About this role
Job summary Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust is seeking an exceptional and forward-thinking pharmacy leader to join our leadership team as Chief Pharmacist . As the Trust's senior professional lead for pharmacy and medicines management, you will be responsible for ensuring the safe, effective and financially sustainable use of medicines across inpatient, outpatient and community services. You will provide strategic leadership for medicines safety, clinical governance, workforce development, service transformation and medicines optimisation, while acting as the Trust's principal adviser on pharmaceutical matters. This influential leadership role offers the opportunity to shape services across the organisation and wider health system, delivering improvements in patient outcomes, operational performance and financial sustainability while ensuring the highest standards of quality, safety and regulatory compliance.
Main duties of the job
Provide strategic and professional leadership for all pharmacy and medicines management services across the Trust. Lead on medicines safety, clinical governance and regulatory compliance, ensuring the safe and effective use of medicines. Act as the Trust's principal adviser on pharmaceutical matters, providing expert guidance to the Board, Executive Team and clinical services. Develop and deliver the Pharmacy Strategy, supporting the Trust's operational, quality and performance objectives. Lead the Trust's medicines optimisation, efficiency and cost improvement programmes, ensuring effective stewardship of medicines expenditure. Provide leadership and oversight of the pharmacy workforce, including workforce planning, recruitment, development and succession planning. Drive innovation, service transformation and continuous improvement to enhance patient outcomes and service delivery. Build strong partnerships across the Trust, Integrated Care System and wider healthcare sector, representing the organisation at local, regional and national forums. Lead research, education and professional development initiatives, promoting excellence in pharmacy practice and medicines management. Contribute as a senior leader within the Trust, supporting organisational strategy, performance, quality improvement and financial sustainability.
About us
Please refer to the Applicant Guide via the link below for key information:- Applying to LGT Guide - Key Information for Applicants
Our people are our greatest asset. When we feel supported and happy at work, this positivity reaches those very people we are here for, the patients. Engaged employees perform at their best and our Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) initiatives contribute to cultivate a culture of engagement. We have four staff networks, a corporate EDI Team and a suite of programmes and events which aim to insert the 5 aspirations:
Improving representation at senior levels of staff with disabilities, from black, Asian, and ethnic minorities background, identify as LGBTQ+ and women, through improved recruitment and leadership development Widening access (anchor institution) and employability Improving the experience of staff with disability Improving the EDI literacy and confidence of trust staff through training and development Making equalities mainstream
Job description Job responsibilities Job Purpose
The Chief Pharmacist and Clinical Director for Pharmacy provides strategic, professional, clinical and operational leadership for Pharmacy and Medicines Management services across the Trust. The postholder is accountable for ensuring the safe, effective and cost-efficient use of medicines across inpatient, outpatient and community services, while contributing to organisational performance, patient safety, quality improvement and financial sustainability.
As the Trust's senior pharmaceutical adviser, the postholder provides expert advice to the Chief Executive, Executive Directors, Clinical Directors and senior managers on all aspects of pharmacy, medicines optimisation, legislation and governance. The role leads a multidisciplinary pharmacy workforce, drives service transformation and innovation, and ensures compliance with all relevant professional, statutory and regulatory standards.
The postholder is responsible for the Pharmacy budget and has strategic oversight of Trust-wide medicines expenditure. They will lead medicines efficiency programmes, contribute to cost improvement initiatives, support research and education, and represent the Trust within local, regional and national professional networks.
