Job Purpose

The Chief Pharmacist and Clinical Director for Pharmacy provides strategic, professional, clinical and operational leadership for Pharmacy and Medicines Management services across the Trust. The postholder is accountable for ensuring the safe, effective and cost-efficient use of medicines across inpatient, outpatient and community services, while contributing to organisational performance, patient safety, quality improvement and financial sustainability.

As the Trust's senior pharmaceutical adviser, the postholder provides expert advice to the Chief Executive, Executive Directors, Clinical Directors and senior managers on all aspects of pharmacy, medicines optimisation, legislation and governance. The role leads a multidisciplinary pharmacy workforce, drives service transformation and innovation, and ensures compliance with all relevant professional, statutory and regulatory standards.

The postholder is responsible for the Pharmacy budget and has strategic oversight of Trust-wide medicines expenditure. They will lead medicines efficiency programmes, contribute to cost improvement initiatives, support research and education, and represent the Trust within local, regional and national professional networks.

Main Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

• Lead the development and delivery of the Pharmacy and Medicines Management Strategy and annual business plan.
• Ensure pharmacy services support Trust objectives, operational priorities and patient care standards.
• Provide professional leadership and strategic direction for all pharmacy and medicines management activities.
• Advise executive leaders on pharmaceutical policy, medicines governance and service development.
• Contribute to Trust-wide strategy, transformation and service redesign as a Clinical Director and senior divisional leader.
• Represent the Trust in local, regional and national pharmacy and healthcare forums.

Service Delivery and Performance

• Ensure safe, timely, effective and patient-centred pharmacy services across all care settings.
• Monitor service quality, productivity and performance against agreed objectives.
• Lead service improvement and transformation programmes that enhance quality, efficiency and patient experience.
• Ensure business continuity and operational resilience for critical pharmacy services.
• Regularly review service effectiveness and implement improvements where required.

Clinical Governance and Medicines Safety

• Lead the safe, appropriate and cost-effective use of medicines across the Trust.
• Ensure compliance with the Medicines Act, Misuse of Drugs legislation, Human Medicines Regulations and professional standards.
• Lead implementation of medicines safety initiatives arising from MHRA, NICE and other national guidance.
• Investigate, respond to and learn from incidents, complaints, audits and safety concerns.
• Maintain effective governance, risk management and assurance arrangements for medicines management.
• Provide expert pharmaceutical advice to Trust committees, project groups and clinical teams.
• Act as a key member of the Medicines Management Committee and support delivery of its objectives.

Clinical and Professional Practice

• Act as a role model for advanced clinical pharmacy practice.
• Provide specialist pharmaceutical advice for patients with complex clinical needs.
• Support multidisciplinary decision-making relating to medicines and therapeutics.
• Maintain clinical credibility through direct engagement with clinical teams and patient care when required.
• Promote evidence-based practice and medicines optimisation across the organisation.

Workforce Leadership

• Lead and manage the Pharmacy workforce, ensuring appropriate staffing, skill mix and deployment.
• Develop workforce plans that support service delivery, transformation and succession planning.
• Oversee recruitment, retention, supervision, appraisal and professional development.
• Ensure all staff receive appropriate education, training, competency assessment and performance review.
• Promote staff wellbeing, engagement, inclusion and continuous improvement.
• Manage workforce issues in accordance with Trust policies and procedures.

Financial Management

• Manage Pharmacy pay and non-pay budgets within approved financial limits.
• Maintain oversight of Trust medicines expenditure and prescribing costs.
• Lead medicines efficiency, productivity and cost improvement programmes.
• Develop and implement effective procurement, stock control and supply chain arrangements.
• Identify financial risks and opportunities and provide expert advice to support decision-making.
• Ensure compliance with Standing Financial Instructions and delegated financial authority.

Research, Education and Innovation

• Promote a culture of research, innovation and continuous learning within Pharmacy.
• Lead and support pharmacy practice research and service evaluation.
• Encourage publication and dissemination of research and improvement work.
• Provide education and training for pharmacy, nursing and medical staff.
• Support undergraduate and postgraduate professional development programmes.
• Contribute to regional and national pharmacy education and leadership initiatives.

Partnership and System Working

• Work collaboratively with patients, clinical services, commissioners and system partners.
• Develop integrated pharmacy and medicines optimisation services across organisational boundaries.
• Support medicines-related improvements within South East London and wider NHS partnerships.
• Build productive relationships with NHS England, Integrated Care Boards, universities and professional bodies.
• Work with commercial partners to support delivery of high-quality pharmacy services.

Communication and Stakeholder Management

• Develop effective relationships with Executive Directors, Divisional leaders and clinical teams.
• Communicate complex clinical, operational and financial information to a range of audiences.
• Present reports, recommendations and assurance information to senior committees and boards.
• Influence decision-making and secure support for service improvement and transformation initiatives.

General Responsibilities

• Participate in relevant Trust, regional and national committees and professional groups.
• Maintain professional registration and continuing professional development.
• Ensure compliance with all governance, regulatory and professional requirements.
• Support emergency preparedness, resilience and business continuity arrangements.
• Undertake any other duties consistent with the seniority and scope of the role.

Overall Accountability

The postholder is accountable for the strategic leadership, governance, workforce, financial management and continuous development of Pharmacy and Medicines Management services, ensuring the Trust delivers safe, effective, innovative and financially sustainable pharmaceutical care for patients across all service settings.