Job Summary
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Deputy Director of Pharmacy at Dorset County Hospital. The post is open to either a registered Pharmacist or Pharmacy Technician already working at a senior level within an NHS organisation who is ready for the next step in their leadership journey. The role will deputise for the Director of Pharmacy, alongside leading workstreams across the Pharmacy department and wider Medicines Optimisation workplan.
Current Leadership Areas
* Medicines Safety (acting as Medicines Safety Officer)
* Lead the Clinical service within the department
* Medical Gases
* Medicines Optimisation
These areas of leadership are open to negotiation depending on the successful applicant, and their experience and development needs.
Main duties of the job
To Assist The Director Of Pharmacy In Their Duties Including Providing Input To Strategic And Operational Management Of Pharmacy Services Including:
* Budgetary control of Pharmacy Services
* Business case preparation
* Provision of management information to managers, clinicians and the Finance Department
* Objective and key performance indicator setting across all activities
* Medicines management and clinical governance
* Delivering cost improvement/income generation strategies
To Deputise For The Director Of Pharmacy:
* Ensure the staff of all grades are supported in their decision making
* Ensure that a safe, efficient, and professional service is provided at all times to all users of the Trust
* Attend trust wide meetings to represent Pharmacy in the absence of the Director of Pharmacy (e.g., SMT, Clinical Governance, Risk and Finance meetings)
* Present Pharmacy papers to Executive Directors, Board, SMT and other meetings as required
To be the Medicines Safety Officer for the Trust.
About Us
At DCHFT, we pride ourselves on the care we provide for our patients, and on the culture we are creating for our staff. We work hard to create a fair, inclusive environment for our staff. Our Mission is to work in partnership to provide high quality, compassionate services and to nurture an environment where people can be at their best. Our vision is healthier lives, empowered citizens, thriving communities. We are a Trust that celebrates diversity, and we are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We welcome applications from people in all under-represented groups.
Important Notes
We understand that some applicants may choose to use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to assist in preparing their application materials. While this is not discouraged, all submissions must be truthful and accurately reflect your own experiences and suitability for this role. Personal integrity and authenticity are central to our recruitment process. We value honesty and appreciate applications that are genuine and representative of the individual behind them.
Details
Date posted: 02 October 2025
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 8c
Salary: £76,965 to £88,682 a year Pro Rata Per Annum
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Full-time, Part-time, Flexible working, Compressed hours
Reference number: 405-25-PST453DDP
Job locations: Dorset County Hospital, Williams Avenue, Dorchester, DT12JY
Job Description
Job responsibilities
* Follow On From Main Duties: To manage and lead the clinical pharmacy service
* To lead and support the strategic development and continued improvement of Pharmacy Services in line with national, regional and local plans and priorities
* Support and actively participate in shaping, developing and implementing the ICS Pharmacy and Medicines strategy
* To provide managerial, professional and clinical oversight of members of the Pharmacy Management Group
* Oversees pharmacy services to partners under commercial contracts and service level agreement
* To maximise the benefits and minimise the risks associated with the use of medicines
* To support the DCHFT Medicines Committee
Our DCHFT Job Description and Person Specification (attached) tells you all about this role, what to expect and what is needed to succeed. When completing your application please tell us how your experience and skills fit the person specification. Please contact us if you are unable to view or download the attachment.
For all our roles, we are looking for staff who hold our Trust Values of Integrity, Respect, Teamwork and Excellence, and who are passionate about providing the best patient care. To read more about our Trust and our Values search Dorset County Hospital online.
Person Specification
Essential
* Education, Qualifications & Training: Masters degree in Pharmacy or relevant healthcare leadership
* GPhC registration as Pharmacist or Pharmacy Technician
Desirable
* Membership of the RPSGB or APTUK
Essential Knowledge & Experience
* Experience as a senior manager within a Pharmacy Department
* Knowledge & experience of drug funding in NHS
* Proven experience of ability to prepare drug evaluations
* Proven experience of carrying out drug use reviews
* Experience in supervising and managing pharmacists & pharmacy technicians and performing appraisals
Essential Skills & Abilities
* Excellent communicator with good written and verbal communication skills
* Experience of developing and delivering on CIP and QIPP projects
* Experience of project management on a Trust-wide basis
* Influencing & negotiating skills to work with other senior managers within the Trust
* Ability to work effectively with other members of the pharmacy management team
* Ability to deal with conflict, especially when challenging prescribing
* Ability to work with commissioners and resolve conflicts of interest
* Ability to manage change effectively
* Ability to influence and negotiate with Directors
* Ability to collaborate constructively with internal and external partners to create the conditions for successful partnership working
* Knowledge and experience of government health policies and legislation
* Knowledge & experience of ePMA systems and JAC pharmacy system
* Ability to analyse highly complex problems and develop practical solutions
Desirable Skills
* Excellent knowledge & understanding of disease states and their drug treatment
* Effective presentation skills
* Computer literate; MS Word/Excel/Access/PowerPoint proficiency
* Highly effective time management skills
* Knowledge of risk management in the NHS
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the DBS to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Certificate of Sponsorship
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. See UK Visas and Immigration for details. Note: from 6 April 2017, a criminal record check may be required for overseas applicants.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. See NHS Careers website for more information.
Employer details
Employer: Dorset County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Address: Dorset County Hospital, Williams Avenue, Dorchester, DT12JY
Website: https://www.dchft.nhs.uk/working-for-us/
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