We are delighted to advertise an exciting opportunity for suitable candidates to apply for the role of Deputy Chief Pharmacist – Medicines Safety and Medicines Optimisation at the University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust.
The post holder will be a key senior leader in the organisation, leading the medicines optimisation and medicines safety agendas with the Clinical Director of Pharmacy. This is a great career development opportunity for current senior leaders in pharmacy giving the opportunity to inspire teams, promote the pharmacy profession internally and external to the trust and lead change across an organisation.
We welcome applications from dynamic and experienced pharmacy leaders who are passionate about delivering high standards in medicines governance and medicines optimisation and improving the outcomes associated with medicines.
You will have extensive and expert knowledge and experience in medicines optimisation and medicines governance and developing systems and processes to provide assurance regarding quality, patient safety, risk management and governance.
You will have a creative approach and ability to articulate a clear vision for the delivery of Medicines Optimisation and Safety and the associated workforce developments required to deliver this as well as providing assurance to the Trust and regulatory bodies.
Be a proactive member of the Pharmacy Senior Leadership team and deputise for the Clinical Director of Pharmacy as required and in their absence.
To lead on the development of a clear vision and strategy for the future delivery and transformation of the Medicines Safety Agenda for the Trust and the Pharmacy Department
To be the nominated Medicines Safety Officer for UHNM
To work with the Clinical Director of Pharmacy, the Trust Chief Medical Officer and Trust Chief Nursing Officer in setting the agenda and coordinating the actions and outcomes for the Trust Medicines Optimisation and Safety Group and any other relevant Trust level meetings.
To line manage the Lead Pharmacist for Best Value Medicines and Clinical Commissioning including the Pharmacy Homecare Service.
To line manage the Principal Pharmacy Technician for Pharmacy Procurement and Distribution
To lead on, and be an expert in, the interpretation and explanation of medicines use and expenditure data in order to optimise the use of medicines across the organisation to improve the clinical effectiveness of treatment and improve patient outcomes.
To lead on the development, planning, implementation and evaluation of long-term strategies, operational policies and standards relating to medicines optimisation.
To be an active member of the Pharmacy Senior Leadership Team and be invested in the development of the department and its people.
University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust is one of the largest and most modern in the country. Based across two sites, Royal Stoke in Stoke-on-Trent and County Hospital in Stafford, we are proud to serve around three million people and we're highly regarded for our facilities, teaching and research. We are the specialist centre for major trauma for the North Midlands and North Wales.
All of our employees make a valuable contribution regardless of role here at UHNM and we are proud of our wide range of development packages aimed at ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to fulfil their true potential.
UHNM create and encourage a culture of inclusion, providing equal opportunities for career development that are fair and transparent. We are committed to being a diverse and inclusive employer and foster a culture in which all staff feel valued and respected. In return we ask all of our employees to make a commitment to the values, co-created by or staff, patients and carers, and that unite us as a Trust.
At University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust we know that investing in, supporting and developing our staff has a direct impact on the quality of care that we deliver. Our employees are as important as our patients and the population that we serve.
You will have a sound understanding of the regulatory requirements relating to medicines use, excellent working knowledge of clinical governance and risk management and a good knowledge of secondary care commissioning / contracting arrangements e.g. high cost medicines.
This role offers the opportunity for the postholder to work closely with senior Trust employees as well as commissioners (e.g. ICS and NHS England). For this you will need a proven high standard of written and verbal communication skills.
You will actively support the engagement of pharmacy staff and develop a culture that encourages excellence in clinical practice, facilitates team working and multi-professional delivery of care. You will be supported in your role by the Clinical Director of Pharmacy and be a proactive member of the Pharmacy Senior Leadership team, contributing to the development and implementation of the Pharmacy Directorate Strategy, Medicines Optimisation Strategy and Annual Business Plan. You will deputise for the Clinical Director of Pharmacy and Medicines Optimisation as required and in her/his absence.
Our Pharmacy team is well respected across the organisation and delivers services across our two hospital sites, Royal Stoke University Hospital and County Hospital. We have a well-established third-party out-patient dispensing service and hold several external accreditations e.g., MHRA, GMP and GDP licenses. We have over 300 WTE staff including registered pharmacists, registered pharmacy technicians, pharmacy support workers, scientists, data analysts, nurse and support managers / staff. We actively encourage pharmacy practice research and have presented at national pharmacy conferences and won a few national awards for our innovative work. At a regional and national level we have contributed to key pharmacy documents (e.g. 7 day pharmacy services, peri-operative care, National Aseptic Review).
The Trust is currently implementing electronic prescribing across all wards and there is a programme for the replacement of our automated dispensing system. The Pharmacy Directorate has recently successfully demonstrated improvements in service following substantial investment with the opportunity to bid for further investment.
For more information on this exciting post please see the attached Job Description and Person Specification.