Deputy Chief Pharmacist - Medicines Optimisation

This senior post sits within the Pharmacy Leadership Team at University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust, covering the whole organisation as Deputy Chief Pharmacist for Medicines Optimisation. The postholder leads medicines governance, safety, cost-improvement schemes and assurance, overseeing controlled drugs, homecare, procurement, unlicensed medicines and Patient Group Directions. The role carries influence at Trust, system and regional level, and deputises for the Chief and Associate Chief Pharmacists. Applicants need a Masters in Pharmacy, GPhC registration and significant recent leadership experience in hospital pharmacy.

What the job involves

• Lead medicines governance, medicines safety, medicines cost-improvement schemes and assurance across the Trust
• Lead and develop the Trust's medicines optimisation approach, aligned with national policy, legislation and best practice
• Act as senior professional adviser on medicines legislation, medicines risk management and regulatory compliance
• Oversee governance portfolios covering controlled drugs, homecare, procurement, unlicensed medicines, Patient Group Directions and medical gases
• Chair and support governance groups, including pharmacy quality, medicines safety and medicines optimisation forums
• Deliver medicines-related cost-improvement programmes for the Trust
• Lead quality improvement, assurance and service development programmes
• Monitor performance and provide assurance on medicines-related risks across the organisation
• Build relationships with senior clinicians, executives, corporate services and external partners to influence decisions
• Represent pharmacy at Trust, system and regional forums
• Embed medicines governance in digital transformation, innovation and service redesign
• Deputise for the Chief Pharmacist and Associate Chief Pharmacist as required

What's required Qualifications

• Masters degree in pharmacy or equivalent
• Post-gaduate qualification relevant to hospital pharmacy practice

Registration & licences

• Registration with the GPhC

Experience

• Wide-ranging recent clinical pharmacy experience
• Significant senior hospital pharmacy experience, including a leadership role within the last 5 years
• Recent operational and strategic planning, and support for a clinical management group or equivalent
• Leading change, process redesign and major service change, including work studies and audits to support bids

Skills & knowledge

• Project, financial and human resource management
• Data analysis and interpretation, including options appraisals with a value-for-money approach
• Audit work and clear report writing
• Forecasting and long-term service planning

Other

• Communication of sensitive or contentious information, public speaking, and strong written and oral skills, with negotiation, coaching and mentoring
• Team leadership, including motivating staff, team building and multidisciplinary working
• Influencing and negotiating with senior clinicians, managers and stakeholders, and providing strategic leadership to clinical teams
• Prioritisation, time management, adaptability and a clear understanding of probity and business conduct
• Commitment to dignity, respect and compassionate, inclusive leadership

Nice to have

• Teaching experience
• Research experience
• Leadership or management qualification relevant to the NHS
• Significant recent experience as a Deputy Chief Pharmacist or Principal Pharmacist
• Experience in both clinical and technical areas of pharmacy practice