Job summary
This is an exciting opportunity to ensure that our service is ready to
support the needs of pharmacists qualifying from summer 2026. The post will design, implement and evaluate
the support and governance structures needed to enable safe pharmacist
prescribing throughout the Trust. You
will have a proven interest and extensive involvement in education and
training, a desire to support our newly qualified independent prescribers and
the ability to lead change through collaboration.
Main duties of the job
- As a member of the senior leadership team for the Pharmacy department, you will be responsible for the design, piloting and evaluation of appropriate governance structures to support safe and effective prescribing practice by newly qualified pharmacist independent prescribers in a hospital setting.
- You will work closely with the education and training team and be supported by academics at Sunderland university
- You will gather and review information on existing governance structures, develop support structures and design a structured governance framework addressing scope of prescribing practice, supervision and mentorship, graduated autonomy, review and assessment and risk management and incident escalation and finally implementation and evaluation
- Any mechanisms put in place will be replicable with no variation in quality of services between sites.
About us
If you are being interviewed you must accept an interview slot in the system to continue, even if you have arranged with the manager.
You must be able to produce ALL certificates stated essential in the person specification or you will not be able to complete pre-employment checks.
We provide hospital services from two acute sites - Darlington Memorial Hospital and University Hospital of North Durham. We have a centre for planned care in Bishop Auckland and provide care from community hospitals in Chester-le-Street, Shotley Bridge, Barnard Castle, Sedgefield and Weardale as well as over 80 other community based settings and providing care in patients' homes.
We particularly welcome applications from disabled and Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) candidates as BAME and disabled people are currently under-represented.
Full Job Descriptions can be found in the adverts supporting documents.
Over reliance on
AI-generated content is discouraged and may diminish the applicant's chances of
success.
For the most up-to-date information on visa requirements and eligibility, please check online to determine whether you can apply.
From April 9th 2025 - Healthcare assistants - You must have been employed for a minimum of two years
of as a HCA Band 3 within the NHS for the Trust to consider
sponsorship (we will only consider sponsorship if you meet this criteria and
have a current visa expiring within 3 months).
Job description
Job responsibilities
From 2026, pharmacists in the UK will join the professional register as
independent prescribers at the point of qualification. This represents a
significant shift in the pharmacy workforce, with major implications for
patient safety, clinical governance, supervision, and organisational risk.
While independent prescribing by pharmacists is well established, existing
governance models have been designed for pharmacists who prescribe after
several years of post-registration experience.
The purpose of this role is to determine, design, and pilot appropriate
governance structures to support safe and effective prescribing practice by
newly qualified pharmacist independent prescribers in a hospital setting. The post holder will work
with the other members of the departments senior management team in order to
ensure that the model prescribing governance and support framework developed is
of high quality and meets the needs of patients, carers of patients and service
users. The post holder will provide leadership across clinical, governance and
educational domains. The newly qualified
independent prescribing project will be delivered through engagement and
influence of all stakeholders and the ability to lead complex project work.
Job description
Job responsibilities
From 2026, pharmacists in the UK will join the professional register as
independent prescribers at the point of qualification. This represents a
significant shift in the pharmacy workforce, with major implications for
patient safety, clinical governance, supervision, and organisational risk.
While independent prescribing by pharmacists is well established, existing
governance models have been designed for pharmacists who prescribe after
several years of post-registration experience.
The purpose of this role is to determine, design, and pilot appropriate
governance structures to support safe and effective prescribing practice by
newly qualified pharmacist independent prescribers in a hospital setting. The post holder will work
with the other members of the departments senior management team in order to
ensure that the model prescribing governance and support framework developed is
of high quality and meets the needs of patients, carers of patients and service
users. The post holder will provide leadership across clinical, governance and
educational domains. The newly qualified
independent prescribing project will be delivered through engagement and
influence of all stakeholders and the ability to lead complex project work.
Person Specification
Special Requirements
Essential
- Driving posts musty have valid Full UK driving licence
Experience
Essential
- Extensive experience as a senior clinical pharmacist
- Experience of medication safety / clinical governance
- Experience of developing good working relationships with senior medical, nursing and management staff
- Experience of leading and managing a team
- Experience of project management / change management
- Experience of service evaluation and development
- Experience of education and training provision
- Experience and knowledge of legislation relating to pharmacy practice
- Able to build good relationships with colleagues
Desirable
- Experience of practice research
- Experience of service development
Qualifications
Essential
- Masters Degree in Pharmacy or equivalent
- Relevant post graduate clinical qualification (to at least diploma level)
- Management training or equivalent experience
- Evidence of CPD and education
- Qualified Pharmacist Prescriber
Desirable
- Post graduate certificate in clinical education or equivalent
- Management Qualification
Special Skills & Knowledge
Essential
- Team player who delegates appropriately
- A problem solver with good negotiation and influencing skills
- Desire to develop clinical skills
- Able to prioritise own workload
Desirable
Statutory Registration
Essential
- Registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council
Person Specification
Special Requirements
Essential
- Driving posts musty have valid Full UK driving licence
Experience
Essential
- Extensive experience as a senior clinical pharmacist
- Experience of medication safety / clinical governance
- Experience of developing good working relationships with senior medical, nursing and management staff
- Experience of leading and managing a team
- Experience of project management / change management
- Experience of service evaluation and development
- Experience of education and training provision
- Experience and knowledge of legislation relating to pharmacy practice
- Able to build good relationships with colleagues
Desirable
- Experience of practice research
- Experience of service development
Qualifications
Essential
- Masters Degree in Pharmacy or equivalent
- Relevant post graduate clinical qualification (to at least diploma level)
- Management training or equivalent experience
- Evidence of CPD and education
- Qualified Pharmacist Prescriber
Desirable
- Post graduate certificate in clinical education or equivalent
- Management Qualification
Special Skills & Knowledge
Essential
- Team player who delegates appropriately
- A problem solver with good negotiation and influencing skills
- Desire to develop clinical skills
- Able to prioritise own workload
Desirable
Statutory Registration
Essential
- Registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council
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.
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.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
