Principal Pharmacist - Virtual Wards

NHS; Dartford; On-site; GBP 46,000 - 63,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare provider is seeking a Principal Pharmacist for its Virtual Ward team. This role involves overseeing clinical pharmacy services, ensuring high-quality pharmaceutical care, and leading cost-saving initiatives. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in pharmacy leadership and a commitment to patient care. Join a supportive environment that values professional development and wellbeing.

Qualifications

• GPhC registration as a pharmacist required.
• Experience as a band 7 Pharmacist preferred.
• Independent prescriber status or working towards it.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate and manage pharmacy services for the Virtual Ward.
• Lead development of pharmacy standards and ensure medication safety.
• Contribute to cost-saving initiatives and manage staff.

Skills

Leadership

Organizational Skills

Pharmaceutical Knowledge

Education

Post graduate Diploma in Clinical Pharmacy

Management and leadership qualification

MSc in Clinical Pharmacy

Tools

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft PowerPoint

Job description

We are seeking a dedicated and experienced Principal Pharmacist to join our Virtual Ward team at Darent Valley Hospital. This role, positioned at Band 8a, involves the leadership and development of clinical pharmacy services for the Virtual Wards, both adults and paediatrics. The successful candidate will play a crucial role in shaping medicine management strategies, supporting cost-saving initiatives, and ensuring the delivery of high-quality pharmaceutical care within the service.

A band 7 to 8a progression plan may be offered depending on experience.

Previous applicants need not apply.

Main duties of the job

As the Principal Pharmacist for Virtual Ward, you will be responsible for coordinating and managing pharmacy services within the department, working closely with the multidisciplinary team to deliver exceptional patient care. Your duties will include monitoring prescriptions, providing pharmaceutical care plans, and supporting the development of cost-effective prescribing practices. Additionally, you will ensure compliance with national and local guidelines.

About us

Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust (DGT) is committed to providing compassionate, high-quality care to our community. At DGT, we value our staff and foster an environment that supports professional development, wellbeing, and job satisfaction. We operate across several sites, including Darent Valley Hospital and Queen Mary's Hospital, and are dedicated to ensuring that every employee feels supported and integral to our mission of delivering safe, effective, and compassionate healthcare.

Job responsibilities

In this role, you will oversee pharmaceutical services to the Virtual Ward service, including adults and paediatrics. You will lead the strategic development of pharmacy standards within the service and collaborate with colleagues to ensure the safe and effective use of medications, particularly in high-risk areas such as antimicrobial stewardship. As a senior member of the team, you will contribute to cost-saving initiatives, manage staff, and support training and education efforts within the department. Additionally, you will work to enhance medication safety, contribute to clinical audits, and take an active role in the departments continuous improvement efforts.

If you are a proactive, organised, and motivated pharmacist looking for a leadership opportunity, we encourage you to apply for this rewarding role within our forward-thinking organisation.

Person Specification

Education and Training

• GPhC registration as a pharmacist
• Post graduate Diploma in Clinical Pharmacy or equivalent
• Independent prescriber (or working towards)
• Member of Royal Pharmaceutical Society
• Management and leadership qualification
• MSc or equivalent postgraduate qualification in Clinical Pharmacy or other appropriate discipline
• Practice Supervisor Accreditation or equivalent teaching accreditation

Experience

• Experience working as a band 7 Pharmacist
• Experience of writing protocols and standards
• Experience of working in a multidisciplinary clinical pharmacy setting
• Previous teaching/tutoring experience
• Hospital Pharmacy Experience
• Clinical Pharmacy teaching skills
• Demonstrable use of audit/research to improve practice

Knowledge and Skills

• Broad pharmaceutical knowledge relating to general medicine and core medical specialities
• Demonstrates knowledge of national and local guidelines relating to specialism that need to be adhered to
• Advanced computer literacy including Word, Excel and PowerPoint
• Budgetary control skills
• Awareness of current practice and policy affecting pharmacy practice in the NHS & understanding the NHS structure
• Incident investigation/ root cause analysis
• Experience and Knowledge of virtual ward

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.

£46,148 to £62,626 a yearincl HCAS per annum