Job summaryPrincipal Pharmacist - Planned Surgery & Pre-admission Band 8aFull Time (37.5hrs)Are you an experienced pharmacist with a passion for the care of patients undergoing planned surgery? Are you keen to develop pre-admission services for planned surgery patients? Would you like to be part of our multi-disciplinary team who contribute to the care of these patients throughout their hospital journey? If this describes you, we invite you to get in touch with us.Now is an excellent time to become part of the pharmacy team at MKUH; we are a friendly, forward-thinking, and innovative department who continue to grow in both size and influence. Recent enhancements to our working environment include a major departmental refurbishment, the introduction of a new Pharmacy Robot and automated CD dispensing cabinets, the establishment of a new Pharmacy and Aseptic Unit in the Cancer Centre, and the opening of a new Outpatient Pharmacy.Our services are evolving to provide our pharmacists and pharmacy technicians with more time to work alongside patients while supporting their medical and nursing colleagues. Our commitment is to ensure that every patient receives safe, high-quality care, placing our patients at the heart of our mission. This role is an ideal opportunity for a skilled and dedicated pharmacist looking for experience at a more senior level.Interview date: w/c 17th December 2026Main duties of the jobWe care We communicate We collaborate We contributeAs a result of an expansion in our Theatres capacity and to support the provision of clinical pharmacy services across the Surgery Division, we are looking for an enthusiastic, highly motivated pharmacist to join our team and lead the Medicines Optimisation services to planned surgery and pre-admission patients.Working alongside the Clinical Pharmacy Manager for Surgery and the other Principal Pharmacists with the Surgery Dividion, you will be responsible for developing and delivering Medicines Optimisation and Clinical Pharmacy services across the surgical division and for the management of specialist, rotational and foundation pharmacists working within your area.Our standard working hours consist of four long days (8 am to 6.30 pm) per week; in addition you will be required to work Saturdays, Sundays, and Bank Holidays on a rota basis. After a period of induction and training, you will contribute to the two-tier pharmacy out-of-hours service.If successful, you will be joining a friendly and welcoming team and will enter a supportive and learning environment that encourages both professional and personal development.For additional information about this post, please contact:Reva Shah (Clinical Pharmacy Manager) on reva.shah@mkuh.nhs.uk orJill McDonald (Associate Director of Pharmacy - Clinical Services) on ill.mcdonald@mkuh.nhs.ukAbout usMilton Keynes University Hospital, in proud partnership with the University of Buckingham, is a University Teaching Hospital committed to advancing patient care through cutting-edge research and education. With a "Good" rating from the CQC and significant investment underway, this is an exciting time to join our team and grow your career.As a medium sized general hospital, we provide a full range of general medical and surgical services, including a busy Emergency Department, Maternity, and Paediatrics. As the population of our city and surrounding areas continues to grow rapidly, we are expanding and enhancing our facilities to meet rising demand and improve access to care for all our communities.We are also proud to offer a growing portfolio of specialist services. In January 2025 we opened our state-of-the-art Radiotherapy Centre, bringing advanced cancer treatment closer to home. Our services also include neonatology, specialist surgical care, and a wide range of diagnostics, supported by the new Community Diagnostic Centre at Whitehouse Health Centre. We have just opened the Oak Wards - a new ward block featuring two 24-bed wards.Further investment is underway, including the recently approved Women and Children's Centre, set to open by 2030.Visit our website to explore the latest news and opportunities at MKUH - News - Milton Keynes University Hospital -For further information about Milton Keynes please visit - Visit Milton KeynesDetailsDate posted11 November 2026Pay schemeAgenda for changeBandBand 8aSalary 57,528 to 64,750 a year Per annum ContractPermanentWorking pattern Full-time Reference number430-CC26-1192AJob locationsPharmacy (Dept)Milton KeynesMK6 5LDUnited KingdomJob descriptionJob responsibilitiesTrust Responsibilities To be part of the pharmacy team and work with staff within the pharmacy department and across the Trust, to enable the objectives of the Trust to be achieved. To contribute to the Trust complying with Pharmacy procedures, Medicines Management standards, Clinical Governance and Risk Management.Clinical Responsibilities To be responsible for the clinical screening of prescriptions according to locally agreed standards. To support the development and delivery of a strategy for the clinical pharmacy service now and in the future.Professional Responsibilities To