About this role
Job summary
Job summaryAn exciting opportunity has arisen for an Associate Director of PharmacyOperations/Deputy Chief pharmacist at Buckinghamshire Healthcare Trust. This post is a unique opportunity for a highly motivated, enthusiastic, experienced pharmacist with strategic vision, drive and excellent leadership skills.
Applicants will have excellent communication skills, an ability to manage complex relationships across multiple organisations and be able to demonstrable a high level of work in expert practice, research, education and professional leadership.
Main duties of the job
To provide strategic leadership and advice to the Chief Pharmacist, and the Trust, on the pharmacy operational services. Responsible for the strategic planning, management, and delivery of the services provided by the Dispensaries, Cancer and Aseptic Unit, Clinical Trials, Medicines Optimisation, Procurement & Distribution and the Quality Assurance service. Chair the Trust Medical Gas Group meetings and support the Chief Pharmacist in ensuring the safe monitoring and governance of the use of medical gases across the organisation. Provide operational management of Controlled Drugs (CDs) across the Trust, advise the Controlled Drug Accountable Officer (CDAO) and deputise for the CDAO during their absence. Work closely with the Chief Medical Officer, Chief Nurse, Care Group Directors and their deputies to shape and deliver pharmacy operational services that advance the Trust's medicines optimisation and patient safety agenda. Support business planning, service development, and financial governance, including the preparation of business cases, to support sustainable service growth. Deliver on Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), medicines optimisation objectives, and budgetary requirements. Play an active and visible role within the Senior Pharmacy Leadership Team, championing excellence, quality, safety, and efficiency in the use of medicines across the organisation.
About us
Listen to why colleagues think we are a great place to work! - BHT - A great place to work (buckshealthcare.nhs.uk)
What does Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust offer you?
As part of our BHT family, you'll benefit from learning and development opportunities to support your career progression. We offer flexible and agile workingopportunities,alongside your NHS benefits ofgenerous annual leave entitlement, pension andaccess toNHS discount schemes. We provide a range of health and wellbeing services to promote a healthy, happy workforce.
Why work for us?
We're committed to promoting inclusion and making sure all colleagues feel they belong. We encourage new colleagues from a diverse range of backgrounds to apply. As an employer, we aim to create a workplace where differences are valued and colleagues treat one another with dignity and respect. Greater diversity withinourBHT familyimprovespositive outcomes for the people and communities we serve. A keen supporter of the Armed Forces Community who know the value of employing a service leaver/veteran and their families. What do we stand for?
Our vision is to provide outstanding care, support healthy communities and be a great place to work. Our mission is to provide personal and compassionate care every time. Our care values are collaborate, aspire, respect and enable.
Job description Job responsibilities
For a comprehensive list of responsibilities and duties, please kindly refer to the Job Description and Person Specification by downloading the JD and PS attachment in the advert.
If you are an internal applicant there is the option for secondment, all applicants must have the endorsement/support of their line manager prior to application.
If you have a disability that makes submitting this online application difficult and would like assistance, please contact us on [email protected] quoting the vacancy reference number.
Person Specification
Values Essential
Communicates openly, honestly and professionally, and actively promotes team working and building strong working relationships. Patients are always first. Drives service improvements. Strong self-awareness with a desire to grow. Treats all with compassion and kindness. Ensures everyone feels valued. Consults others and listens to their views/opinions. Enables others to take the initiative.
Education, Qualifications & Training Essential
MPharm (Master's degree) or equivalent bachelor's degree. Member of the General Pharmaceutical Council (as registered Pharmacist) Postgraduate degree (Masters) in Pharmacy Practice or a related area or a portfolio demonstrating equivalent through experience at senior management level and relevant short courses taught at postgraduate level Completion of a formal leadership or management qualification (e.g., NHS Leadership Academy Programme, MBA, or equivalent). Commitment to continuous personal and professional development.
Desirable
Independent Prescriber.
