Lead Pharmacist - Acute Medicine

NHS; London; On-site; GBP 59,000 - 67,000; Full time

Job summary

Join Croydon Health Services NHS Trust as a Lead Pharmacist for Acute Medicine. This pivotal role involves leading the pharmacy team, delivering high-quality clinical pharmacy services, and acting as an expert advisor to enhance patient care. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in hospital pharmacy and strong leadership skills to lead a dedicated team.

Qualifications

• Extensive post registration experience in hospital pharmacy.
• Proven track record of managing and training staff.
• Experience of clinical audit and formulating guidelines.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Acute medicine team and provide expert pharmacy advice.
• Manage clinical pharmacy services in Acute Medicine.
• Develop and implement clinical governance initiatives.

Skills

Excellent clinical knowledge

Excellent communication skills

Excellent presentation skills

Good IT skills

Time management skills

Education

Pharmacy Degree

Registered with GPhC

MSc in Clinical Pharmacy

Job description

Job summary

Lead Pharmacist - Acute Medicine

Band 8a

The post holder is responsible for the development, delivery and evaluation of clinical pharmacy services to Acute Medicine, across Croydon Health Services NHS Trust (CHS). The post holder will provide expert clinical pharmacy advice to all staff and patients associated within Acute Medicine, which will be their main area of clinical practice. They will act as a team leader and role model in the Acute Medicine pharmacy field and undertake clinical supervision of pharmacy staff and teaching of nursing and medical staff.

The post holder will provide a high quality clinical pharmacy service which meets the needs of patients and healthcare professionals within and associated with the Trust. They will develop and implement medicine management systems concerned with Acute Medical services throughout CHS, and will act as the main point of contact between the directorate (IAC) and Pharmacy.

The post holder will also lead on an exciting project to implement and develop our new pharmacy ED service

Interview Date TBC

Main duties of the job

Leads the Acute medicine team

Provides expert pharmaceutical advice (e.g. choice of therapy, supportive therapy, safe prescribing, suitable methods of administration and formulation of drugs) to doctors, nurses and pharmacists to ensure that patients receive high quality pharmaceutical care as inpatients and at the time of discharge to ensure safe efficient and cost-effective use of medicines.

To work as non-medical Independent Prescriber (if qualified) within scope of clinical knowledge and competence, in an agreed clinical area(s) / patient groups to support safe prescribing and administration of medicines. This could include writing discharge prescriptions, correcting medication at interfaces care (admission and discharge) or initiating and monitoring treatment. The post holder will prescribe in line with their agreed scope of practice and Trust policies.

Leads and manages the day-to-day delivery of, and supports the development of, clinical pharmacy services to Acute Medicine, in accordance with the priorities agreed between the post holder, the Associate Chief Pharmacist - Clinical Services and relevant managers and senior staff within Acute Medicine, in order to ensure safe, clinically effective and cost efficient use of medicines.

Develops, implements, monitors and evaluates clinical governance initiatives in relation to clinical pharmacy services to patients within Acute Medicine, to minimise risk to patients, and promote the safe and appropriate use of medicines.

About us

Croydon Health Services NHS Trust provide hospital and community services from a number of community and specialist clinics throughout Croydon. The Trust was formed on 1st August 2010 through the integration of Croydon Community Health Services and Mayday Healthcare NHS Trust. Around 4,100 staff provide services for a population of over 360,000 people who are relatively young with a high level of ethnic diversity

Our main hospital site, Croydon University Hospital is one of the busiest in London. We're also leading the way in providing more healthcare outside hospitals at clinics, specialist centres and in people's homes. Our experienced district nursing teams, Allied Health Professionals and community matrons look after people of all ages across Croydon and our Children's Hospital at Home cares for children with long-term conditions without them having to come to hospital

Across the NHS everyone is working hard to meet growing demand and we're no exception. But with the right people on board, we are rising to this challenge, putting our people in the driving seat, encouraging innovation and transforming our services to give local people the quality of care they deserve. As well as offering access to a range of core skills training and professional development

If you want the opportunity to have a real impact, challenge yourself and be part of an NHS Trust that's making a real difference then a career at Croydon Health Services could be just what you're looking for

Details Date posted

25 June 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 8a

Salary

£59,490 to £66,239 a year per annum incl HCAS Outer

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

199-NN-7184839-AHP

Job locations

Pharmacy Department, Croydon Health Services

London Road

Thornton Heath

CR7 7YE

Job description Job responsibilities

** ***Please see the Job Description and the Person Specification for more details on the jobs responsibilities *****

Job description Job responsibilities

** ***Please see the Job Description and the Person Specification for more details on the jobs responsibilities *****

Person Specification Education and Qualifications Essential

• Pharmacy Degree
• Registered with GPhC
• Commitment to CPD

Desirable

• MSc in Clinical Pharmacy or equivalent experience
• Independent prescribing
• Post-graduate experience

