Chief Pharmacy Information Officer (CPIO)

Job responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

Lead the digital transformation of pharmacy services, ensuring the strategy aligns with Trust priorities.

Act as the senior lead for digital transformation, overseeing Electronic Prescribing and Medicines Administration (EPMA) systems and medicines informatics.

Provide expert advice to the Trust Board, Chief Pharmacist, and Senior Leadership Team on digital pharmacy services.

Develop and implement a Pharmacy Digital Medicines Strategy, ensuring clinical leadership, risk management, and quality assurance.

Work closely with the Chief Digital Information Officer (CDIO) and Chief Clinical Information Officer (CCIO) to ensure digital innovation in pharmacy services.

To deputise for the chief pharmacist as and when required.

Champion AI and machine learning technologies in pharmacy automation and digital medicine.

Digital Pharmacy Systems Management

Oversee the planning, implementation, and optimisation of Trust-wide digital pharmacy systems, including EPR and EPMA.

Ensure the integration of pharmacy systems with Trust-wide clinical and operational digital solutions.

Lead procurement and benefits realisation for digital transformation projects within the pharmacy domain.

Manage IT-related risks in pharmacy informatics, ensuring system security, compliance, and governance.

Lead the data governance and integrity for pharmacy informatics, ensuring compliance with national informatics standards.

Develop and deliver comprehensive training programmes for pre-registration and qualified pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, and assistants, ensuring proficient use of the EPMA system.

Ensure effective management of digital medicines systems, optimising EPMA configurations to enhance patient safety.

Implement training programmes for healthcare professionals to enhance digital capabilities in medicines management.

Ensure clinical safety accreditation and compliance with medicines-related informatics policies.

Work with key stakeholders to develop and maintain business continuity plans for pharmacy informatics.

Clinical Informatics and Medicines Optimisation

Lead clinical engagement to ensure effective digital transformation of medicines management.

Drive cost-effective prescribing initiatives, optimising financial expenditure using digital data insights.

Develop and implement a medication error reduction strategy using digital health technologies.

Actively contribute to the digital maturity roadmap, aligning with Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS) standards.

Governance and Compliance

Ensure digital pharmacy initiatives comply with national policy, regulatory guidance, and local governance frameworks.

Provide oversight on pharmacy-related informatics risks, working with medication safety officers and clinical governance teams.

Lead research and development in digital medicines, e-prescribing, and clinical informatics.

Stakeholder Engagement

Collaborate with internal and external partners to develop and deliver strategic pharmacy informatics initiatives.

Represent the Trust at regional and national pharmacy informatics forums.

Act as a mentor for pharmacy informatics professionals, providing leadership in digital transformation projects.

People and Performance Management

Line manage the Pharmacy EPMA Team, overseeing recruitment, appraisals, and workforce planning.

Develop a clear workforce strategy, ensuring upskilling in digital pharmacy services.

Ensure staff have access to training and development opportunities to enhance digital capabilities

Qualifications

Essential

• MPharm Degree or equivalent, recognised by the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC).
• Full registration with the GPhC.
• Postgraduate qualification in Health Informatics, or Digital Health Leadership or equivalent.
• Extensive experience in hospital pharmacy and digital health leadership.
• Experience in leading digital transformation initiatives within the NHS.
• Strong knowledge of clinical governance, EPMA systems, and medicines optimisation.
• Project management expertise (e.g., PRINCE2, Agile methodologies).

Desirable

• Postgraduate qualification in Clinical Pharmacy
• MSc/PhD in a relevant field (e.g., Clinical Informatics, Healthcare Digital Transformation).
• Experience in procurement, implementation, and optimisation of digital pharmacy systems.
• Recognised change management and service transformation qualifications.
• Certified Clinical Safety Officer
• Registered with a professional body related to informatics e.g. FEDIP, The Chartered Institute for IT, or the British Computing Society (BSC)

Training

Essential

• Postgraduate Clinical Pharmacy Training (e.g., Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical Pharmacy or equivalent).
• Leadership or Management Training (e.g., PRINCE2 Practitioner, ILM Level 5 or equivalent leadership training).
• Training in Medicines Optimisation and Safety.
• Independent Prescriber Training.
• Evidence of Continuing Professional Development (CPD), including up-to-date clinical, leadership, and managerial competencies.
• Experience in providing and delivering training to healthcare professionals, including mentoring and supervision of junior staff.

Desirable

• Advanced Leadership or Management Training (e.g., MSc in Healthcare Leadership, ILM Level 7, or equivalent).
• Specialist Training in Clinical Education or Teaching (e.g., Postgraduate Certificate in Clinical Education or Teaching).
• Advanced Medicines Optimisation and Governance Training.
• Training in Digital Health Technologies (e.g., EPMA or other health informatics systems).
• Research and Audit Training (e.g., Good Clinical Practice certification or equivalent).