Experience Essential
Extensive post-registration experience within a hospital or secondary care setting, demonstrating advanced clinical and professional competence. Experience of operating at consultant or equivalent level within multidisciplinary teams, influencing clinical decision-making across professions. Recent and sustained experience in a strategic or senior leadership role within pharmacy, with accountability for service performance, governance, and workforce development. Proven experience of working collaboratively with senior healthcare leaders (e.g., divisional directors, consultants, operational managers) to deliver Trust-wide service developments or transformation programmes. Substantial experience of managing large or complex teams, including responsibility for line management, performance appraisal, and professional development. Experience of strategic business planning, financial management, and project delivery. Demonstrable competence in human resource management, including workforce planning, recruitment, and managing complex performance issues. Proven track record in service improvement and change management, including the use of recognised quality improvement (QI) or Lean methodologies. Significant experience of conducting and supervising audit and service evaluation, and translating findings into measurable improvements in care quality, safety, or efficiency.
Desirable
Experience across a broad range of pharmacy services, demonstrating depth of expertise and ability to provide clinical assurance across multiple specialities.
Skills, Abilities & Knowledge Essential
Comprehensive knowledge of all relevant pharmacy legislation and regulations, including the Medicines Act, Human Medicines Regulations, and Controlled Drugs Regulations. Knowledge of aseptic preparations including cytotoxic chemotherapy & parenteral nutrition In-depth knowledge of national organisations and guidance influencing clinical pharmacy services (e.g. NHS England, NICE, CQC, MHRA, UKCPA, RPS). Demonstrable understanding of clinical governance, risk management, and quality improvement frameworks, including the use of audit, benchmarking, and incident learning to ensure safe and effective medicines use. Knowledge of Trust-wide and national policies relevant to pharmacy operations, including workforce, medicines safety, and information governance. Understanding of budgetary management, financial reporting, and cost improvement methodologies applicable to pharmacy services. Knowledge of pharmacy IT systems, including ePMA, electronic health records, and other digital tools supporting medicines optimisation. Understanding of medicines supply chain management, business continuity planning, and processes for managing national and local medicines shortages. Awareness of Integrated Care Systems (ICS) priorities, and the contribution of pharmacy leadership to system transformation, population health, and service integration Able to communicate highly complex and sensitive information on pharmacy operational, clinical, and financial matters clearly and persuasively to a range of audiences, including senior consultants, executive directors, and external partners. Demonstrates advanced negotiation and influencing skills to achieve consensus and drive change across multidisciplinary teams. Can provide expert advice on medicines optimisation and governance at Trust level. Produces high-quality written reports, business cases, and policy documents suitable for Board or Executive presentation. Delivers clear, engaging presentations using a range of digital and visual communication tools. Builds and maintains effective professional relationships across departments, local systems, and external agencies. Analyses and interprets highly complex clinical and financial data relating to medicines use, prescribing trends, and service performance to inform strategic decisions. Demonstrates strong leadership and change-management skills, inspiring and motivating others to achieve high standards of care and performance. Prioritises, delegates, and manages competing demands effectively to meet organisational objectives and deadlines. Leads service redesign and quality improvement initiatives that deliver measurable benefits in patient outcomes and system efficiency. Demonstrates advanced IT literacy, including proficiency in Microsoft Office, data analytics platforms, and digital prescribing systems. Demonstrates resilience, emotional intelligence, and integrity in all professional interactions. Maintains composure and effective decision-making under pressure and during organisational change.
Desirable
Detailed understanding of GPhC Standards for Pharmacy Professionals and NHS clinical governance frameworks. Knowledge and understanding of the management of medical gases. Provides authoritative expert advice on complex or contentious clinical and governance matters. Embraces digital innovation and supports the implementation of emerging technologies within pharmacy practice. Adopts a reflective approach to leadership and personal development, contributing to a culture of continuous learning.
Special Circumstances Essential
Able to travel between hospital sites.
Desirable
Able to participate in the Weekend and Bank Holiday Service.
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.
Certificate of Sponsorship Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Employer details Employer name Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust
Address Stoke Mandeville Hospital
Mandeville Road
Aylesbury
HP21 8AL
Employer's website https://careers.buckshealthcare.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)