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre - Liverpool Town Liverpool Salary £112,782 - £129,783 per annum Salary period Yearly Closing 03/11/2026 23:59

We want our recruitment process to be fair, inclusive, and accessible for everyone. If you need support or a reasonable adjustment at any stage of the application or interview process, please contact our Recruitment Team -  or  Adjustments may include alternative formats, extra time for assessments, communication support, accessible interview arrangements, interview questions prior to interview or other changes tailored to your needs.

The Chief Pharmacist is a senior clinical and professional leader, providing strategic direction for pharmacy and medicines optimisation across all Trust sites.

As a senior member of the Acute Care Divisional Management Team, the postholder will lead the operational delivery, performance and development of high-quality, patient-centred pharmacy services, with delegated responsibility for workforce, pay and non-pay budgets and medicines expenditure.

The postholder will act as the Trust’s authoritative adviser on the safe, effective and cost-effective use of medicines, providing assurance to the Board, Executive Team and relevant committees.

The role has Trust-wide responsibility for medicines optimisation across the full medicines pathway, including selection, procurement, production, supply, prescribing, advanced practice and non-medical prescribing, administration, monitoring and review.

The Chief Pharmacist will shape and deliver the Trust’s pharmacy and medicines optimisation strategy, leading transformation, digital innovation and workforce development to improve patient outcomes, safety, productivity, resilience and value.

The postholder is directly accountable to the Chief Executive for the safe and effective management of medicines and associated organisational risk, including compliance with relevant legislation, professional standards and regulatory requirements.

• Provide visible strategic, clinical and professional leadership for pharmacy, medicines optimisation and medicines governance, ensuring services are safe, effective, efficient and responsive to patient need.
• Lead, manage and develop pharmacy services across all Trust sites, setting clear standards for quality, performance, workforce, finance and service improvement.
• Provide expert advice and transparent assurance to the Board, Executive Team, divisions and committees on medicines safety, regulatory compliance, professional practice and medicines-related risk.
• Lead governance and quality assurance arrangements for aseptic preparation, radiopharmaceuticals, medical gases, advanced therapy medicinal products, homecare and other complex medicines services.
• Undertake the statutory role of Controlled Drugs Accountable Officer and ensure robust systems are in place for the safe management and use of controlled drugs.
• Lead major transformation with clear clinical, operational and financial benefits.
• Work collaboratively with clinical leaders, healthcare partners and pharmacy networks across Cheshire and Merseyside to redesign pathways, strengthen the pharmacy workforce, improve access and secure best value from medicines.
• Create an inclusive, compassionate and high-performing culture in which pharmacy colleagues are empowered to innovate, develop and deliver outstanding care

The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre NHS Foundation Trust is one of the UK’s leading cancer centres providing highly specialist cancer care to a population of 2.4m people across Cheshire and…