Deputy Chief Pharmacist
The closing date is 30 April 2026
To clinically support and manage a team of band 7 Pharmacists delivering specialist clinical pharmacy services to a specified clinical division within the Trust.
To be the first point of contact and support for the division on all matters relating to pharmacy.
To be responsible for the professional leadership for a specified Division of the Trust and to act as a role model in terms of Trust values and behaviours as well as clinical expertise.
To work with and deputise for the Trust Chief Pharmacist in ensuring the provision and development of a modern, patient‑focused pharmacy service.
To participate in the provision of clinical pharmacy services to a designated area.
To be responsible for the effective and efficient management of the pharmacists working within the division.
Main duties of the job
To be a Pharmacy lead for the development of clinical pharmacy and medicines administration in the Trust.
To identify and quantify cost improvements.
To manage the maintenance and development of medicine stock lists subject to the speciality of the area(s).
To participate in, gather information and support the writing up of medicine related audits generating and implementing relevant action plans.
To promote EPMA in an effective and positive manner appropriate to clinical staff working in the ward setting.
To liaise with the Inpatient Senior Pharmacy Technician on all matters relating to Medicines Optimisation at ward level.
To liaise with the clinical pharmacy team to identify how best EPMA services can be utilised to meet patient needs and manage risk, collate the suggestions and relay to the Trust Chief Pharmacist.
To co‑lead on a strategic development plan for clinical services in line with NHS priorities.
To be a lead from the Trust and contribute to regional, national and international meetings to develop best practice.
Qualifications
* Postgraduate Diploma in either Clinical Pharmacy or General in Pharmacy Practice (or equivalent).
* Registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC).
* Masters level degree in Pharmacy as recognised by the GPhC.
* Other postgraduate qualifications relevant to pharmacy practice, such as management or education & training qualifications.
* Management and/or leadership qualification.
* PhD, MPhil or MClinRes post‑graduate research qualification.
Experience
* Demonstratable experience in hospital pharmacy in a mental health NHS healthcare setting.
* Demonstrable experience managing and developing pharmacy services.
* Demonstrable experience of coordinating and leading on clinical audit.
* Significant experience of staff management, supervision, and leadership.
* Evidence of working collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams.
* Experience of leading a service within Pharmacy Project management.
* Developing and implementing service change.
* Audit and research.
* Delivering training and education at a post graduate level.
* Demonstratable experience in secondary care or community care setting.
* Experience of the medicines management issues for vulnerable client groups e.g., complex elderly / vulnerable / multiple LCTs.
* Experience of design and delivery of formal training programmes.
* Pharmacy procurement.
* Clinical Trials.
* Research.
* Building business cases, and obtaining funding
* Budget management.
* Have experience of disciplinary matters and be able to impart results from them to staff in an appropriate and considered manner. Significant experience of performing and supervising audit.
Knowledge
* Specialist knowledge in relevant areas of mental health and community services e.g., patient group directions (PGDs) and immunisation & vaccination.
* Knowledge of risk management and controls assurance issues relating to all aspects of medicines use.
* Understanding of secondary and primary care issues, and organisational structures.
* Expertise on legal issues and support e.g., PGD development.
* Understanding of issues relating to non‑medical prescribing.
* Ability to work on own initiative and effectively as part of a team both within pharmacy and a multidisciplinary environment
* Ability to prioritise and plan work effectively alone and for a team including the ability to delegate appropriately.
* Ability to think strategically.
* Applies sound professional judgement to legal and ethical issues
* Demonstrate the ability to communicate complex information effectively using clear written and spoken English and overcome barriers to understanding.
* Self‑motivation and the ability to motivate others.
* Ability to work positively and calmly under pressure.
* Proficient in all Microsoft Office software with proven computer literacy and IT skills including: Email, Word processing, Spreadsheets, Databases, Use of search engines/medical databases to retrieve information
* Be able to analyse highly complex information relating to medicines and their uses.
* Broad clinical knowledge of medicines across the specialities delivered by the Trust.
* Influencing and persuasive skills
* Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.
* Organisational skills including the ability to prioritise own work and that of others.
* Empathetic and reliable team worker able to relate to all grades of staff.
* Be able to concentrate on highly complex matters (drug use evaluations, drug query answering, clinical prescription review) despite frequent interruptions.
* Knowledge of other professional and registering bodies e.g., NMC.
* Specialist knowledge of medicines used areas where there is currently no named lead pharmacist appraisal / training / leadership / motivation / sickness absence, disciplinary
* Up‑to‑date knowledge of external factors steering the direction of the NHS and specifically hospital pharmacy
* Reconciles national priorities and local realities
* Be able to provide highly complex information on both clinical support areas of pharmacy and financial issues and impart knowledge to all levels of healthcare professionals (up to and including senior consultants/professor/executive director level)
* Be able to provide highly complex information on medicines use and financial issues to multidisciplinary groups involving staff outside of Pharmacy (e.g., Divisional Management Teams, Clinical Effectiveness)
Skills / Abilities
* Ability to make important decisions in pressured situations and meet deadlines.
* Committed to own continuing high‑quality care for every patient, every day professional development and maintaining a CPD portfolio.
* Demonstrable willingness to learn and develop new skills.
* Reliable, polite and approachable.
* Knows own professional and personal limitations and seeks advice where necessary.
* To be able to negotiate with health professionals in a diplomatic manner, including when knowledge is challenged, occasionally in an emotional atmosphere.
* Flexible approach to work.
* Ability to cope with challenges and change.
* Demonstrable ability to inspire others to be positive in support of continuous improvement.
Additional Requirements
* Willingness to contribute to the general life and work of the Pharmacy and Trust.
* Able to work agreed hours.
* Is able to participate as a team member.
* Is of good health and good character.
* Willing to accept additional responsibilities as delegated by senior staff.
* Displays the Trust's Values.
* Professional, calm and efficient manner.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
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