Principal Pharmacist - Clinical Trials CRDC
Job summary
We are seeking a highly motivated, innovative and forward-thinking pharmacist to lead and develop the clinical trials pharmacy service across the CRDC, hosted at Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust. The post holder will be responsible for supporting and embedding best pharmacological practice for commercial research within GSTT and the CRDC Lewisham and Greenwich and Oxleas spoke. The postholder will work closely with the CRDC Director and Deputy Directors, the Deputy Director R&D (Operations) and the research leadership and management within LGT and Oxleas to support the development and growth of trials pharmacy for commercial clinical trials.
Main duties of the job
The post holder will lead the delivery and development of the Clinical Trials pharmacy service, supporting safe, timely trial set-up and high-quality care throughout the research cycle.
Working closely with pharmacy colleagues, research teams, investigators and sponsors, the post holder will provide specialist advice on trial feasibility, oversee the review and approval of studies, and ensure robust systems for the management and supply of clinical trial medicines. They will lead service improvement initiatives, strengthen governance and regulatory compliance, manage resources and support financial sustainability.
Developing staff through training, coaching and mentoring, the post holder will also contribute to audits, inspections and collaborative working across the wider research network.
About us
The R&D Department at Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust (GSTFT) is a leading centre for innovative research in London, with a nationally recognised portfolio and infrastructure. We work in partnership with NIHR, DHSC and HRA and are active members of the Shelford Group, University Hospitals Association and UKRD. Our NIHR Clinical Research Facility (CRF) spans St Thomas', Guy's, Evelina London Children's and Royal Brompton hospitals.
Guy's hosts an MHRA-accredited Phase I Unit. Its Biomedical Hub brings together the NIHR CRF and Advanced Therapies Manufacturing (GMP) Unit, while the Advanced Therapies Accelerator houses immune monitoring and genomics platforms, supported by statistics, data management and clinical trials management.
The MedTech Hub at St Thomas' incorporates CRF imaging facilities, the pan-London 7T MRI scanner and the Innovate UK London Medical Imaging and AI Centre for Value Based Healthcare.The Trust hosts the NIHR Clinical Research Network in South London and, in partnership with the University of Leeds, has held the contract for the NIHR Clinical Research Network Coordinating Centre since 2015, supporting its influence on research nationally.
Job responsibilities
Leadership and service development Lead the delivery and development of the Clinical Trials pharmacy service across the CRDC, driving improvement, managing resources and supporting financial sustainability. Clinical trials delivery Provide specialist advice on trial feasibility, oversee pharmacy review, approval and set-up of studies, and ensure safe systems for the management, dispensing and supply of clinical trial medicines.
Governance and quality assurance Maintain regulatory compliance, oversee risk management and contribute to audits, monitoring visits and inspections, ensuring safe, high-quality care throughout the research cycle. Partnership working Work closely with pharmacy colleagues, research teams, investigators and sponsors to support timely trial delivery and promote shared learning across the Trust and wider research network.
Staff development and training Lead and develop the team through training, coaching and mentoring, ensuring staff have the knowledge and competencies to deliver a high-quality clinical trials pharmacy service.
Person Specification
Knowledge and Experience · Essential
Extensive recent post registration hospital experience as a clinical pharmacist in a specialist area Significant experience in clinical trials pharmacy, ideally within oncology, haematology or another complex specialist service Experience of leading or developing a clinical pharmacy or clinical trials pharmacy service Experience of working as part of clinical and operational leadership across multidisciplinary teams Experience of managing staff / acting as a line manager Experience of working with senior healthcare professionals and wider stakeholders to deliver service improvement Experience of developing and implementing policies, procedures, guidelines and governance processes Experience of clinical governance, risk management, incident investigation and audit/inspection readiness Experience of supporting the set-up, review and delivery of clinical trials, including understanding of relevant legislation and Good Clinical Practice Understanding of quality improvement and experience of delivering service or process improvement in practice
Desirable
Experience of working with aseptic, manufacturing or technical services interfaces relevant to clinical trials pharmacy Experience of contributing to business planning, income/resource modelling, or cross-organisational service development Qualifications /
Education · Essential
MPharm (or equivalent) degree Postgraduate qualifications in Clinical Pharmacy Practice (PGCert, MSc or equivalent) Registration with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) Registered with the GPhC as a non-medical prescriber Evidence of Good Clinical Practice (GCP) training
Desirable
Member of relevant professional groups (RPS, UKCPA) Relevant leadership / management qualification, or postgraduate study at Masters level
Skills and Abilities · Essential
Ability to prioritise and plan work effectively, alone and for a team, including the ability to delegate Ability to work effectively in a complex and changing clinical, operational and research environment Ability to influence, negotiate and appropriately challenge practice with senior stakeholders and multidisciplinary teams Ability to identify, manage and monitor risk, and maintain robust governance and audit readiness
Desirable
Evidence of application of principles of evidence based practice and research methodology Able to compile and present a business case to support service / team development
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).
