Job summary
An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced, highly skilled, motivated, forward thinking and enthusiastic
specialist clinical pharmacist based at either Darlington Memorial or the
University Hospital of North Durham.
This is a new role created,
following a successful Drugs Invest to Save business case, to support the
delivery of a medicines value agenda.
In this role, you will play
a pivotal part in ensuring the safe, effective and cost-efficient use of
medicines. You will work closely with hospital clinical teams, trust
stakeholders and external partners to optimise the value of medicines,
contributing to improved patient outcomes and financial sustainability
This exciting new role will
require the post holder to demonstrate excellent leadership and organisational
skills. You will need to be able to communicate effectively across all levels
of the healthcare system. The ability to effectively engage with, influence,
and motivate key stakeholders will be essential to the success of this role.
You will belong to a team
that is committed to supporting staff health and well-being as well as
professional development to help you to achieve your full potential.
Main duties of the job
Be responsible for the
identification, implementation, development and delivery of successful
Medicines Value programmes, ensuring best value prescribing and evidenced based
practice.
Be responsible for managing
the delivery of safe, effective and efficient pharmacy and medicines management
services to a defined group of patients and service users
To monitor the practice of
other healthcare providers, including medical staff, to ensure that prescribing
and medicines use is safe and effective for patients. This would include the
resolution of local prescribing issues and contribution to the education and
training of clinical and non-clinical staff to promote safe and effective
medicines use within the trust.
To provide expert advice in
their specialist field to all members of the directorate, the Trust and the
wider health economy.
To employ models of
practice that recognises the needs of patients and carers whilst maintaining
practice that is embedded in the principles of risk minimisation and patient
safety
Contribute to the strategic
development and monitoring of the pharmacy services delivered, where there is a
particular emphasis on Medicines Value.
About us
If you are being interviewed you must accept an interview slot in the system to continue, even if you have arranged with the manager.
You must be able to produce ALL certificates stated essential in the person specification or you will not be able to complete pre-employment checks.
We provide hospital services from two acute sites - Darlington Memorial Hospital and University Hospital of North Durham. We have a centre for planned care in Bishop Auckland and provide care from community hospitals in Chester-le-Street, Shotley Bridge, Barnard Castle, Sedgefield and Weardale as well as over 80 other community based settings and providing care in patients' homes.
We particularly welcome applications from disabled and Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) candidates as BAME and disabled people are currently under-represented.
Full Job Descriptions can be found in the adverts supporting documents.
Over reliance on
AI-generated content is discouraged and may diminish the applicant's chances of
success.
For the most up-to-date information on visa requirements and eligibility, please check online to determine whether you can apply.
From April 9th 2025 - Healthcare assistants - You must have been employed for a minimum of two years
of as a HCA Band 3 within the NHS for the Trust to consider
sponsorship (we will only consider sponsorship if you meet this criteria and
have a current visa expiring within 3 months).
Job description
Job responsibilities
To support
cost-reduction strategies associated with medicines alongside commissioners,
clinicians, and wider departmental and Trust stakeholders
To support
the successful implementation of a programme of work, , including but not
limited to, best value medicine switches and medicine waste reduction
schemes.
To support
the development of mechanisms for reporting progress of relevant projects and
savings delivered from the implementation of agreed cost reduction schemes
Attend and
report against medicine value workplan into relevant committee and assurance
meetings as and when appropriate.
Contribute to
the development of risk management materials to support best value
prescribing and switching
Provide
support to clinical teams to enable them to identify opportunities to reduce
medicines costs, make changes in line with the identified schemes, and to
agreed timeframes. Support clinical colleagues to
Provide
accurate, timely and comprehensible outcome data, suitable for presentation
within and outside the organisation
Support
processes used for the approval, appropriate use, and audit of high-cost
medicines or where variation in cost-effective prescribing has been
identified.