assist the Associate Director of Pharmacy (Clinical Services and ET&WD) and the Pharmacist Managers Medicines Optimisation in all aspects of the development and delivery of clinical service to the division (with a focus on Planned Surgery & Preadmissions). To ensure that appropriate levels of service are provided to the division (with a focus on Endocrinology & Care of Older People) in accordance with statutory requirements and the Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) Professional Standards for Hospital Pharmacy.Operational Responsibilities To act as the clinical team lead for the pharmacy services to the division (with a focus on Planned Surgery & Preadmissions). To ensure quality indicators are identified, measured and achieved for clinical pharmacy services to the division (with a focus on Planned Surgery & Preadmissions).Education and Training Responsibilities To act as an accredited tutor for relevant post graduate qualifications and meeting local requirements (as required). To act as a Designated Supervisor for Foundation Trainee Pharmacists in accordance with the requirements of the General Pharmaceutical Council (as required). To act as a Designated Prescribing Practitioner for Foundation Trainee Pharmacists in accordance with the requirements of the General Pharmaceutical Council (as required).Human Resource Management ResponsibilitiesAll posts with responsibility for managing staff are expected to lead, motivate, develop and reward staff and are required to comply with the Trust's policies and Manager's Code of Conduct in the following areas: To deputise for the Pharmacist Manager Medicines Optimisation and represent the Milton Keynes Hospital at relevant departmental, local, regional and national meetings and forums.Development and Planning To develop the pharmacy service in the areas you are responsible for and push the boundaries of what pharmacy can do in support of the medicines optimisation agenda To contribute to the planning and future development of all aspects services to the division (with a focus on Planned Surgery & Preadmissions).Please refer to the job description for further details. Job description Job responsibilitiesTrust Responsibilities To be part of the pharmacy team and work with staff within the pharmacy department and across the Trust, to enable the objectives of the Trust to be achieved. To contribute to the Trust complying with Pharmacy procedures, Medicines Management standards, Clinical Governance and Risk Management.Clinical Responsibilities To be responsible for the clinical screening of prescriptions according to locally agreed standards. To support the development and delivery of a strategy for the clinical pharmacy service now and in the future.Professional Responsibilities To assist the Associate Director of Pharmacy (Clinical Services and ET&WD) and the Pharmacist Managers Medicines Optimisation in all aspects of the development and delivery of clinical service to the division (with a focus on Planned Surgery & Preadmissions). To ensure that appropriate levels of service are provided to the division (with a focus on Endocrinology & Care of Older People) in accordance with statutory requirements and the Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) Professional Standards for Hospital Pharmacy.Operational Responsibilities To act as the clinical team lead for the pharmacy services to the division (with a focus on Planned Surgery & Preadmissions). To ensure quality indicators are identified, measured and achieved for clinical pharmacy services to the division (with a focus on Planned Surgery & Preadmissions).Education and Training Responsibilities To act as an accredited tutor for relevant post graduate qualifications and meeting local requirements (as required). To act as a Designated Supervisor for Foundation Trainee Pharmacists in accordance with the requirements of the General Pharmaceutical Council (as required). To act as a Designated Prescribing Practitioner for Foundation Trainee Pharmacists in accordance with the requirements of the General Pharmaceutical Council (as required).Human Resource Management ResponsibilitiesAll posts with responsibility for managing staff are expected to lead, motivate, develop and reward staff and are required to comply with the Trust's policies and Manager's Code of Conduct in the following areas: To deputise for the Pharmacist Manager Medicines Optimisation and represent the Milton Keynes Hospital at relevant departmental, local, regional and national meetings and forums.Development and Planning To develop the pharmacy service in the areas you are responsible for and push the boundaries of what pharmacy can do in support of the medicines optimisation agenda To contribute to the planning and future development of all aspects services to the division (with a focus on Planned Surgery & Preadmissions).Please refer to the job description for further details.Person Specification Qualifications and knowledge EssentialDegree in PharmacyRegistered with the GPhCPostgraduate Clinical DiplomaEvidence of ongoing CPD as required by the GPhCDesirableMember of the Royal Pharmaceutical