Job Description

We are seeking an experienced, motivated, and forward-thinking Principal Pharmacist for Formulary & Clinical Effectiveness. This is a senior leadership role with responsibility for the development, delivery and continuous improvement of the Trust's Formulary and Clinical Effectiveness functions. The post holder will work across the organisation and the wider healthcare economy to ensure the safe, evidence-based and cost-effective use of medicines.



You will act as the Trust's expert in formulary management, medicines evaluation and clinical effectiveness, providing high-level pharmaceutical advice to senior medical, nursing and operational leaders. The role includes significant partnership working across the system to support alignment of medicines optimisation priorities. You will support the Associate Chief Pharmacist, Formulary & Governance and play a key role in the Trust's medicines governance, NICE implementation and strategic medicines optimisation programmes.



We are looking for an experienced clinical pharmacist with strong leadership skills, advanced knowledge of formulary and medicines governance processes, and the confidence to influence senior stakeholders. You will have excellent critical appraisal skills, a commitment to evidence-based practice, and the ability to drive high-quality, safe and cost-effective prescribing across the organisation. You should be proactive, collaborative and able to work effectively across organisational boundaries.



The focus of the post is to lead on the Formulary and Clinical Effectiveness agenda, in accordance with the priorities set by the post holder, Associate Chief Pharmacist, Formulary & Governance, General Manager(s) and Clinical Director(s). The post holder is responsible for



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

Ensure safe, effective and cost-efficient use of medicines across the Trust

Lead, update and maintain all Trust Formulary processes

Represent the Trust at system-wide groups including the Integrated Medicines Optimisation Committee and Joint Formulary Committee

Build and maintain strong relationships with senior medical, nursing and pharmacy colleagues regarding the introduction and evaluation of medicines across the local health economy

Developing and implementing guidelines and policies for the use of medicines

Promote effective prescribing aligned with the Trust Formulary and NICE guidance

To work with colleagues internal and external to the Trust on development and maintenance of prescribing pathways

Collaborate with internal and external partners on regional and national medicines optimisation workplans (e.g. Pan-London programmes)

Provide teaching, training and expert advice within the Trust and externally

Initiate and coordinate research, audit and quality improvement activity in the specialist area



King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is one of the UK's largest and busiest teaching Trusts with a turnover of 1 billion, 1.5 million patient contacts a year and more than 15,000 staff based across South East London. 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.

See Job description for full details but in summary:

To lead the clinical effectiveness and formulary agenda within Pharmacy in accordance with the priorities set by the post holder, Deputy Chief Pharmacist, General Manager(s) and Clinical Director(s)

To develop, maintain and update Formulary processes within the Trust

To work with senior leaders within the Trust to develop and uphold best practice in use and introduction of medicines

To identify a vision for Formulary and Clinical Effectiveness within the Trust

To respond to queries from within and external to the Trust relating to Medicines supply and formulary issues

To work with colleagues internal and external to the Trust on development and maintenance of prescribing pathways

To be a member of and actively participate in Trust and system-wide committees relevant to role

To sit on ICB Medicines Management Committees/Implementation Groups

To work with colleagues across the ICS including pharmaceutical advisors and GPs to promote best care for patients

To motivate and inspire others (both within pharmacy and the Trust)

To ensure that issues relating to pharmaceutical care are appropriately represented within Trust and Regional Committee Structures

To utilise critical appraisal skills to provide evidence reviews for new medicines requested for formulary inclusion

Responsible for the policy and procedures that govern the introduction of new medicines procured into the Trust and their risk assessment, including the running of the New Drug Panel

To develop, implement and monitor policies, guidelines, protocols and procedures at Trust and regional level, as required

To propose and comment on policy and service changes and plans within the clinical pharmacy service

To review and monitor use of unlicensed medicines within the Trust

To ensure services provided are in line with national agendas, policies, guidelines and frameworks.

To actively participate in and contribute to the development, promotion and local implementation of local and regional prescribing and clinical services guidance

To work with the Associate Chief Pharmacist, Formulary & Governance to strategically develop pharmacy services across the Trust

To lead on specific projects or initiatives across all of the Pharmacy Service

To work with clinicians, nurses and other Trust staff to develop Trust-wide policies