Support
identification of the financial impact of new medicines such as those
assessed in NICE technology appraisals
Support
processes to ensure prescribing is in line with commissioning policies to
ensure relevant approvals are gained for medication
To actively
encourage service improvement, innovation and practice research that supports
better outcomes and experiences for patients and improves safety.
Support the
delivery of an efficient Homecare service in line with RPS Standards
Participate
in a 7 day pharmacy service, which includes being part of an on call, late
and weekend rota.
Flexible
working conversations are welcomed.
We encourage you to get in touch if you have any questions about the
role
Job description
Job responsibilities
To support
cost-reduction strategies associated with medicines alongside commissioners,
clinicians, and wider departmental and Trust stakeholders
To support
the successful implementation of a programme of work, , including but not
limited to, best value medicine switches and medicine waste reduction
schemes.
To support
the development of mechanisms for reporting progress of relevant projects and
savings delivered from the implementation of agreed cost reduction schemes
Attend and
report against medicine value workplan into relevant committee and assurance
meetings as and when appropriate.
Contribute to
the development of risk management materials to support best value
prescribing and switching
Provide
support to clinical teams to enable them to identify opportunities to reduce
medicines costs, make changes in line with the identified schemes, and to
agreed timeframes. Support clinical colleagues to
Provide
accurate, timely and comprehensible outcome data, suitable for presentation
within and outside the organisation
Support
processes used for the approval, appropriate use, and audit of high-cost
medicines or where variation in cost-effective prescribing has been
identified.
Support
identification of the financial impact of new medicines such as those
assessed in NICE technology appraisals
Support
processes to ensure prescribing is in line with commissioning policies to
ensure relevant approvals are gained for medication
To actively
encourage service improvement, innovation and practice research that supports
better outcomes and experiences for patients and improves safety.
Support the
delivery of an efficient Homecare service in line with RPS Standards
Participate
in a 7 day pharmacy service, which includes being part of an on call, late
and weekend rota.
Flexible
working conversations are welcomed.
We encourage you to get in touch if you have any questions about the
role
Person Specification
Special Requirements
Essential
- Able to work with colleagues and to influence the practice and behaviours of others in a positive way.
- Motivated to develop personally and professionally through self-audit, reflection and learning.
- Good oral and written communication skills.
- Able to travel independently across Trust sites to meet the requirements of the post
- Driving posts musty have valid Full UK driving licence
Experience
Essential
- Extensive experience of providing pharmacy services in a clinical setting at an advanced level.
- Regular experience of day-to-day registered pharmacy staff supervision.
- Experience of using computer software to produce reports or presentations to healthcare professionals.
- Involvement in development of clinical guidelines or protocols.
- Participation in the delivery of education and training in a clinical setting.
- Experience of providing clinical supervision to pharmacists.
Desirable
- Relevant experience for this role.
- Experience of supporting staff through HR processes.
- Experience of providing directorate pharmacist services eg. drug reviews, specialist drug information.
- Experience of service development, research or quality improvement.
- Experience of presenting an audit or research at a conference.
- Experience of being a Prescribing or Educational supervisor to Foundation pharmacist trainees.
- Experience of teaching healthcare professionals in a classroom setting.
- Experience of commissioning
Special Skills & Knowledge
Essential
- Able to manage, monitor, advise and review medicines reconciliation for patients.
- Demonstrates accountability for delivering professional expertise and direct service provision as an individual.
- Recognises personal limitations and refers to more appropriate colleague(s) when necessary.
- Able to motivate self to achieve goals.
- Able to improve quality within limitations of service.
- Demonstrates use of appropriate communication to gain the co-operation of relevant stakeholders (including patients, senior and peer colleagues, and other professionals where possible).
- Able to plan and prioritise a pharmacy teams day-to-day clinical service which is a complex and changing environment.
- Demonstrates a good understanding of pharmacys role in governance processes.
- Demonstrates a working knowledge of evidence-based medicines information resources and the ability to interpret the information.
