Job summary
We are looking for an experienced pharmacy technician or pharmacist with a passion for developing and implementing strategy, managing operations and governance systems. You will build strong working networks across the service and demonstrate the values we expect.
Within this post, we will support your future development to grow into a Chief of Staff or Operations Lead role either within SPS or elsewhere within the NHS.
Main duties of the job
We have an exciting opportunity for an enthusiastic and experienced registered pharmacy professional (Band 8c) to join NHS Specialist Pharmacy Service (SPS). This is a new post, establishing a cross function role within the senior management team, managing operations and governance systems for the service. You will work with all SPS functions as well as colleagues in NHSE, DHSC and the local health economy (ICBS).
This is a full-time role for a senior pharmacist or pharmacy technician, accountable to the Head of the NHS Specialist Pharmacy Service. The post is hosted by the Liverpool University Hospitals Foundation Trust and based at the Pharmacy Practice Unit (PPU), with opportunity to work remotely. Within this post, we will support your development to grow into a Chief of Staff or Operations Lead role either within SPS or elsewhere within the NHS.
About us
The NHS Specialist Pharmacy Service (SPS) is commissioned by NHS England and delivered in line with the NHS SPS Specification (December 2021). We provide leadership and specialist input across the system, supporting the NHS to develop best practice systems of work related to buying, making and using medicines.
Our strengths are borne out of connecting national expertise with policy teams and arm's length bodies to ensure consistency and high standards. The service supports both regional and local connections to ensure that the service outputs resonate with and support local NHS organisations which deliver care to patients. The key successes of SPS are through the development and delivery of their "Do Once and Share" methodology.
Job description
Job responsibilities
You will have a broad and varied role working in collaboration with colleagues across all functions of SPS and key external stakeholders.
The primary role is to support the NHS SPS Chief of Staff to formulate, refine and implement SPS organisational strategy, policy and deliver of SPS corporate objectives. The Assistant Chief of Staff will:
- be responsible for governance processes within the service, between the senior leadership team and the individual functions of the service.
- Support the Head of SPS by steering, coordinating and ensuring delivery of activities related to the functions of the SPS, including setting and monitoring performance KPIs.
- represent the view of the NHS SPS Chief of Staff at the highest level, in their absence, at key strategic meetings.
- participate in executive decision making and facilitate and support strategic discussions regarding the development of the SPS considering current and evolving NHSE strategic objectives.
- be highly flexible and be able to exercise robust judgement with regards to prioritisation of activities as the needs of the NHS SPS change in response to the environment in which the service operates.
Job description
Job responsibilities
You will have a broad and varied role working in collaboration with colleagues across all functions of SPS and key external stakeholders.
The primary role is to support the NHS SPS Chief of Staff to formulate, refine and implement SPS organisational strategy, policy and deliver of SPS corporate objectives. The Assistant Chief of Staff will:
- be responsible for governance processes within the service, between the senior leadership team and the individual functions of the service.
- Support the Head of SPS by steering, coordinating and ensuring delivery of activities related to the functions of the SPS, including setting and monitoring performance KPIs.
- represent the view of the NHS SPS Chief of Staff at the highest level, in their absence, at key strategic meetings.
- participate in executive decision making and facilitate and support strategic discussions regarding the development of the SPS considering current and evolving NHSE strategic objectives.
- be highly flexible and be able to exercise robust judgement with regards to prioritisation of activities as the needs of the NHS SPS change in response to the environment in which the service operates.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Pharmacist or Pharmacy Technician (Registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council)
- Professional knowledge acquired through vocational masters degree in pharmacy plus one year pre-reg training or equivalent plus specialist knowledge acquired through diploma level experience
- Postgraduate qualification to a masters degree level in a relevant healthcare related area
Desirable
- Post-graduate level original research and/or publication in an area relevant specifically to the delivery of Medicines Optimisation
Experience
Essential
- Extensive experience as a practising pharmacist / pharmacy technician, including recent experience in a senior role, managing staff or a service
- Experience of working with Medicines Optimisation and/or medicines decision making groups within the NHS (e.g. Area Prescribing Committees or equivalent)
- Experience of working with a diverse range of stakeholders
Desirable
- Experience of working with medicines commissioning and decision making structures at a national level
- Experience of working in a complex matrix type working environment, within a diffuse national organisation
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Pharmacist or Pharmacy Technician (Registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council)
- Professional knowledge acquired through vocational masters degree in pharmacy plus one year pre-reg training or equivalent plus specialist knowledge acquired through diploma level experience
- Postgraduate qualification to a masters degree level in a relevant healthcare related area
Desirable
- Post-graduate level original research and/or publication in an area relevant specifically to the delivery of Medicines Optimisation
Experience
Essential
- Extensive experience as a practising pharmacist / pharmacy technician, including recent experience in a senior role, managing staff or a service
- Experience of working with Medicines Optimisation and/or medicines decision making groups within the NHS (e.g. Area Prescribing Committees or equivalent)
- Experience of working with a diverse range of stakeholders
Desirable
- Experience of working with medicines commissioning and decision making structures at a national level
- Experience of working in a complex matrix type working environment, within a diffuse national organisation
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.
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).
Additional information
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.
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).
