Job summary
The Trust is seeking an experienced, strategic, and driven leader to become Director of Pharmacy--a pivotal role shaping and managing the strategic and operational development of medicines management services across the organisation.
The successful candidate will ensure compliance with medicines legislation, escalating non-compliance through Trust processes in collaboration with the Chief Medical Officer. They will oversee the financial plan for medicines and pharmacy services, lead strategic development aligned with national and local priorities, and work collaboratively across primary and secondary care in the North West to deliver high-quality pharmaceutical services. Driving innovation, they will transform pharmacy into an integrated ward-based and community health function.
We seek a compassionate, inclusive leader with significant operational experience as a Chief Pharmacist in a large district general hospital or Deputy Chief Pharmacist in a teaching hospital. Proven strategic leadership within complex environments, including Board-level delivery, and alignment with the six NHS Leadership Competency Domains are essential.
This is an excellent opportunity to make a real impact on pharmacy and medicines services at a critical point in the Trust's improvement journey. Following our recent CQC inspection, we are committed to improvement and invite a dynamic individual to join our leadership team and help drive transformation.
Main duties of the job
Act as Superintendent Pharmacist ensuring compliance with GPhC, MHRA (GDP, GCP, GMP), and RPS standards. Serve as Accountable Officer for Controlled Drugs and maintain statutory licences for clinical trials. Lead Trust-wide compliance with medicines directives and provide professional leadership and pharmaceutical advice across the organisation.
Drive strategic and operational development of medicines management, oversee prescribing systems and informatics, and transform pharmacy into an integrated ward-based and community model. Collaborate with primary and secondary care partners across the North West, ensuring alignment with national, regional, and local priorities. Advise senior leadership on medicines optimisation, develop policies, contracts, and service plans, and lead commercial opportunities.
Ensure compliance with CQC, NICE, and commissioning standards within the clinical governance framework. Manage risk, incidents, and continuous quality improvement. Act as Budget Holder, meet financial targets, monitor drug usage, and implement cost-saving initiatives. Lead the senior pharmacy team, workforce planning, recruitment, and professional development, fostering a culture of engagement and lifelong learning.
Promote audit, research, and innovation in pharmacy and medicines optimisation, ensuring compliance with clinical trial regulations. Champion governance, benchmarking, and transformation to deliver safe, secure, and cost-effective use of medicines across the Trust.
About us
Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust was established in 2007 and gained Teaching Hospital status in 2010. Operating as a Group, it includes BFW Management Ltd (Atlas), providing Estates Services since 2017, and Blue Skies Hospitals Fund, our registered charity.
The Trust delivers hospital and community health services across the Fylde coast, Lancashire, and South Cumbria, serving 1.8 million people. We provide hospital care for 352,000 local residents and 18 million annual visitors, community services for 445,000 people, and specialist regional care in cardiac and haematology. We also host the National Artificial Eye Service, offering specialist care across England.
Main sites include Blackpool Victoria Hospital, Clifton Hospital, Fleetwood Hospital, Whitegate Health Centre, and several primary care centres.
Our values--Caring, Safe, Respectful--define our culture and guide how we work. These were chosen through Trust-wide engagement sessions and a staff vote in 2023. They reflect our commitment to delivering high-quality, compassionate care and fostering a positive workplace.
Job description
Job responsibilities
- Act as Superintendent Pharmacist under the Medicines Act 1968 and comply with GPhC requirements.
- Serve asAccountable Officer for Controlled Drugs and Home Office Licence holder.
- Ensure compliance with MHRA standards (GDP, GCP, GMP) and RPS guidance.
- Maintain statutory licences for clinical trials and ensure adherence to Good Clinical Practice.
- Ensure Trust-wide compliance with medicines legislation and new directives.
- Lead and manage the strategic and operational development of medicines management services.
- Provide professional leadership and pharmaceutical advice across the Trust.
- Oversee prescribing systems and associated informatics.
- Drive transformation to anintegrated ward-based and community pharmacy model.
- Liaise with primary and secondary care partners across the North West.
- Align pharmacy services with national, regional, and local priorities.
- Advise the Chief Executive and senior leadership on medicines optimisation and policy.
- Develop and implement service level agreements, policies, and contracts for pharmacy services.
- Formulate long-term strategic plans and annual pharmacy service plans.
- Lead commercial opportunities and manage relationships with commissioners.
- Ensure compliance with healthcare standards, CQC, NICE, and commissioning requirements.
- Deliver medicines management within the Trusts clinical governance framework.
- Implement and monitor national initiatives and directives.
- Manage errors, complaints, and incidents within Trust guidelines.
- Strengthen governance culture and continuous quality improvement.
- Maintain departmental risk register and escalate issues appropriately.
- Benchmark services and lead change to achieve best performance.
- Promote continuous improvement and quality initiatives.
- Provide leadership for Diagnostics, Support, and Community Services Division.