- Demonstrates understanding of the implications of local and national priorities and pressures for the team and/or service.
Desirable
- Able to demonstrate an area of expertise within a field of pharmacy practice.
- Able to motivate individuals and/or the team.
- Able to successfully manage a project at team and/or service level.
Qualifications
Essential
- Masters Degree in Pharmacy or equivalent.
- Relevant post graduate clinical qualification (to at least diploma level) or portfolio evidence of attainment to the same standard.
- Evidence of CPD.
- Pharmacist Independent Prescriber or currently working towards.
Desirable
- Supervision, leadership or management training.
- Evidence of an up to date portfolio of personal professional activity.
- Additional training or qualification relevant to the post eg. PGCert
Statutory Registration
Essential
- Member of the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC).
Desirable
- Membership of a pharmacy professional body e.g. RPS, UKCPA, BOPA, NPPG
Person Specification
Special Requirements
Essential
- Able to work with colleagues and to influence the practice and behaviours of others in a positive way.
- Motivated to develop personally and professionally through self-audit, reflection and learning.
- Good oral and written communication skills.
- Able to travel independently across Trust sites to meet the requirements of the post
- Driving posts musty have valid Full UK driving licence
Experience
Essential
- Extensive experience of providing pharmacy services in a clinical setting at an advanced level.
- Regular experience of day-to-day registered pharmacy staff supervision.
- Experience of using computer software to produce reports or presentations to healthcare professionals.
- Involvement in development of clinical guidelines or protocols.
- Participation in the delivery of education and training in a clinical setting.
- Experience of providing clinical supervision to pharmacists.
Desirable
- Relevant experience for this role.
- Experience of supporting staff through HR processes.
- Experience of providing directorate pharmacist services eg. drug reviews, specialist drug information.
- Experience of service development, research or quality improvement.
- Experience of presenting an audit or research at a conference.
- Experience of being a Prescribing or Educational supervisor to Foundation pharmacist trainees.
- Experience of teaching healthcare professionals in a classroom setting.
- Experience of commissioning
Special Skills & Knowledge
Essential
- Able to manage, monitor, advise and review medicines reconciliation for patients.
- Demonstrates accountability for delivering professional expertise and direct service provision as an individual.
- Recognises personal limitations and refers to more appropriate colleague(s) when necessary.
- Able to motivate self to achieve goals.
- Able to improve quality within limitations of service.
- Demonstrates use of appropriate communication to gain the co-operation of relevant stakeholders (including patients, senior and peer colleagues, and other professionals where possible).
- Able to plan and prioritise a pharmacy teams day-to-day clinical service which is a complex and changing environment.
- Demonstrates a good understanding of pharmacys role in governance processes.
- Demonstrates a working knowledge of evidence-based medicines information resources and the ability to interpret the information.
- Demonstrates understanding of the implications of local and national priorities and pressures for the team and/or service.
Desirable
- Able to demonstrate an area of expertise within a field of pharmacy practice.
- Able to motivate individuals and/or the team.
- Able to successfully manage a project at team and/or service level.
Qualifications
Essential
- Masters Degree in Pharmacy or equivalent.
- Relevant post graduate clinical qualification (to at least diploma level) or portfolio evidence of attainment to the same standard.
- Evidence of CPD.
- Pharmacist Independent Prescriber or currently working towards.
Desirable
- Supervision, leadership or management training.
- Evidence of an up to date portfolio of personal professional activity.
- Additional training or qualification relevant to the post eg. PGCert
Statutory Registration
Essential
- Member of the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC).
Desirable
- Membership of a pharmacy professional body e.g. RPS, UKCPA, BOPA, NPPG
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).
Employer details
Employer name
County Durham & Darlington NHS Foundation Trust
Address
Darlington Memorial Hospital NHS Trust
Hollyhurst Road
Darlington
County Durham
DL3 6HX
Employer's website
https://www.cddft.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)
