Overview
Job summary: A primary responsibility of this role is to provide effective operational oversight, management, and coordination of the integration of the Clinical Pharmacists recruited under the Network Contract DES Additional Roles Reimbursement Scheme (ARRS) within PCNs.
Main duties: The Deputy Head of Pharmacy will be responsible for all delegated aspects of pharmacy leadership, medicines management and optimisation, as well as clinical and strategic development of pharmacy services in the organisation. This includes the implementation of the Medicines Management Enhanced Scheme (MMES) and any pharmaceutical and medicines management elements of the enhanced services. You will lead a team delivering on a range of areas including structured medication reviews and long‑term condition management clinics, supporting safe and effective medicine administration and optimisation in the practices. This post holder will be instrumental in advancing PCN development plans and promoting sustainable services for delivery via HCL/CLH. The post holder will also work with member practices to overcome challenges to implementation across our population. The post holder will develop strong relationships and engage with a wide range of stakeholders across the PCNs to ensure collaborative approaches to service development and delivery, improving integration with broader community services as networks mature. The post holder will manage agreed projects focused on developing partnerships across primary care, community services, social care, mental health, the voluntary sector and secondary care to enable ongoing MDT development.
About us: Healthcare Central London (HCL)/ CLH is the GP Federation covering the Central London area of North West London Integrated Care System (ICS). The organisation supports 32 General Practices and 4 Primary Care Networks (PCNs). We operate NHS contracts including a Care Navigation Service, a Clinical Pharmacy Service, a Community Dermatology Service, and the Network Direct Enhanced Services (DES) contract. Our vision is to be recognised as a leading GP provider network, run by clinicians for the benefit of our local population. We will achieve this by working with patients and partners to ensure general practice remains sustainable and independent. Our approach is to deliver exceptional assistance to our 32 General Practice members and to operate NHS contracts in a manner that supports Practices and patients by providing services economically, locally, promptly, and in a familiar environment.
Details
Date posted: 16 September 2025
Pay scheme: Other
Salary: Depending on experience Up to £68,000
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Full-time, Flexible working
Reference number: E0121-25-0002
Job locations: 16th Floor, Capital House, 25 Chapel Street, London NW1 5DH
Job responsibilities
Management of Service Delivery
* Actively manage pharmacy service delivery, making optimal use of resources available.
* Provide professional pharmaceutical leadership of the pharmacy service.
* Work with key stakeholders to market the department and raise a positive internal and external profile.
* Ensure staff are appropriately trained/instructed and provided with the necessary equipment to perform their responsibilities.
* Support the development of Clinical Pharmacy team Standard Operating Procedures and ensure they remain up to date; support inclusion of medicines optimisation guidance in overarching HCL SOPs where required.
* Ensure delivery of a pharmacy service that complies with organisational/practice policies and national standards.
* Lead the Senior Pharmacists and support their development of objectives.
* Ensure clear, safe protocols are in place for the prescribing of pharmaceuticals.
* Lead developmental/education meetings for Clinical Pharmacists and Pharmacy Technicians.
* Support the Head of Pharmacy to produce reports to evaluate and improve the Clinical Pharmacy service.
* Identify and document risks, issues and actions; ensure early identification and proactive mitigation and escalate concerns where needed.
* Develop and implement recruitment and induction processes for all Clinical Pharmacists and Pharmacy Technicians.
* Engage in Clinical Pharmacy team meetings including the Clinical Pharmacy Forum, Senior Clinical Pharmacists meeting, and other clinical meetings as delegated.
* Liaise with the Business Intelligence and NWL IT teams to create reports relevant to the pharmacy team (e.g., SMRs, audits of Clinical Pharmacist consultations).
* Oversee quarterly CP team rota production.
Human Resource Management
* Directly manage the Senior Pharmacists and provide supervision to the Senior Clinical Pharmacists and, where needed, Clinical Pharmacists they supervise.
* Instigate and be responsible for performance management within the department.
* Review skill mix to ensure it meets service needs and professional standards; report deficits with proposals for corrective action.
* Ensure staff have adequate clinical supervision/mentorship and manage performance according to organisational policies and procedures.
* Ensure staff are aware of legal requirements and the Royal Pharmaceutical Society Code of Ethics and monitor compliance.
