University Hospital Southampton NHS FT
Lead Pharmacist - Wessex Clinical Research Delivery Centre (CRDC)
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Job Overview
University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust is delighted to offer a fantastic opportunity to work with us.
Please see below for detailed job description of the role.
Job Title
Lead Pharmacist - Wessex Clinical Research Delivery Centre (CRDC)
Contract Type
Fixed Term
Fixed Term Contract End Date
36 Months After Starting
Purpose for Fixed Term
Short Term Funding
Main Duties of the Job
This is an exciting opportunity to join our team as the Lead Pharmacist for the Commercial Research Delivery Centre (CRDC), providing strategic and operational pharmacy leadership for one of the UK's most ambitious and innovative clinical research programmes.
Working for Our Organisation
As one of the largest acute teaching Trusts in England, we offer learning and development opportunities to help you achieve the career you aspire to. UHS is rated ‘Good’ by the CQC and in the latest national NHS Staff Survey, we were in the top 10 acute trusts for staff engagement and for staff recommending the hospital as a place to work or receive care.
We support flexible working and will consider requests taking into account the needs of the service. UHS employees are able to access a range of NHS discounts, are entitled to a minimum of 35 days paid holiday (pro rata), and we offer a generous pension scheme.
Southampton is an attractive place to live and work situated on the south coast, with an international airport and direct trains to London. The New Forest National Park and beaches of the Jurassic coast are also right on our doorstep. The city offers living costs 30% lower than London and 17 schools rated outstanding by Ofsted.
Detailed Job Description and Main Responsibilities
The CRDC is transforming the delivery of commercial clinical research across the South East, creating opportunities for patients to access cutting-edge medicines and therapies while supporting the growth of the life sciences sector. As Lead Pharmacist, you will play a pivotal role in ensuring the safe, effective and efficient delivery of investigational medicinal products across a diverse and expanding portfolio of commercial studies.
Working closely with clinical, research, operational and industry partners, you will lead the development of pharmacy services that enable high-quality research delivery while maintaining the highest standards of governance, regulatory compliance and patient safety. Your expertise will help shape the future of research pharmacy services, supporting the organisation's commitment to innovation, excellence and improved outcomes for patients.
You will provide professional leadership to research pharmacy teams involved in commercial research delivery, acting as the key pharmacy advisor for the CRDC and contributing to strategic planning across the organisation and wider region. The role requires strong collaboration with principal investigators, research nurses, clinical trial practitioners, research management teams, sponsors and external stakeholders to ensure studies are delivered successfully and to agreed timelines.
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The post holder will be responsible for developing and implementing research pharmacy strategies, overseeing investigational medicinal product management, supporting regulatory inspections and audit activity, identifying opportunities for service improvement, and ensuring research pharmacy services remain responsive to the needs of a growing commercial portfolio.
Reporting to the UHS Chief Pharmacist (CRDC host organisation), with close working relationships across the Research and Development Directorate, Commercial Research Delivery Centre leadership team and wider pharmacy services, you will provide expert professional leadership and work collaboratively with multidisciplinary colleagues to deliver world-class research opportunities for patients.
This is a fixed-term opportunity with the potential to shape the future of research pharmacy services within the CRDC, with the post holder expected to help build the activity, partnerships and sustainability required to secure ongoing funding for the role.
This role offers an exceptional opportunity to influence research strategy, drive innovation in medicines development, and contribute to the continued success of a nationally significant research programme.
Responsibilities
- Provide strategic and operational leadership for pharmacy services within the Commercial Research Delivery Centre (CRDC), ensuring the safe, efficient and compliant management of investigational medicinal products across a diverse portfolio of commercial clinical trials.
- Lead the development and continuous improvement of research pharmacy services, working with multidisciplinary teams, research leaders, study sponsors and external partners to maximise research opportunities and support the delivery of high-quality studies.
- Act as the senior pharmacy professional for commercial research activity, providing expert advice on regulatory compliance, governance, risk management, quality assurance and medicines management in accordance with national legislation, Good Clinical Practice and sponsor requirements.
- Support the growth and success of the CRDC by identifying opportunities for innovation, service expansion and operational efficiency, enabling more patients to access cutting-edge therapies and clinical research opportunities.
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What Experience/Skills Are Needed
- You will be a registered pharmacist with substantial post-registration experience, including significant experience in clinical governance, clinical research, investigational medicinal products or specialist pharmacy services.
- You will have a proven track record of leading and developing services, delivering complex programmes of work and influencing senior stakeholders across multidisciplinary teams.
- You will possess an in-depth understanding of research governance, medicines legislation, Good Clinical Practice and the regulatory frameworks that support the delivery of commercial clinical trials.
- You will demonstrate excellent leadership, communication and relationship-building skills, with the ability to work effectively with clinical teams, sponsors, researchers, industry partners and external organisations.
Additional Information
- The role may require travel across partner organisations and regional research sites, and applicants must be able to meet these travel requirements.
- Experience of working within an NHS organisation, academic institution or commercial research environment is highly desirable.
- A postgraduate qualification in clinical pharmacy, research, leadership or a related discipline, or equivalent experience, is desirable.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
- General Pharmaceutical Council Registration as a Pharmacist
- Masters in Clinical Pharmacy or equivalent
- Postgraduate diploma in clinical pharmacy or equivalent experience
- Leadership Qualification or equivalent experience
Desirable criteria
- Royal College of Pharmacy Member
- Quality Improvement Qualification
- Independent Prescribing Qualification or working towards
- Research qualification (Good Clinical Practice trained)
Experience
Essential criteria
- Significant post registration experience with hospital pharmacy experience, which should include clinical trials and oncology
- Extensive post qualification Pharmacy knowledge /experience in one or more areas of pharmacy specialism (experience of Clinical trials including experience managing a portfolio of clinical trials)
- Clinical audit experience
- Competent in the accurate supply of medicines (in hospital or community pharmacy)
- Evidence of commitment to relevant ongoing CPD and personal and professional development
- Experience of leading a team
- Recruitment and selection experience
- Experience of staff management/operational workload and workforce supervision
- Experience of risk management and incident investigation
- Experience leading change projects and implementing change
- Experience leading service development
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