About this role
Job summary
We are seeking an experienced and motivated pharmacist to join our team as a Highly Specialist Pharmacist - Procurement & Medicines. This is a key leadership role with a 50/50 split between procurement and clinical medicines optimisation, offering a unique opportunity to influence both strategic supply and frontline patient care.
The post holder will lead pharmacy procurement across the Trust, ensuring cost-effective, safe, and resilient medicines supply, while also providing clinical pharmacy support within the Medicine Directorate.
Main duties of the job
Procurement & strategic leadership
Lead and develop pharmacy procurement services across the Trust Manage strategic supplier relationships and negotiate contracts to deliver best value Lead on medicines shortages management and supply resilience planning Oversee unlicensed medicines governance and quality assurance processes Drive and deliver the pharmacy Cost Improvement Programme (CIP) Represent the Trust in regional and national procurement and contracting forums Manage the IV fluid inventory management contract and supplier performance
Clinical pharmacy
Provide clinical pharmacy services within the Medicine Directorate Ensure safe, effective, and cost-efficient prescribing and medicines use Support patient-centred care, including discharge planning and medicines optimisation Offer expert pharmaceutical advice to multidisciplinary teams
Service development & leadership
Lead audit, service improvement, and procurement performance initiatives Manage, mentor, and develop procurement staff
About us
Our Trust is one of England's top-performing and safest trusts. We operate two main acute hospital sites--Chelsea and Westminster Hospital and West Middlesex University Hospital--along with award-winning clinics across North West London.
Our nearly 7,500 staff care for a diverse population of 1.5m, providing full clinical services including maternity, A&E and children's services, plus specialist HIV and sexual health care. The CQC rates us Good in safety, effectiveness, care and responsiveness, and Outstanding in leadership and resource use.
We continually invest in our facilities, including a £30m expansion of critical care at Chelsea and an £80m Ambulatory Diagnostic Centre at West Mid.
We are delivering sustainable healthcare through our Green Plan. In line with Greener NHS ambitions, we aim for net zero carbon emissions by 2045. Achieving this requires collective effort. We encourage staff to reduce their impact on carbon, waste and pollution wherever possible. Every action counts to create a healthier, more sustainable future.
We are committed to equal opportunities and believe diversity drives innovation and excellence. We welcome applications from the global majority, veterans and underrepresented communities, valuing the perspectives they bring.
If you haven't heard from us within 3 weeks of the closing date, your application was likely unsuccessful. Employment is subject to a six-month probation. Some roles may require weekend shifts at multiple sites.
Job description Job responsibilities Professional responsibility
Lead specialist in procurement - provides leadership and managerial responsibility for the procurement of medicines from pharmacy
Manages supplier relationships and negotiates contracts with pharmaceutical suppliers
Manages the intravenous fluid inventory management service contract, including chairing and minuting the contract management board meetings
Designs, develops and reviews procurement training programmes for trainee pharmacists
Responsible for the recruitment and retention of staff within procurement
Responsible for managing and coordinating appraisals and personal development plans for staff managed
Responsible for ensuring all staff work to the standard operating procedures within procurement
Leads on the development and implementation of data presentation relating to the pharmacy cost improvement programme
Leads on the development and implementation of plans in response to significant medicine shortages
Communication & key working relationships Provides highly specialised advice to clinicians and pharmacy staff regarding choice of treatment in relation to pharmaceutical procurement and unlicensed medicines
Interprets legislation and guidance relating to the procurement of medicines and unlicensed medicines use and translates into procedures, policies and training programmes for staff to understand and put into practice
Works closely with the North West London Consortium for Pharmaceutical Purchasing and represents Trusts interests in Medicine management
Communicates with other Trusts pharmacy procurement colleagues, pharmaceutical companies, wholesalers and suppliers on complex matters relating to medicines procurement
Communicates with Regional Medicine Procurement Specialists, Medicines Procurement Supply Chain (MPSC), Quality Assurance Specialists and national strategic groups on highly complex issues of pharmaceutical procurement and medicine management
Please review the attached job description for the full role & responsibilities.
Person Specification
Education and qualifications Essential
MPharm degree and GPhC registration Postgraduate qualification in clinical/community pharmacy or equivalent additional experience Mandatory Continuing Professional Development to maintain fitness to practice and revalidation Postgraduate qualification in management or specialist area or relevant management experience
Desirable
Completed or working towards a formal qualification relating to pharmacy procurement RPS Faculty membership at Advanced stage 2 or Mastery
Experience Essential
Experience as a clinical pharmacist practitioner for Medical Specialities, demonstrating appropriate levels of competency e.g. able to show consistent achievement in all areas outlined in the General Level Competency Framework Produce high quality and robust reports Competent in use of Wellsky / CMM and RX Info systems such as Exend plus and Define Experience of multidisciplinary working and across different sectors
Desirable
Advanced clinical pharmacy experience
Skills and knowledge Essential
Demonstrable leadership skills and an ability to influence and motivate others A strong sense of vision and ability to innovate Politically astute with an ability to sensitively manage complexity and uncertainty Ability to problem solve and maintain objectivity Strong interpersonal, communication, written and presentation skills Ability to quickly establish personal and professional credibility with colleagues, suppliers and other key stakeholders Highly developed organisational skills - demonstrates sound judgement in the absence of clear guidelines or precedent, seeking advice as necessary from more senior management when appropriate Excellent organisational and time management skills Committed to own personal development and an ability to support others to develop and progress Critical evaluation, data analysis and reporting skills and application of research Presenting complex material to large groups from a range of backgrounds Ability to lead change Establishes constructive working relationships working with others and across organisational boundaries as necessary to achieve objectives
Personal qualities Essential
Ability to travel between hospital sites of the Trust and areas within London to attend any relevant face to face meetings Demonstrable knowledge and understanding of equality of opportunity and diversity and reflects the Inclusive Pharmacy Practice principles. Being aware of how individual actions contribute to, and make a difference to, the equality agenda Respects, values and cares for others Supports learning and development of self and others Stamina, energy and enthusiasm and the ability to work effectively under pressure
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 Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Address Chelsea and Westminster Hospital
369 Fulham Road
London
SW10 9NH
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.chelwest.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)