Job overview
Are you a forward-thinking, experienced pharmacist with the drive to step into a senior leadership role and progress towards a future Chief Pharmacist position?
We are seeking a dynamic and ambitious pharmacist to lead the Pharmacy service at Bedford Hospital, part of Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. This is a pivotal role within the Trust, with responsibility for both operational delivery and strategic development of pharmacy services.
You will work closely with the Senior Pharmacy Leadership Team (PSLT), Trust colleagues, and partners across the BLMK Integrated Care System (ICS) to support innovation and continuous improvement across all areas of medicines optimisation, patient safety, and staff development.
You will be an inspirational leader and clinical role model with experience of motivating and developing teams including delivery of the NHS People and NHS People Promise agenda. You will have a clear vision of the value of the pharmacy workforce, taking a particular lead on strategic portfolios such as workforce, culture, EDI, and education & training, in addition to the day-to-day operational role.
This role offers the opportunity to participate in the General Manager on-call rota, giving valuable exposure to wider Trust operations and supporting career progression into more senior management roles.
Main duties of the job
1. To be responsible and accountable for the day-to-day performance of the Pharmacy department
2. To assist and deputise for the Chief Pharmacist as required
3. To be responsible to the Chief Pharmacist for the delivery of relevant KPIs; budget management; medicines management agenda and regulatory and mandatory standards
4. To support the Chief Pharmacist in the development of Pharmacy Workforce, Culture & Morale, EDI and Education, Training & Development service requirements across both sites of the Trust in order to meet national standards in Medicines Management and professional requirements
5. To be the department lead (Responsible Person) for any MHRA licenses e.g. WDA, Manufacturers ‘Specials’
6. To maintain a Quality Management System across Pharmacy services at the BH site, consistent with GxP standards
7. To work closely with the service lead for Training & Development, Clinical Pharmacy, Medicines Safety, Medicines Governance & Commissioning, and Medicines Supply Chain in executing delivery of a safe and effective pharmacy service to the hospital
Working for our organisation
Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust provides hospital services to a growing population of around 700,000 people living across Bedfordshire and the surrounding areas across two busy hospital sites in Bedford and Luton. Both hospital sites offer key services such as A&E, Obstetrics-led Maternity and Paediatrics. You will be joining a friendly, high performing Trust committed to ensuring the health and wellbeing of staff. As one of the largest NHS Trusts in our region you will have access to a programme of high quality training and development to help you grow your career. The Trust continues to be committed to delivering the best patient care using the best clinical knowledge and technology available.
We not only recruit based on qualifications and experience - we recruit individuals who demonstrate the behaviours which underpin our Trusts core values. We achieve this by using values based recruitment. We are dedicated to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible for everyone, we are committed to promoting equality and diversity, and creating a culture that values differences.
Please note that vacancies may close prior to the advertised closing date when sufficient number of applications have been received. All new staff will be subject to a probationary period covering first 6 months in post. Travel between hospital sites may be required. Please review all documents attached to ensure you familiarize yourself with all requirements of the job.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Please see job description and person specification provided. If further information is required, please speak to our contact on advert.
Hear from our staff on why BHFT Pharmacy department is a fantastic place to work:
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
8. Pharmacy degree (Masters level)
9. Registration as a pharmacist with the GPhC
10. Post graduate level Diploma in a relevant aspect of Pharmacy
11. Management qualification or equivalent experience (consistent with post graduate Masters level) - or willing to undertake
12. Demonstrates continuous professional development
Desirable criteria
13. Member of the RPS Stage II Faculty Member of the RPS (MIIFRPS)
14. GCP Training
15. Prince 2 Foundation, Agile, Change Management, QI or equivalent accreditation
16. CPPE Chief Pharmacist Development Programme
17. Independent Prescriber
18. Coaching or equivalent accreditation
Experience
Essential criteria
19. Previous excellent performance in a senior pharmacy role
20. Validated expertise in the management of a Pharmacy Operations and Medicines Supply Chain function, meeting performance targets
21. Extensive experience of working as a senior pharmacy practitioner in an acute hospital setting
22. Managing and advising on medicine expenditure for a directorate / department
23. Delivering on cost reduction initiatives and service improvement initiatives
24. Substantial experience with pay and non-pay budgets
25. Demonstrable skills of clinical governance, clinical audit, risk management and health and safety management
26. Leading, managing / matrix-managing and motivating large groups of staff
27. Collaborative working in multidisciplinary settings
28. Policy and service development including driving performance and meeting KPIs
29. Working across and leading Trust wide projects and initiatives
Desirable criteria
30. Experience of leading process redesign work
31. Experience of working in a number of hospital pharmacy areas
32. Actively engaged in research and development
Skills and Knowledge
Essential criteria
33. Organised and able to devise, plan and manage a number of complex work programmes simultaneously
34. Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Ability to present complex information in a clear and concise manner
35. Business case planning, preparation, delivery and service development
36. Awareness of, and ability to demonstrate implementation in practice of, GMP, GDP and GCP
37. Knowledge and understanding of medicines legislation and governance
38. Knowledge and awareness of implications of current developments in pharmacy practice and NHS strategies
39. Understanding of national Pharmacy policies and strategies and implications to own practice and the wider Trust
Desirable criteria
40. Ability to integrate research into practice
41. Ability to formulate, lead and implement service strategies
42. Trained Incident Investigator
43. Knowledge and awareness of pharmacy education developments and good practice requirements
44. Knowledge and experience of Clinical Governance, particularly in respect of medicines use and governance
45. Knowledge of medication safety processes and drivers
Applicant requirements
You must have appropriate UK professional registration.
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.