Lead Pharmacist for ePMA and Digital Solutions

Job responsibilities

For further information on the advertised role, please refer to the full job description and person specification.

To actively consult and drive the development and implementation of an ePMA system across the Trust.

To develop the strategy to inform the ongoing maintenance and post-implementation development of the ePMA system.

To play a key role in the implementation and ongoing management of all clinical digital systems involving medicines.

Establish systems to identify key therapeutic changes relating to the use and/or safety and efficacy of medicines e.g., medicines database, safety alerts, formulary changes, protocol and guideline changes etc; and ensure that these are built into the ePMA system and prescribing practice in a timely way.

As a main point of contact to provide highly specialist pharmaceutical knowledge and expertise around all future phases of build, roll-out, ongoing maintenance and future development of the Trust ePMA system and related digital systems.

Ensure all phases of the ePMA system are implemented within agreed timescales and with sufficient governance, assurance and clinical risk management.

Responsible for requesting and approving medications to be built into ePMA

Responsible for ensuring all pharmacy related SOPs, policies and governance related documents are in place for all digital systems.

To further develop the IT vision and strategy for medicines on a Trust-wide basis for the future delivery of safe and effective ePMA.

Lead on the development of system data which can be used to drive clinical and operational workflows.

Ensure the ePMA system adheres to all relevant national and local standards e.g., Medicines & Healthcare Regulatory Agency (MHRA); NHSE, General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC), Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RSP), Information Governance etc.

To ensure the EPMA business continuity plans are continually developed to give the highest level of assurance that service users can continue to be treated safely in the event of system failures

To develop and monitor key performance indicators to ensure sustainable change is achieved

Act as a role model and expert practitioner for staff, particularly in areas of service improvement, change management and project management, with a focus on developing and deploying digital medicines management solutions and managing highly complex clinical and service transformation.

Work closely with the Pharmacy, Digital Services, and clinical staff across the organisation to ensure that clinical digital solutions are developed and maintained to reflect the current and future needs of the organisation.

Provide a high level of pharmaceutical support, advice and information to medical, nursing, and other healthcare staff providing clinical care, and contribute to the strategic development of pharmacy services throughout the Trust.

Regularly undertakes research and development within the designated specialist area and contributes to the publication, presentation and dissemination of research and development.

To maintain knowledge and communicate any changes in national policy requirements and guidance, to enable the development of the ePMA system.

To liaise with external bodies, where necessary including local ICB and other pharmacy network

To work with the Chief Pharmacist and a team of clinical pharmacists and technicians to provide and support the integrated delivery of pharmaceutical care initiatives to patients with mental health illness and learning disabilities in identified areas of HPFT to ensure safe, appropriate and cost-effective use of medicines.

The job will require planning and organisation of a broad range of complex activities and ongoing programmes to support the Pharmacy and Medicines Optimisation Strategy.

Key Responsibilities: ePMA and Digital Lead Project Leadership & Management Act as a core member of the ePMA project team, leading pharmacy-related tasks and ensuring timely delivery. Project manage the implementation, testing, and maintenance of the ePMA system across the Trust to ensure safe, timely, and effective service delivery. Collaborate with the ePMA Project Manager to produce and maintain key project documentation (e.g., PID, communication plans, risk and issue logs). Analyse and escalate project risks to senior stakeholders including the Chief Pharmacist, CCIO, and CIO. Develop and maintain a long-term strategy for ePMA system evolution, ensuring alignment with national and local medicines guidance.

The post-holder must ensure they keep abreast of national best practice within ePMA and are well-versed in the current literature and publications relating to ePMA. This will include attendance at national ePMA events & regional/national networking

Clinical & Technical Expertise Serve as the Trusts expert in ePMA configuration, functionality, and workflows. Provide clinical oversight for software releases, ensuring thorough User Acceptance Testing and safe integration into practice. Lead on the planning and implementation of new pharmacy IM&T systems, including safety case development and risk management. Ensure system changes are accurately built, quality assured, and appropriately approved before activation.

Training & Engagement Design and deliver robust training programmes for all staff groups, with mechanisms to evaluate and refine effectiveness. Facilitate multidisciplinary workshops to gather and disseminate sensitive and complex information related to ePMA. Deliver teaching sessions on ePMA systems and support staff in adopting best practices.

Governance & Quality Assurance Ensure business continuity and contingency plans are in place for ePMA and pharmacy stock control systems. Lead governance for pharmacy digital systems in collaboration with the Trust Digital and Clinical Apps Team. Maintain quality management systems and ensure compliance with informatics standards and data architecture.

Stakeholder Collaboration Manage relationships with the ePMA supplier and internal stakeholders to ensure system interoperability and integration. Represent the Trust in local and national ePMA networks, sharing best practices and innovations. Liaise with internal and external parties to develop and maintain system interfaces.

Innovation & Research Initiate and lead practice-based research on ePMA and medicines safety/productivity, with potential for publication or presentation. Support CQUIN-related medicines management using ePMA data to drive best practice. Contribute to the strategic roadmap for ePMA development, advising on prioritisation and risk management.

Operational Support Provide expert support during go-lives and system rollouts, including ward-level and community automation. Lead on EPS integration within ePMA for community clinics. Lead on integration of ePMA with other IT software e.g. pharmacy system. Ensure accurate record-keeping of decisions and activities related to ePMA implementation. Support the development, review, and implementation of policies, SOPs, and guidelines related to medicines and ePMA. To participate in the ePMA on call service if required, providing ePMA support to all users out of hours

Qualifications

Essential

• BPharm / MPharm / BSc Pharmacy
• Registration with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC)
• Postgraduate clinical pharmacy certificate/ diploma or equivalent experience
• Demonstrates own CPD record/ or documented CPD
• Leadership Qualification or equivalent experience
• Management Qualification or equivalent experience

Desirable

• Registration with the Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS)
• Postgraduate Certificate/diploma in Psychiatric Therapeutics or equivalent experience
• Independent prescriber qualification

Experience

Essential

• Experience of working in a secondary care setting, (demonstrable post qualification hospital pharmacy practice)
• Experience of leading or participating in an ePMA implementation or development on behalf of pharmacy
• Providing support and technical expertise on hospital electronic prescribing and administration systems
• Evidence of involvement in clinical pharmacy provision and in operational management
• Evidence of education, training, performance management and development of staff
• Experience of managing a team - including recruitment, supervision, and appraisals.
• Understand and practice excellent leadership skills
• Writing and reviewing of policies, guidelines, and procedures
• Documented evidence of completed audit work and research practice
• Experience in managing workload
• Able to work under own initiative and as part of a team

Skills

Essential

• Advanced IT skills and comprehensive use of Microsoft office including power point and excel
• An ability to lead, inspire and motivate a team
• Ability to analyse highly complex information, both clinical, financial, and managerial
• Effective interpersonal skills
• Confident, able to influence and assertive when dealing with other professionals.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and oral
• Team player with leadership skills
• Ability to manage projects and change effectively
• Able to prioritise and meet deadlines
• Shows initiative and has well-developed problem-solving skills

Knowledge

Essential

• Knowledge of recent initiatives in electronic medicines management systems
• Good knowledge of all medicine's legislation relating to the supply and storage of medicines

Ability

Essential

• Ability to demonstrate a critical approach to the development and evaluation of electronic medicines management systems
• Ability to work under pressure.
• Able to make judgements involving complex facts or situations which require analysis, interpretation, and comparison of a range of options

Physical and emotional

Essential

• Able to travel using own vehicle to various Trust and other locations across Hertfordshire to meet the needs of the service.
• Regular requirement to deal with distressing or emotionally charged situations.

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).