About this role
Job summary
Eligibility requirement
Applications are restricted to individuals currently substantively employed by an NHS organisation within the East of England. Applications from those who do not meet this criterion will not be considered.
Full time preferred but would consider 30 hours per week
Step into a role where your expertise can shape the future of medicines use across Essex. You will be at the forefront of transforming clinical pathways, driving the safe adoption of new medicines and technologies, and improving outcomes for more than two million people.
You will play a key role in shaping system wide transformation, shifting from operational delivery to strategic commissioning of high value, evidence-based care. Youll lead work that spans pathway redesign, formulary alignment strategy, and population level medicines optimisation, using data, insight, and strong clinical collaboration to reduce unwarranted variation and strengthen medicines safety. Working closely with system partners, you will help embed best practice, align innovation with value, and ensure medicines use is safe, equitable, and sustainably delivered across Essex.
If you thrive on using data to drive improvement, enjoy collaborative problem solving, and want to play a key role in delivering prevention focused, community centred and digitally enabled care, this role offers the platform to make a real impact. Join us and help shape a smarter, more sustainable future for medicines optimisation in Essex.
Main duties of the job
We are seeking a GPhC registered pharmacist with a demonstrable commitment to continuous professional development. A postgraduate qualification in pharmacy, health policy or leadership (or equivalent experience) is desirable.
Your will lead on high cost drug management, horizon scanning for emerging therapies and technologies, NICE TA implementation, and the management of individual funding requests. Working across organisational boundaries, you will support the design and implementation of integrated care pathways, shared care frameworks and interface prescribing strategies. You will embed a population health, evidence based and value based approach into pathway redesign, reducing unwarranted variation and improving patient outcomes and experience.
Using prescribing, activity and outcomes data, you will identify opportunities for clinical improvement and efficiency. You will apply strong analytical capability to undertake financial modelling, forecasting, and cost effectiveness assessments, and will lead the development of robust business cases to support commissioning decisions on new therapies and service redesign.
The role includes line management, requiring effective leadership, the ability to work autonomously, and strong organisational skills. You will produce high quality reports for senior forums and contribute confidently to system wide discussions, influencing decision making and driving forward the medicines optimisation agenda.
About us
NHS Essex ICB is a statutory organisation responsible for the planning and funding of NHS services for around 1.9 million people across Essex. Our role as an ICB is to bring health and care services together, improve the health and wellbeing of our population and ensure equitable access to services and outcome for everyone. The organisations headquarters is Seax House, Chelmsford, and we operate a hybrid working model (2 office-based days) that includes working across Essex and from home. Essex ICB currently has offices in Brentwood, Harlow and Colchester, in addition to the Chelmsford HQ.
We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace that values diversity. We know that different experiences, ideas and perspectives help create a stronger and more innovative organisation that delivers better outcomes for patients. We welcome applications from all backgrounds, including people of all ages, disabilities, sex, gender identity or expression, race or ethnicity, religion or belief, sexual orientation or personal circumstances. Our policies ensure all applicants are treated fairly and consistently throughout the recruitment process, including consideration of reasonable adjustments for disabled applicants.
Please note that the organisation does not hold a sponsorship licence.
Job description Job responsibilities
ROLE PURPOSE / SUMMARY
The Essex Integrated Care Board (ICB) is a new organisation formed through the consolidation of three ICB areas in response to the NHSs ambition to deliver a more streamlined, strategic and cost-effective model of health commissioning. The ICB will oversee the commissioning of care for the approximately 2 million people who live in Essex. Operating within a reduced running cost envelope and aligned to the new requirements of ICBs in England, the ICB will focus on improving population health outcomes, health equity and smarter resource allocation.
The postholder will play a key role in supporting the development and implementation of medicines innovation and integrated clinical pathways across the system. Working in close collaboration with commissioning teams, the postholder will contribute to strategic initiatives that ensure medicines are used safely, effectively, and efficiently in line with national good practice guidance, NICE recommendations, and ICB priorities.
This role focuses on enabling pathway transformation and the adoption of new medicines and technologies, ensuring system readiness, and reducing unwarranted variation in prescribing. The postholder will provide expert input into formulary governance, shared care arrangements, and interface prescribing solutions, using data and evidence to inform commissioning decisions and improve patient outcomes. They will also support digital enablement and innovation uptake, contribute to financial stewardship by identifying efficiency opportunities, and help embed medicines optimisation principles into service specifications and clinical pathways.
As the ICB transitions to become a leaner, more focused strategic commissioning organisation the post holder will be expected to support the Director of Pharmacy, Medicines and Clinical Policies in delivering on the three fundamental shifts set out in the NHS 10-year plan:
From Treatment to Prevention: Embedding preventative, personalised and population based approaches to commissioning.From Hospital to Community: Championing care model redesign that supports community and neighbourhood health.From Analogue to Digital: Enabling clinically driven transformation through digital innovation, data analytics and evidence based improvement.
KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
To deliver on the job description set out above, the job holder will be expected to deliver on the requirements set out below:
Pathway support and interface prescribing
Assist in design and implementation of integrated medicines pathways across care settings, ensuring alignment with national guidance and local prioritiesSupport development of shared care arrangements and interface prescribing solutionsWork collaboratively with clinical leaders to embed medicines innovation principles into pathway redesign, reducing unwarranted variation and improving patient experience
Medicines commissioning and innovation
Support delivery of the ICB medicines strategy and commissioning decisions that enable pathway transformation and adoption of innovative medicinesContribute to formulary governance and shared care protocols to ensure consistency and safetyAssist in implementation of NICE Technology Appraisals and innovation guidance, ensuring timely adoption into redesigned pathwaysUse prescribing and outcomes data to identify opportunities for pathway improvement and innovation uptake
Clinical governance and safety
Embed governance principles within pathway redesign for innovative medicines, ensuring safety considerations are integrated from the outsetSupport risk assessment and mitigation for new medicines and technologies introduced into clinical pathwaysContribute to system readiness planning for disruptive innovations, ensuring pathways meet statutory and organisational safety standardsProvide expert input on incorporating national safety alerts and improvement measures into pathway transformation, particularly where innovation changes prescribing interfaces
Digital enablement and data analytics
Support adoption of prescribing analytics and digital tools to enable pathway redesign and medicines optimisationAssist in horizon scanning for emerging medicines and technologies, ensuring system readiness for safe implementation
Financial and resource management
Contribute to financial planning for pathway redesign and adoption of innovative medicines, ensuring proposals demonstrate value and sustainability.Support forecasting and impact assessment for new medicines and advanced therapies within clinical pathways, advising on cost-effectiveness and system readinessUse prescribing and outcomes data to identify opportunities for efficiency within redesigned pathways without compromising quality or safety.Assist in developing business cases for innovation uptake, aligning financial considerations with commissioning priorities and population health objectives
Team management and capability building
Provide line management for direct reports, including responsibility for recruitment, induction, development, and performance management, ensuring effective support and professional growth.Support staff through ICB transition, including the development of teams to deliver on new ICB portfolios as agreed through transitionSupport the effective transition of relevant functions to new portfolios within or beyond the ICB to support the new NHS operating model, in line with the requirements of the Model ICB BlueprintWork collaboratively with system partners to facilitate transitional arrangementsMaintain a focus on quality, safety and affordability during transitionSupporting effective Information Asset Management for the team
Other
Able to use initiative and work independently as needed to deliver on requirements of the rolePrimarily desk-based work that requires use of visual display units, focused concentration and frequent participation in on-line or in person meetingsAble to use software required to develop report, including ability to deliver high quality documents through Microsoft suite (word, power point, excel)
Flexibility and evolving responsibilities
As the ICB continues to evolve, portfolios may be subject to change to reflect the needs of the organisation, the health and care system and national policy direction. This may include adjustments to areas of responsibility or realignment of reporting structures.
KEY RELATIONSHIPS
The post holder will need to build constructive relationships with partners from across the health and care system. Key relationships will be with:
Principal Pharmacist Medicines Innovation and PathwaysDeputy Director of Pharmacy and MedicinesPrimary Care Networks and neighbourhood teamsCommunity pharmacy and local providersAcute and specialist provider organisationsLocal authority and public health teamsNHS England regional pharmacy teams
Person Specification
People and Culture Essential
Experience supporting team development and contributing to performance improvement within a multidisciplinary environment Demonstrated compassionate leadership with a strong commitment to promoting diversity, inclusion, and equality of opportunity across teams and system partners A commitment to continuous improvement, organisation learning and achieving positive outcomes for all staff, patients, service users and carers working in line with the NHS People Promise
Governance and Assurance Essential
Comprehensive understanding of clinical governance frameworks with the ability to provide assurance on medicines governance, safety, and reporting at system level Proven experience in overseeing clinical quality processes, including clinical effectiveness, patient safety, and compliance with regulatory standards, and in preparing reports for committees
Partnership and Communities Essential
Able to represent the organisation credibly and positively in internal and external meetings Experience working on projects that require cross- organisational collaboration, and an understanding of the concept and aims of whole system working Strong influencing and negotiation skills, challenging within areas of responsibility and escalating appropriately where necessary
Qualifications Essential
Registered pharmacist with the General Pharmaceutical Council Evidence of sustained commitment to continuous professional development (CPD) Postgraduate qualification in pharmacy, health policy, or leadership or equivalent experience
Experience Essential
Experience supporting medicines optimisation programmes and providing input to commissioning processes within delegated areas Experience of managing relationships with stakeholders, and regulators including involvement in consultations. Knowledge of NICE guidance, formulary management, shared care protocols, and horizon scanning for new medicines
Strategy and Analysis Essential
Proven ability to lead and implement medicines optimisation initiatives aligned with local and national guidance, delivering measurable outcomes Strong understanding of national health and social care policy, system priorities, and the drivers of healthcare provision, prevention, and health inequalities, with ability to apply this knowledge in commissioning decisions Ability to analyse complex prescribing and financial data to support strategic medicines commissioning and efficiency programmes
Personal Attributes and Values Essential
Personal commitment to the values of the NHS 10-year Plan, the NHS People Plan, the Nolan Principles, to championing equality, diversity and inclusion within the ICB and the wider health system A high level of self-awareness and emotional intelligence, with an understanding of own strengths and limitations Strong communication, influencing and negotiation skills which engender confidence, strong collaborations, and partnership working Energy, tenacity and resilience, with an ability to quickly bounce back and navigate uncertainty
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 NHS Essex Integrated Care Board
Address Seax House
Victoria Road South
Chelmsford
Essex
CM1 1QH
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.essex.icb.nhs.uk (Opens in a new tab)