Lead Pharmacist - Virtual Wards
The closing date is 18 March 2026
Job summary
The Band 8 pharmacist will lead and manage the delivery, development, and performance of a highly specialised clinical pharmacy service for the Virtual Wards at Royal Berkshire Hospital. The role is responsible for overseeing the planning and prioritisation of pharmacy activities to ensure safe, effective, and high-quality medicines optimisation, while providing professional governance, medicines safety oversight, education, and clinical leadership to the Virtual Wards Governance Group. The postholder will develop and implement medicines management policies in line with national directives, legislation, and professional standards, proactively identifying and resolving prescribing and medicines-related risks to uphold robust clinical governance. In addition, the role includes participation in consultant ward rounds and clinics, and providing specialist Trust-wide support through collaborative partnerships across organisational boundaries.
Main duties of the job
The postholder provides strategic and operational leadership for the Virtual Wards clinical pharmacy service, ensuring safe, effective and patient-centred medicines optimisation across admission avoidance and early supported discharge pathways. They are accountable for advanced clinical assessment, independent prescribing, complex decision-making and risk stratification for high-acuity patients managed remotely and within acute interfaces. The role leads medicines governance, develops and implements policies aligned to national and Trust standards, and ensures compliance with legislation and professional frameworks.
In addition, the Band 8 pharmacist provides senior clinical supervision and education to rotational and junior pharmacists, contributes to workforce development, and represents pharmacy within the Virtual Wards governance and multidisciplinary leadership forums. The role also drives service development, quality improvement, and cross-organisational collaboration to strengthen system flow, patient safety, and integrated care delivery.
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.
Our primary method of communication will be via email. However, if you would prefer to be contacted through a different method, please inform the recruitment team.
Details
Date posted
05 March 2026
Pay scheme
Agenda for change
Band
Band 8a
Salary
£55,690 to £62,682 a year per annum
Contract
Permanent
Working pattern
Full-time
Reference number
193-7840122NCG
Job locations
Royal Berkshire Hospital
London Road , Eye Block , Level 1 , Pharmacy Department
Reading
RG1 5AN
Employer details
Employer name
Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust
Address
Royal Berkshire Hospital
London Road , Eye Block , Level 1 , Pharmacy Department
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:
Associate Chief Pharmacist -Clinical Services
Bilyana Doncheva
bilyana.doncheva@royalberkshire.nhs.uk
01183228299
Supporting documents
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