Job summary
Principal Pharmacist - Digital Medicine and EPMA
Department Pharmacy
Band 8a £55,690 - £62,682 Per annum
Hours 37.5 hours per week including weekend and Bank Holiday commitments.All MKUH roles will be considered for flexible working
We are seeking a highly motivated and experienced pharmacist with a passion for digital medicines to join our Electronic Prescribing and Medicines Administration (EPMA) team on a permanent basis. You will play a crucial role in the ongoing optimisation of our EPMA system, support patient safety, and cost-effective prescribing
Milton Keynes University Hospital (MKUH) NHS Trust is a Global Digital Exemplar (GDE) Trust with a fully integrated Cerner Millenium electronic health record/EPMA which is live across all inpatient areas, and our outpatient prescribing and medicines management roll out is imminent
Working under the strategic leadership of the Chief Pharmacy Information Officer (CPIO), you will help deliver the Trust's ambitious digital medicines agenda. You will be part of a friendly and supporting EPMA team consisting of pharmacy technicians and pharmacists, and will collaborate with colleagues in Pharmacy, IT, clinical services, and with our system supplier Oracle Health
Interested? For further information please contact Vivian De Vittoris, Associate Director of Pharmacy - Operations, Quality & Governance, Vivian.devittoris@mkuh.nhs.uk or Cornelia Libal, Chief Pharmacy Information Officer, Cornelia.Libal@mkuh.nhs.uk
Main duties of the job
This role offers a unique opportunity for a pharmacist with both IT and clinical skills to innovate and drive improvement through technology and informatics.
o To provide expert pharmaceutical and clinical leadership in the design, implementation, optimisation, and governance of digital medicines systems across the Trust. This includes, but is not limited to, clinical decision support tools and any other digital solutions that influence medication-related processes and care.
o To provide expertise in the development, configuration, design and maintenance of the eCare electronic Prescribing and Medicines Administration (EPMA) solution.
o To work closely and collaboratively with clinical and technical stakeholders to maintain and develop the EPMA solution to support the trust in delivering its strategic and operational goals which include patient safety, quality of care, efficient use of staff resources and cost-effective prescribing.
o To work closely with clinical and technical stakeholders to ensure digital medicine systems are safe, effective, user-focused and aligned to national standards and strategic objectives.
o To act as a role model and practising pharmacist, and where appropriate as an independent prescriber, to ensure your EPMA activities are in context of contemporary clinical work.
o To provide expert advice on pharmaceutical matters, undertaking risk management and ensuring compliance with medicines legislation.
About us
Milton Keynes University Hospital, in proud partnership with the University of Buckingham, is a University Teaching Hospital committed to advancing patient care through cutting-edge research and education. With a "Good" rating from the CQC and significant investment underway, this is an exciting time to join our team and grow your career.
As a medium sized general hospital, we provide a full range of general medical and surgical services, including a busy Emergency Department, Maternity, and Paediatrics. As the population of our city and surrounding areas continues to grow rapidly, we are expanding and enhancing our facilities to meet rising demand and improve access to care for all our communities.
We are also proud to offer a growing portfolio of specialist services. In January 2025 we opened our state-of-the-art Radiotherapy Centre, bringing advanced cancer treatment closer to home. Our services also include neonatology, specialist surgical care, and a wide range of diagnostics, supported by the new Community Diagnostic Centre at Whitehouse Health Centre.
Further investment is underway, including the construction of Oak Wards - a new ward block featuring two 24-bed wards - and the recently approved Women and Children's Centre, set to open by 2030.
Visit our website to explore the latest news and opportunities at MKUH - News - Milton Keynes University Hospital -
For further information about Milton Keynes please visit - Visit Milton Keynes
Job description
Job responsibilities
'We care We communicate We collaborate We contribute'
Main duties and responsibilities
This will include but not be limited to:
To work closely with colleagues in the EPMA team, clinical teams, the IT department and Oracle to develop the EPMA solution.
Liaise closely with the Specialist Pharmacy Technician EPMA to ensure new drugs, order sentences and PowerPlans are set up correctly in the EPR system in a timely manner in line with local formulary and policies. Analysis of clinical risks and issues related to EPMA, reporting and proactively managing these as required, utilising the appropriate Trust mechanisms
Human Resource Management
All posts with responsibility for managing staff are expected to lead, motivate, develop and reward staff and are required to comply with the Trust's policies and Manager's Code of Conduct in the following areas: To be responsible for the personnel management of Rotational Pharmacists as allocated including appraisals within the Knowledge and Skills Framework
Education and Training
To contribute to developing a comprehensive induction programme for pharmacists and technicians To contribute to the clinical training of the rotational pharmacists and pre-registration graduates
Clinical
To be responsible for the clinical screening of prescriptions according to locally agreed standards. To assist with the clinically agreed strategy, aims and objectives for pharmaceutical services.
Development and Planning
To contribute to the future development of all aspects of EPMA and digital medicines. To support the agreed strategy, aims and objectives for pharmaceutical and clinical services, liaising with both pharmacy, CPIO and IT.
