Lead Pharmacist, Pharmacy Workforce Infrastructure Programme

NHS; City Of London; On-site; GBP 72,000 - 84,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare provider in London seeks a dynamic Lead Pharmacist to drive workforce transformation and support independent prescribers. The role involves collaborating with stakeholders to enhance care quality and mentor pharmacists. The position offers a competitive salary of £72,921 to £83,362, reflecting the importance of innovation and leadership in pharmacy practice.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Professional development opportunities

Support for educational initiatives

Qualifications

• Experience in multidisciplinary healthcare leadership.
• Knowledge of NHS key policies regarding pharmacy.
• Demonstrable track record of delivering educational programs.

Responsibilities

• Support the development of pharmacist educational programs.
• Monitor and track training uptake for Independent Prescribing.
• Lead networks for quality prescribing practice.

Skills

Leadership skills

Communication skills

Problem solving

Organizational skills

Education

Postgraduate qualification in clinical/community pharmacy

GPhC Registration

RPS Faculty membership at Advanced stage 2

Job description

Go back Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Lead Pharmacist, Pharmacy Workforce Infrastructure Programme

Closing date: 13 October 2025

We are seeking a dynamic and experienced Lead Pharmacist to join our Pharmacy Workforce Infrastructure Programme. This role will work through the partnerships and relationships of the ICS to progress key elements of pharmacy workforce transformation and development. By 2026, all new pharmacists will join the workforce as independent prescribers, a major advance in the care provided by pharmacists as part of the multidisciplinary team.

Key Responsibilities

• Support existing and upcoming pharmacist independent prescribers (IP) within NW London ICS to deliver high-quality patient care through their prescribing qualification.
• Assist eligible IPs in understanding and taking up the role of Designated Prescribing Practitioners (DPPs).
• Develop and support new and existing pharmacy transformational networks and relationships with other professional networks and local training hubs.
• Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to improve access to high-quality medicines and reduce inequalities

If you are passionate about pharmacy workforce transformation and development and meet the person specification, we would love to hear from you.

Main duties of the job

• Support existing and upcoming pharmacist independent prescribers (IP) within NW London ICS to deliver high-quality patient care through their prescribing qualification.
• Assist eligible IPs in understanding and taking up the role of Designated Prescribing Practitioners (DPPs).
• Develop and support new and existing pharmacy transformational networks and relationships with other professional networks and local training hubs.
• Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to improve access to high-quality medicines and reduce inequalities

About us

Our Trust is one of England's top-performing and safest trusts. We operate two main acute hospital sites--Chelsea and Westminster Hospital and West Middlesex University Hospital--along with award-winning clinics across North West London.

Our nearly 7,500 staff care for a diverse population of 1.5m, providing full clinical services including maternity, A&E and children's services, plus specialist HIV and sexual health care. The CQC rates us Good in safety, effectiveness, care and responsiveness, and Outstanding in leadership and resource use.

We continually invest in our facilities, including a £30m expansion of critical care at Chelsea and an £80m Ambulatory Diagnostic Centre at West Mid.

We are delivering sustainable healthcare through our Green Plan. In line with Greener NHS ambitions, we aim for net zero carbon emissions by 2045. Achieving this requires collective effort. We encourage staff to reduce their impact on carbon, waste and pollution wherever possible. Every action counts to create a healthier, more sustainable future.

We are committed to equal opportunities and believe diversity drives innovation and excellence. We welcome applications from the global majority, veterans and underrepresented communities, valuing the perspectives they bring.

If you haven't heard from us within 3 weeks of the closing date, your application was likely unsuccessful. Employment is subject to a six-month probation. Some roles may require weekend shifts at multiple sites.

Job responsibilities

Strategic Development and Professional Leadership

Developing and implement a strategy / plan to train people to become DPPs within the ICS

Source access to training to create more DPPs

Report on training uptake / completion for DPPs

Encourage and develop prescribing mentoring models and networks

Develop a DPP database or equivalent enabler to enable aspiring pharmacists to link in with potential DPPs

Sourcing facilitators to provide DPP training to cohorts, preventing the need for additional procurement

Work collaboratively across London to embed a do once and share approach, identifying risks and mitigations.

• Contribute to ICS Pharmacy Workforce models and transformation.
• Support organisations to implement the prescribing elements of the foundation pharmacist training reforms.
• Contributing to the local training and workforce development plan and to enhance patient care by providing leadership and direction with respect to the quality of education and training.
• To be an advocate and a positive role model, by promoting leadership that inspires, motivates and empowers pharmacist IPs and DPPs
• To provide expert advice on working as an IP and being a DPP.
• To attend and host events across the region, to develop key networks and relationships to ensure effective local and regional engagement and responsiveness with IPs and DPPs.
• To work with providers and others to support and capture IP and DPP training innovation locally and ensure national and local conversations develop best practice
• To advise stakeholders across community, primary care and hospital sectors of pharmacy on policy changes that may impact the development, funding or provision of IPs and DPPs.

Educational and Workforce Development

To engage with and support the development of pharmacist education and training programmes where needed to support strategic development of training to meet the national pharmacist training developments and Long-Term Workforce Plan

Work with local organisations within the ICS, including training hubs and others involved in pharmacist development to monitor the uptake of independent prescribing courses and implementation of the National Trainee Foundation Pharmacist Programme, IP pathfinders and act as a conduit between regional and ICS to escalate and action issues arises.

