Job overview
Join our team in an exciting new role of Pharmacy and Medicines Digital Lead
Location: Preston
Band: 7 AFC
Contract Type: Permanent, secondment considered
Hours of work:Monday to Friday.Full-time hours preferred but part time will be considered for the right candidate.
NWAS is on an exciting trajectory of investment in digital systems to support safe and effective use of medicines and provide the oversight and governance required.We need someone to join the team who has vision, drive and ambition to lead digital technology to support medicines optimisation.Being the digital lead for medicines you will not only be the lead for digital pharmacy systems and projects that evolve from innovation, but you will provide the support for maintaining systems. You will be instrumental in helping to shape the future of digital medicines management across the Trust.
The NWAS Medicines Supply Hub is based in Preston and supplies medicines for over 50 ambulance stations, including two air ambulance bases and two hazardous area response teams, and over 600 vehicles.The Medicines Team consists of pharmacists, pharmacy technicians and medicines assistants.
Main duties of the job
As the Pharmacy and Medicines Digital Lead, you will:
1. Implement, lead and manage all medicines-related digital systems (for example:stock management, controlled drug registers, temperature monitoring systems).
2. Support the Chief Pharmacist in aligning digital systems with Trust and NHS strategies.
3. Provide business intelligence and operational support to optimise medicines use and safety.
4. Drive innovation through digital transformation, quality improvement and sustainability initiatives.
5. Lead on procurement, governance, and training related to digital medicines systems.
What We’re Looking For
We’re seeking a GPhC-registered pharmacy professional or a candidate with a degree in a computer-related discipline and demonstrable experience in pharmacy digital systems. You should also have:
6. Strong IT and analytical skills
7. Experience in pharmacy operations and medicines procurement
8. Excellent communication and leadership abilities
9. A passion for digital innovation and excellent understanding of patient safety
10. A valid driving licence and willingness to travel across the North West on occasion for any meetings or training that are not at the Preston base.
Working for our organisation
North West Ambulance Service NHS Trust provides 24 hour, 365 days a year accident and emergency services to those in need of emergency medical treatment and transport.
Our highly skilled staff provide life-saving care to patients in the community and take people to hospital or a place of care if needed.
We also provide non-emergency patient transport services for those patients who require non-emergency transport to and from hospital and who are unable to travel unaided because of their medical condition or clinical need.
Alongside the other emergency services, we also work to ensure the safety of the public and treatment of patients in the event of a major incident.
We also deliver the NHS 111 service in the North West. NHS 111 replaced NHS Direct in 2013. This service was introduced to make it easier for people to access local NHS healthcare services in England. It provides non-emergency medical help fast, and is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Person specification
Skills
Essential criteria
11. Experience working within a pharmacy team
12. Excellent IT skills, including pharmacy stock management systems and Microsoft applications
13. Excellent written communication skills utilising a diverse range of tools and understanding the plain English principles
14. Education and training skills
15. Ability to maintain confidentiality and deal with situations in a sensitive and empathic manner
16. Experience in the application of HR processes
17. Demonstrable experience of line management responsibilities
Qualifications
Essential criteria
18. GPhC-registered Pharmacy Professional AND Demonstrable experience of working with healthcare IT systems in a support, design or configuration role with significant experience in working within a pharmacy team
19. OR Degree in a computer related discipline with skills and/or competencies typically gained during the performance of an IT support role AND Experience of working in a complex pharmacy organisation (eg: ambulance service or hospital) with responsibilities for the maintenance of pharmacy digital stock management systems and/or responsibilities for stock procurement and maintenance of drug catalogues
Knowledge
Essential criteria
20. Knowledge of Health and Safety at Work Act and COSHH
21. Knowledge of project management principles
Experience
Essential criteria
22. Extensive experience of working with medicines/pharmacy
23. Experience and knowledge of medicines procurement
24. Experience of writing procedures
Values
Essential criteria
25. Commitment to continuing professional development of self and others
Values
Essential criteria
26. Able to motivate others and engage them in the medicines optimisation agenda
27. Working together – demonstrate collaborative and inclusive working and challenge behaviour that is not inclusive or acceptable
Skills
Essential criteria
28. Understanding of the importance of robust change control and evidence of being able to follow strict instructions
29. Analytical skills in data extraction, data analysis and report writing
30. Ability to communicate complex system and technical issues to a variety of staff at different levels within the organisation
31. Awareness of NHS governance frameworks, data protection regulations (GDPR), and information governance requirements
32. Excellent oral communication skills with a wide range of audiences
33. A self-starter with the ability to work independently using own initiative and to tight deadlines
34. Ability to lead and co-ordinate a complex workload
35. Clinical audit and evaluation and quality improvement skills
36. Ability to review complex information and interpret it for the given situation
37. Able to communicate across wide demographic boundaries in an appropriate manner with tact and diplomacy
38. Strong management, motivational and leadership skills
39. Respects and applies patient confidentiality at all times
40. Able to operate all equipment safely and in accordance with Trust policy, procedures and protocols
41. Good literacy and numeracy skills
42. Problem solving
43. Methodical
44. Organised and able to manage time and priorities
45. Demonstrable compassionate and inclusive leadership
Knowledge
Essential criteria
46. Good clinical knowledge of medicines
47. Good knowledge of the risks of medicines and how they can be minimised
48. Knowledge of the principles of GDP and GMP and willing to undertake further study on this
Values
Essential criteria
49. Hard working and highly motivated
50. Trustworthy
51. Flexible approach to working
52. Project a professional image
53. Enthusiasm for the role
54. Ability to maintain a professional image and follow the General Pharmaceutical Council professional guidelines
55. Self motivated
56. Good time management
57. Speak English to an appropriate standard relevant to the role, ie: with confidence and accuracy, using correct sentence structures and vocabulary, and without hesitation
58. Being at our best – professional and adaptable and takes pride in work
59. Making a difference – act with compassion, kindness and integrity towards everyone
Other
Essential criteria
60. Valid driving licence and use of own vehicle and willingness to travel around NW of England area
61. Satisfactory enhanced DBS