- Ensure safe, secure, and cost-effective use of medicines.
- Act as Budget Holder for pharmacy services.
- Meet financial targets and cost improvement programmes.
- Monitor drug usage and expenditure; implement cost-saving initiatives.
- Ensure compliance with Trust Standing Financial Instructions.
- Manage senior pharmacy team and ensure appropriate skill mix.
- Foster a culture of lifelong learning and professional development.
- Oversee recruitment, appraisal, and performance management.
- Ensure compliance with GPhC standards and CPD requirements.
- Promote staff engagement and implement workforce planning.
- Lead audit processes to ensure compliance with legal and professional standards.
- Promote and coordinate research and development in pharmacy and medicines optimisation.
- Ensure compliance with regulations for clinical trials.
- Drive multi-disciplinary audit and innovation.
- Significant experience as Chief Pharmacist or Deputy Chief Pharmacist in a large hospital or equivalent.
- Proven strategic leadership within a complex healthcare environment.
- Board-level experience delivering health services in large organisations.
- Demonstrable alignment with thesix NHS Leadership Competency Domains.
- Strong financial, governance, and workforce management skills.
- Ability to lead transformational change and foster innovation.
Job description
Job responsibilities
- Act as Superintendent Pharmacist under the Medicines Act 1968 and comply with GPhC requirements.
- Serve asAccountable Officer for Controlled Drugs and Home Office Licence holder.
- Ensure compliance with MHRA standards (GDP, GCP, GMP) and RPS guidance.
- Maintain statutory licences for clinical trials and ensure adherence to Good Clinical Practice.
- Ensure Trust-wide compliance with medicines legislation and new directives.
- Lead and manage the strategic and operational development of medicines management services.
- Provide professional leadership and pharmaceutical advice across the Trust.
- Oversee prescribing systems and associated informatics.
- Drive transformation to anintegrated ward-based and community pharmacy model.
- Liaise with primary and secondary care partners across the North West.
- Align pharmacy services with national, regional, and local priorities.
- Advise the Chief Executive and senior leadership on medicines optimisation and policy.
- Develop and implement service level agreements, policies, and contracts for pharmacy services.
- Formulate long-term strategic plans and annual pharmacy service plans.
- Lead commercial opportunities and manage relationships with commissioners.
- Ensure compliance with healthcare standards, CQC, NICE, and commissioning requirements.
- Deliver medicines management within the Trusts clinical governance framework.
- Implement and monitor national initiatives and directives.
- Manage errors, complaints, and incidents within Trust guidelines.
- Strengthen governance culture and continuous quality improvement.
- Maintain departmental risk register and escalate issues appropriately.
- Benchmark services and lead change to achieve best performance.
- Promote continuous improvement and quality initiatives.
- Provide leadership for Diagnostics, Support, and Community Services Division.
- Ensure safe, secure, and cost-effective use of medicines.
- Act as Budget Holder for pharmacy services.
- Meet financial targets and cost improvement programmes.
- Monitor drug usage and expenditure; implement cost-saving initiatives.
- Ensure compliance with Trust Standing Financial Instructions.
- Manage senior pharmacy team and ensure appropriate skill mix.
- Foster a culture of lifelong learning and professional development.
- Oversee recruitment, appraisal, and performance management.
- Ensure compliance with GPhC standards and CPD requirements.
- Promote staff engagement and implement workforce planning.
- Lead audit processes to ensure compliance with legal and professional standards.
- Promote and coordinate research and development in pharmacy and medicines optimisation.
- Ensure compliance with regulations for clinical trials.
- Drive multi-disciplinary audit and innovation.
- Significant experience as Chief Pharmacist or Deputy Chief Pharmacist in a large hospital or equivalent.
- Proven strategic leadership within a complex healthcare environment.
- Board-level experience delivering health services in large organisations.
- Demonstrable alignment with thesix NHS Leadership Competency Domains.
- Strong financial, governance, and workforce management skills.
- Ability to lead transformational change and foster innovation.
