Deputy Chief Pharmacist - Medicines Safety and Medicines Optimisation

University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust; Stoke-on-Trent; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare organization in Stoke-on-Trent seeks a senior pharmacy leader to drive the medicines optimisation and safety agendas. The role requires extensive experience in pharmacy leadership, knowledge in medicines governance, and exceptional communication skills. This is an excellent opportunity for dynamic professionals to inspire teams and improve patient outcomes through effective medicine use management and quality assurance.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in medicines optimisation and governance.
• Ability to articulate a clear vision for delivery.
• Understanding of clinical governance and risk management.

Responsibilities

• Lead medicines safety agenda and optimise medicine use.
• Deputise for the Clinical Director of Pharmacy.
• Develop and implement long-term strategies for medicines optimisation.

Skills

Expert knowledge in medicines optimisation

Strong communication skills

Leadership experience in pharmacy

Education

Pharmacy degree

Job description

Overview

The post holder will be a key senior leader in the organisation, leading the medicines optimisation and medicines safety agendas with the Clinical Director of Pharmacy. This is a great career development opportunity for current senior leaders in pharmacy giving the opportunity to inspire teams, promote the pharmacy profession internally and external to the trust and lead change across an organisation. We welcome applications from dynamic and experienced pharmacy leaders who are passionate about delivering high standards in medicines governance and medicines optimisation and improving the outcomes associated with medicines.

You will have extensive and expert knowledge and experience in medicines optimisation and medicines governance and developing systems and processes to provide assurance regarding quality, patient safety, risk management and governance. You will have a creative approach and ability to articulate a clear vision for the delivery of Medicines Optimisation and Safety and the associated workforce developments required to deliver this as well as providing assurance to the Trust and regulatory bodies.

• Be a proactive member of the Pharmacy Senior Leadership team and deputise for the Clinical Director of Pharmacy as required and in their absence.
• To lead on the development of a clear vision and strategy for the future delivery and transformation of the Medicines Safety Agenda for the Trust and the Pharmacy Department
• To be the nominated Medicines Safety Officer for UHNM
• To work with the Clinical Director of Pharmacy, the Trust Chief Medical Officer and Trust Chief Nursing Officer in setting the agenda and coordinating the actions and outcomes for the Trust Medicines Optimisation and Safety Group and any other relevant Trust level meetings.
• To line manage the Lead Pharmacist for Best Value Medicines and Clinical Commissioning including the Pharmacy Homecare Service.
• To line manage the Principal Pharmacy Technician for Pharmacy Procurement and Distribution
• To lead on, and be an expert in, the interpretation and explanation of medicines use and expenditure data in order to optimise the use of medicines across the organisation to improve the clinical effectiveness of treatment and improve patient outcomes.
• To lead on the development, planning, implementation and evaluation of long-term strategies, operational policies and standards relating to medicines optimisation.
• To be an active member of the Pharmacy Senior Leadership Team and be invested in the development of the department and its people.

You will have a sound understanding of the regulatory requirements relating to medicines use, excellent working knowledge of clinical governance and risk management and a good knowledge of secondary care commissioning / contracting arrangements e.g. high cost medicines.

This role offers the opportunity for the postholder to work closely with senior Trust employees as well as commissioners (e.g. ICS and NHS England). For this you will need a proven high standard of written and verbal communication skills.

You will actively support the engagement of pharmacy staff and develop a culture that encourages excellence in clinical practice, facilitates team working and multi-professional delivery of care. You will be supported in your role by the Clinical Director of Pharmacy and be a proactive member of the Pharmacy Senior Leadership team, contributing to the development and implementation of the Pharmacy Directorate Strategy, Medicines Optimisation Strategy and Annual Business Plan. You will deputise for the Clinical Director of Pharmacy and Medicines Optimisation as required and in her/his absence.

Our Pharmacy team is well respected across the organisation and delivers services across our two hospital sites, Royal Stoke University Hospital and County Hospital. We have a well-established third-party out-patient dispensing service and hold several external accreditations e.g., MHRA, GMP and GDP licenses. We have over 300 WTE staff including registered pharmacists, registered pharmacy technicians, pharmacy support workers, scientists, data analysts, nurse and support managers / staff. We actively encourage pharmacy practice research and have presented at national pharmacy conferences and won a few national awards for our innovative work. At a regional and national level we have contributed to key pharmacy documents (e.g. 7 day pharmacy services, peri-operative care, National Aseptic Review).

The Trust is currently implementing electronic prescribing across all wards and there is a programme for the replacement of our automated dispensing system. The Pharmacy Directorate has recently successfully demonstrated improvements in service following substantial investment with the opportunity to bid for further investment. For more information on this exciting post please see the attached Job Description and Person Specification.

Important information about your application

1. All correspondence will be sent to you via the email address you applied from. Please ensure you check your emails regularly.
2. References - please ensure you provide email addresses for all referees for the last three years of employment.
3. We are committed to equality of opportunity and welcome applications from everyone regardless of ethnicity, disability, gender, age, faith or sexual orientation. Appointment will be based on merit alone.
4. Flexible working will be considered in line with Trust policies
5. New recruits are required to pay for their Disclosure and Barring Service check (and admin fee) prior to starting if the role requires a DBS check.
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University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust (UHNM) has been awarded the Gold Award for proudly supporting those who serve. We actively encourage applications from the Armed Forces community. We will communicate with you regarding your job application via email. Please be aware that we cannot guarantee the security of any emails sent/received via non encrypted format.

If you would like support completing an application form, please contact the recruitment department on 01782 675533 where one of our trained assistants will be able to help. At UHNM we are fortunate to receive a high volume of applications for many of our roles, on this occasion we would reserve the right to close any advert early, therefore please apply without delay!

If you obtained your qualifications overseas, you will be required to provide an official government translation through ECCTIS (formerly known as NARIC). Please note, this is in addition to any professional registration requirements and not a replacement for your qualifications.

If you are currently in the UK on a visa, you must have at least six months remaining on your visa at the time of your start date to ensure sufficient time for the operational and training process associated with the role. The requirement of at least six months remaining on your visa does not apply to a Skilled Worker Visa, as a new Skilled Worker Visa would be required for a new role.

UHNM supports the responsible use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to assist in preparing your supporting statement. However, we reserve the right to reject applications where AI has been used in a misleading manner, for example, by implying experience or understanding that the applicant does not possess or where its use is excessive or unfair. If AI has been used to support your application, you must declare this within your submission.

University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust is one of the largest and most modern in the country. Based across two sites, Royal Stoke in Stoke-on-Trent and County Hospital in Stafford, we are proud to serve around three million people and we\'re highly regarded for our facilities, teaching and research. We are the specialist centre for major trauma for the North Midlands and North Wales.

All of our employees make a valuable contribution regardless of role here at UHNM and we are proud of our wide range of development packages aimed at ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to fulfil their true potential. UHNM create and encourage a culture of inclusion, providing equal opportunities for career development that are fair and transparent. We are committed to being a diverse and inclusive employer and foster a culture in which all staff feel valued and respected. In return we ask all of our employees to make a commitment to the values, co-created by or staff, patients and carers, and that unite us as a Trust.

At University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust we know that investing in, supporting and developing our staff has a direct impact on the quality of care that we deliver. Our employees are as important as our patients and the population that we serve.