Lead Pharmacist, Countywide Operational Services

Job description

Job responsibilities

Job Purpose:

1. To manage and develop the dispensary services at both Worcestershire Royal & Alexandra Hospital Dispensary.

2. Liaise with the operational lead pharmacists and technicians, and other relevant members of the pharmacy management team to ensure that the dispensary services are clinically appropriate, safe, efficient and responsive to patient need.

3. To lead on the continuous improvement of dispensary workflow and efficiency by implementing quality improvement initiatives, ensuring compliance with national and local standards, and integrating technological advancements to enhance service delivery.

4. To support workforce development and training within the dispensary team, ensuring that pharmacists, technicians, and trainees receive appropriate supervision, training, and professional development opportunities to maintain high standards of clinical and operational pharmacy services.

5. To act as a key link between pharmacy operations and clinical services, ensuring effective communication between the dispensary, clinical pharmacy teams, and ward-based staff to optimise medicine supply, reduce delays in patient discharge, and improve overall patient outcomes.

Key Duties:

1. Conduct clinical pharmacist check of prescriptions, to ensure they are safe, legal, appropriate, in line with local formulary and high-cost drug procedure.

2. Provide clinical supervision and training for pharmacists, trainee pharmacists, and students while working in the dispensary.

3. Contribute to the development and review of clinical guidelines and standard operating procedures (SOPs) for dispensary services.

4. Support pharmacy aseptics services by professionally checking oral haematology SACT prescriptions.

5. Support pharmacy homecare services by ensuring prescriptions are clinically appropriate, timely, and compliant with national standards.

6. Collaborate with lead dispensary managers and chief pharmacy technicians to standardise dispensary processes countywide, continuously reviewing and enhancing dispensing standards to improve quality and efficiency.

7. To lead and line manage the lead dispensary technicians.

8. Support the optimisation, maintenance, and safe use of the Electronic Prescribing and Medicines Administration (EPMA) system, acting as a key liaison between pharmacy, clinical teams, and digital services to ensure effective medicines management.

9. Review dispensary DATIX incidents and implement change to improve processes.

10. Support the procurement team in managing stock shortages, ensuring timely access to essential medicines.

11. Oversee the safe implementation of new and unlicensed medications in line with local guidelines in each dispensary.

12. Develop and manage Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and other targets for the dispensaries.

13. To regularly audit responsible pharmacist log and ensure compliance with GPhC standards.

14. Provide advice to patients and other healthcare professionals about medicines and further supplies, in a sympathetic and courteous manner.

15. Assist in the delivery of other operational, and clinical, services as required to meet the needs of the service.

16. Participate in a 7-day working rota in which contracted working hours will be worked over a 7-day period to include bank holidays.

17. Attend and contribute to pharmacy Senior Team Forum (STF) and Pharmacy Governance Committee (PGC).

18. Participate in weekend and bank holiday rota.

19. Participate in the countywide emergency on-call rota.

20. Line manage assigned pharmacist(s) and pharmacy technician(s).

21. Contribute to the recruitment and selection of staff as appropriate

22. Develop pharmacy services to the division in response to the needs of the division and the Pharmacy department.

23. Continuously look for and identify initiatives to contribute to quality improvement within the specialist and pharmacy directorates.

24. Contribute to planning and organising the delivery, standard and modernisation of clinical pharmacy services within WAHT.

25. Contribute to a culture which encourages all staff to contribute to research and audit and use your expertise to support staff in this process.

26. Develop and promote the role of an advanced pharmacist through contribution to professional publications and conference papers.

27. Lead in the creation, implementation and audit of clinical guidelines relating to all areas of medicines use within the post-holders area.

28. Actively engage in the Trust skills development review (PDR). Agree service and personal objectives with the Lead Pharmacist for Clinical Trials & Operational Services and be responsible for self-audit to demonstrate both achievement of objectives and evidence of value to the Trust.

29. Deliver teaching and training on the post holders specialist area to pharmacy, medical and nursing staff including pharmaceutical induction for new medical and nursing staff.

30. Ensure pharmacy staff are regularly updated in new developments within post holders specialism.

31. Maintain compliance with mandatory training and CPD to maintain professional registration

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Professional knowledge acquired through a vocational degree in pharmacy Currently Registered as a pharmacist in UK: Member of the General Pharmaceutical Council Currently meeting the GPhC standard for continuing professional development. Postgraduate clinical specialist knowledge acquired through diploma level training e.g. Diploma in Clinical Pharmacy or equivalent.

Desirable

• Relevant leadership/management qualification.
• Qualification as an Independent Prescriber or working towards accreditation.

Experience

Essential

• Significant post-registration experience as a hospital pharmacist, including experience in dispensary and clinical services.
• Demonstrable experience of supervising or managing staff, including pharmacists and/or pharmacy technicians.
• Proven track record of service development or quality improvement within a hospital pharmacy setting.
• Experience in reviewing and implementing standard operating procedures (SOPs) or clinical guidelines.

Desirable

• Experience in the line management of staff, including conducting appraisals, managing performance, and supporting wellbeing and development.
• Experience in leading or contributing to the implementation or optimisation of Electronic Prescribing and Medicines Administration (EPMA) systems.
• Experience in a senior pharmacist role involving cross-site or countywide responsibilities.

Improving Diversity and Inclusive Recruitment

Essential

• As part of the Trust's aim to improve diversity across the Trust, positive action is being taken and all applications for this post from BAME, Disabled and LGBT+ candidates can request to be considered under an expanded Guaranteed Interview Scheme if they meet the minimum criteria as specified in the person specification for this role. Here you can declare if you wish to be considered under this expanded Guaranteed Interview Scheme and this response would be visible to the Shortlisting Panel.

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

Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust

Address

Charles Hastings Way

Worcester

Worcestershire

WR5 1DD

Employer's website

https://www.worcsacute.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)