Person Specification
Education and Qualifications
Essential
- Master's degree in Pharmacy
- Member of the General Pharmaceutical Council
- Relevant postgraduate qualification in pharmacy (e.g. clinical pharmacy)
- Management qualification or demonstrable management skills
- Leadership qualification
- Evidence of commitment to continuing professional development
Experience and Knowledge
Essential
- Recent/current experience in hospital pharmacy, including strategic leadership or national strategy input
- Extensive experience as Chief Pharmacist (large district general hospital) or Deputy Chief Pharmacist (teaching hospital), or equivalent
- Experience managing substantial pharmacy budgets
- Proven experience in developing and delivering significant change agenda
- Personal involvement in operational management, clinical and technical pharmacy service provision
- Business planning with project and financial management
- Senior leadership experience at/near Board Director level in a complex organisation/system
- Compassionate and inclusive manager with significant operational experience
- Experience developing relationships into productive partnerships, cross-boundary working, and stakeholder engagement
- Ability and experience to act corporately and support Board members/Directors
- In-depth understanding of NHS dynamics and UK public sector values
- Detailed understanding of current health issues, national policy/standards, and best practice
- Extensive Board-level experience delivering health services in large/complex organisations
- Successful management of service change and integration
- Proven ability in performance management and staff/team development
- Demonstrate the six NHS Leadership Competency Domains
Desirable
- Coaching and mentoring experience
Skills and Abilities
Essential
- Good understanding of current pharmacy service issues and future medicines management agenda
- Well-developed leadership and motivational skills
- Ability to lead a large team
- High standard of verbal/written communication, numeracy, and ability to analyse complex reports/data
- Strategic and operational lateral thinking
- Personal insight, sound judgement, and drive for improvement
- Innovative and responsive to change; ability to facilitate change and set pace/direction
- Ability to build/develop teams and maintain constructive relationships
- Consistently meet deadlines and targets
- Collaborative working across organisational boundaries
- Positive, optimistic, confident, and visionary
- Integrity and reputation for honesty/trustworthiness
- Exemplary personal conduct; meets fit and proper persons test
- Self-motivated to deliver work
- Ability to work autonomously and in a team
- Ability to produce documents for board/external audiences
- Strong analytical skills and strategic decision-making
- Proficient IT skills
Personal Attributes
Essential
- Ability to integrate into complex organisations; always presentable and professional
- Ability to motivate multi-skilled/complex teams for efficiency
- Experience managing complex organisational change
- Ability to respond quickly/confidently on unfamiliar topics
- Resilient, determined, persistent in delivering strategic objectives
- Commitment to promoting and celebrating equality/diversity in workplace/service delivery
- Commitment to zero tolerance for sexual assault, bullying, harassment, and discrimination
- Alignment with Trust values: Caring, Safe, Respectful
Person Specification
Education and Qualifications
Essential
- Master's degree in Pharmacy
- Member of the General Pharmaceutical Council
- Relevant postgraduate qualification in pharmacy (e.g. clinical pharmacy)
- Management qualification or demonstrable management skills
- Leadership qualification
- Evidence of commitment to continuing professional development
Experience and Knowledge
Essential
- Recent/current experience in hospital pharmacy, including strategic leadership or national strategy input
- Extensive experience as Chief Pharmacist (large district general hospital) or Deputy Chief Pharmacist (teaching hospital), or equivalent
- Experience managing substantial pharmacy budgets
- Proven experience in developing and delivering significant change agenda
- Personal involvement in operational management, clinical and technical pharmacy service provision
- Business planning with project and financial management
- Senior leadership experience at/near Board Director level in a complex organisation/system
- Compassionate and inclusive manager with significant operational experience
- Experience developing relationships into productive partnerships, cross-boundary working, and stakeholder engagement
- Ability and experience to act corporately and support Board members/Directors
- In-depth understanding of NHS dynamics and UK public sector values
- Detailed understanding of current health issues, national policy/standards, and best practice
- Extensive Board-level experience delivering health services in large/complex organisations
- Successful management of service change and integration
- Proven ability in performance management and staff/team development
- Demonstrate the six NHS Leadership Competency Domains
Desirable
- Coaching and mentoring experience
Skills and Abilities
Essential
- Good understanding of current pharmacy service issues and future medicines management agenda
- Well-developed leadership and motivational skills
- Ability to lead a large team
- High standard of verbal/written communication, numeracy, and ability to analyse complex reports/data
- Strategic and operational lateral thinking
- Personal insight, sound judgement, and drive for improvement
- Innovative and responsive to change; ability to facilitate change and set pace/direction
- Ability to build/develop teams and maintain constructive relationships
- Consistently meet deadlines and targets
- Collaborative working across organisational boundaries
- Positive, optimistic, confident, and visionary
- Integrity and reputation for honesty/trustworthiness
- Exemplary personal conduct; meets fit and proper persons test
- Self-motivated to deliver work
- Ability to work autonomously and in a team
- Ability to produce documents for board/external audiences
- Strong analytical skills and strategic decision-making
- Proficient IT skills
Personal Attributes
Essential
- Ability to integrate into complex organisations; always presentable and professional
- Ability to motivate multi-skilled/complex teams for efficiency
- Experience managing complex organisational change
- Ability to respond quickly/confidently on unfamiliar topics
- Resilient, determined, persistent in delivering strategic objectives
- Commitment to promoting and celebrating equality/diversity in workplace/service delivery
- Commitment to zero tolerance for sexual assault, bullying, harassment, and discrimination
- Alignment with Trust values: Caring, Safe, Respectful
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).
Employer details
Employer name
Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Address
Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Whinney Heys Road
Blackpool
FY3 8NR
Employer's website
https://www.bfwh.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)
