Job summary
Pharmacist - Medicines Value Programme Lead
Department: Pharmacy
Band 8b: £62,215 - £72,293 per annum
Full-time 37.5 hours per week including weekend and BH commitments, all MKUH roles will be considered for flexible working
Working as part of the senior pharmacy team, you will be the lead for medicines value, homecare services and digital medicines optimisation.You will be responsible for managing a drug budget c.£50M, driving cost-saving initiatives and ensuring compliance with national commissioning policies. This is a diverse role that includes high-level stakeholder engagement, team leadership, business case development, and strategic oversight of medicine cost and productivity improvements.
We are looking for an exceptional clinical pharmacist with proven experience at a senior level, who is passionate about medicines optimisation, has a strong grasp of medicine commissioning and finance and excels at leading change in complex environments.
Interested? For further information, please contact Vivian De Vittoris,Associate Director of Pharmacy - Operations, Quality & Governance at Vivian.devittoris@mkuh.nhs.uk
MKUH is committed to equal opportunities and welcomes applicants from all backgrounds.
Interview date: 16.06.2025
Main duties of the job
- The Medicines Value Programme Lead is professionally and managerially responsible for the development and delivery of successful Medicines Value and waste reduction programmes for MKUH, ensuring best value prescribing and evidenced based practice. They will utilise horizon scanning, monitoring drug usage, prescribing patterns and expenditure to support MKUH achieving a balanced drug budget and planning for new drug developments.
- They are accountable for managing the approval, appropriate use, and audit of high-cost medicines reimbursed centrally as well as under block arrangements.
- They are responsible for ensuring useful and accurate reporting of data from Pharmacy systems to support the running of the department and good financial management of medicines across the organisation.
- They will provide clinical expertise to the procurement team.
- They will participate in the provision of clinical pharmacy services, on-call, weekend and bank holiday commitments.
About us
"We Care We Communicate We Collaborate We Contribute"
"90% reported feeling trusted to do their job and always knowing their responsibilities"(NHS Staff Survey 2023).
You can expect a warm welcome at Milton Keynes University Hospital, our staff are friendly and welcoming. We listen to each other and work together to embed our Trusts values and behaviours. At MKUH we appreciate our staff and reward them with an outstanding benefits package including:
- Free on-site parking
- Free tea and coffee
- Great flexible workingopportunities
- Discounted gym membership
- Lease car scheme
- Generous annual leave and pension scheme
- On site nursery (chargeable)
- Extensive staff health and well-being programme
Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, in partnership with the University of Buckingham, is a University Teaching Hospital; we conduct research and teaching on site to improve the care of our patients. The hospital is undergoing significant investment, and we are proud to be rated good by the CQC. Visit our website to catch up on our latest news.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Medicines value & commissioning responsibilities:
- To be responsible for the identification of cost-reduction strategies associated with medicines alongside commissioners, clinicians, and wider departmental and Trust stakeholders, to scope feasibility and methods for safe implementation.
Expert practice:
- To provide strategic advice to the Clinical Director for Pharmacy to ensure the Trust manages medicines in a safe and effective way.
Research, evaluation & service development:
- To interpret national guidance, research, and audit and where it does not exist to formulate an expert opinion and/or contribute to the evidence.
Leadership & management:
- To manage the team in accordance with organisation policy and procedures, for example, pharmacy rotas including cover for sickness, vacancies and leave and performance management.
Professional practice role:
- To practice in compliance with the General Pharmaceutical Council code of professional conduct within scope of practice, being responsible and accountable for own decisions, actions, and omissions.
Educational & training responsibilities:
- To ensure a comprehensive induction programme for all new members of staff coming into the team.
Professional role:
- To ensure confidentiality is maintained at all times.
Please refer to the Job Description for further details
We believe success lies in the diversity of our employees and are committed to promoting equality, encouraging diversity and embracing inclusion. We welcome applications from everyone interested in working for us.
MKUH is committed to equal opportunities and improving the working lives of our staff and as such we offer a range of flexible working practices.
We reserve the right to expire vacancies prior to the advertised closing date once a sufficient number of applications have been received.
MKUH uses identification scanning technology to confirm the authenticity of documents; all prospective employees of MKUH will have their original documents verified using this technology.
By applying for this role, you accept if successful, that information from your application will be transferred into the national NHS Electronic Staff Record (ESR) system. Your personal data may be transferred from the Trust to another NHS organisation where your employment transfers within the NHS. This is in accordance with the streamlining programme which aims at saving you time and improving efficiencies within the NHS when your employment transfers.
Upon commencing employment with the Trust, all employees (except Medical & Dental Staff on national terms and conditions) are subject to a probationary period lasting a period of six months with an option to extend for a further six months to a total of 12 months.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Medicines value & commissioning responsibilities:
- To be responsible for the identification of cost-reduction strategies associated with medicines alongside commissioners, clinicians, and wider departmental and Trust stakeholders, to scope feasibility and methods for safe implementation.
Expert practice:
- To provide strategic advice to the Clinical Director for Pharmacy to ensure the Trust manages medicines in a safe and effective way.
Research, evaluation & service development:
- To interpret national guidance, research, and audit and where it does not exist to formulate an expert opinion and/or contribute to the evidence.
Leadership & management:
- To manage the team in accordance with organisation policy and procedures, for example, pharmacy rotas including cover for sickness, vacancies and leave and performance management.
Professional practice role:
- To practice in compliance with the General Pharmaceutical Council code of professional conduct within scope of practice, being responsible and accountable for own decisions, actions, and omissions.
