Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust

Senior Clinical Trials Pharmacist

The closing date is 02 March 2026

Job summary

The Pharmacist will hold responsibility for the professional and operational aspects of the Pharmacy Research and Development (R&I) service delivered by the Trust. This includes ensuring the provision of a high-quality, compliant, and efficient service that supports the safe and effective conduct of clinical trials.

The postholder will work collaboratively with colleagues across the Pharmacy and R&I teams to provide expert pharmaceutical advice and contribute to the ongoing development and enhancement of the clinical trials pharmacy service within the Trust. They will play a key role in supporting research activities and ensuring that pharmacy processes align with best practice and regulatory standards.

In the absence of the Lead Pharmacist for Clinical Trials, the postholder will act as deputy, assuming leadership responsibilities to maintain service continuity and uphold governance requirements.

The role also encompasses teaching, mentoring, and supervising junior pharmacists, students, and rotational staff within the department, fostering professional development and ensuring knowledge transfer.

Additionally, the postholder will assist the Lead Pharmacist for Clinical Trials in ensuring full compliance with all applicable regulations governing the pharmacy aspects of clinical trials, including Good Clinical Practice (GCP), Medicines for Human Use (Clinical Trials) Regulations, and other relevant standards.

Main duties of the job

Maintain and develop standard operating procedures for clinical trials in collaboration with trial leads, ensuring compliance with GCP, GMP, and all relevant legislation and national guidelines. Provide pharmaceutical and technical input into the feasibility, setup, design, and delivery of clinical trials, including critical review of trial protocols for pharmacy impact (e.g., packaging, labelling, documentation).Ensure service provision is flexible and responsive to research teams, pharmacy, and patient needs, while delivering high-quality, patient-focused pharmaceutical services across inpatient, outpatient, and day clinic settings.Screen prescriptions on ARIA, Chemocare, and EPMA systems for clinical appropriateness, safety, and legality, and champion the use of pharmacy tracking systems. Oversee compliance with approvals (R&I, ethics, MHRA) prior to trial commencement and confirm pharmacy capability and capacity for trial involvement. Monitor drug accountability, maintain confidentiality of trial protocols, and ensure adherence to regulations for storage and dispensing of trial medications, SACT, unlicensed medicines, and controlled drugs.

About us

Diversity makes us interesting... Inclusion is what will make us outstanding.

Inequality exists and the journey to eliminate it is not easy. Every step we take will be a purposeful step forward to deliver a truly inclusive culture where all our people are enabled to deliver outstanding care, where background is no barrier, and where everyone can be their authentic self and we truly represent our patient community.

We are committed to equal opportunities and welcome applications from all sections of the community, regardless of any protected characteristics. Reasonable adjustments will be made for disabled applicants where possible. All applicants who have a disability and meet the minimum criteria for the post can opt for a guaranteed interview.

If you need additional help with your application please get in touch by calling the recruitment team on 0118 322 6997 or 0118 322 5342.

Details

Date posted

02 February 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 7

Salary

£47,810 to £54,710 a year per annum

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

12 months

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

193-7737633COR

Job locations

Royal Berkshire Hospital

1 Craven Road

Reading

RG1 5AN


Job description

Job responsibilities

Job Purpose

The Senior Clinical Trials Pharmacist is responsible for delivering and developing the pharmacy aspects of the Research & Innovation (R&I) service within the Trust. The postholder will ensure compliance with all relevant legislation, guidelines, and governance standards while supporting the safe and effective conduct of clinical trials. They will provide expert pharmaceutical input into trial design, setup, and delivery, deputise for the Lead Pharmacist when required, and contribute to service development and staff training.

Main Duties and Responsibilities
  • Maintain and develop standard operating procedures for clinical trials in collaboration with trial leads, ensuring compliance with GCP, GMP, and all applicable legislation.
  • Provide pharmaceutical and technical input into feasibility assessments, trial setup, design, and delivery, including critical review of trial protocols for pharmacy impact.
  • Deliver high-quality, patient-focused pharmaceutical services to research staff, inpatients, outpatients, and day clinics.
  • Screen prescriptions on ARIA, Chemocare, and EPMA systems for clinical appropriateness, safety, and legality.
  • Ensure all necessary approvals (R&I, ethics, MHRA) are in place prior to trial commencement and confirm pharmacy capability and capacity for trial involvement.
  • Oversee drug accountability, confidentiality of trial protocols, and compliance with regulations for storage and dispensing of trial medications, SACT, unlicensed medicines, and controlled drugs.
  • Manage financial aspects of trials, including calculating Excess Treatment Costs, costing pharmacy staff time, agreeing budgets with sponsors, and invoicing as per contracts.
  • Support recruitment, training, and supervision of pharmacy R&I staff, and contribute to service development and medicines-related change initiatives.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Job Purpose

The Senior Clinical Trials Pharmacist is responsible for delivering and developing the pharmacy aspects of the Research & Innovation (R&I) service within the Trust. The postholder will ensure compliance with all relevant legislation, guidelines, and governance standards while supporting the safe and effective conduct of clinical trials. They will provide expert pharmaceutical input into trial design, setup, and delivery, deputise for the Lead Pharmacist when required, and contribute to service development and staff training.

Main Duties and Responsibilities
  • Maintain and develop standard operating procedures for clinical trials in collaboration with trial leads, ensuring compliance with GCP, GMP, and all applicable legislation.
  • Provide pharmaceutical and technical input into feasibility assessments, trial setup, design, and delivery, including critical review of trial protocols for pharmacy impact.
  • Deliver high-quality, patient-focused pharmaceutical services to research staff, inpatients, outpatients, and day clinics.
  • Screen prescriptions on ARIA, Chemocare, and EPMA systems for clinical appropriateness, safety, and legality.
  • Ensure all necessary approvals (R&I, ethics, MHRA) are in place prior to trial commencement and confirm pharmacy capability and capacity for trial involvement.
  • Oversee drug accountability, confidentiality of trial protocols, and compliance with regulations for storage and dispensing of trial medications, SACT, unlicensed medicines, and controlled drugs.
  • Manage financial aspects of trials, including calculating Excess Treatment Costs, costing pharmacy staff time, agreeing budgets with sponsors, and invoicing as per contracts.
  • Support recruitment, training, and supervision of pharmacy R&I staff, and contribute to service development and medicines-related change initiatives.

Person Specification

Knowledge-based

Essential

  • Communication

Desirable

  • years exValues & Professionalismperience

Experience-Based, Knowledge-Based, Skills

Essential

  • Years experience
  • Achieved grades

Desirable

  • Value and Behahaviours
  • skills and competence
Person Specification

Knowledge-based

Essential

  • Communication

Desirable

  • years exValues & Professionalismperience

Experience-Based, Knowledge-Based, Skills

Essential

  • Years experience
  • Achieved grades

Desirable

  • Value and Behahaviours
  • skills and competence

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

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).

Employer details

Employer name

Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Royal Berkshire Hospital

1 Craven Road

Reading

RG1 5AN


Employer's website

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


Employer details

Employer name

Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Royal Berkshire Hospital

1 Craven Road

Reading

RG1 5AN


Employer's website

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


Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Lead Pharmacist Clinical Trials

Tolu Okeke

tolu.okeke@royalberkshire.nhs.uk

01183226996

Details

Date posted

02 February 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 7

Salary

£47,810 to £54,710 a year per annum

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

12 months

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

193-7737633COR

Job locations

Royal Berkshire Hospital

1 Craven Road

Reading

RG1 5AN


Supporting documents

Privacy notice

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