Job summary
Frimley Health NHS Trust is seeking a Chief Pharmacy Information Officer for a fixed-term 12-month maternity cover. The postholder will lead the strategic development and management of pharmacy information systems, including Electronic Patient Record Epic, Automated Dispensing Cabinets, and other pharmacy systems, ensuring these systems support safe, effective, and efficient pharmacy services. This role involves close collaboration with Digital Services to deliver system implementation and Electronic Patient Record (EPR) optimisation tailored to pharmacy needs. The Chief Pharmacy Information Officer will act as the vital link between pharmacy and clinical teams, as well as external stakeholders across the Trust and Integrated Care Board (ICB), to drive interoperability and integrated digital solutions that enhance patient care pathways. This is a key leadership opportunity for a pharmacy informatics expert committed to advancing digital transformation within NHS pharmacy.
Main duties of the job
Provide specialized advice on digital transformation systems and the Trust's EPR, focusing on prescribing and medicine usage. Ensure alignment of digital pharmacy strategy with business plans. Develop a digital workforce for pharmacy, ensuring EPR and logistics system training and certification for all team members. Advise on procurement, implementation, and benefits realization in clinical and non-clinical digital system projects from a pharmacy perspective. Act as the main contact between the Trust EPR team and Pharmacy Team, liaising with external stakeholders, including ICB and other pharmacy networks, to provide specialist advice on new systems, changes, data, and reports. Ensure tasks and operations related to prescribing are responsive, safe, effective, and efficient, including logging, monitoring, and escalating EPR system incidents. Accountable for clinical governance in electronic prescribing, ensuring safe, cost-efficient, and effective use of the prescribing system and medicines. Ensure EPR system adherence to local and national guidelines. Advise and support the Senior Pharmacy Team and lead pharmacists on digital decisions, including electronic prescribing, to incorporate into the pharmacy development plan. Lead the Trust pharmacy digital strategy.
About us
Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust is committed to being an inclusive and disability confident employer and has been awarded the Gold for the Armed Forces Employment Recognition Scheme. We provide first class development opportunities for all staff and have a wide range of professional, management and leadership, and clinical skills training available.
Here at Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust, we know how important it is to have a healthy work life balance; this benefits not only individuals but the patients we care for too.
We encourage applications from people who wish to work on a flexible basis, recognising that flexibility may mean a range of different working patterns and hours, we do our utmost to work with our staff to meet their needs and the needs of our service and its users.
Frimley Health Trust benefits on Vimeo
Job description
Job responsibilities
Strategic To develop a strategy for the continuing post-implementation optimisation, and maintenance of the EPR system, in line with local and national guidelines relating to medicine safety, formulary, protocols etc. Planning and implementation of other systems such as WellSky, Omnicell, impact on area of clinical documentation on all FHFT sites. Ensuring optimum use and maintenance of systems Incorporation of pharmacogenomics within digital systems Advise the Senior Pharmacy Team, relating to information systems maintenance, options, optimisation, and strategic planning, including regular board reports on work-plans and strategy aligned with wider digital programme. Advise the Trust Chief Medical Information Officer (CMIO), Trust Chief Nurse Information Officer (CNIO) and Trust IT on pharmacy digital enabling issues and risks such as dispensing, pharmacy database management, chemotherapy, aseptic manufacturing etc. Modernise and transform Pharmacy Services working with external suppliers to streamline automated processes. Support on areas of design, implement, build, and maintain bespoke software solutions for data capture and reporting within the Pharmacy. Support developing the strategy for pharmacy automation including robotics and artificial intelligence (AI). To have oversight of all application development for pharmacy to offer digital solutions to improve efficiencies in consideration of the EPR programme. Support the research activity of senior clinical pharmacists and pharmacy technicians by advising and developing information reporting as required. Advise the Trust on electronic solutions to improve patient safety, efficiencies and savings including electronic ward cabinets, secure storage and optimising use of the EPR. Support alignment of multiple sites and harmonisation of practice where appropriate Contribute to patient experience initiatives using digital technology to improve outcomes including patient surveys, drone delivery systems, remote pharmacy consult etc.Operational/DigitalTo develop, implement and monitor policies and procedures relating to the use and maintenance of pharmacy digital component of EPR, ensuring these are compatible with Trust IT standards and national IT strategic direction. To responsible for the resolution of technical and operational issues relating to pharmacy computer systems To be able to configure and maintain EPR drug files, order sets, and electronic guidance links. To