Educational & training responsibilities:
- To ensure a comprehensive induction programme for all new members of staff coming into the team.
Professional role:
- To ensure confidentiality is maintained at all times.
Please refer to the Job Description for further details
We believe success lies in the diversity of our employees and are committed to promoting equality, encouraging diversity and embracing inclusion. We welcome applications from everyone interested in working for us.
MKUH is committed to equal opportunities and improving the working lives of our staff and as such we offer a range of flexible working practices.
We reserve the right to expire vacancies prior to the advertised closing date once a sufficient number of applications have been received.
MKUH uses identification scanning technology to confirm the authenticity of documents; all prospective employees of MKUH will have their original documents verified using this technology.
By applying for this role, you accept if successful, that information from your application will be transferred into the national NHS Electronic Staff Record (ESR) system. Your personal data may be transferred from the Trust to another NHS organisation where your employment transfers within the NHS. This is in accordance with the streamlining programme which aims at saving you time and improving efficiencies within the NHS when your employment transfers.
Upon commencing employment with the Trust, all employees (except Medical & Dental Staff on national terms and conditions) are subject to a probationary period lasting a period of six months with an option to extend for a further six months to a total of 12 months.
Person Specification
Qualifications and knowledge
Essential
- GPhC Registration
- MPharm Degree or equivalent
- Higher Degree / Diploma in Clinical Pharmacy or equivalent experience
- Evidence of CPD
Desirable
- Formal management qualification
- Extensive knowledge of reporting systems available for the management of medicines use
Experience
Essential
- Broad experience of providing a relevant service at a senior level
- Extensive experience of managing drug expenditure and understanding of budgetary mechanism
- Experience of working with commissioners to manage drug use
- Experience working as part of a multi-professional team
- Experience of audit work.
- Service development
- An awareness of current national standards, guidelines, and service delivery issues relevant to the role.
- Experience of supervising, developing and appraising staff as well as giving feedback
- Proven experience of working at a strategic level with senior clinicians and managers
- Demonstrates a passion for good financial management and optimizing care
Skills
Essential
- IT and presentation skills and report writing
- Meets targets and identifies a vision for the delivery of pharmacy services to patients
- Good inter-personal skills, with the ability to liaise and influence senior managers and consultants
- Meets expected levels of practice as identified by others and identifies new areas of practice
- Identifies and prioritizes goals
- Understands local and national priorities in care and has the ability to reconcile these with local realities
- Demonstrable ability to manage time, people, and resources to deliver outcomes
- Integrates research evidence and audit results into practice; documented experience of own research & audit
- Identifies and manages risk
- Demonstrates excellent awareness of and commitment to the Clinical Governance agenda
- Demonstrates expert knowledge, reasoning, and judgement; manages difficult and ambiguous problems
- Identifies own training needs, actively seeks training opportunities, and maintains a portfolio of practice
- Works autonomously and can delegate authority appropriately
- Evaluates the quality of own work and can evaluate service quality
- An ability to prioritise a complex workload and work accurately under pressure
Personal and people development
Essential
- Experience of supervising, developing and appraising staff as well as giving feedback
- Has a positive approach to developing others and supporting change
Desirable
Communication
Essential
- Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to influence others
- Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written
Specific requirements
Essential
- Able to perform the duties of the post with reasonable aids and adaptations
Person Specification
Qualifications and knowledge
Essential
- GPhC Registration
- MPharm Degree or equivalent
- Higher Degree / Diploma in Clinical Pharmacy or equivalent experience
- Evidence of CPD
Desirable
- Formal management qualification
- Extensive knowledge of reporting systems available for the management of medicines use
Experience
Essential
- Broad experience of providing a relevant service at a senior level
- Extensive experience of managing drug expenditure and understanding of budgetary mechanism
- Experience of working with commissioners to manage drug use
- Experience working as part of a multi-professional team
- Experience of audit work.
- Service development
- An awareness of current national standards, guidelines, and service delivery issues relevant to the role.
- Experience of supervising, developing and appraising staff as well as giving feedback
- Proven experience of working at a strategic level with senior clinicians and managers
- Demonstrates a passion for good financial management and optimizing care
Skills
Essential
- IT and presentation skills and report writing
- Meets targets and identifies a vision for the delivery of pharmacy services to patients
- Good inter-personal skills, with the ability to liaise and influence senior managers and consultants
- Meets expected levels of practice as identified by others and identifies new areas of practice
- Identifies and prioritizes goals
- Understands local and national priorities in care and has the ability to reconcile these with local realities
- Demonstrable ability to manage time, people, and resources to deliver outcomes
- Integrates research evidence and audit results into practice; documented experience of own research & audit
- Identifies and manages risk
- Demonstrates excellent awareness of and commitment to the Clinical Governance agenda
- Demonstrates expert knowledge, reasoning, and judgement; manages difficult and ambiguous problems
- Identifies own training needs, actively seeks training opportunities, and maintains a portfolio of practice
- Works autonomously and can delegate authority appropriately
- Evaluates the quality of own work and can evaluate service quality
- An ability to prioritise a complex workload and work accurately under pressure
Personal and people development
Essential
- Experience of supervising, developing and appraising staff as well as giving feedback
- Has a positive approach to developing others and supporting change
Desirable
Communication
Essential
- Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to influence others
- Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written
Specific requirements
Essential
- Able to perform the duties of the post with reasonable aids and adaptations
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).