SocietyMSc in Clinical Pharmacy PracticeIndependent Prescriber Experience EssentialSignificant post registration experience with at least 3 years in a hospital clinical postProven experience in surgical servicesExperience of managing drug expenditure for a specialty and understanding budgetsPrevious evaluations reviews of medicines used in the specialty's patient group.Experience as a trainerExperience working as part of a multi-disciplinary team to provide patient careExperience of audit work.DesirablePersonnel managementService developmentAn awareness of national standards and service delivery issues relevant to the directorate's patient group.Experience of appraising staff and giving feedbackMedicines InformationManagement qualificationIntroduction of a new serviceProject managementPublished workKnowledge of the medical management of disease in the specialty's patients Skills EssentialAbility to manage time effectively and work to deadlines demonstrated in a previous postAbility to plan, prioritise and organise self and othersEffective verbal and written communication demonstrated in a previous post.I.T. skills such as computer literacy, word processing and spreadsheet skills.Managerial skillsCommunication skills.Good presentation skills.Report writingProblem solvingGood team work and ability to work aloneLeadership skillsCritical appraisal skillsRadical thinkingDesirableInnovativeAbility to motivate and act as a role modelAbility to use Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Word Personal and people development EssentialExperience of supervising and developing colleaguesEvidence of Continuous Professional Development Communication EssentialExcellent interpersonal skills and the ability to influence othersExcellent communication skills, both verbal and written Specific requirements EssentialAble to perform the duties of the post with reasonable aids and adaptations Person Specification Qualifications and knowledge EssentialDegree in PharmacyRegistered with the GPhCPostgraduate Clinical DiplomaEvidence of ongoing CPD as required by the GPhCDesirableMember of the Royal Pharmaceutical SocietyMSc in Clinical Pharmacy PracticeIndependent Prescriber Experience EssentialSignificant post registration experience with at least 3 years in a hospital clinical postProven experience in surgical servicesExperience of managing drug expenditure for a specialty and understanding budgetsPrevious evaluations reviews of medicines used in the specialty's patient group.Experience as a trainerExperience working as part of a multi-disciplinary team to provide patient careExperience of audit work.DesirablePersonnel managementService developmentAn awareness of national standards and service delivery issues relevant to the directorate's patient group.Experience of appraising staff and giving feedbackMedicines InformationManagement qualificationIntroduction of a new serviceProject managementPublished workKnowledge of the medical management of disease in the specialty's patients Skills EssentialAbility to manage time effectively and work to deadlines demonstrated in a previous postAbility to plan, prioritise and organise self and othersEffective verbal and written communication demonstrated in a previous post.I.T. skills such as computer literacy, word processing and spreadsheet skills.Managerial skillsCommunication skills.Good presentation skills.Report writingProblem solvingGood team work and ability to work aloneLeadership skillsCritical appraisal skillsRadical thinkingDesirableInnovativeAbility to motivate and act as a role modelAbility to use Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Word Personal and people development EssentialExperience of supervising and developing colleaguesEvidence of Continuous Professional Development Communication EssentialExcellent interpersonal skills and the ability to influence othersExcellent communication skills, both verbal and written Specific requirements EssentialAble to perform the duties of the post with reasonable aids and adaptationsDisclosure and Barring Service CheckThis 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 CheckThis 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 detailsEmployer nameMilton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation TrustAddressPharmacy (Dept)Milton KeynesMK6 5LDUnited KingdomEmployer's websiteEmployer detailsEmployer nameMilton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation TrustAddressPharmacy (Dept)Milton KeynesMK6 5LDUnited KingdomEmployer's website
Principal Pharmacist - Planned Surgery & Pre-admissions in Milton Keynes employer: National Health Service
Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and collaborative work environment for healthcare professionals in North Wales. With a commitment to employee development and a focus on compassionate care, staff have access to continuous professional development opportunities and the chance to make a meaningful impact in both acute and community paediatrics. The Health Board's integrated approach ensures that employees are part of a dynamic team dedicated to improving health outcomes for the local population.