Knowledge and Understanding Essential

• Excellent clinical knowledge and practice relating to acute medicine.
• Broad knowledge of all areas of clinical pharmacy.
• Understanding of Clinical Governance and Risk Management.
• Understanding of roles of other healthcare professionals e.g. members of the multi-disciplinary team
• Good IT skills and knowledge of pharmacy computer systems
• Awareness of current NHS issues including national and local priorities.

Desirable

• Knowledge of providing a specialist pharmacy service to Acute Medicine.
• Understanding of interface issues
• Understanding of teaching / learning styles and methods.
• Management skills including leadership, teamwork and appraisals.

Experience Essential

• Extensive post registration experience in areas relevant to this post
• Proven track record of postgraduate experience in hospital pharmacy
• Experience of managing, supervising and training of staff
• Experience of clinical audit
• Experience of formulating guidelines, policies and procedures

Desirable

• Experience of electronic prescribing
• Experience of implementing national policies or initiatives e.g. NICE
• Experience of supporting decision making in complex situations
• Experience of research and publications
• Experience of reporting and analysing drug expenditure
• Experience or participation on multidisciplinary ward rounds.
• Accredited tutor for JPB clinical pharmacy diploma .
• Experience of conducting / being involved with quality improvement & service development

SKILLS / ABILITIES Essential

• Excellent communication skills (verbal and written)
• Excellent presentation & interpersonal skills
• Evidence of successful relationships with multidisciplinary teams and across professional groups
• Excellent prioritisation & organisation skills
• Effective time management and delegation skills

Desirable

• Influencing / negotiating skills
• People management skills, including appraisal
• Ability to manage change
• Able to embrace new technologies
• Be a team leader & motivator
• Able to resolve conflict and disagreement
• JAC literate

Person Specification Education and Qualifications Essential

• Pharmacy Degree
• Registered with GPhC
• Commitment to CPD

Desirable

• MSc in Clinical Pharmacy or equivalent experience
• Independent prescribing
• Post-graduate experience

Knowledge and Understanding Essential

• Excellent clinical knowledge and practice relating to acute medicine.
• Broad knowledge of all areas of clinical pharmacy.
• Understanding of Clinical Governance and Risk Management.
• Understanding of roles of other healthcare professionals e.g. members of the multi-disciplinary team
• Good IT skills and knowledge of pharmacy computer systems
• Awareness of current NHS issues including national and local priorities.

Desirable

• Knowledge of providing a specialist pharmacy service to Acute Medicine.
• Understanding of interface issues
• Understanding of teaching / learning styles and methods.
• Management skills including leadership, teamwork and appraisals.

Experience Essential

• Extensive post registration experience in areas relevant to this post
• Proven track record of postgraduate experience in hospital pharmacy
• Experience of managing, supervising and training of staff
• Experience of clinical audit
• Experience of formulating guidelines, policies and procedures

Desirable

• Experience of electronic prescribing
• Experience of implementing national policies or initiatives e.g. NICE
• Experience of supporting decision making in complex situations
• Experience of research and publications
• Experience of reporting and analysing drug expenditure
• Experience or participation on multidisciplinary ward rounds.
• Accredited tutor for JPB clinical pharmacy diploma .
• Experience of conducting / being involved with quality improvement & service development

SKILLS / ABILITIES Essential

• Excellent communication skills (verbal and written)
• Excellent presentation & interpersonal skills
• Evidence of successful relationships with multidisciplinary teams and across professional groups
• Excellent prioritisation & organisation skills
• Effective time management and delegation skills

Desirable

• Influencing / negotiating skills
• People management skills, including appraisal
• Ability to manage change
• Able to embrace new technologies
• Be a team leader & motivator
• Able to resolve conflict and disagreement
• JAC literate

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).

Employer details Employer name

Croydon Health Services NHS Trust

Address

Pharmacy Department, Croydon Health Services

London Road

Thornton Heath

CR7 7YE

Employer's website

https://www.croydonhealthservices.nhs.uk/recruitment/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details Employer name

Croydon Health Services NHS Trust

Address

Pharmacy Department, Croydon Health Services

London Road

Thornton Heath

CR7 7YE

Employer's website

https://www.croydonhealthservices.nhs.uk/recruitment/ (Opens in a new tab)