Lead Pharmacist

Overview of the role

A Lead Pharmacist opportunity with a difference

This isn't a remote role, you'll be based onsite Monday to Friday 8:30am-5pm in our Healthcare Services Centre in Stoke.

Did you know....

Our digital pharmacy is a distant selling pharmacy which means the patients don’t enter the premises but interact via our customer service team and the technology that supports the services.

Our digital pharmacy has the second largest number of patients in the UK nominated to a single pharmacy, distributing circa 130,000 items every month currently and this is growing Focussed on delivering outstanding standards in patients and customer care, you'll be actively driving prescriptions, items, services & profit whilst maintaining a culture of professional trust & integrity.

Are you looking to grow and make a difference in your career?

Not only will you lead a team of pharmacists and pharmacy technicians, but you will also be supported by the Head of Digital, the Digital Leadership team as well as wider leadership teams across the business. Often involved in projects such as implementing new technologies, developing clinical protocols, and/or expanding pharmacy services.

You'll have the opportunity to contribute to strategic planning initiatives within the Pharmacy from formulary management, medication procurement, budgeting and other strategic decisions that optimise pharmacy services. You'll also work with product managers to ensure software enhancements for the pharmacy are scoped and delivered to drive safety and efficiency.

You'll be a passionate advocate of our brand who actively seeks to become clinical leader, adept at operating in a fast paced digital environment.

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Main Responsibilities

Patient Safety, Quality and Standards

• Develop new processes and review current processes regularly to ensure the safe and effective running of the pharmacy.
• Deliver regulatory, professional and NHS standards developing a culture of continual improvement.
• Meet the GPhC standards for registered professionals and for the pharmacy premises.
• Deliver all quality standards and contractual framework required by the NHS.
• Continual review through audits, observations & risk assessments
• Accountable for regulatory, professional and ethical decisions in the Pharmacy and communicating effectively with other pharmacists operating in the registered premises.

Delivering Care

• Drives Prescription Growth & market share by optimising pharmacy process & patient service, alongside building strong relationships with the other teams within the Healthcare Service Centre
• Ensures the pharmacy fully participates in applicable NHS services, providing outstanding care to all patients & achieving business goals.
• Work collaboratively with the Customer Services Team and Pharmacy Superintendents Team to ensure patients receive high quality advice and that queries are responded to in an appropriate and timely manner.
• Builds loyalty, ensuring their team offer tailored advice & products for prevention, treatment of illness and the promotion of health lifestyles.
• Responsible for the clinical and accuracy assessment of prescriptions & engaging patients in shared decision making where appropriate.

High Performance Team

• Builds, develops and coaches a team of trained & motivated colleagues who have the capability to deliver excellent standards.
• Effectively trains their team so that they achieve the required level of competence & achieve qualifications within agreed timeframes.
• Drives productivity and efficiency to ensure prescriptions are dispatched in a timely manner.
• Uses performance management tools effectively, setting clear, measurable business & individual objectives in line with culture code.
• Empowers their team so that they are motivated & able to provide outstanding patient & customer care.
• Constantly seeks opportunities to develop their own skills & competence, striving to operate at the top of their licence and to be at the forefront of the extended role of the pharmacist.
• Collaborate with the operational management team within Digital Pharmacy & Central Fulfilment to facilitate the delivery of all operations within the registered premises.
• Work closely with the digital management team to operate within budget and deliver operational profitability.

General

• Supports our ‘Delivering Well’ strategy through alignment of Pharmacy activity to corporate strategy. Is able to present this at any level with clear recommendations for the future.
• Works across multiple communication platforms to deliver patient centred care.
• Delivers operational compliance across all areas of the Pharmacy, maintaining excellent pharmacy standards and availability.
• Actively seeks opportunities to grow prescriptions, items, services & market share.
• Participates in or contributes to other projects & activities as required by the business.
• Responsible for the resourcing of pharmacists and ACTs in digital pharmacy

Problem Solving & Change:

• Sound decision making abilities.
• Adept at identifying problems & devising solutions which are based on sound analysis.
• A change-agent who actively engages with & consistently drives change across the Pharmacy.
• Influences stakeholders on matters relating to their area of responsibility.
• Understands the changing Pharmacy landscape & likely impact on the business.
• Able to build & maintain highly effective relationships with internal & external stakeholders.
• Excellent professional network through building relationships based on mutual trust.

The Ideal Candidate

The successful candidate must possess an MPharm degree or equivalent and management experience is required for this opportunity. You'll be required to have your GPhC registration upon your start date.

As the Lead Pharmacist you will need the following knowledge & skills:

• Adaptability : The digital landscape in pharmacy is constantly evolving with new technologies and processes. As Lead Pharmacist you'll be able to adapt quickly to these changes.
• Tech-savviness : In a digital environment, proficiency with technology is essential. You'll be comfortable using various digital tools and platforms, whether it's electronic health records systems or basic Microsoft Office tools.
• Strong leadership : You'll be responsible for guiding and overseeing a team of pharmacists and pharmacy technicians. Strong leadership skills are essential to effectively manage and motivate team members, delegate tasks, and ensure that operations run smoothly.
• Attention to detail : In pharmacy, accuracy is paramount. You'll have a keen attention to detail to ensure that prescriptions are filled correctly, medications are dispensed accurately, and all regulatory requirements are met.
• Problem-solving ability : In a fast-paced environment, issues and challenges can arise unexpectedly. You'll be a proactive problem-solver who can quickly identify issues, develop solutions, and implement them effectively to minimize disruptions to operations.
• Excellent communication skills : Effective communication is essential in pharmacy, whether it's communicating with patients, healthcare providers, or other members of the pharmacy team. You'll be able to communicate clearly and effectively in both verbal and written forms.
• Patient and colleague focus : Ultimately, the goal of the pharmacy is to provide excellent service to patients. You'll have a strong customer focus, ensuring that patients receive the care and support they need and addressing any concerns or questions they may have.
• Quality Assurance : You'll play a crucial role in maintaining quality standards within the pharmacy. You'll implement and monitor quality assurance programs, ensure compliance with regulations and protocols, as well as conduct audits to identify areas for improvement.
• Training and Development : You'll be involved in training and mentoring staff members, including pharmacists, interns, and technicians. You'll provide guidance on best practices, offer continuing education opportunities, and facilitate professional development to enhance the skills of the pharmacy team

Well are proud to be a diverse and inclusive employer. If you have any specific requirements, we'll do everything we can to support you. Whether it is to find a pharmacy that is accessible, or if it is a flexible position you are looking for, we can help find the role that is right for you. If you need us to make any reasonable adjustments to our recruitment process, we will be happy to accommodate you .