Experience

Essential

• Extensive post-registration experience in hospital pharmacy, with a proven track record in clinical service delivery.
• Significant experience in a leadership or management role, demonstrating the ability to lead and manage a multidisciplinary team effectively.
• Experience in medicines optimisation and delivering pharmaceutical care within a complex healthcare environment.
• Proven experience in managing and implementing electronic prescribing and medicines administration (EPMA) systems or equivalent digital health systems.
• Experience in developing and implementing clinical governance frameworks, including risk management, audit, and policy development.
• Experience in training and mentoring pharmacy staff and other healthcare professionals, ensuring effective staff development and competency
• Experience in managing budgets and resources, demonstrating cost-effective use of medicines and staff resources.

Desirable

• Experience in service redesign or transformation projects, particularly those related to pharmacy services or healthcare improvement initiatives.oExperience in service redesign or transformation projects, particularly those related to pharmacy services or healthcare improvement initiatives.
• Experience in working at a strategic level within an NHS Trust, contributing to policy-making, business planning, and the development of Trust-wide strategies.
• Experience in research, audit, and quality improvement initiatives, with evidence of published work or presentations at national conferences.
• Experience in collaborating with senior clinicians and executives, contributing to multi-professional working groups and committees.
• Experience in implementing change management strategies, particularly in relation to the adoption of new systems or practices within a healthcare setting.
• Experience in leading cross-functional teams or working in a matrix management structure.

Knowledge

Essential

• In-depth knowledge of clinical pharmacy practice, including medicines optimisation, therapeutics, and pharmaceutical care in a hospital setting.
• Comprehensive understanding of NHS policies and guidelines, including those related to medicines management, clinical governance, and patient safety.
• Expert knowledge of electronic prescribing and medicines administration (EPMA) systems, including their implementation and optimisation within clinical workflows.
• Strong understanding of clinical governance frameworks, risk management, and audit processes within a healthcare environment.
• Knowledge of financial management and resource allocation, particularly in relation to the cost-effective use of medicines and managing departmental budgets.
• Thorough knowledge of regulatory and legislative requirements related to pharmacy practice, including GPhC standards and the Medicines Act.
• Familiarity with leadership and management principles, particularly within a multidisciplinary healthcare team.

Desirable

• Advanced knowledge of service improvement and transformation methodologies, such as Lean or Six Sigma, applied in healthcare settings.
• Knowledge of research methodologies and clinical trials in pharmacy practice, including Good Clinical Practice (GCP) standards.
• Understanding of health informatics and digital health technologies, particularly in relation to pharmacy services and EPMA system integration.
• Knowledge of national and local healthcare policies, including NHS long-term plans, clinical commissioning, and sustainability and transformation initiatives.
• Specialist knowledge in a particular area of pharmacy practice, such as antimicrobial stewardship, oncology, or paediatrics.

Skills

Essential

• Leadership and management skills, with the ability to lead, motivate, and develop multidisciplinary teams effectively.
• Advanced clinical decision-making skills, ensuring safe, effective, and evidence-based pharmaceutical care for patients.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage, influence, and negotiate with colleagues, senior managers, and external stakeholders.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, particularly in interpreting complex clinical data and making informed decisions in challenging situations.
• Project management skills, including the ability to plan, coordinate, and deliver large-scale projects, such as EPMA implementation, within set timeframes and budgets.
• Proficiency in the use of electronic prescribing and medicines administration (EPMA) systems and other relevant healthcare technologies.
• Financial management skills, with the ability to manage budgets, allocate resources effectively, and identify cost-saving opportunities.
• Excellent organisational and prioritisation skills, with the ability to manage competing demands and deliver high-quality outcomes in a busy healthcare environment.
• Training and mentoring skills, with experience in developing and delivering training programmes for pharmacy staff and healthcare professionals

Desirable

• Change management skills, with the ability to lead and support teams through service transformations and the implementation of new systems and processes.
• Research and audit skills, with experience in conducting clinical audits, quality improvement initiatives, and contributing to research projects.
• Advanced IT skills, particularly in data analysis, reporting, and using healthcare systems to drive improvements in clinical practice.
• Strategic planning skills, with the ability to contribute to the development of long-term service plans and influence Trust-wide policies and objectives.
• Influencing and negotiation skills at a senior level, particularly in relation to resource allocation, policy development, and service improvement initiatives.

Contractual Requirements

Essential

• Flexibility in working hours
• Able to work extended hours, if necessary
• Flexibility to work / cover at other sites to support the demands of the service -
• A full, current UK driving licence and access to a vehicle fit and insured for business use are required for this post. Reasonable adjustments will be made for disabled staff in line with the Equality Act 2010.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).