Job summary
An exciting opportunity has arisen to join the Medical Directorate in the Midlands region, as the Head of Controlled Drugs
The post holder will lead the provision of an efficient, effective, high quality professional and well co-ordinated CDAO service capable of meeting all statutory, regulatory and NHS requirements ensuring alignment with the activity of the organisation
The post holder will be responsible for managing the team's business support function, including developing and managing the team's annual business plan, progress and dashboard reporting and risk and issue management and working alongside the CDAOs to ensure that NHSE Midlands is delivering legal requirements relating to controlled drugs legislation
This post is advertised on a 0.6WTE basis and we welcome applications from registered and practising pharmacists, with good experience and understanding of Controlled Drugs regulations.
Essential criteria for the role includes:
- Pharmacy (masters) degree (4 years) + 1 year pre-registration qualification.
- Pharmacist, registered with and a practicing member of the General Pharmaceutical Council.
Main duties of the job
As Head of CDAO Team, the post holder will work as part of a dynamic team in delivering an effective service supporting managers and staff across the CDAO remit.
The post holder will lead the provision of an efficient, effective and high quality professional and well co-ordinated CDAO service capable of meeting all statutory, regulatory and NHS requirements ensuring alignment with the activity of the organisation.
About us
The NHS England board have set out the top-level purpose for the new organisation to lead the NHS in England to deliver high-quality services for all, which will inform the detailed design work and we will achieve this purpose by:
- Enabling local systems and providers to improve the health of their people and patients and reduce health inequalities.
- Making the NHS a great place to work, where our people can make a difference and achieve their potential.
- Working collaboratively to ensure our healthcare workforce has the right knowledge, skills, values and behaviours to deliver accessible, compassionate care
- Optimising the use of digital technology, research, and innovation
- Delivering value for money.
If you would like to know more or require further information, please visithttps://www.england.nhs.uk/.
Colleagues with a contractual office base are expected to spend, on average, at least 40% of their time working in-person.
Staff recruited from outside the NHS will usually be appointed at the bottom of the pay band.
NHS England hold a Sponsor Licence; this means that we may be able to sponsor you providing the Home Office requirements are met. To be eligible for sponsorship through the Skilled Worker route you'll usually need to be paid the 'standard' salary rate of at least £38,700 per year, or the 'going rate' for your job, whichever is higher. You can find more information on the Government website.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Controlled Drugs
- To support the CDAO in work across NHS England Central Midlands to deliver statutory requirements to ensure safe management and use of controlled drugs, in response to existing legislation and drive responses to new developments and legislation
- To support the strategic development of processes and systems to meet the statutory requirements of Controlled Drug legislation
- To chair CD LIN meetings when required
- To monitor and take appropriate action to manage the corporate and clinical governance risks relating to controlled drug use across Central Region within all NHS healthcare settings, and any other health care providers in the geographical area not under the regulation of another agency or Controlled Drug Accountable Officer.
- To investigate CD related incidents, and work collaboratively on investigations as appropriate
- Responsible for the sharing of information regarding the management and use of controlled drugs as deputy CDAO
- To promote inter-professional working in the delivery of strengthened governance requirements for controlled drugs
- To deputise for CDAO as required
- Ensure NHS England executive and NHS England Central Midlands board receives clear, evaluated and timely controlled drugs information/reports derived from a range of sources to inform decisions and plans for improving safety related to medicines and CDs
- Oversee analysis of complex controlled drug prescribing data, interpretation, investigation and reporting to highlight concerns and recommendations for improvement and action required
Improving quality and outcomes
- To provide high quality professional advice to the Medical Directorate and Primary Care Commissioning teams on matters relating to the practice of pharmacy in Central Midlands, including the conduct and performance of NHS pharmacy contractors, complaints and other quality issues
- To undertake investigations of complaints, serious incidents and performance concerns for Central Midlands and make recommendations to the appropriate Panels and Committees
- To make recommendations on the fitness-to-practise of pharmacists or companies that apply to come onto the Pharmaceutical List in Central Midlands
- To support the implementation of national and local policy relating to the provision of NHS pharmaceutical services
- On behalf of the CDAO/Head of Pharmacy, support the pharmacy team on an aspect of medicines optimisation in Central Midlands.
- Undertaking other duties as may be jointly agreed from time to time
- Submit all reports to agreed timelines and quality
- Ensure fairness in all performance matters and take care to avoid discrimination
- Undertake an annual performance review with the CDAO/Head of Pharmacy.
Expert Pharmacist resource
- To support the Head of Pharmacy in ensuring that NHSE Central Midlands commissioned services meet all legal and best practice requirements related to medicines and pharmacy e.g. Patient Group Directions, the development of Service Level Agreements involving Medicines Management, working with the Health and Justice team, the Screening and Immunisation team, Public Health England
- To support the Head of Pharmacy by undertaking the role of Medication Safety Officer, to encourage reporting of medicines related incidents across the local health community, and sharing learning from incidents across local and national networks
- To provide professional and contractual advice to contracting team, to support the implementation of the community pharmacy contract
- To work with other organisations in order to promote best practice in NHSE clinical priority areas in relation to medicines e.g. cancer, mental health, primary care transformation. These organisations include Clinical Networks, Academic Health and Science Networks, Clinical Commissioning Groups, Hospital Trusts, Local Pharmaceutical Committees, Local Professional Networks, Local Authorities
- To be able to deputise for the Head of Pharmacy in any of these work areas
- To act as a discipline specific practitioner for the PAG and PLDP panels
- Monitor and address contractor compliance to ensure patient safety requirements are met
- Establish and implement NHS England framework and processes and oversee the investigation, reporting and resolution of medicines and pharmacy related incidents, SUI, complaints and concerns about health professionals
- Lead, advise on and co-ordinate implementation of national policy related to controlled drugs across the NHS England Central Midlands to meet national standards for patient treatment and care, e.g. CQC, NICE
- Establish and maintain processes to identify, report and address illegal, fraudulent or substandard practice in relation to medicines use across the NHS England Central Midlands area
- To co-ordinate and professionally oversee the work of CDAO support staff to ensure that procedures are safe and efficient
Enabling patient and public involvement
- To act as a champion for patients and their interests and involve the public and patients in the policy development and decision-making of NHS England
- To ensure all public and patient contact with the office is of the highest professional standard
- To embed patient and public involvement within NHS England at all levels of decision making.
