Job summary
An opportunity for the position of Deputy Chief Pharmacist has arisen at Airedale NHS Foundation Trust. We are looking for a highly motivated, dedicated and experienced pharmacist to shape the future of Pharmacy and medicines management services
*Please note*
Should you be successfully shortlisted for interview the proposed interview date will be on 13th February 2026. There will be a stakeholder session prior to panel interview, details will be shared closer to interview date
Main duties of the job
As Deputy Chief Pharmacist, you will work with the Chief Pharmacist to ensure the strategy and operation of pharmacy and medicines management services, is progressive, responsive to internal and external demand, patient focused, safe, efficient, and effective and is aligned with local and national standards and strategic goals of the Trust.
You will deputise for the Chief Pharmacist in their role as professional lead of pharmacy services and lead for medicines management across the Trust, and will be a member of the Pharmacy Management Group.
You will be a senior and experienced pharmacist and will have responsibilities for the leadership and the development of one of the core Pharmacy activity portfolios in addition to the additional roles and responsibilities of a Deputy Chief Pharmacist. The portfolio will be flexible dependent upon the skills and experiences of the successful candidate.
About us
We are delighted to offer a wide range of benefits to employees including:
- Cycle to Work
- Travel Scheme
- Childcare Vouchers with Salary Sacrifice
- Onsite Nursery
- Buying and Selling Annual Leave
- Car Leasing
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Employee Health and Wellbeing
- Extensive Reward Scheme
- Counselling Service
- Financial packages including Vivup and Wagestream
- Staff Networks, Enable, Rainbow, Gender, Race Equality Ecoaware & Admin Network.
Our values:
We understand that it's down to the hard work, effort and dedication of our staff that makes a difference for our patients. Our people really do make our Airedale experience - we take pride in fostering a friendly, effective and caring work environment. Our values are part of our DNA, which are:
- Committed to Quality of Care
- Compassion
- Working together for patients
- Improving Lives
- Everyone Counts
- Respect and Dignity
Got questions before you apply, please contact the recruiting manager to find out more.
Job description
Job responsibilities
To deputise for the Chief Pharmacist in their role as the manager and professional lead of pharmacy services who has corporately responsible to the Trust Board as the head of medicines optimisation and medicines management in the Trust. These responsibilities will include:
- The quality of clinical care provided by the pharmacy department
- The safe and secure handling of medicines including controlled drugs
- The development of the strategic direction of the service
- Interpretation of NHS guidance, local health economy strategies and NHS modernisation plans
- Ensuring compliance with GPhC and MHRA licences, and CQC inspection standards
- The maintenance of medicine spend within budget
- Provision of professional advice on medicines management and optimisation issues to the Trust Board and the maintenance and development of Trust policies relating to medicines.
- Deputise for the Controlled Drug Accountable Officer, contributing to national, regional and local CD Intelligence Network requirements as agreed.
- Work with the Chief Pharmacist to foster the positive working environment and an open and safe culture that involves pharmacy staff in decision making within the department and supports staff in delivering key departmental objective
- Demonstrate motivating leadership, to drive forward positive behaviours, promote team morale through the culture of visible and responsive leadership, clear communication, teamwork, innovation and continuous quality improvement.
Job description
Job responsibilities
To deputise for the Chief Pharmacist in their role as the manager and professional lead of pharmacy services who has corporately responsible to the Trust Board as the head of medicines optimisation and medicines management in the Trust. These responsibilities will include:
- The quality of clinical care provided by the pharmacy department
- The safe and secure handling of medicines including controlled drugs
- The development of the strategic direction of the service
- Interpretation of NHS guidance, local health economy strategies and NHS modernisation plans
- Ensuring compliance with GPhC and MHRA licences, and CQC inspection standards
- The maintenance of medicine spend within budget
- Provision of professional advice on medicines management and optimisation issues to the Trust Board and the maintenance and development of Trust policies relating to medicines.
- Deputise for the Controlled Drug Accountable Officer, contributing to national, regional and local CD Intelligence Network requirements as agreed.
- Work with the Chief Pharmacist to foster the positive working environment and an open and safe culture that involves pharmacy staff in decision making within the department and supports staff in delivering key departmental objective
- Demonstrate motivating leadership, to drive forward positive behaviours, promote team morale through the culture of visible and responsive leadership, clear communication, teamwork, innovation and continuous quality improvement.
Person Specification
Qualifications and experience
Essential
- Registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council
- Pharmacy Degree
- Postgraduate diploma in clinical pharmacy or equivalent
- Management and Leadership Training and notable experience of leadership in hospital pharmac
- Evidence of continuous personal and professional development
Desirable
- Independent prescribing qualification
- Management qualification
- Member of UKCPA
- Member of Royal Pharmaceutical Society
Experience
Essential
- Proven track record in managing staff, time and resources to deliver timely outcomes.
- Significant experience as a senior hospital pharmacist with high level of experience of hospital pharmacy practice, leadership and management
- Recent experience of both operational and strategic planning
- Experience of providing education and training to colleagues
- Proven track record of maintaining good relationships with clinicians
- Experience in implementing cost saving projects.
Desirable
- Proven track record of good working relationships with colleagues in non-clinical roles including finance and general management
- Experience of managing drug and staff budgets.
Person Specification
Qualifications and experience
Essential
- Registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council
- Pharmacy Degree
- Postgraduate diploma in clinical pharmacy or equivalent
- Management and Leadership Training and notable experience of leadership in hospital pharmac
- Evidence of continuous personal and professional development
Desirable
- Independent prescribing qualification
- Management qualification
- Member of UKCPA
- Member of Royal Pharmaceutical Society
Experience
Essential
- Proven track record in managing staff, time and resources to deliver timely outcomes.
- Significant experience as a senior hospital pharmacist with high level of experience of hospital pharmacy practice, leadership and management
- Recent experience of both operational and strategic planning
- Experience of providing education and training to colleagues
- Proven track record of maintaining good relationships with clinicians
- Experience in implementing cost saving projects.
Desirable
- Proven track record of good working relationships with colleagues in non-clinical roles including finance and general management
- Experience of managing drug and staff budgets.
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).
