About this role
Job summary
Principal Pharmacist Digital Medicines & EPMA (maternity cover
Department: Pharmacy
Band 8a: £57,528 - £64,750 Per annum pro rata
Hours: Fixed Term, Part time, 31.5 per week, Until 20 September 2027.
All MKUH roles will be considered for flexible working
We are seeking a highly motivated and experienced pharmacist with a passion for digital medicines to join our Digital Medicines team on a fixed term basis until 20th September 2026. You will play a crucial role in the ongoing optimisation of our EPMA system, support patient safety, and cost-effective prescribing.
Milton Keynes University Hospital (MKUH) NHS Trust is a Global Digital Exemplar (GDE) Trust with a fully integrated Cerner Millenium electronic health record/ EPMA which is live across all inpatient areas, and our outpatient prescribing roll out is underway.
Working under the strategic leadership of the Chief Pharmacy Information Officer (CPIO), you will help deliver the Trust's ambitious digital medicines agenda. You will be part of a friendly and supporting Digital Medicines team consisting of pharmacy technicians and pharmacists, and will collaborate with colleagues in Pharmacy, IT, clinical services, and with our system supplier Oracle Health. This role offers a unique opportunity for a pharmacist with both IT and clinical skills to innovate and drive improvement through technology and informatics.
'We care We communicate We collaborate We contribute'
Interview date: 25 June 2026
Main duties of the job
Hands-on build work within the eCARE EPMA system, ensuring clinical configuration meets user, Trust, commissioner and statutory requirements.
Supporting the introduction and optimisation of digital medicines initiatives across the Trust.
Clinical project and change management, applying organisational change principles to deliver sustainable benefits.
Stakeholder engagement with pharmacy, clinical teams, IT and suppliers.
Contributing to clinical pharmacy services to maintain contemporary practice and ensure digital solutions are clinically relevant.
At MKUH we appreciate our staff and reward them with an outstanding benefits package including:
Free on-site parking
Free tea and coffee
Great flexible working opportunities
Discounted gym membership
Lease car scheme
Generous annual leave and pension scheme
On site nursery (chargeable)
Extensive staff health and well-being programme
About us
Milton Keynes University Hospital, in proud partnership with the University of Buckingham, is a University Teaching Hospital committed to advancing patient care through cutting-edge research and education. With a "Good" rating from the CQC and significant investment underway, this is an exciting time to join our team and grow your career.
As a medium sized general hospital, we provide a full range of general medical and surgical services, including a busy Emergency Department, Maternity, and Paediatrics. As the population of our city and surrounding areas continues to grow rapidly, we are expanding and enhancing our facilities to meet rising demand and improve access to care for all our communities.
We are also proud to offer a growing portfolio of specialist services. In January 2025 we opened our state-of-the-art Radiotherapy Centre, bringing advanced cancer treatment closer to home. Our services also include neonatology, specialist surgical care, and a wide range of diagnostics, supported by the new Community Diagnostic Centre at Whitehouse Health Centre.
Further investment is underway, including the construction of Oak Wards - a new ward block featuring two 24-bed wards - and the recently approved Women and Children's Centre, set to open by 2030.
Visit our website to explore the latest news and opportunities at MKUH - News - Milton Keynes University Hospital -
For further information about Milton Keynes please visit - Visit Milton Keynes
Job description Job responsibilities
NHS Staff Survey: Our Health and Safety Climate score outperforms the national average, showing our commitment to creating a safe, healthy, and supportive environment for all.
To work closely with colleagues in the EPMA team, clinical teams, the IT department and Oracle to develop the EPMA solution.
Liaise closely with the Specialist Pharmacy Technician EPMA to ensure new drugs, order sentences and PowerPlans are set up correctly in the EPR system in a timely manner in line with local formulary and policies. Analysis of clinical risks and issues related to EPMA, reporting and proactively managing these as required, utilising the appropriate Trust mechanisms
Please refer to attached Job description for further information.
We believe success lies in the diversity of our employees and are committed to promoting equality, encouraging diversity, and embracing inclusion. We welcome applications from everyone interested in working for us.
MKUH is committed to equal opportunities and improving the working lives of our staff and as such we offer a range of flexible working practices.
We reserve the right to expire vacancies prior to the advertised closing date once enough applications have been received.
MKUH uses identification scanning technology to confirm the authenticity of documents; all prospective employees of MKUH will have their original documents verified using this technology.
By applying for this role, you accept if successful, that information from your application will be transferred into the national NHS Electronic Staff Record (ESR) system. Your personal data may be transferred from the Trust to another NHS organisation where your employment transfers within the NHS. This is in accordance with the streamlining programme which aims at saving you time and improving efficiencies within the NHS when your employment transfers.
Upon commencing employment with the Trust,all employees (except Medical & Dental Staff on national terms and conditions) are subject to a probationary period lasting a period of six months with an option to extend for a further six months to a total of 12 months.
Person Specification
Qualifications and knowledge Essential
Degree in Pharmacy Registered with the GPhC Postgraduate Clinical Certificate Evidence of ongoing CPD as required by the GPhC
Desirable
Member of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society MSc in Clinical Pharmacy Practice or relevant speciality Independent Prescriber Education and Training qualification
Experience Essential
Significant post registration experience with at least 3 years in a hospital post Experience of managing drug expenditure for a specialty and understanding budgets Previous evaluations reviews of medicines used in the specialty's patient group Experience as a trainer Experience working as part of a multi-disciplinary team to provide patient care Experience of audit work Service development An awareness of national standards and service delivery issues relevant to area of practice
Desirable
Proven experience in developing and working with electronic prescribing solutions Personnel management Experience of appraising staff and giving feedback Medicines Information Management qualification Introduction of a new service Project management Published work Specialist knowledge in the relevant area of practice
Skills Essential
Ability to manage time effectively and work to deadlines demonstrated in a previous post Ability to plan, prioritise and organise self and others Effective verbal and written communication demonstrated in a previous post I.T. skills such as computer literacy, word processing and spreadsheet skills Managerial skills Communication skills. Good presentation skills Report writing Problem solving Good team work and ability to work alone
Desirable
Leadership skills Critical appraisal skills Radical thinking Innovative Ability to motivate and act as a role model Ability to use Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Word
Personal and people development Essential
Experience of supervising and developing colleagues Evidence of Continuous Professional Development
Communication Essential
Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to influence others Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written
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).
Employer details Employer name Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Address Pharmacy (Dept)
Milton Keynes
MK6 5LD
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.mkuh.nhs.uk/working-at-mkuh (Opens in a new tab)