extract and analyse complex sensitive information from a variety of IT sources to support clinical activities within pharmacy and other departments in the Trust. Be responsible for the management and implantation of business continuity plans with respect to all pharmacy IT systems, information flows and equipment. To be an expert in EPR in relation to functionality, configuration, and day to day work practice. To ensure EPR team are providing onsite presence during new workflow implementations and have the on the ground expert support where needed. To lead and co-ordinate pharmacy response to enable, support and advise on installations of software and updates in use within the pharmacy department. To assist and be responsible for ensuring all changes including medications builds, are all quality assured and accurately completed and all areas approved. To provide the final sign off after support testing and before the migration of work into live environments To ensure EPR team are providing onsite presence during new workflow implementations and have the on the ground expert support where needed. To be in charge and responsible for requesting and approving medication to be built into EPR, liaising with lead pharmacists, including formulary and clinicians. To work closely with the clinical teams within each Pharmacy and the Trust, providing oversight for medication management workflows, from designing through to testing and final sign off. To provide managerial support to the continuous improvement of the FHFT pharmacy intranet and internet to ensure that it remains a comprehensive database of guidelines and policies together with promotion of pharmacy services. To be responsible to keep up to date with national best practices relating to EPR and be well versed in the current literature and publications, including attending national EPR events and regional and national networking. Be responsible for supporting clinicalgovernance relating to electronic prescribing and work closely with the Trust digital team. Ensure good record keeping of all decisions made. To be responsible for advising and influencing on prioritisation of issues To work closely with the Medicine Safety team in relation to electronic prescribing and identify and manage risks relating to EPR implementation. To liaise with appropriate internal and external stakeholders, ensuring the development and maintenance of interfaces. To lead on the development of system data, relevant reporting which can be populated into key dashboards for both pharmacies, including quality and efficiency. To develop systems to identify data quality issues within pharmacy systems used at FHFT and resolve issues before any serious incidents, stock, system or financial issues arise.FINANCIAL To manage costs for training and international expenses relating to EPR certification To support reporting of all drug transactions in the Trust to ensure that the Trusts information needs on drug usage and expenditure are met. Support the pharmacy Cost Improvement Programme (CIP).Management and leadership To help prioritise workload and direction of the pharmacy EPR team. Act as positive role model for the pharmacy staff. Demonstrate leadership to the pharmacy team, including coaching and mentoring, developing the team, and enhancing the departments performance, training them to utilise their strength and working on their weaknesses. To promote evidence-based practice through prescription monitoring. Supervise pharmacy staff where needed to support and develop in relation to the EPR systems and other digital systems. Deputise for their line manager if instructed or delegated.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Strategic To develop a strategy for the continuing post-implementation optimisation, and maintenance of the EPR system, in line with local and national guidelines relating to medicine safety, formulary, protocols etc. Planning and implementation of other systems such as WellSky, Omnicell, impact on area of clinical documentation on all FHFT sites. Ensuring optimum use and maintenance of systems Incorporation of pharmacogenomics within digital systems Advise the Senior Pharmacy Team, relating to information systems maintenance, options, optimisation, and strategic planning, including regular board reports on work-plans and strategy aligned with wider digital programme. Advise the Trust Chief Medical Information Officer (CMIO), Trust Chief Nurse Information Officer (CNIO) and Trust IT on pharmacy digital enabling issues and risks such as dispensing, pharmacy database management, chemotherapy, aseptic manufacturing etc. Modernise and transform Pharmacy Services working with external suppliers to streamline automated processes. Support on areas of design, implement, build, and maintain bespoke software solutions for data capture and reporting within the Pharmacy. Support developing the strategy for pharmacy automation including robotics and artificial intelligence (AI). To have oversight of all application development for pharmacy to offer digital solutions to improve efficiencies in consideration of the EPR programme. Support the research activity of senior clinical pharmacists and pharmacy technicians by advising and developing information reporting as required. Advise the Trust on electronic solutions to improve patient safety, efficiencies and savings including electronic ward cabinets, secure storage and optimising use of the EPR. Support alignment of multiple sites and harmonisation of practice where appropriate Contribute to patient experience initiatives using digital technology to improve outcomes including patient surveys, drone