Senior Specialist Pharmacist

Job description

Job responsibilities

Areas of responsibility include the appropriate maintenance of NHS Prescription Services systems, processes and products, including Leading and managing Part IX (Medical Devices) administration and approvals, production of the NHS England and Wales Drug Tariff, maintenance and updating of the NHS Dictionary of Medicines and Devices (NHS dm+d) and organisation and prescriber data.

The post holder will be expected to make a positive contribution to the development, management, and performance of the NHSBSA and the achievement of its aims, objectives and Key Performance Indicators.

1. Lead on authoring work for the Dictionary of Medicines and Devices (dm+d) NHS Medicines Standard SCII0052 including maintaining anddeveloping primary care products, complex secondary care medicines and devices on the NHS dm+d and investigating interoperability issueswith a particular focus on patient safety

2. Independently producing highly detailed, complex papers and technical reports, often containing sensitive or contentious data for considerationby national leads, NHSBSA Directors and where appropriate the DHSC, NHSEI or other stakeholders.

3. Responsible for ongoing assessment procedures of all processes performed by the wider team for efficiency, accuracy and relevance.

4. Provide support on collaborative projects both internally and externally to the NHSBSA where specialist pharmacy expertise is required e.g.In-Demand support for submission of product information to dm+d, Prescription Event Monitoring, parliamentary questions, policy changes toACBS, One Database Project etc.

5. Translating complex pharmacy and medicine law, NHS Regulations, the Drug Tariff and allied publications, as they affect NHS PrescriptionServices. Providing specialist expertise in the form of pharmaceutical knowledge and support to the Meds team and the NHSBSA.

6. Leading on a DHSC directed function on behalf of the NHSBSA. This includes responsibility for Part IX of the Drug Tariff, Dictionary ofMedicines and Devices (dm+d), and policy implementation relating to reimbursement and remuneration activity. This includes liaising with theDHSC and PSNC and managing this relationship.

7. Proactively leading on the implementation of DHSC led changes to reimbursement/remuneration policy as they impact the NHSBSA functionand internal processes.

8. Accountable for the provision and dissemination of evidence-based critical analysis of complex clinical data to support the maintenance of theDrug Tariff Part IX process and for managing medical devices available to prescribe in primary care in England and Wales.

9. Responsible for NHSBSA representation on the NHS dm+d Editorial Content Committee and the Drug Tariff Part IX Forum, includingsecretariat function and leading on providing feedback. Both comprise key stakeholder representation including DHSC, NHSEI, NHSX, andmanufacturers and regulators.

10. Accountable for the writing of and compilation of national governance documentation (Editorial Policy, Technical Specification and Data Model)that underpins key business deliverables including the dm+d Editorial Policy, and the medical device documentation and subsequent approvalby DHSC and NHSD as required.

11. Approve and sign-off on behalf of the NHSBSA, relevant core / key NHSBSA business deliverables, and directed functions: medical devicesas being cost-effective, safe and appropriate for prescribing in NHS England and Wales primary care; the monthly NHS England and WalesDrug Tariff on behalf of the NHSBSA; the weekly/monthly NHS dm+d extract for system suppliers and national NHS-wide dissemination.

12. Leading on quality and accuracy aspects of the dm+d output for the NHSBSA by overseeing and advising on all primary care and secondarycare authoring decisions.

13. Responsible for relevant enquiries coming through the dm+d enquiries helpdesk as appropriate and supporting, for example, CCGs,prescribing IT System Suppliers and pharmaceutical companies providing support to access and implement the data as well as its analysis,interpretation and insight.

14. Taking the lead on behalf of the NHSBSA in supporting the detail of the governance of the dm+d; and ensuring this is relevant and substantivefor current and evolving requirements. This includes both primary and secondary care authoring of content for national dissemination, asdetailed above.

15. Taking ownership, building upon and maintaining professional relationships with key stakeholders (including DHSC, commissioning agencies, PSNC, manufacturers, NHSEI, NHS Digital and NHSX) to ensure that the NHS Primary Care Services processes are responsive tostakeholders needs. This may also include wider NHSBSA services where specialist pharmacy expertise is required.

16. Responsibility for both long- and short-term planning to positively drive forward the development, management and performance of thedepartment in accordance with matrix operating and utilising skills and experience of the team to achieve department plans and strategicobjectives.

17. Identifying, managing and delivering change processes and leading in the adaptation of existing or development of new/revised processes(products and services) enabling organisational capacity improvements and associated efficiencies. This includes the specification ofrequirements, development of the product/service and the formulation of, and participation in, user acceptance testing activities

18. Having responsibility for the identification and implementation of policy, procedure and service developments to support DHSC initiatives.Providing input to routine and ad-hoc management team meetings defining and explaining the DHSC policy and service development.

19. Contributing to budget setting function for activities within area of responsibility. Is an authorised signatory for expenditure (requisitions,Invoices, expenses and payroll) up to £1,000.

20. Proactively participating in organisation-wide working groups appropriate to the post holders expertise and experience. Proactively Providing specialist pharmaceutical expertise to inform other areas of the NHSBSA business when required to do so e.g. Information Services, IT andData Analytics.

Person Specification

Personal Qualities, Knowledge and Skills

Essential

• Able to critically appraise and interpret highly complex clinical data and form a judgment and solution from the comparison of a range of options.
• Has a thorough understanding of NHS reimbursement and remuneration policy.
• A thorough knowledge and understanding of NHS Information systems relevant to prescribing
• Understanding of pharmaceutical coding, classification and nomenclature systems
• Able to manage performance and delivery of outcomes, in non-line and line management relationships.
• Able to formulate plans which cover a range of complex activities including target setting and prioritisation of activities.
• Able to concentrate intensively, using significant discretion in decision making activities
• Accurate with the ability to meet stringent deadlines, prioritising and delegating as appropriate.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills. Able to write and/or present complex and, at times, highly sensitive material.
• Proactive, personally motivated and able to motivate others.
• Persuasive and diplomatic

Desirable

• Understanding of the pharmaceutical logistics chain and product life cycle.

Experience

Essential

• Extensive experience working as a pharmacist
• Experience of technical writing
• Experience of working in an advisory role
• Experience of managing stakeholder relationships

Desirable

• Worked within the NHS in primary or secondary care-based roles

Qualifications

Essential

• Degree in Pharmacy (MPharm or equivalent)
• Post graduate qualification in a relevant discipline
• Member of the General Pharmaceutical Council

Desirable

• Experience in medical informatics

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).

Employer details

Employer name

NHS Business Services Authority

Address

Bridge House

152 Pilgrim Street

Newcastle Upon Tyne

NE1 6SN

Employer's website

https://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/what-we-do/work-us (Opens in a new tab)