Hampshire and Isle of Wight Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
Deputy Chief Pharmacist (Community Health)
Closing date 26 April 2026
Are you an experienced, visionary pharmacist ready to make a real impact? We have a rare and exciting opportunity to join HIOW NHS FT at a senior level.
Main duties of the job
* Lead, support, manage and develop pharmaceutical services Trust-wide, including clinical/cost effective use and the safe and secure handling of medicines.
* Serve as the strategic lead for pharmacy developing services across healthcare boundaries and into PCNs.
* Responsible for strategic planning and development of clinical pharmacy services and governance of prescribing from all professional groups trust-wide to ensure compliance with legal statutory requirements.
* Act as an independent prescriber and lead the provision and governance of independent prescribers in the Trust.
* Role model and mentor expert primary care pharmacy practitioners within the Trust.
* Provide highly specialised evidence-based medicines advice to members of the multidisciplinary team and service managers.
* Lead Medicines Education and Training Trust-wide, supporting bids and preparing business plans for the delivery of expert education and training in all aspects of practice with medicines.
* Active member of regional and national clinical pharmacy groups, participating in audits, benchmarking and research.
* Develop and promote partnerships with primary care, community services and other healthcare professions to create new and innovative roles, research medicines use and explore shared models of service delivery.
Job responsibilities
Communication and relationship skills
* Practice in a professional manner acting with respect, compassion, integrity and honesty at all times.
* Develop strong and productive working relationships with colleagues within and outside the Trust.
* Work collaboratively with others, overcoming challenges and reconciling differences of opinion by effective use of negotiation and influencing skills.
* Be approachable, listening carefully to others to understand different perspectives, ideas and concerns.
* Use well developed interpersonal and communication skills to receive and appropriately convey impartial, sometimes complex medicine related information to staff, service users and their relatives or carers.
* Contribute information, advice and constructive challenge to ensure the appropriate, safe and effective use of medicines.
* Produce clear and concise reports, presentations, communications, policies, procedures and guidelines.
* Attend/ chair meetings on a regular basis within the pharmacy department and at a Trust, regional or national level, at times deputising for the Chief Pharmacist.
* Provide education and training to service users, students and professional colleagues.
* Communicate sensitive, upsetting or contentious information in a considered and compassionate way.
Analysis, Problem Solving and Judgmental Skills
* Plan, organise and prioritise time to manage workload and respond to issues, delegating or requesting support where appropriate.
* Excellent analytical and judgmental skills with the ability to collate, interpret and evaluate highly complex information from a variety of sources and to apply fundamental knowledge to advise on the most appropriate course of action.
* Make sound decisions with a logical rationale/evidence base, able to support these when challenged with ethics, legislation, financial, health and safety, or strategic issues.
* Interpret local and national policies/guidelines regarding medication use and incorporate them into team working practices.
* Provide support/advice in complex situations where evidence or guidance may be limited.
* Maintain concentration while switching between tasks in a frequently interrupted environment.
Patient / Service User Care
* Provide a high-level clinical pharmacy service to designated units ensuring the safe, effective and rational use of medication.
* Work in partnership with patients regarding their medication, exploring what is important to the patient and what they would like to know, and achieving consensus on the preferred treatment options.
* Respond to medication related queries in a timely manner based on relevant evidence/guidance and specialist clinical knowledge.
* Ensure prescriptions are complete, appropriate, legal, legible, safe and effective, addressing contraindications, drug interactions or adverse effects.
* Advise on the monitoring of medication regarding efficacy and side effects.
* Provide second professional opinion to Second Opinion Approved Doctors for patients involved in their care.
* Practice in accordance with local and national guidelines, policies and procedures.
* Participate in regular clinical supervision.
Policy and Service Development Implementation
* Assist the Chief Pharmacist in delivering the Trust's Medicines Optimisation priorities and strategic planning.
* Ensure compliance with all legal/statutory requirements and good practice guidance in relation to the use of medicines.
* Develop and support the implementation of Trust-wide and health economy-wide evidence-based guidelines to maximise benefits to patients, control costs and minimise risks.
* Help develop a strategic vision and delivery plan for the Pharmacy Department and lead the team to implement this.
* Take a lead role in the overall administration and management of the Pharmacy department including business planning and service development aligned to the Trust and its divisions.
* Provide reports and analysis to divisions regarding drug use with commentary on patterns, expenditure and cost pressures.
* Identify and implement quality and cost improvement initiatives.
Responsible for Financial and Physical Resources
* Allocate pharmacy staff resources across the Trust.
* Support effective management of the drugs budget.
* Ensure proper use of the Trust's resources, supporting annual cost improvement programmes and ensuring value for money.
* Take responsibility for management of a portion of the Pharmacy budget and act as an authorised signatory for approval of non-pay budget lines.
* Analyse and report medicines use to divisions, providing evidence-based recommendations aligned with local formulary.
* Lead contract management of sub-contractors and other third parties where appropriate.
* Review value and content of recharges from providers annually for good financial management.
Responsible for Human Resources
* Line manager for Lead Pharmacists, Pharmacy technicians and associated teams, supporting recruitment, induction, role clarification, objective setting, work allocation, motivation, development, feedback and appraisals.
* Ensure staff objectives across the service are clear and aligned to service needs and departmental priorities.
* Support recruitment and development of staff through teaching sessions, training material and individualised support.
* Understand and comply with organisational and statutory requirements such as Health and Safety, Equality and Diversity, Confidentiality and Information Governance.
Responsible for Information Resources
* Act as the Information Asset Owner for Medicines Management Services and support the team’s SIAO.
* Use different clinical, financial and HR information systems during work, ensuring accurate recording and management in accordance with legal requirements.
* Record and submit data according to department and regional or national policy.
* Respond to Freedom of Information requests within legal timeframes.
Research and Development (R & I)
* Support, encourage, promote, publish and participate in scientific and practice-based research, development and audit.
* Participate professionally in clinical trials, including consideration of participation, design, supply medication and patient counselling.
* Identify potential areas for research and development.
Person Specification
Qualifications:
* Registered Pharmacist
* Master's degree in clinical pharmacy
* Registration with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC)
* Postgraduate diploma in Pharmacy Practice related subject
* Evidence of continuous professional development
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and requires a submission for Disclosure to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Hampshire and Isle of Wight Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
Address
St. Mary's Community Health Campus (Portsmouth)
Salary
£76,965 to £88,682 a year (Based on full time hours)
Contract
Permanent
Working Pattern
Full-time
Reference Number
348-COR-10965
Job Locations
St. Mary's Community Health Campus (Portsmouth)
Flexible Working
Flexible working arrangements can be discussed as part of the interview process.
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