delivery systems, remote pharmacy consult etc.Operational/DigitalTo develop, implement and monitor policies and procedures relating to the use and maintenance of pharmacy digital component of EPR, ensuring these are compatible with Trust IT standards and national IT strategic direction. To responsible for the resolution of technical and operational issues relating to pharmacy computer systems To be able to configure and maintain EPR drug files, order sets, and electronic guidance links. To extract and analyse complex sensitive information from a variety of IT sources to support clinical activities within pharmacy and other departments in the Trust. Be responsible for the management and implantation of business continuity plans with respect to all pharmacy IT systems, information flows and equipment. To be an expert in EPR in relation to functionality, configuration, and day to day work practice. To ensure EPR team are providing onsite presence during new workflow implementations and have the on the ground expert support where needed. To lead and co-ordinate pharmacy response to enable, support and advise on installations of software and updates in use within the pharmacy department. To assist and be responsible for ensuring all changes including medications builds, are all quality assured and accurately completed and all areas approved. To provide the final sign off after support testing and before the migration of work into live environments To ensure EPR team are providing onsite presence during new workflow implementations and have the on the ground expert support where needed. To be in charge and responsible for requesting and approving medication to be built into EPR, liaising with lead pharmacists, including formulary and clinicians. To work closely with the clinical teams within each Pharmacy and the Trust, providing oversight for medication management workflows, from designing through to testing and final sign off. To provide managerial support to the continuous improvement of the FHFT pharmacy intranet and internet to ensure that it remains a comprehensive database of guidelines and policies together with promotion of pharmacy services. To be responsible to keep up to date with national best practices relating to EPR and be well versed in the current literature and publications, including attending national EPR events and regional and national networking. Be responsible for supporting clinicalgovernance relating to electronic prescribing and work closely with the Trust digital team. Ensure good record keeping of all decisions made. To be responsible for advising and influencing on prioritisation of issues To work closely with the Medicine Safety team in relation to electronic prescribing and identify and manage risks relating to EPR implementation. To liaise with appropriate internal and external stakeholders, ensuring the development and maintenance of interfaces. To lead on the development of system data, relevant reporting which can be populated into key dashboards for both pharmacies, including quality and efficiency. To develop systems to identify data quality issues within pharmacy systems used at FHFT and resolve issues before any serious incidents, stock, system or financial issues arise.FINANCIAL To manage costs for training and international expenses relating to EPR certification To support reporting of all drug transactions in the Trust to ensure that the Trusts information needs on drug usage and expenditure are met. Support the pharmacy Cost Improvement Programme (CIP).Management and leadership To help prioritise workload and direction of the pharmacy EPR team. Act as positive role model for the pharmacy staff. Demonstrate leadership to the pharmacy team, including coaching and mentoring, developing the team, and enhancing the departments performance, training them to utilise their strength and working on their weaknesses. To promote evidence-based practice through prescription monitoring. Supervise pharmacy staff where needed to support and develop in relation to the EPR systems and other digital systems. Deputise for their line manager if instructed or delegated.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Pharmacy degree
- Independent Prescriber
- GPhC Registered
Desirable
- MSC/ Diploma Digital Health Leadership
- Digital Clinical Practitioner
Experience
Essential
- Experience of managing teams
- Significant post-qualification experience in clinical environment
- Experience in designing and developing Pharmacy Services
- Experience in working with Pharmacy EPR
Desirable
- Demonstrate experience and ability to project manage EPR projects
Specific Competencies
Essential
- Excellent verbal & written communication
Desirable
- Knowledge of working with different hospital electronic systems
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Pharmacy degree
- Independent Prescriber
- GPhC Registered
Desirable
- MSC/ Diploma Digital Health Leadership
- Digital Clinical Practitioner
Experience
Essential
- Experience of managing teams
- Significant post-qualification experience in clinical environment
- Experience in designing and developing Pharmacy Services
- Experience in working with Pharmacy EPR
Desirable
- Demonstrate experience and ability to project manage EPR projects
Specific Competencies
Essential
- Excellent verbal & written communication
Desirable
- Knowledge of working with different hospital electronic systems
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.
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).
Additional information
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.
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).
