King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Principal Pharmacist - Surgery, Theatres, Anaesthetics and Endoscopy

The closing date is 09 December 2025

Job summary

The post holder leads, delivers, develops, manages and evaluates the clinical pharmacy services to the Care Groups - Surgery including Orthopaedics, Theatres, Anaesthetics and Endoscopy. The focus of the post is on ensuring the provision of high quality, safe, comprehensive (clinical, supply, financial and operational) pharmaceutical services to the care groups, in accordance with the priorities set by the post holder, Deputy and Associate Chief Pharmacists, Clinical Services, General Manager and Clinical Director(s). The post holder provides a specialist level clinical commitment to the care groups.

Main duties of the job

The post holder is expected to act as a role model and is responsible for:

Acting as a specialist role model and as an expert in the clinical field and demonstrating an advanced level of knowledge

Ensuring the safe, efficacious and cost-effective use of drugs within the Care Groups

Ensuring a high level of clinical input across the Care Groups

Development and implementation of guidelines and policies for the use of drugs

Regular financial reporting, drug usage and expenditure forecasting

Developing the pharmacy service to the Care Groups

Teaching and training within the Trust and externally

Initiating and coordinating research and development activity within the specialist areas

Identifying a vision for the delivery of pharmaceutical services to the Care Groups

Identifying and promoting best practice

About us

The Trust provides a full range of local and specialist services across its five sites. The trust-wide strategy of Strong Roots, Global Reach is our Vision to be BOLD, Brilliant people, Outstanding care, Leaders in Research, Innovation and Education, Diversity, Equality and Inclusion at the heart of everything we do. By being person-centred, digitally-enabled, and focused on sustainability, we aim to take Team King's to another level.

We are at a pivotal point in our history and we require individuals who are ready to join a highly professional team and make a real, lasting difference to our patients and our people.

King's is committed to delivering Sustainable Healthcare for All via our Green Plan. In line with national Greener NHS ambitions, we have set net zero carbon targets of 2040 for our NHS Carbon Footprint and 2045 for our NHS Carbon Footprint Plus. Everyone's contribution is required in order to meet the goals set out in our Green Plan and we encourage all staff to work responsibly, minimising their contributions to the Trust's carbon emissions, waste and pollution wherever possible.

Date posted

25 November 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 8b

Salary

£70,396 to £80,837 a year per annum, including high cost allowance

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Flexible working

Reference number

213-Division-A-7626089

Job locations

Princess Royal University Hospital

Farnborough Common

Orpington

BR6 8ND

Job description

Job responsibilities

See attached job description for further information.

Leadership

To lead clinical pharmacy services for patients treated within the Care Groups in accordance with the priorities set by the post holder, Associate/Deputy Chief Pharmacist, Clinical Services, General Manager and Clinical Director(s) to ensure safe, clinically effective and cost-efficient use of drugs in these patients

To develop clinical pharmacy services for patients in the Care Groups in accordance with objectives set by the post holder and Consultant Pharmacist to advance the safe, clinically effective and cost-efficient use of drugs in these patients.

To identify a vision for the delivery of pharmaceutical services to the Care Groups.

To deliver this vision within the boundaries of national and local priorities.

To identify a vision to support the development of independent pharmacist prescribing practice following changes to the initial education and training standards of Pharmacists alongside the Associate/Deputy Chief Pharmacist, Clinical Services.

To deliver the clinical governance agenda in relation to drug use in the Care Groups.

Clinical Responsibilities

To be responsible for the provision of highly specialised pharmacy services (clinical, dispensing and supply) to patients within the Care Groups.

To provide highly specialised evidence-based clinical advice and information (doses, interaction, adverse effects, drug availability, complex dose calculations) to nursing and medical staff (within the Trust and externally) on the management of individual patients, in accordance with legislation.

To act as a pharmacist independent prescriber to optimise the care of patients.

To participate in consultant ward rounds.