Please refer to the Job Description for further details
Job description
Job responsibilities
'We care We communicate We collaborate We contribute'
Main duties and responsibilities
This will include but not be limited to:
To work closely with colleagues in the EPMA team, clinical teams, the IT department and Oracle to develop the EPMA solution.
Liaise closely with the Specialist Pharmacy Technician EPMA to ensure new drugs, order sentences and PowerPlans are set up correctly in the EPR system in a timely manner in line with local formulary and policies. Analysis of clinical risks and issues related to EPMA, reporting and proactively managing these as required, utilising the appropriate Trust mechanisms
Human Resource Management
All posts with responsibility for managing staff are expected to lead, motivate, develop and reward staff and are required to comply with the Trust's policies and Manager's Code of Conduct in the following areas: To be responsible for the personnel management of Rotational Pharmacists as allocated including appraisals within the Knowledge and Skills Framework
Education and Training
To contribute to developing a comprehensive induction programme for pharmacists and technicians To contribute to the clinical training of the rotational pharmacists and pre-registration graduates
Clinical
To be responsible for the clinical screening of prescriptions according to locally agreed standards. To assist with the clinically agreed strategy, aims and objectives for pharmaceutical services.
Development and Planning
To contribute to the future development of all aspects of EPMA and digital medicines. To support the agreed strategy, aims and objectives for pharmaceutical and clinical services, liaising with both pharmacy, CPIO and IT.
Please refer to the Job Description for further details
Person Specification
Qualifications and knowledge
Essential
- Degree in Pharmacy
- Registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC)
- Postgraduate Clinical Certificate
- Evidence of ongoing CPD as required by the GPhC
Desirable
- Member of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society
- MSc in Clinical Pharmacy Practice or relevant speciality
- Independent Prescriber
- Education and Training qualification
Experience
Essential
- Significant post registration experience with relevant experience in a hospital post
- Experience of managing drug expenditure for a specialty and understanding budgets
- Previous evaluations reviews of medicines used in the specialty's patient group.
- Experience as a trainer
- Experience working as part of a multi-disciplinary team to provide patient care
- Personnel management
- Service development
- An awareness of national standards and service delivery issues relevant to area of practice
Desirable
- Proven experience in developing and working with electronic prescribing solutions
- Experience of audit work.
- Experience of appraising staff and giving feedback
- Medicines Information.
- Management qualification
- Introduction of a new service
- Project management
- Published work
- Specialist knowledge in the relevant area of practice
Skills
Essential
- Ability to manage time effectively and work to deadlines demonstrated in a previous post
- Ability to plan, prioritise and organise self and others
- Effective verbal and written communication demonstrated in a previous post
- I.T. skills such as computer literacy, word processing and spreadsheet skills.
- Managerial skills
- Communication skills.
- Good presentation skills.
- Report writing
- Problem solving
- Good team work and ability to work alone
Desirable
- Leadership skills
- Critical appraisal skills
- Radical thinking
- Innovative
- Ability to motivate and act as a role model
- Ability to motivate and act as a role model
Personal and people development
Essential
- Experience of supervising and developing colleagues
- Evidence of Continuous Professional Development
Communication
Essential
- Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to influence others
- Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written
Specific requirements
Essential
- Able to perform the duties of the post with reasonable aids and adaptations
- Knowledge and understanding of the safe handling and dispensing of cytotoxic medications, including Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH)
Person Specification
Qualifications and knowledge
Essential
- Degree in Pharmacy
- Registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC)
- Postgraduate Clinical Certificate
- Evidence of ongoing CPD as required by the GPhC
Desirable
- Member of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society
- MSc in Clinical Pharmacy Practice or relevant speciality
- Independent Prescriber
- Education and Training qualification
Experience
Essential
- Significant post registration experience with relevant experience in a hospital post
- Experience of managing drug expenditure for a specialty and understanding budgets
- Previous evaluations reviews of medicines used in the specialty's patient group.
- Experience as a trainer
- Experience working as part of a multi-disciplinary team to provide patient care
- Personnel management
- Service development
- An awareness of national standards and service delivery issues relevant to area of practice
Desirable
- Proven experience in developing and working with electronic prescribing solutions
- Experience of audit work.
- Experience of appraising staff and giving feedback
- Medicines Information.
- Management qualification
- Introduction of a new service
- Project management
- Published work
- Specialist knowledge in the relevant area of practice
Skills
Essential
- Ability to manage time effectively and work to deadlines demonstrated in a previous post
- Ability to plan, prioritise and organise self and others
- Effective verbal and written communication demonstrated in a previous post
- I.T. skills such as computer literacy, word processing and spreadsheet skills.
- Managerial skills
- Communication skills.
- Good presentation skills.
- Report writing
- Problem solving
- Good team work and ability to work alone
Desirable
- Leadership skills
- Critical appraisal skills
- Radical thinking
- Innovative
- Ability to motivate and act as a role model
- Ability to motivate and act as a role model
Personal and people development
Essential
- Experience of supervising and developing colleagues
- Evidence of Continuous Professional Development
Communication
Essential
- Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to influence others
- Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written
Specific requirements
Essential
- Able to perform the duties of the post with reasonable aids and adaptations
- Knowledge and understanding of the safe handling and dispensing of cytotoxic medications, including Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH)
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).
