MAIN TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES: 1. Leadership To provide clinical and professional leadership to pharmacy QA/QC services and research staff, in accordance with the pharmacy priorities and objectives. To identify and promote best practice To motivate and inspire others To ensure that issues relating to QA/QC services including changes in practice are communicated to all pharmacy staff as appropriate To work collaboratively with pharmacy staff and management, to ensure implementation of local and nationally agreed pharmacy services objectives To ensure that operational policies are kept up to date with legal and professional developments To set standards, operational guidelines and safe systems of work. To monitor the compliance with these and ensure action is taken in the event of failure 2. Operational Management To manage and co-ordinate the work of pharmacy QA/QC services. To ensure that the QA/QC practices meets the requirements of national guidelines (e.g. the requirements of Good Laboratory Practice (GLP)) To liaise with the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) for all licensed pharmacy activities To manage in conjunction with the Deputy Chief Pharmacist(s), the qualification, commissioning and validation of new facilities and equipment To be responsible with the Deputy Chief Pharmacist(s) the approval of standard operation procedures in all areas covered by licensing To be responsible with the Deputy Chief Pharmacist(s) for the development and management of a robust Quality Management System (QMS) and to be responsible for the maintenance of records, the effective management of non-compliance reviews, implementation and management of agreed actions plans To provide expert advice and technical input into investigations and quality risk management issues To act as a Releasing Officer as and when required To undertake internal Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) and Good Clinical Practice (GCP) audits of the Trust licensed premises and those who hold SLAs with us To be responsible for the effective management of the Change Control and Unusual Event programme ensuring improvements and any regulatory changes are assessed and implemented To act as the pharmacy contact for the national and regional alerting systems and co-ordinate action on medication alerts within the trust To investigate and report on defective medicines To provide expert advice on pharmaceutical matters Maintain trust procedures for supply of unlicensed medicinal products To undertake risk management, ensure compliance with medicines legislation and ensure patient safety To undertake investigations into the quality/effectiveness/economy of QA/AC services and plan and implement any changes to the service as a result of investigations To liaise with estates staff to ensure ; o The quality of medical gas supply (with assistance of the local gas testing specialist when necessary). o The maintenance of clean room facilities within the pharmacies. 3. Staff Management To support, develop and monitor the progress of all QA/QC staff. To manage accountable staff To set objectives and undertake performance reviews and appraisals in accordance with departmental guidelines To manage staff attendance, performance, disciplinary and grievance issues To be responsible for the recruitment of all QA/QC staff To support continuing professional development for all pharmacy staff 4. General Management To be responsible for the staffing budgets and the procurement, maintenance of equipment and resources within pharmacy QA/QC services To advise on the suitability and purchasing of equipment for aseptic services To monitor service level agreements ensuring agreement, renewal and invoicing To ensure that appropriate systems are in place for the investigation of complaints, accidents and untoward incidents relating to pharmacy QA/QC services To personally contribute to the delivery of education programmes To identify own training needs To participate in other areas of pharmacy practice in order to ensure a broad base of pharmaceutical knowledge 5. Research and Development To lead, develop and support pharmacy related research programmes To support the Chief Pharmacist and other senior pharmacy staff in promoting the Trust and the Pharmacy Departments Research and Development programmes To undertake, supervise and give guidance on the reconstitution of pharmaceutical clinical trial materials used with the Trust To contribute to the preparation and publication of reports where required 6. Other To undertake continual professional development and maintain a CPD portfolio including continuing education and attendance at appropriate courses and study days To participate in all relevant departmental, trust and external meetings and contribute to effective communication within the department To be a member of the Pharmacy Executive and senior pharmacy management team To undertake any other duties commensurate with the grade as requested by the Chief or Principal Pharmacist To be aware of and apply, relevant legislation such as the Health and Safety at Work Act, Control of Substances Hazardous to Health, GLP, GMP and Medicines' Act