Overview
Frimley Health NHS Trust is seeking a Chief Pharmacy Information Officer for a fixed-term 12-month maternity cover. The postholder will lead the strategic development and management of pharmacy information systems, including Electronic Patient Record Epic, Automated Dispensing Cabinets, and other pharmacy systems, ensuring these systems support safe, effective, and efficient pharmacy services. The role involves close collaboration with Digital Services to deliver system implementation and EPR optimisation tailored to pharmacy needs. The Chief Pharmacy Information Officer will act as the link between pharmacy and clinical teams, as well as external stakeholders across the Trust and Integrated Care Board (ICB), to drive interoperability and integrated digital solutions that enhance patient care pathways.
Main duties
Provide specialized advice on digital transformation systems and the Trust's EPR, focusing on prescribing and medicine usage.
Ensure alignment of digital pharmacy strategy with business plans.
Develop a digital workforce for pharmacy, ensuring EPR and logistical system training and certification for all team members.
Advise on procurement, implementation, and benefits realization in clinical and non-clinical digital system projects from a pharmacy perspective.
Act as the main contact between the Trust EPR team and Pharmacy Team, liaising with external stakeholders (ICB and other pharmacy networks) for specialist advice on new systems, changes, data, and reports.
Ensure prescribing-related tasks are responsive, safe, effective, and efficient, including logging, monitoring, and escalating EPR system incidents.
Accountable for clinical governance in electronic prescribing, ensuring safe, cost-efficient, and effective use of the prescribing system and medicines.
Ensure EPR adherence to local and national guidelines and advise on and support digital decisions to incorporate into the pharmacy development plan.
Lead the Trust pharmacy digital strategy and provide leadership to the pharmacy team in digital initiatives.
About us Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust is committed to being an inclusive and disability-confident employer. The Trust has recognition for Armed Forces employment and offers development opportunities, with a range of training opportunities available. The Trust supports flexible working and work-life balance where possible.
Details Date posted: 11 September 2025
Band: 8c • Salary: £79,163 to £90,880 per year pro rata • Contract: Fixed term • Duration: 1 year
Working pattern: Full-time, Part-time, Flexible working
Location: Frimley Health Foundation Trust, Portsmouth Road, Camberley, GU16 7UJ
Job responsibilities Strategic
Develop strategy for post-implementation optimisation and maintenance of the EPR system in line with guidelines relating to medicine safety, formulary, and protocols.
Plan and implement other systems (e.g., WellSky, Omnicell) and assess impact on clinical documentation across FHFT sites.
Ensure optimum use and maintenance of systems; incorporate pharmacogenomics within digital systems.
Advise on information systems maintenance, optimisation, and strategic planning; provide regular board reports on work-plans and strategy.
Advise senior clinical leaders on pharmacy digital enabling issues and risks (dispensing, database management, chemotherapy, aseptic manufacturing).
Modernise and transform Pharmacy Services with external suppliers to streamline automated processes.
Oversee bespoke software solutions for data capture and reporting within Pharmacy; support automation strategy including robotics and AI.
Oversee application development for pharmacy to improve efficiencies in relation to the EPR programme.
Support research activities by advising and developing information reporting; advise on electronic solutions to improve patient safety and efficiency.
Support alignment of multiple sites and harmonisation of practice; contribute to patient experience initiatives using digital tech.
Operational/Digital
Develop, implement, and monitor policies and procedures for the pharmacy digital component of EPR, aligned with Trust IT standards and national direction.
Resolve technical and operational issues relating to pharmacy computer systems; configure and maintain EPR drug files, order sets, and electronic guidance links.
Extract and analyse sensitive information to support clinical activities; manage business continuity plans for all pharmacy IT systems.
Ensure onsite EPR team presence during new workflow implementations; provide expert support on the ground.
Coordinate software installations and updates; ensure changes including medication builds are quality assured and approved.
Provide final sign-off after testing before migration to live environments; oversee medication builds in EPR in liaison with lead pharmacists and clinicians.
Work with clinical teams to oversee medication management workflows from design to testing and sign-off.
Support improvements to the FHFT pharmacy intranet and internet, maintaining a comprehensive database of guidelines and policies.
Stay up to date with national best practices related to EPR and engage in national and regional EPR events.
Support clinical governance relating to electronic prescribing and collaborate with the digital team; maintain good record-keeping of decisions.
Identify and manage risks related to EPR implementation; liaise with internal and external stakeholders to maintain interfaces and data quality dashboards.
Develop systems to identify data quality issues within FHFT pharmacy systems and resolve issues before serious incidents occur.
Financial
Manage costs for training and international expenses related to EPR certification.
Support reporting of drug transactions to meet information needs on drug usage and expenditure; support CIP initiatives.
Management and leadership
Prioritise workload and direction of the pharmacy EPR team; act as a positive role model and provide coaching and mentoring.
Promote evidence-based practice through prescription monitoring; supervise staff as needed; deputise for line manager as required.
Qualifications Essential:
Pharmacy degree
Independent Prescriber
GPhC Registered
Desirable:
MSC/Diploma in Digital Health Leadership
Digital Clinical Practitioner
Experience Essential:
Experience of managing teams
Significant post-qualification clinical experience
Experience in designing and developing Pharmacy Services
Experience in working with Pharmacy EPR
Desirable:
Experience projecting and managing EPR projects
Specific competencies
Excellent verbal and written communication
Compliance and sponsorship Disclosure and Barring Service Check: This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act. A Disclosure check may be required.
Certificate of Sponsorship: Applications from job seekers requiring Skilled Worker sponsorship will be considered. See UK Visas and Immigration guidance.
UK Registration: Applicants must have current UK professional registration.
Employer details Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust, Frimley Health Foundation Trust, Portsmouth Road, Camberley, GU16 7UJ
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