Principle Clinical Trials Pharmacist

If you relish a challenge, have a passion to help others or simply fancy a fresh start, then Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board (BCUHB) North Wales has all the right ingredients. The largest health organisation in Wales, providing a full range of primary, community, mental health, acute and elective hospital services for a population of around 700,000, across North Wales. Join our team and get the support you need, in line with our Organisational Values and ‘Proud to Lead’ competence framework. Enjoy being part of working with engaged leadership at all levels, and be assured we are committed to promoting equality and diversity, and are proud to welcome applicants under the “Disability Confident Employer” scheme. We also offer a number of family-friendly benefits, including work-life balance policies.

Job overview: We are seeking an experienced and dynamic senior pharmacist to lead and develop our regional clinical trials pharmacy service. The successful candidate will have extensive experience in the set-up and management of clinical trial pharmacy services, with a strong understanding of the legislation and regulatory frameworks governing clinical trials. Experience within cancer services will be essential, given the significant volume and complexity of oncology and haematology clinical trials across the region. This role requires a motivated individual who can work independently across multiple health board teams and hospital sites, ensuring the delivery of a service of the highest standards. You will be responsible for driving service development, supporting innovation, and ensuring compliance while maintaining a patient-centred focus.

Key Requirements:

• Extensive experience in clinical trial pharmacy set‑up and delivery.
• In‑depth knowledge of legislation and governance relating to clinical trials.
• Significant experience within cancer services.
• Proven ability to work independently across multidisciplinary teams and hospital sites.
• Strong leadership, communication and organisational skills.
• Commitment to maintaining excellence in service delivery at a regional level.

Main duties of the job:

• To manage, develop and be responsible for Clinical Trials pharmacy services for Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board.
• To support the Associate Director R&D and Chief Pharmacist in developing, in an innovative way, the overall strategy for Research and Development and Clinical trials agenda at BCUHB in a manner that reflects Pharmacy, Health Board, regional and NHS Wales national strategic priorities.
• To work in conjunction with the Principal Pharmacists (Clinical, Technical and Digital Services) and Quality Assurance specialists to develop the provision of an efficient, high quality, professional and well-coordinated Pharmacy service capable of meeting all statutory, regulatory and NHS requirements relating to Clinical Trials.
• To provide expert advice to the Health Board’s Research & Development Department and Clinical Trials Principal Investigators in respect of all aspects of clinical trials IMP manufacture, procurement and use and of adherence to associated legislation.
• To lead Pharmacy support at MHRA GCP inspections ensuring access to documentation.
• To provide regular direct patient-facing clinical pharmacy services as an advanced oncology specialist pharmacist.

The ability to speak Welsh is desirable for this post; English and/or Welsh speakers are equally welcome to apply.

Qualifications:

• MPharm (or equivalent) degree
• Current GPhC Pharmacist Registration
• Post‑registration Foundation/Diploma/MSc in Clinical Pharmacy (or equivalent)
• Demonstrates CPD
• Competent ICT skills
• Demonstrates knowledge of all aspects of GCP, GMP, QA and other pertinent legislation
• Expert knowledge of pharmacy services including Clinical Governance and Risk Management.
• Independent Prescriber Registration with GPhC
• Formal leadership/management qualification(s)
• Member of relevant national specialist pharmacist group
• Member Royal Pharmaceutical Society
• Further qualification in Clinical Trials
• Prince2 (or equivalent) qualification

Experience:

• Extensive post registration hospital experience
• Specialist experience in clinical trials and with aseptic services, including costing and feasibility
• Demonstrate experience and ability to manage or supervise a range of projects
• Experience of excellent leadership and management skills
• Experience of line management, including effective performance management, recruitment and allocation of staff Management of a clinical trials service
• Experience in project management (including department‑wide roles) and evidence of completed outcomes.
• Knowledge of handling ATIMPs
• Recent Oncology and/or haematology experience

To work in the UK, all candidates who are not UK or Republic of Ireland (RoI) nationals require sponsorship to obtain either a Health and Care visa or Skilled Worker visa, unless you have permission to work via another route. Non UK / RoI candidates wishing to apply should self‑assess the likelihood of obtaining a Certificate of Sponsorship by visiting Work in the UK. If you are eligible for the Health and Care visa, application costs are lower and you do not need to pay the annual Immigration Health Surcharge.

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.