Job summary
The Role
We are seeking a Lead Pharmacist to join our senior leadership team and elevate our Medicines Management Team. This role is instrumental in guiding our PCN through the pilot programme and shaping the future of patient-centred care in our community.
Key responsibilities
1. Leadership and strategy:Lead the development of our Medicines Management Team, creating and implementing a structured work plan that meets both Practice and PCN requirements in collaboration with the Senior Management Team.
2. Patient-centred care:Optimise care delivery for patients with long-term conditions, focusing on holistic, patient-centred approaches, prioritising safety, reducing medicines wastage, and implementing deprescribing initiatives.
3. Collaborative working:Work closely with our wider practice teamsincluding GPs, Nurses, and Health Connectors (social prescribing)to provide comprehensive, integrated care. Build partnerships with local community pharmacies, secondary care, and community groups.
4. Team development:Mentor and develop a team of Clinical Pharmacists and Pharmacy Technicians, fostering an environment of growth and learning. Support the apprenticeship and continued education of our pharmacy technician apprentice.
5. Quality improvement:Drive innovative practices to continuously improve patient outcomes, safety, and service efficiency. Explore and initiate new care pathways as part of the NHSE PCN Pilot Programme.
Main duties of the job
What we are looking for
6. Leadership skills:A dynamic leader with the vision and drive to advance our Medicines Management Team and inspire those around them.
7. Patient-focused approach:A strong understanding of holistic, patient-centred care and the principles of safe prescribing and deprescribing.
8. Collaboration & communication:Skilled in multidisciplinary teamwork, fostering a culture of collaboration across healthcare sectors.
9. Continuous improvement mindset:A passion for exploring innovative solutions in healthcare, aligned with our commitment to sustainability and patient care excellence.
About us
We have a supportive and collaborative team of over 20 GPs and 150 staff. We are a large and modern, purpose built practice with a patient population of just under 30,000 and operate as a single site Primary Care Network.
We are proud to have received National Awards for Sustainability and our Green Impact work and have also been nationally recognised for our outstanding Health Connections (social prescribing) programme, which is based within the a high-performing and successful practice we have been accepted to join the new PCN Pilot Programme working with NHSE which will also provide exciting opportunities to shape and develop clinical pathways.
We have a dedicated complex care team which manages all home visits and hospital discharges, as well as nurse practitioners, a mental health nurse practitioner, a first contact physiotherapist, and a large dedicated pharmacy team.
We are a recognised Learning Organisation with a strong focus on GP Education and development which would be great support for a newly qualified GP. We are also a GP Training practice where many of our registrars choose to stay on with us and benefit from our mentoring scheme.
We are a Disability Confident practice and registered Mindful Employer.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Key Responsibilities
Leadership of the Medicines Management Team
10. Strategic Oversight : Provide governance and quality assurance for safe, cost-effective, high-quality medicines management.
11. DES Service Delivery : Ensure compliance with DES service specifications, including Structured Medication Reviews, antibiotic stewardship, and overall medicines optimization.
12. Mentorship and Development : Offer leadership and mentorship to the medicines management team, ensuring professional development and personal growth within the team.
13. Collaborative Culture : Foster a multidisciplinary culture, establishing strong working relationships within the practice and with external stakeholders.
14. Audit and Quality Improvement : Lead and support audits, quality improvement projects, and initiatives to enhance patient care and service delivery.
Professional Development and Service Expansion
15. Vision and Strategy : Develop a long-term vision and strategy for the Medicines Management Team, aligning with practice goals.
16. Quality Standards and Compliance : Monitor compliance with national and local standards, collaborating with the GP Clinical Governance Lead to uphold best practices.
17. Pathways and Risk Management : Create and refine care pathways, identifying and managing risks in alignment with policies and protocols.
18. Team Development and Retention : Oversee recruitment, development, and retention of a skilled team, providing mentorship to ensure motivation and excellence.
19. PCN DES Compliance : Ensure the team meets PCN DES and HR policy requirements, maintaining regular appraisals, documented one-to-ones, and effective absence management.
Service Development and Governance
20. Resource Management : Lead efforts to ensure a resilient, sustainable, and cost-effective service, managing resources to deliver high-quality patient care.
21. Policy Development and Strategy : Contribute to policy and strategic planning, advising on best practices within medicines management.
22. Integrated Care System : Build effective relationships with external partners to advance integrated care, supporting seamless transitions and unified patient care.
23. Audit and Service Evaluation : Conduct critical incident reviews and audits to evaluate service delivery, using insights to drive service improvements.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
24. Masters Degree in Pharmacy (MPharm) or equivalent
25. Registered as a Pharmacist with the Pharmaceutical council GPhC
26. Postgraduate qualification in Clinical Pharmcy Prescribing or relevant clinical area
27. Independent Prescriber Qualification
28. Relevant Leadership or Management Training
29. Evidence of continuing professional development in Medicines Management
Experience
Essential
30. A minimum of 3 years Post Qualification Experience ideally in primary care, or a hospital setting
31. Demonstrable experience in leading a team, providing mentorship and managing multidisciplinary health care teams
32. Experience in implementing quality improvement initiatives ideally with an understanding of sustainable QI approaches
Skills/ Abilities/ personal qualities
Essential
33. Strong Leadership and Management skills with the ability to inspire, motivate and mentor a team
34. Excellent project management and organisational skills with the ability to manage and oversee performance targets
35. Strong decision making and ability to work autonomously and collaboratively within a multidisciplinary setting
36. Awareness of how medicines management can contribute to more sustainable healthcare and reduce the NHS carbon footprint
37. Enthusiasm for innovation in patient care and service improvement
38. A passion for person centred holistic care
39. Excellent interpersonal skills influencing,
40. negotiating and communication (written
41. and verbal) skills.
42. A collaborative approach to team dynamics
Desirable
43. Skills in strategic planning and developing teams
44. Innovative approach to problem solving and the ability to optimise patient pathways and service delivery
45. Knowledge of Quality Improvement Framework and Impact and Investment Fund
46. Understanding of the integrated care system and cross sector collaboration