Principal Pharmacist

Job summary

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Principal Pharmacist in the West Yorkshire Integrated Care Board (Leeds) Medicines Optimisation Team.

Following the reorganisation across the ICB, we are seeking an enthusiastic and passionate Principal Pharmacist to lead and develop the Medicines Optimisation team in Leeds.

We welcome full and part time applicants on a permanent basis.

Main duties of the job

Provide leadership and expertise to the medicines optimisation business unit. Responsible for managing a team of pharmacy professionals and staff within the team. Accountable for delivering the core functions and objectives of the sub-team whilst contributing to the delivery of the wider team and system objectives.

Work with the team to implement effective medicines and pharmacy strategies and activities to promote effective medicines use across the Leeds Place. Working with colleagues across the ICS to ensure that there are coherent strategies around the safe, evidence based and cost-effective use of medicines.

Matrix work across the organisation to integrate medicine optimisation into broader initiatives ensuring best value for the Leeds pound and supporting the implementation of national, regional, and local policies, initiatives, and strategies within Leeds, including new pharmacy services, new medicines, local and national guidance, new contracts etc. so these are safely and effectively implemented.

Work on a multi-disciplinary and multi-agency basis to contribute to the overall health care quality improvement and health inequalities agenda, including the development of improved patient care pathways, with a particular focus on providing highly specialised clinical pharmaceutical advice on medicines optimisation.

About us

NHSWest Yorkshire ICB is responsible for improving population health and reducinginequalities to meet the diverse health needs of its population and is part ofthe West Yorkshire Health and Care Partnership which includes organisations,local councils, health and care providers and voluntary, community and socialenterprise organisations.

Weare passionate about creating an inclusive workplace that promotes and valuesdiversity; we see this as a strength and part of our founding mission, valuesand behaviours. We know through experience that different ideas, perspectivesand backgrounds create a stronger and more creative work environment thatdelivers patient outcomes.

Weare committed to creating the best place to work, where your contribution isvalued, your wellbeing is supported and all our colleagues can reach their fullpotential. We welcome and encourage applications from all areas of thecommunity, who meet the criteria for the role, regardless of their protectedcharacteristics.

We operatea Carer friendly working environment that is supportive and inclusive. Weactively encourage Carers to self-identify themselves and are offered a workingCarer passport.

As a MindfulEmployer we are positive and enabling towards all employees and job applicantswith a mental health condition.

We are a DisabilityConfident Employer and commit to shortlisting suitable applicants who meet theessential criteria for an informus of any adjustments you may require.

Job description

Job responsibilities

To support the process of developing and monitoring system performance using available frameworks QO, ePACT, System One System Wide searching and manage the process of developing and monitoring meaningful performance indicators and outcome measures on key team activities

To work with PCN teams to develop and monitor prescribing work stream initiatives to ensure appropriate and cost-effective prescribing across all practices and support practices to achieve financial balance.

To work with partner organisations to develop medicines optimisation in practice, including the clinical pharmacy agenda.

To oversee the supervision and training for less experienced medicines optimisation staff and other staff as appropriate and to ensure that all staff have adequate training and support.

To facilitate the use of IT solutions to guide medicines optimisation and to maximise the impact of these systems to optimise efficiency and consistency of standards across Leeds.

To support the Head of Medicines Optimisation in developing a Prescribing Engagement Scheme and other enhanced services and ensure monitoring and outcomes, this will include the provision of highly specialist pharmaceutical advice to clinicians/ organisations / patients.

To promote appropriate clinical governance arrangements in relation to medicines and ensure compliance with medicines legislation.

To communicate and provide highly complex information to a wide range of internal and external stakeholders for example prescribing data and budget information, clinical guidelines and clinical evidence/studies information.

To demonstrate advanced negotiation and persuasion skills when required) when information/advice may be challenged).

To deputise for the Head of Medicines Optimisation as required

Financial and Physical Resources

Budget holder for specified area, constantly striving for value for money and greater efficiency in the use of budgets and ensuring recurrent financial balance year on year.

Responsible for authorising of travel expenses, cash/financial payments. Maintaining budget for project and pharmacy schemes.

Provide advice and prepare financial and strategic reports and briefings for Head of Medicines Optimisation and for stakeholders

Staff Management

To line manage individual medicines optimisation team members monitoring performance against agreed targets and fulfilling the requirements of the PDR process.

Responsible for the day-to-day range of staff management matters, which will include responsibility for supporting appraisals, development of staff, recruitment and where necessary processes such as grievance and disciplinary matters. Provide overall line management to a section of the Medicines Optimisation department, taking responsibility for all elements of staff management.

Information Management.

Highlight exceptions and risks ensuring mitigating action can be taken to keep programmes on track and draft reports summarising status on issues, appraising outcomes, and providing progress reports for the Head of Medicines Optimisation.

Collate as required, qualitative and quantitative information and lead appropriate analysis to develop robust business cases and contribute to project products and decision making.

Research and Development

Oversee research and best practice evaluation within the Medicines Optimisation team, which will often contribute to the research undertaken by universities and provider research teams.

Person Specification

Experience

Essential

Extensive knowledge of specialist areas; clinical, management, governance, finance, acquired through post graduate diploma or equivalent experience or training Evidence of ongoing professional develop Significant experience of leading and managing staff. Significant experience of communicating and engaging effectively with external agencies/stakeholders. Significant experience of communicating and engaging effectively with external agencies/stakeholders. Experience, understanding and knowledge of the workings of the NHS, the challenges it faces and of the reform agenda. Experience of using performance management/improvement systems. Experience of leading and implementing medium and long term strategy in own service area.

Desirable

Knowledge and experience of programme or project management.

Qualifications

Essential

Professional knowledge acquired through masters degree in pharmacy and pre-registration training and experience Further specialist knowledge through significant post-graduate continuing professional development Member of the General Pharmaceutical Council.

Skills & behaviours

Essential

Computer literate with an ability to use the required systems/office packages. Able to think conceptually; recognising assumptions, interpreting and evaluating arguments and deducing inferences. Able to think strategically and develop Medicines Optimisation strategy linked to ICB objectives whilst demonstrating strong influencing and negotiating skills. Able to think analytically; anticipating obstacles and thinking ahead; using analytical techniques to identify several solutions. Able to effectively manage resources (financial and others) to ensure delivery of a service/project. Evidence of significant personal development, professionally and managerially.

Additional Requirements

Essential

Able to work flexibly to meet the needs of the service and ensure a customer focused response. Independently mobile in order to be able to work across a number of sites in West Yorkshire and travel to meet with stakeholders.

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