Senior Specialist Pharmacist - Medicines Safety & Governance

Band 8a

Main area Clinical Support Grade Band 8a Contract Permanent Hours Full time - 37.5 hours per week Job ref 328-CSS-8324087

Site The James Cook University Hospital Town Middlesbrough Salary £57,528 - £64,750 Per annum Salary period Yearly Closing 18/10/2026 23:59

Job overview

An exciting opportunity has arisen at University Hospital Tees to join the Pharmacy team as our Senior Specialist Pharmacist for Medicines Safety & Governance. This newly created role will work closely with the Medication Safety Officer and Pharmacy Governance Senior Leader to provide expert leadership for medication safety, governance, incident investigation, risk management and implementation of national patient safety initiatives. Working across pharmacy, nursing and medical teams, you will drive medicines safety improvement, support organisational learning and help deliver safer, more effective and cost-efficient patient care.

Main duties of the job

Lead and support medicines safety, governance and risk management activities across University Hospital Tees

Investigate medication incidents, identify trends and implement safety improvements

Coordinate organisational responses to national patient safety alerts and medicines safety initiatives

Provide expert advice to pharmacy, medical and nursing teams on safe and effective medicines use

Develop policies, guidelines, audits and governance processes to improve patient safety

Deliver training, mentorship and leadership to support a positive medicines safety culture

Monitor medicines safety performance and contribute to quality improvement programmes

Support compliance with CQC, PSIRF and national medicines governance standards

Working for our organisation

Working for Pharmacy at University Hospital Tees offers a stimulating and rewarding career within one of the largest integrated pharmacy services in the region. Supporting over 400 pharmacy staff across multiple sites, our teams work collaboratively to deliver outstanding patient care, innovation, education and service improvement, creating excellent opportunities for professional development and career progression.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Please see the full job description and person specification document(s) attached for main responsibilities of the role.

Person specification

Knowledge and Skills

• Ability to apply theoretical knowledge to medication safety issues
• Involvement in development of evidence-based clinical guidelines, polices and protocols
• Strong knowledge of medicines information resources
• Membership of regional/national/international specialist interest groups relevant to field of practice

Qualifications and Training

• Masters Degree in Pharmacy or equivalent
• Registered Pharmacist with the General Pharmaceutical Council
• Diploma in Clinical Pharmacy or equivalent relevant postgraduate clinical qualification
• Pharmacist independent prescribing accreditation or actively working towards qualification
• Evidence of CPD and ongoing education
• Membership with Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS)
• Working towards RPS advanced clinical practice or consultancy frameworks

Experience

• Wealth of experience in clinical pharmacy within a hospital setting
• Experience of developing strong professional relationships with other healthcare professionals
• Experience of leading and contributing to relevant research, audit and service improvement projects
• Experience of involvement in multidisciplinary service development
• Experience of delivering Education & Training
• Staff leadership and management experience
• Experience in change management

Important - Once sufficient applications have been received this vacancy may close early.

Disclosure and Barring Checks (DBS)
It is the policy of South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust that all successful candidates who are newly to the Trust who require DBS clearance for the post they have been offered, are required to pay the cost of their DBS. The method of payment for this is via salary deduction from your first month's pay.

Qualifications
Please note the essential qualifications required for the post are outlined within the Person Specification. You are required to provide original evidence of the necessary qualifications for the post at interview should you be shortlisted.You will also be required to provide original copies as part of the pre-employment check screening.

New Starters – Probationary Period

For any new employees commencing employment with South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, you will be subject to satisfactory completion of a 6 month probationary period. Please note that internal applications and individuals that are appointed to fixed term appointments of less than 6 months duration are exempt from the probationary period (unless you are an internal applicant currently part way through a probationary period or a bank member of staff).
Employment References

As part of our pre-employment screening process, all applicants are required to provide references covering their last three years employment history including any gaps. Applicants are requested toensure e-mail addressesfor all referees are included on their application form. Personal references are not acceptable.

Working Hours

If the hours advertised for the post are up to full time (37.5 hours per week), applications are still welcomed from individuals who may be seeking to work less than full-time hours and all requests will be considered in line with the post being appointed to for the successful applicant.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

Everything we do is shaped by our values: Respect, Support, and Collaborate.

At University Hospitals Tees we want our workspaces to be places where everyone feels welcome, valued and safe. We treat people with respect, and we celebrate the differences that make each of us unique.

We welcome applications from everyone, no matter your age, background, race, religion, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, family circumstances or beliefs.

We are here to supportyou throughout your application and at every stage of your career with us. We believe we work best when we collaborate, learn from each other and build teams that reflect the communities we serve.

Supporting disabled people and people with long‑term conditions

We are a Disability Confident committed employer aspiring to become a lead employer in 2026.

This means we give fair and full consideration to applicants and will offer reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process. If you need help with your application, or need the information in a different format, please contact our recruitment team and we will support you.

Right to Work in the UK

The Trust welcomes applications from all candidates who meet the criteria for the role. Please note that from January 2021, to work in the UK all candidates who are not UK or Republic of Ireland (RoI) nationals require sponsorship unless you have permission to work via another route. Non UK / RoI candidates wishing to apply can self-assess the likelihood of obtaining a Certificate of Sponsorship hereWork in the UK - GOV.UK ( www.gov.uk ).

Please provide full and accurate details of your current immigration status on the application form. Your current immigration status will not be considered as part of the shortlisting or interview process.

Please note that not everyone needs a ‘Skilled Worker’ visa. If you are applying for a vacancy in health or social care, you may be eligible to apply for the Health and Care Worker visa instead.

Further Important Information

Please check your email on a regular basis for updates on your application. If you are shortlisted for interview, you will be invited to email via this method

Existing employees of South Tees NHS Foundation Trust currently on the Redeployment Register, who meet the essential criteria for this post, will be shortlisted and interviewed prior to all other applicants.

Please ensure you read the ‘Guidance Notes for Applicants’ document attached to this advert before completing and submitting your application.

Unfortunately, we are unable to respond to all applicants and those who are not contacted within six weeks of the closing date should assume that their application has been unsuccessful.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

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.

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