Work in collaboration with organisations within the ICS, including training hubs to enable delivery of future iterations of the National Trainee Foundation Pharmacist Programme and ensure maximal update of Independent Prescribing courses by pharmacists

Financial and Physical Resources

Monitoring of contracts and performance of relevant providers and ensuring that provider performance aligns, and complies, with contractual terms and conditions

To monitor financial and performance targets as related to pharmacy workforce

. Advise on innovative opportunities in relation to pharmacy workforce and support strategies and programmes to maximise service benefits.

Undertake tracking of progress against plans and transition milestones, ensuring appropriate processes are in place to flag issues, risks and concerns with the relevant stakeholders.

To actively contribute to identifying strategies to deliver value for money and cost effective use of medicines to inform the prescribing budget financial planning process.

To manage selected budgets for individual projects, services and payments effectively and with probity and as an authorised/deputised signatory (up to relevant limits).

Network development and Multi-professional working

Lead and facilitate networks to enable collaboration o meet the needs and support innovations in delivering high quality prescribing practice.Support and development of education and training networks

Quality and Safety

• To emphasise the importance and promote the development of a quality learning environment for all learners.
• To support the development of regional and local quality assurance processes and systems across pharmacy sectors
• To support development and monitoring of quality metrics as per NHS England WT&E requirements
• To attend local, regional and ICS level meetings that are relevant to Pharmacist IP development
• To undertake professional development identified for the role (attendance at required training days, on-line e-learning packages, etc).

Research & Development

• Locally collate information and feedback on initiatives regionally to assist in the development of future iterations of the National Training Foundation Pharmacist Programme
• To undertake scoping exercises and research to inform development of pharmacist IPs and DPPs

Communications & Relationships

Build and maintain an active network of contacts, communicating and consulting with all stakeholders in projects and transformation work

Ensure the communication, promotion and encouragement of best practice in relation to pharmacy workforce development and prescribing

Advise, influence, recommend and negotiate with a wide range of stakeholders.

Work effectively with own team and colleagues across NW London and at Place.

Communicate often complex, sensitive or contentious written and verbal information to a wide range of audiences.

To be able to support GP practices, patients, the wider NHS and social organisations in situations of either antagonistic, emotional and language barriers.

To deal with difficult issues / situations using diplomacy and sensitivity.

To respond to Freedom of Information requests, patient complaints or MP/council enquiries regarding pharmacy workforce and independent prescribing.

Governance and Meetings

Attend relevant strategic and governance meetings within the ICS as required.

Other Responsibilities

The prescribing training leads may be responsible for supporting, developing and/or delivering other aspects of pharmacist career training not yet identified that support the development of IP and DPP pharmacists.

Person Specification

Education and qualifications

• GPhC Registration
• Attendance at courses aimed to support educational development (e.g. educator course, Train the Trainer, etc.)
• Postgraduate qualification in clinical/community pharmacy or equivalent additional experience
• Mandatory Continuing Professional Development to maintain fitness to practice and revalidation
• RPS Faculty membership at Advanced stage 2 or Mastery
• Relevant educational qualification such as postgraduate certificate or Masters in education

Experience

• Knowledge of educational theory relating to teaching, learning and assessment methods and curriculum design
• Understanding of NHS key policies in relation to pharmacy, prescribing, modernisation of services and workforce development
• Understanding of principles of quality management and enhancement
• Experience of clinical and educational leadership and innovation
• Demonstrable track record of delivery of service developments, education or accreditation programmes
• Understanding of developments involving relevant professional bodies, related NHS organisations and regulatory bodies
• Understanding of the workforce transformation agenda
• Active involvement in, and up to date with, appraisal processes
• Knowledge of the NHS, its structures and processes, including an understanding of healthcare/multi-professional workforce matters
• Knowledge of Foundation Pharmacist Programme and IETP reforms
• Experience of multidisciplinary working
• Experience of inter-agency working and the development of joint projects
• Previous or current appointment as a leader in healthcare education
• Awareness of funding streams for healthcare education
• Understanding of current health, social care and education policy
• Experience of supporting future IPs as a DPP

Skills and knowledge

• Demonstrable leadership skills and an ability to influence and motivate others
• A strong sense of vision and ability to innovate
• Politically astute with an ability to sensitively manage complexity and uncertainty
• Ability to problem solve and maintain objectivity
• Strong interpersonal, communication, written and presentation skills
• Ability to quickly establish personal and professional credibility with colleagues and other key stakeholders
• Highly developed organisational skills - demonstrates sound judgement in the absence of clear guidelines or precedent, seeking advice as necessary from more senior management when appropriate
• Excellent organisational and time management skills
• Committed to own personal development and an ability to support others to develop and progress
• Critical evaluation, data analysis and reporting skills and application of research
• Presenting complex material to large groups from a range of backgrounds
• Ability to lead change
• Establishes constructive working relationships working with others and across organisational boundaries as necessary to achieve objectives
• Ability to travel throughout London (within their ICS) and occasionally other parts of the UK
• Willing to engage with and learn from peers, other professionals and colleagues in the desire to provide or support the most appropriate interventions
• Demonstrable knowledge and understanding of equality of opportunity and diversity, and reflects the Inclusive Pharmacy Practice principles. Being aware of how individual actions contribute to, and make a difference to, the equality agenda
• Respects, values and cares for others
• Supports learning and development of self and others
• Stamina, energy and enthusiasm and the ability to work effectively under pressure

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.

Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

£72,921 to £83,362 a yearPer annum pro-rata. Plus High Cost Area if applicable