To demonstrate expert clinical knowledge.

To manage and make appropriate referrals.

To provide direct high quality of care to outpatients in clinic(s) within specialist area, as required.

To follow legal ethical professional and employers codes of conduct.

Financial Management

To work with the Deputy Chief Pharmacist, Clinical Services to develop appropriate business cases for the development of clinical pharmacy services to the Care Groups.

To monitor drug expenditure within the Care Groups and provide accurate expenditure information, with appropriate analysis, to the Care Groups, in line with departmental policies.

To contribute to the budget setting process within the Care Groups as appropriate, and support appropriate drug income generation for the Care Groups.

To attend Care Group financial meetings to provide highly complex advice and information on the Care Group's drugs budget, drug expenditure and cost-control measures.

To forecast the cost impact of new drugs on the Care Groups drugs budget and manage their introduction into clinical practice using horizon scanning techniques.

People Management/Performance

Lead, coach and manage the performance in line with good people management practices. Ensuring excellence is recognised and underperformance is addressed.

Participate in regular performance appraisal meetings and ensure staff have a clear set of objectives and development plans.

Ensure staff are compliant with all statutory, mandatory training together with any professional training requirements.

Manage staff absences including sickness in line with Trust policy ensuring the appropriate return to work meetings occur, e-roster is updated and productivity is at keep to the highest possible level.

Identify and fill any vacancies that arise in line with the Trusts recruitment policy and process.

Identify talent and support the internal talent management process in order attract and retain and succession plan for our people.

Research and Service Development

To demonstrate a critical approach towards pharmacy practice in the Care Groups.

To evaluate pharmacy practice in the Care Groups, and more broadly as it relates to prescribing practice.

To integrate research and audit evidence into practice.

To identify gaps in the evidence-base and where possible develop strategies to bridge the gap.

To initiate, coordinate and develop research and audit programmes within own specialist area.

To undertake own research and audit and participate in other research and audit programmes in the Trust and at regional level, as required.

To guide and support others undertaking research.

Job description

Job responsibilities

See attached job description for further information.

Leadership

To lead clinical pharmacy services for patients treated within the Care Groups in accordance with the priorities set by the post holder, Associate/Deputy Chief Pharmacist, Clinical Services, General Manager and Clinical Director(s) to ensure safe, clinically effective and cost-efficient use of drugs in these patients

To develop clinical pharmacy services for patients in the Care Groups in accordance with objectives set by the post holder and Consultant Pharmacist to advance the safe, clinically effective and cost-efficient use of drugs in these patients.

To identify a vision for the delivery of pharmaceutical services to the Care Groups.

To deliver this vision within the boundaries of national and local priorities.

To identify a vision to support the development of independent pharmacist prescribing practice following changes to the initial education and training standards of Pharmacists alongside the Associate/Deputy Chief Pharmacist, Clinical Services.

To deliver the clinical governance agenda in relation to drug use in the Care Groups.

Clinical Responsibilities

To be responsible for the provision of highly specialised pharmacy services (clinical, dispensing and supply) to patients within the Care Groups.

To provide highly specialised evidence-based clinical advice and information (doses, interaction, adverse effects, drug availability, complex dose calculations) to nursing and medical staff (within the Trust and externally) on the management of individual patients, in accordance with legislation.

To act as a pharmacist independent prescriber to optimise the care of patients.

To participate in consultant ward rounds.

To demonstrate expert clinical knowledge.

To manage and make appropriate referrals.

To provide direct high quality of care to outpatients in clinic(s) within specialist area, as required.

To follow legal ethical professional and employers codes of conduct.

Financial Management

To work with the Deputy Chief Pharmacist, Clinical Services to develop appropriate business cases for the development of clinical pharmacy services to the Care Groups.

To monitor drug expenditure within the Care Groups and provide accurate expenditure information, with appropriate analysis, to the Care Groups, in line with departmental policies.

