Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust

Lead Formulary and Medication Optimisation Pharmacist

The closing date is 25 August 2025

Job summary

We are seeking a Formulary Pharmacist to lead the evolution and implementation of our local formulary, ensuring that it is evidence-based, cost-effective and aligned with national and regional guidelines. The post will also oversee the processes for IFRs and High Cost drugs. The Trust uses the Epic electronic patient record system, so the post holder will have the opportunity to adapt formulary processes to the Digital age.

You will also provide expert advice and support to clinicians, managers and patients on formulary issues, as well as conducting audits, evaluations and reviews of prescribing practices. You will work closely with the Clinical Pharmacy and the Pharmacy Procurement teams to ensure that our formulary is up-to-date, relevant and responsive to the needs of our patients and staff.

Main duties of the job

  • To support the Clinical Pharmacy Manager with developing and maintaining the Trust formulary
  • To support the Trust with identifying and capitalising on Cost Improvement Programmes.
  • To liaise with ICB colleagues with the harmonisation of the Formulary
  • To oversee the use of High Cost and PbR Excluded medications.
  • The provision of a clinical pharmacy service to patients within the Trust.
  • To act as a role model in the field of clinical pharmacy practice and provide a consistently high standard of clinical service in line with the pharmacy objectives.
  • The recruitment, management, and development of staff under the postholder.

About us

Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust is committed to being an inclusive and disability confident employer and has been awarded the Gold for the Armed Forces Employment Recognition Scheme. We provide first class development opportunities for all staff and have a wide range of professional, management and leadership, and clinical skills training available.

Here at Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust, we know how important it is to have a healthy work life balance; this benefits not only individuals but the patients we care for too.

We encourage applications from people who wish to work on a flexible basis, recognising that flexibility may mean a range of different working patterns and hours, we do our utmost to work with our staff to meet their needs and the needs of our service and its users.

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Details

Date posted

11 August 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 8a

Salary

£57,888 to £64,880 a year per annum incl HCAS

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time, Flexible working

Reference number

151-NM131

Job locations

Frimley Park Hospital

Camberley

GU16 7UJ


Job description

Job responsibilities

  • To provide operational and professional leadership in relation to medicines optimisation, promoting evidence-based, cost-effective use of medicines in the Trust
  • Actively collaborate with members of the FHFT Drugs & Therapeutics Committee (FHFT DTC) in the implementation and maintenance of the formulary.
  • To ensure processes are in place to implement the formulary within the trust, maximising compliance, and its visibility.
  • To collaborate with primary care to implement a harmonised formulary across Frimley Health ICB.
  • To collaborate with, and provide input into the Frimley Health Medicines Board
  • To be the lead pharmacist liaising with the ICB team to improve the use of medicines at the interface between primary and secondary care, actively contributing to minimising variation across the ICB.
  • To disseminate the DTC decisions to the Pharmacy Department and wider Trust
  • To support the maintenance of the Trust Drug Formulary, so it is accurate and up-to-date following decisions made at both the DTC and MOB meetings.
  • To produce drug evaluations for the DTC and MOB as requested by the Clinical Pharmacy Manager. To make recommendations to the directorate concerning the introduction and use of new drugs.
  • To ensure close relations cross-site with the pharmacy team across all sites.

Job description

Job responsibilities

  • To provide operational and professional leadership in relation to medicines optimisation, promoting evidence-based, cost-effective use of medicines in the Trust
  • Actively collaborate with members of the FHFT Drugs & Therapeutics Committee (FHFT DTC) in the implementation and maintenance of the formulary.
  • To ensure processes are in place to implement the formulary within the trust, maximising compliance, and its visibility.
  • To collaborate with primary care to implement a harmonised formulary across Frimley Health ICB.
  • To collaborate with, and provide input into the Frimley Health Medicines Board
  • To be the lead pharmacist liaising with the ICB team to improve the use of medicines at the interface between primary and secondary care, actively contributing to minimising variation across the ICB.
  • To disseminate the DTC decisions to the Pharmacy Department and wider Trust
  • To support the maintenance of the Trust Drug Formulary, so it is accurate and up-to-date following decisions made at both the DTC and MOB meetings.
  • To produce drug evaluations for the DTC and MOB as requested by the Clinical Pharmacy Manager. To make recommendations to the directorate concerning the introduction and use of new drugs.
  • To ensure close relations cross-site with the pharmacy team across all sites.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Pharmacy degree (BSc/ Masters level)
  • Registered with GPhC
  • Postgraduate clinical diploma or equivalent
  • Evidence of Continuous Professional Development (CPD)
  • Independent Prescriber

Desirable

  • MSc or higher degree
  • UKCPA membership
  • RPS membership
  • Formal management qualification

Specific competencies for role

Essential

  • Excellent written and verbal communication
  • Good interpersonal, communication, organisation, influencing and negotiating skills
  • Ability to adapt and cope with challenges
  • Applied clinical knowledge

Desirable

  • Excellent IT skills

Professional/specialist experience

Essential

  • Experience of producing guidelines
  • Experience of producing drug appraisals
  • Significant post-qualification experience working in a clinical enviroment

Desirable

  • Teaching/tutoring experience
  • Experience of managing staff
  • Experience of working in clinics
  • Clinical audit experience
Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Pharmacy degree (BSc/ Masters level)
  • Registered with GPhC
  • Postgraduate clinical diploma or equivalent
  • Evidence of Continuous Professional Development (CPD)
  • Independent Prescriber

Desirable

  • MSc or higher degree
  • UKCPA membership
  • RPS membership
  • Formal management qualification

Specific competencies for role

Essential

  • Excellent written and verbal communication
  • Good interpersonal, communication, organisation, influencing and negotiating skills
  • Ability to adapt and cope with challenges
  • Applied clinical knowledge

Desirable

  • Excellent IT skills

Professional/specialist experience

Essential

  • Experience of producing guidelines
  • Experience of producing drug appraisals
  • Significant post-qualification experience working in a clinical enviroment

Desirable

  • Teaching/tutoring experience
  • Experience of managing staff
  • Experience of working in clinics
  • Clinical audit experience

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.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Additional information

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.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details

Employer name

Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Frimley Park Hospital

Camberley

GU16 7UJ


Employer's website

https://www.fhft.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)


Employer details

Employer name

Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Frimley Park Hospital

Camberley

GU16 7UJ


Employer's website

https://www.fhft.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)


Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Clinical Pharmacy Manager

Stuart Dark

stuart.dark@nhs.net

07880102186

Details

Date posted

11 August 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 8a

Salary

£57,888 to £64,880 a year per annum incl HCAS

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time, Flexible working

Reference number

151-NM131

Job locations

Frimley Park Hospital

Camberley

GU16 7UJ


Supporting documents

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