• Act as a key member of the Pharmacy Management and Leadership teams, deputising for the Chief Pharmacist as required and ensuring the Trust receives accurate, timely, and contemporary advice on all aspects of pharmacy and medicines.
• Ensure full compliance with medicines legislation, policy, and best practice across the organisation.
• Work with the Chief Pharmacist and Pharmacy Leadership teams to develop, maintain, and implement annual business plans and service strategies.
• Act as an authorised signatory and manage allocated budgets effectively and responsibly.
• Work collaboratively with stakeholders across the Integrated Care System (ICS) to improve and transform pharmacy and medicines optimisation services and address health inequalities.

Leadership  

• ​Develop a vision and strategic direction and lead on the development, planning/implementation and evaluation of long-term strategies, operational policies and standards for medicines governance and related pharmacy services and ensure that these fit with and support the Pharmacy Department and Trust strategies  

• ​Provide effective and enabling leadership across teams and contribute to the culture of leadership promoting equality and the value of diversity  

• ​Participate in Pharmacy Improvement programmes, managing a series of improvement projects within the department and outwards across the Trust  

• ​Build a development plan for medicines governance and related pharmacy services to meet Trust and patient needs (includes risk management strategies), which details future service provision and incorporates set objectives for all key areas and personnel  

• ​Ensure the maintenance and continued development of workforce, capacity and demand plans  

• ​Deputise for the Chief Pharmacist and represent the Trust in external networks, influence, contribute to and maintaining awareness of national and regional clinical pharmacy strategies, policies, standards and changes in political agendas.  

• ​Ensure that the Pharmacy service is compliant with requirements of the RPS standards for Hospital Pharmacy services and local and national guidelines  

• ​Monitor service performance and compliance through the use of audits, the collection and analysis of relevant management data, identifying areas for improvement, implementing changes and ensuring the spread of best practice throughout the department  

• ​Develop and evaluate methods and processes for gathering, analysing, interpreting and presenting data and information  

• ​Ensure all team members work within service and clinical guidelines and have a good working knowledge of national and local standards  

• ​Ensure that reviews of policies, protocols and procedures related to medicines governance are undertaken and that gaps are identified and acted upon  

• ​Responsible for developing innovative service models to improve the safety and quality of care and work and in partnership with other MDT colleagues, colleagues working across the University Hospitals of Northamptonshire, NHS trusts, ICBs, NHSE and Northamptonshire Health and Care Partnership  

• ​Ensure effective communication systems are maintained and developed  

• ​Act as professional secretary to Trust Medicines Management Committees  

• ​Provide strategy and leadership for medication safety, governance and risk management  

• ​Be responsible for co-ordination and review of medicines and pharmacy risks  

• ​Oversee medicines incident reporting and learning, ensuring robust investigation, analysis, action, and dissemination of learning from medicines-related incidents, near misses, and errors to support the implementation of recommendations to drive continuous improvement in medicines safety and governance  

• ​Lead, mentor and line-manage the Medicines Safety team, supporting their development and performance.  

• ​Manage and provide expert advice on controlled drugs, including CDLIN reporting, auditing, safe custody, monitoring, and compliance with legislation (Misuse of Drugs Act, etc.).  

• ​Act as deputy to Controlled Drug Accountable Officer  

• ​Ensure compliance with national safety alerts (e.g., MHRA, CAS) and facilitate prompt action and assurance across the Group  

• ​Lead and manage secretaries of medicines optimisation committees to ensure co-ordination and alignment of purpose  

• ​Liaise with the Pharmacy Practice Development team, supporting their development and performance.  

• ​Develop, deliver, and oversee training programmes on medicines safety, governance, and legislation for pharmacy staff, prescribers, nursing, medical and other healthcare professionals.  

• ​Provide specialist advice and support to clinical teams, promoting a culture of openness, learning, and high standards in medicines use  

• ​Lead on the implementation of national and local medicines optimisation initiatives, including antimicrobial stewardship, safe prescribing and use of best value medicines  

• ​Coordinate Group-wide audits, quality and cost improvement projects related to medicines safety, efficacy, and governance  

• ​Analyse data trends and risks, reporting key findings and recommendations to the Medicines Optimisation Committees and Trust board  

• ​Lead on safe use of medical gases across UHN  

• ​Develop indicators to monitor safe and effective Pharmacy service provision  

• ​Lead, mentor and line-manage the Medicines Effectiveness and Antimicrobial teams, supporting their development and performance  

​Research and Service Development  

• ​Be at the forefront of innovative practice, inspiring others to implement such practice and to lead on service developments and innovative ways of working.  

• ​Demonstrate a critical approach towards Pharmacy practice research and the integration of research evidence into practice.  

• ​Present and publish research outputs locally, nationally and internationally as appropriate  

Policy, Regulation, and Audit  

• ​Ensure the Group’s medicines policies are up to date, evidence-based, and reflective of current legislation and best practice  

• ​Lead the process of policy review, consultation, approval, and dissemination, ensuring clear lines of accountability and implementation  

• ​Monitor compliance with medicines management policies via regular audits, reporting gaps and supporting corrective actions  

• ​Liaise with external regulators and inspectors on medicines governance matters, preparing for and participating in inspections as required  

​Stakeholder Engagement and Communication  

• ​Work closely with multi-disciplinary teams to foster effective partnership working on all aspects of medicines governance, safety, education and training  

• ​Serve as the primary point of contact for internal and external stakeholders on medicines governance issues, including patients, carers, regulatory bodies, and commissioners  

• ​Produce reports, briefings, and presentations for clinical, operational, and governance committees, as well as the UHN board  

• ​Champion the voice of pharmacy in Group-wide governance and quality initiatives  

​To provide a Clinical Pharmacy Service.   

• ​Participate in the Clinical / Advisory Pharmacy Service, this includes reviewing prescriptions for legality, safety and efficacy, monitoring the effects of medication and patient counselling  

• ​Record clinical activity and monitor the outcome of this advice  

• ​Provide information, advice and guidance to patients and staff on the safe, effective and economical use of medicines  

• ​Maintain knowledge of developments in pharmacy practice and undertake continuing professional development  

• ​Fulfil the requirements of the Code of Ethics and Standards of Good Professional Practice.  

• ​Undertake adverse drug reaction reporting where necessary  

Other Duties.  This may include the following tasks:  

• ​Be an authorised signatory for staff overtime payments, travel expenses, course fees, agency invoices, Pharmacy medicines orders and non-stock requisitions, finalisation of rosters  

• ​Participate in all relevant departmental, Trust and external meetings and contribute to effective communication within the department  

• ​Always uphold the security of medicines and the premises  

• ​Be a member of Pharmacy Leadership Team 

• ​Always practice in accordance with the Standards of Conduct, Ethics and Performance of the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC)  

• ​Always safeguard patient confidentiality including adherence to the Data Protection Act  

• ​Any other duties commensurate with the grade and in line with the requirement of the post  

• ​Undertake Pharmacy second on-call duties  

• ​Undertake duties elsewhere in the locality if required