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Job summary

Main area
Mental Health Pharmacy
Grade
Band 8c
Contract
Permanent
Hours
  • Full time
  • Part time
37.5 hours per week (Bank holiday, weekend working and on call according to rota)
Job ref
342-CS047-0525
Employer
Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust
Employer type
NHS
Site
Callington Road Hospital
Town
Bristol
Salary
£74,290 - £85,601 per annum
Salary period
Yearly
Closing
26/05/2025 23:59

Employer heading

Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust logo

Band 8c Deputy Chief Pharmacist (Clinical Services)-Bristol

Band 8c


Job overview

Avon and Wiltshire Partnership (AWP) Pharmacy Service are looking for an exceptional and highly motivated pharmacist to provide leadership in medicines optimisation across the Trust.  Our vision is to provide outstanding clinical care to all our service users across a range of inpatient and community services, including mental health, substance misuse, learning disabilities and autism. 

The Trust primarily works across two systems: BaNES, Swindon and Wiltshire, and Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire.  The role requires strong links with both internal and external stakeholders to promote patient centred care and patient safety.

The post-holder will also be an integral member of the senior pharmacy team, supporting the Chief Pharmacist to set the strategic direction of both medicines optimisation in the organisation, and the clinical pharmacy services.  In addition, this role leads on pharmacist non-medical prescribing and supports the Trust non-medical prescribing lead, and oversees pharmacy workforce, education and development.  This role complements and works closely with the Deputy Chief Pharmacist for Operations and Governance.

If you are looking for a new challenge, to further develop your leadership and management skills and clinical knowledge whilst working as part of a highly effective and visionary service, then this excellent opportunity is for you!

Main duties of the job

To be responsible for the overall day to day management, co-ordination and development of specialist clinical pharmacy services throughout the Trust (including those areas where the service is provided under service level agreement).

To provide professional leadership and deputise for the Chief Pharmacist in the delivery of a safe, responsive, high quality and legal pharmacy service, consistent with the vision and priorities of the service.

To lead and develop the clinical pharmacy services across the Trust to deliver the Trust Medicines Optimisation Strategy and pharmacy objectives to the standards set by organisations, including the General Pharmaceutical Council, Royal Pharmaceutical Society, Care Quality Commission (CQC), NHS England, and local Integrated Care Systems.

To lead and develop clinical pharmacy services and manage the lead pharmacists for Physical Health and Workforce, Education and Development to deliver their services in line with stakeholder requirements, Trust and pharmacy objectives.

To lead on behalf of the Chief Pharmacist/Trust on specific delegated        projects, both within the Trust, and with external organisations.

To work with the Chief Pharmacist and Senior Pharmacy Team to ensure resources are utilised safely, efficiently and effectively to improve patient experience and outcomes, and ensuring patient centred care is provided.

Working for our organisation

We are AWP (Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust): a diverse organisation with over 5,000 dedicated staff providing inpatient and community-based mental health care. 

We provide services from a range of locations to approximately 1.8 million people living in Bath and North East Somerset (B&NES), Bristol, North Somerset, South Gloucestershire, Swindon, across the county of Wiltshire and in parts of Dorset.

Our outstanding people promote mental health and wellbeing. The expertise and resources within AWP are dedicated to a person-centred approach for those who use our services and for all employees. We recognise that happy and fulfilled employees give better care.  

AWP is committed to support and create a positive research and evidence-based environment and culture, which can have a beneficial impact on everyone who works for the organisation and the care we provide to those who use our services.

At AWP we actively encourage applicants from all backgrounds; we are particularly keen to encourage applications from people from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds, those with disabilities and from the LGBTQ+ community. We want people to bring their unique blend of experiences, backgrounds, perspectives and knowledge to AWP, as diversity makes us stronger.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Please refer to the job description and person specification for full details of the role, and AWP Trust values.

Person specification

Education and Qualification

Essential criteria
  • Masters degree in Pharmacy (or equivalent)
  • Registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC)
  • Post Graduate Diploma in Clinical or Psychiatric Pharmacy or equivalent
  • Management/ leadership qualification such as Diploma in Management, Master in Business Administration, NHS or CPPE Leadership Academy
  • Full (Credentialed) Membership of the College of Mental Health Pharmacists (CMHP) or willingness to work towards this within first year
  • Registered Independent Non-medical Prescriber
Desirable criteria
  • Other postgraduate qualifications relevant to pharmacy practice, such as education and training

Experience and Knowledge

Essential criteria
  • Significant experience of working within a hospital pharmacy service post qualification with associated development of excellent clinical pharmacy and governance skills
  • Experience of delivering and developing teaching/training/ education up to and including post-graduate level
  • Demonstrable experience of leading on a clinical audit plan
  • Demonstrable experience formulating long-term strategic plans for the effective development of pharmacy services
  • Demonstrable experience of working with senior healthcare professionals outside of Pharmacy and externally to achieve medicines optimisation agendas
  • Demonstrable experience of change management, including project management
  • Demonstrable experience of leading, developing and mentoring a large number of staff/teams
  • Significant experience in budget management/financial procedures
  • Significant experience in setting up, delivering and developing services, particularly with commissioners
  • Significant experience in policy/procedure/guideline writing and implementation
Desirable criteria
  • Significant experience of working in specialist mental health inpatient and community care settings, including providing medicines information to mental health patients and the multidisciplinary team
  • Understanding of how the Mental Health Act and Mental Capacity Act support safe and legal treatment
  • Experience of undertaking a Medication Safety Officer role or equivalent

Skills and Abilities

Essential criteria
  • Excellent interpersonal communication and reporting skills, verbal and written (tact, empathy, negotiation, diplomacy)
  • Proficient in all Microsoft Office software with proven computer literacy and IT skills including: email, word processing, spreadsheets, databases
  • Ability to access, review and process complex clinical or business information from appropriate sources
  • Good ability to work under pressure, prioritise and meet deadlines
  • Ability to appraise own performance to identify own development/training needs
  • Flexible attitude to service provision and an enthusiasm for service development
  • Self-motivated and self-directing

Employer certification / accreditation badges

NHS Pastoral Care Quality AwardThe Employers Network for Equality & Inclusion is the leading employer network covering all aspects of equality and inclusion in the workplace.Veteran AwarePositive about disabled peopleThe Employers Network for Equality & Inclusion is the leading employer network covering all aspects of equality and inclusion in the workplace.Mindful employer.  Being positive about mental health.Disability confident employerInclusive Top 50 LogoThe Employers Network for Equality & Inclusion (enei) is the UK's leading employer network covering all aspects of equality and inclusion issues in the workplace.Armed Forces Covenant

Applicant requirements

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Application numbers

This vacancy may close early if it receives a high number of applications. Please complete and submit your application in good time to avoid disappointment.

Documents to download

Apply online now

Further details / informal visits contact

Name
Valerie McElhinney
Job title
Chief Pharmacist & AD of Medicines Optimisation
Email address
[email protected]
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