* Ensure organisational policies and procedures are adhered to at all times.
* Support the Head of Pharmacy to recruit, develop and motivate staff to improve the service and achieve objectives.
* Implement new ways of working and liaise with PCNs.
Clinical Governance
* Lead on and support safe prescribing across the borough, ensuring PCN Pharmacists operate within competencies.
* Ensure compliance with medicines management standards as defined by the Care Quality Commission (CQC).
* Promote evidence-based, patient-focused practice and account for user views in planning and delivery.
* Implement and monitor national initiatives and directives.
* Manage errors, complaints and incidents per organisational guidelines.
* Develop audit processes to meet legal, professional and service requirements; produce activity and delivery reports as delegated by the Head of Pharmacy.
* Support education and training of the team, including training students and identifying training needs for escalation to the Head of Pharmacy.
Communication
* Ensure timely responses to relevant correspondence and contribute to weekly bulletins and the company website when required.
* Support effective communication and stakeholder management both internally and externally; operate in a political and sensitive environment.
* Communicate information and issues, including briefings and reports, to the Head of Pharmacy.
Financial Management
* Support budgeting, forecasting and tracking spend; justify expenditure and develop business cases for resourcing and project expenditure.
* Deliver value for money and greater efficiency; contribute to financial delivery of services to be cost effective and timely.
* Provide information to finance for effective financial management, including activity reports triggering payments.
* Support delivery of the annual NWL MMES, promoting cost-effective switches and GP prescribing budget awareness to clinical pharmacists.
* Maintain records supporting financial reconciliation and payroll reconciliation for the Clinical Pharmacy team; maintain proper financial records for activity payments and purchases.
Research & Development
* Participate in borough-wide clinical audit, research and development; encourage other staff and liaise with other specialties/departments.
* Establish an audit/feedback tool for evaluation and development of services with service users.
Policy & Service Development
* Propose changes to own area of work; inform policy and recommend more effective delivery.
* Contribute to policy and service development; engage in Federation-wide services and projects requiring Clinical Pharmacy input (e.g., Vaccination clinics).
* Represent the Clinical Pharmacy team as lead for HCL/CLH projects as delegated; represent the team to internal and external organisations (e.g., PCN Board, NWL wide meetings).
* Support delivery of the Network DES contract including reporting to the ICS and upskilling the CP team to deliver SMRs and chronic disease management.
Qualifications
Essential
* Masters Degree in Pharmacy; Registered as a pharmacist with the General Pharmaceutical Council; Clinical Pharmacy qualification (Diploma or MSc); Independent Prescriber; Demonstrate current, active continuing professional Development
Desirable
* Management qualification
Skills & Abilities
Essential
* Leadership, vision, strategic thinking and planning. Ability to interpret, translate and deliver key aspects of the DES Network contract. Excellent interpersonal, influencing and negotiation skills; strong organisational skills; ability to challenge practices constructively; sound judgement; highly developed communication skills; proficiency in Microsoft Office; strategic thinking and planning; excellent planning, organisation, attention to detail, time management, and ability to work to deadlines.
Desirable
* Ability to pull together comprehensive draft reports, data and letters
Interpersonal Skills
Essential
* Well-developed interpersonal and oral/written communication skills; ability to convey complex information to diverse stakeholders; maintain effective relationships; tactful yet assertive; professional, calm, and efficient; collaborative and respectful.
Knowledge & Experience
Essential
* At least 10 years post-registration pharmacy experience; knowledge of healthcare improvement methods; experience in developing primary care provision; familiarity with regulatory and contractual frameworks (enhanced services, QOF, standard GP contract); experience in performance management, appraisal writing, staff development, and disciplinary procedures; project management; risk identification and governance; experience with NHS systems (e.g., SystmOne); experience in developing and implementing projects; understanding of government policy; CCG experience.
Desirable
* Previous similar healthcare/public sector role; SystmOne experience; further project development experience; interpreting government policy.
Compliance
Disclosure and Barring Service Check: This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and requires a DBS disclosure.
UK Registration: Applicants must have current UK professional registration. Further information at the NHS Careers website.
Employer details
Employer: Healthcare Central London Ltd
Address: 16th Floor, Capital House, 25 Chapel Street, London NW1 5DH
Employer's website: https://healthcarecentrallondon.co.uk/
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