Main Responsibilities Strategic Leadership Lead the development and delivery of the Pharmacy and Medicines Management Strategy and annual business plan. Ensure pharmacy services support Trust objectives, operational priorities and patient care standards. Provide professional leadership and strategic direction for all pharmacy and medicines management activities. Advise executive leaders on pharmaceutical policy, medicines governance and service development. Contribute to Trust-wide strategy, transformation and service redesign as a Clinical Director and senior divisional leader. Represent the Trust in local, regional and national pharmacy and healthcare forums. Service Delivery and Performance Ensure safe, timely, effective and patient-centred pharmacy services across all care settings. Monitor service quality, productivity and performance against agreed objectives. Lead service improvement and transformation programmes that enhance quality, efficiency and patient experience. Ensure business continuity and operational resilience for critical pharmacy services. Regularly review service effectiveness and implement improvements where required. Clinical Governance and Medicines Safety Lead the safe, appropriate and cost-effective use of medicines across the Trust. Ensure compliance with the Medicines Act, Misuse of Drugs legislation, Human Medicines Regulations and professional standards. Lead implementation of medicines safety initiatives arising from MHRA, NICE and other national guidance. Investigate, respond to and learn from incidents, complaints, audits and safety concerns. Maintain effective governance, risk management and assurance arrangements for medicines management. Provide expert pharmaceutical advice to Trust committees, project groups and clinical teams. Act as a key member of the Medicines Management Committee and support delivery of its objectives. Clinical and Professional Practice Act as a role model for advanced clinical pharmacy practice. Provide specialist pharmaceutical advice for patients with complex clinical needs. Support multidisciplinary decision-making relating to medicines and therapeutics. Maintain clinical credibility through direct engagement with clinical teams and patient care when required. Promote evidence-based practice and medicines optimisation across the organisation. Workforce Leadership Lead and manage the Pharmacy workforce, ensuring appropriate staffing, skill mix and deployment. Develop workforce plans that support service delivery, transformation and succession planning. Oversee recruitment, retention, supervision, appraisal and professional development. Ensure all staff receive appropriate education, training, competency assessment and performance review. Promote staff wellbeing, engagement, inclusion and continuous improvement. Manage workforce issues in accordance with Trust policies and procedures. Financial Management Manage Pharmacy pay and non-pay budgets within approved financial limits. Maintain oversight of Trust medicines expenditure and prescribing costs. Lead medicines efficiency, productivity and cost improvement programmes. Develop and implement effective procurement, stock control and supply chain arrangements. Identify financial risks and opportunities and provide expert advice to support decision-making. Ensure compliance with Standing Financial Instructions and delegated financial authority. Research, Education and Innovation Promote a culture of research, innovation and continuous learning within Pharmacy. Lead and support pharmacy practice research and service evaluation. Encourage publication and dissemination of research and improvement work. Provide education and training for pharmacy, nursing and medical staff. Support undergraduate and postgraduate professional development programmes. Contribute to regional and national pharmacy education and leadership initiatives. Partnership and System Working Work collaboratively with patients, clinical services, commissioners and system partners. Develop integrated pharmacy and medicines optimisation services across organisational boundaries. Support medicines-related improvements within South East London and wider NHS partnerships. Build productive relationships with NHS England, Integrated Care Boards, universities and professional bodies. Work with commercial partners to support delivery of high-quality pharmacy services. Communication and Stakeholder Management Develop effective relationships with Executive Directors, Divisional leaders and clinical teams. Communicate complex clinical, operational and financial information to a range of audiences. Present reports, recommendations and assurance information to senior committees and boards. Influence decision-making and secure support for service improvement and transformation initiatives. General Responsibilities Participate in relevant Trust, regional and national committees and professional groups. Maintain professional registration and continuing professional development. Ensure compliance with all governance, regulatory and professional requirements. Support emergency preparedness, resilience and business continuity arrangements. Undertake any other duties consistent with the seniority and scope of the role. Overall Accountability The postholder is accountable for the strategic leadership, governance, workforce, financial management and continuous development of Pharmacy and Medicines Management services, ensuring the Trust delivers safe, effective, innovative and financially sustainable pharmaceutical care for patients across all service settings.
Person Specification
Qualifications and Training Essential
B. Pharm / M. Pharm / BSc (Pharmacy) Registration as a Pharmacist with the General Pharmaceutical Council Higher degree or Postgraduate Diploma in either Clinical Pharmacy or General Pharmacy Practice (or equivalent) Membership of the Royal College of Pharmacy MSc
Desirable
Post-graduate qualification in business / management
Experience Essential
Substantial post-registration experience in hospital pharmacy including relevant experience at senior management/immediate sub-board level. Recent practice (within last 5 years) in a leadership role managing a pharmacy team as a chief or deputy chief pharmacist level Demonstrable experience in clinical pharmacy practice covering a broad range of specialities. Experience of operational and staff management in the NHS within Pharmacy Services Supervision and training of others. Examples of development and implementation of evidence-based guidelines. Examples of Clinical Audit and Literature Evaluations and how they have been use to improve or influence practice. Recent experience in leading transformational quality improvement project work Experience of working with executive teams and giving assurance on divisional services
Desirable
Experience working as a band 8d pharmacist (or equivalent)
Knowledge and Skills Essential
Management of budgets (>£5m) Business planning Clear understanding of pharmacy developments Computer literate Marketing skills Ability to exercise discretion within wide parameters in researching/seeking support for plans to deliver agreed objectives Highly developed negotiating/influencing skills based on a thorough understanding of the relationships between clinical and management functions Knowledge of national NHS policy relating to pharmacy Able to demonstrate partnership working within and external to the Trust
Desirable
Developing pharmacy service outcome indicators Practice research skills in clinical areas
Personal Qualities Essential
Proven leadership skills Professional role model Flexible approach to work Committed to own continuing professional development and maintaining a CPD portfolio. Demonstrable willingness to learn and develop new skills Reliable, polite and approachable Ability to cope with challenges and change Knows own professional and personal limitations and seeks advice where necessary Ability to show kindness and compassion and work in line with the Trust values
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.
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 Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust
Address University Hospital Lewisham
Lewisham High Street
London
SE13 6LH
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.lewishamandgreenwich.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)