To contribute to the budget setting process within the Care Groups as appropriate, and support appropriate drug income generation for the Care Groups.

To attend Care Group financial meetings to provide highly complex advice and information on the Care Group's drugs budget, drug expenditure and cost-control measures.

To forecast the cost impact of new drugs on the Care Groups drugs budget and manage their introduction into clinical practice using horizon scanning techniques.

People Management/Performance

Lead, coach and manage the performance in line with good people management practices. Ensuring excellence is recognised and underperformance is addressed.

Participate in regular performance appraisal meetings and ensure staff have a clear set of objectives and development plans.

Ensure staff are compliant with all statutory, mandatory training together with any professional training requirements.

Manage staff absences including sickness in line with Trust policy ensuring the appropriate return to work meetings occur, e-roster is updated and productivity is at keep to the highest possible level.

Identify and fill any vacancies that arise in line with the Trusts recruitment policy and process.

Identify talent and support the internal talent management process in order attract and retain and succession plan for our people.

Research and Service Development

To demonstrate a critical approach towards pharmacy practice in the Care Groups.

To evaluate pharmacy practice in the Care Groups, and more broadly as it relates to prescribing practice.

To integrate research and audit evidence into practice.

To identify gaps in the evidence-base and where possible develop strategies to bridge the gap.

To initiate, coordinate and develop research and audit programmes within own specialist area.

To undertake own research and audit and participate in other research and audit programmes in the Trust and at regional level, as required.

To guide and support others undertaking research.

Person Specification

Education and Qualifications

Essential

BPharm or MPharm in Pharmacy and registered with GPhC
Diploma in clinical pharmacy or pharmacy practice
short courses equivalent to postgraduate certificate
Specialist competencies in area relevant to practice or relevant short courses taught at postgraduate level

Desirable

IP or SP

Knowledge and Experience

Essential

Expert clinical knowledge in specialties and experience of providing pharmaceutical care to patients in specialties
Experience of managing and supervising individuals and a team and education and training at postgraduate level
Knowledge of clinical governance, local and national priorities and relevant legislation and regulations and experience of implementing these
Experience of directorate work such as finance management, guidelines and procedures, practice research and audit, service development and QI

Skills and Competencies

Essential

Able to provide highly complex information and impart knowledge to a range of staff internally and externally
Able to communicate effectively, delegate, influence, organise, motivate and manage time of self and others, problem solve, prioritise and be flexible
Demonstrates basic critical appraisal skills and uses evidence to make sound judgements and identifies and manages risk

Desirable

Experience in disciplinary matters
Advanced critical appraisal skills

Person Specification

Education and Qualifications

Essential

BPharm or MPharm in Pharmacy and registered with GPhC
Diploma in clinical pharmacy or pharmacy practice
short courses equivalent to postgraduate certificate
Specialist competencies in area relevant to practice or relevant short courses taught at postgraduate level

Desirable

IP or SP

Knowledge and Experience

Essential

Expert clinical knowledge in specialties and experience of providing pharmaceutical care to patients in specialties
Experience of managing and supervising individuals and a team and education and training at postgraduate level
Knowledge of clinical governance, local and national priorities and relevant legislation and regulations and experience of implementing these
Experience of directorate work such as finance management, guidelines and procedures, practice research and audit, service development and QI

Skills and Competencies

Essential

Able to provide highly complex information and impart knowledge to a range of staff internally and externally
Able to communicate effectively, delegate, influence, organise, motivate and manage time of self and others, problem solve, prioritise and be flexible
Demonstrates basic critical appraisal skills and uses evidence to make sound judgements and identifies and manages risk

Desirable

Experience in disciplinary matters
Advanced critical appraisal skills

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

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

Certificate of Sponsorship

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

King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Princess Royal University Hospital

Farnborough Common

Orpington

BR6 8ND

Employer's website

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

Employer details

Employer name

King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Princess Royal University Hospital

Farnborough Common

Orpington

BR6 8ND

Employer's website

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