Promoting equality and reducing inequalities
- To uphold organisational policies and principles on the promotion of equality.
- To create an inclusive working environment where diversity is valued, everyone can contribute, and everyday action ensure we meet our duty to uphold and promote equality
Partnership and cross boundary working
- To liaise with NHS pharmacy contractors
- To liaise with system pharmacy leads and trust chief pharmacists
- To liaise with key staff in other NHS England teams
Leadership for transformational change
- As part of the regional medical leadership team and together with colleagues support the regional director in the delivery of all regional objectives
- To support the medical director in delivery of statutory functions
- To provide clear clinical leadership on using innovative approaches and aligning tools and levers in order to support the improvement of outcomes for patients and drive up the quality of care
- To model a collaborative and influencing style of working, negotiating with others to achieve the best outcomes. Embedding this approach across the Directorate
General/Functional Responsibilities
- To uphold organisational policies and principles on the promotion of equality
- To create an inclusive working environment where diversity is valued, everyone can contribute, and everyday action ensure we meet our duty to uphold and promote equality
- To work in partnership with others and as part of cross directorate teams to deliver successful outcomes
- To support the organisations ways of working, model its values and champion the NHS Constitution
- To ensure the health, safety and wellbeing of all staff within the department
- To ensure compliance with all confidentiality and governance requirements within the department
- To adhere to the NHS Managers Code of Conduct and any other relevant professional codes of conduct at all times.
Developing an excellent organisation
- To ensure the health, safety and wellbeing of all staff within the department
- To ensure compliance with all confidentiality and governance requirements within the department
- To adhere to the NHS Managers Code of Conduct and any other relevant professional codes of conduct at all times
Equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI)
- The post holder will champion equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) and be proactive as a member of the team and as a line manager (if applicable) in the promotion of equality, diversity and inclusion to ensure that EDI is embedded into their working culture, behaviour, values and practice.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Controlled Drugs
- To support the CDAO in work across NHS England Central Midlands to deliver statutory requirements to ensure safe management and use of controlled drugs, in response to existing legislation and drive responses to new developments and legislation
- To support the strategic development of processes and systems to meet the statutory requirements of Controlled Drug legislation
- To chair CD LIN meetings when required
- To monitor and take appropriate action to manage the corporate and clinical governance risks relating to controlled drug use across Central Region within all NHS healthcare settings, and any other health care providers in the geographical area not under the regulation of another agency or Controlled Drug Accountable Officer.
- To investigate CD related incidents, and work collaboratively on investigations as appropriate
- Responsible for the sharing of information regarding the management and use of controlled drugs as deputy CDAO
- To promote inter-professional working in the delivery of strengthened governance requirements for controlled drugs
- To deputise for CDAO as required
- Ensure NHS England executive and NHS England Central Midlands board receives clear, evaluated and timely controlled drugs information/reports derived from a range of sources to inform decisions and plans for improving safety related to medicines and CDs
- Oversee analysis of complex controlled drug prescribing data, interpretation, investigation and reporting to highlight concerns and recommendations for improvement and action required
Improving quality and outcomes
- To provide high quality professional advice to the Medical Directorate and Primary Care Commissioning teams on matters relating to the practice of pharmacy in Central Midlands, including the conduct and performance of NHS pharmacy contractors, complaints and other quality issues
- To undertake investigations of complaints, serious incidents and performance concerns for Central Midlands and make recommendations to the appropriate Panels and Committees
- To make recommendations on the fitness-to-practise of pharmacists or companies that apply to come onto the Pharmaceutical List in Central Midlands
- To support the implementation of national and local policy relating to the provision of NHS pharmaceutical services
- On behalf of the CDAO/Head of Pharmacy, support the pharmacy team on an aspect of medicines optimisation in Central Midlands.
- Undertaking other duties as may be jointly agreed from time to time
- Submit all reports to agreed timelines and quality
- Ensure fairness in all performance matters and take care to avoid discrimination
- Undertake an annual performance review with the CDAO/Head of Pharmacy.
Expert Pharmacist resource
- To support the Head of Pharmacy in ensuring that NHSE Central Midlands commissioned services meet all legal and best practice requirements related to medicines and pharmacy e.g. Patient Group Directions, the development of Service Level Agreements involving Medicines Management, working with the Health and Justice team, the Screening and Immunisation team, Public Health England
- To support the Head of Pharmacy by undertaking the role of Medication Safety Officer, to encourage reporting of medicines related incidents across the local health community, and sharing learning from incidents across local and national networks
- To provide professional and contractual advice to contracting team, to support the implementation of the community pharmacy contract
- To work with other organisations in order to promote best practice in NHSE clinical priority areas in relation to medicines e.g. cancer, mental health, primary care transformation. These organisations include Clinical Networks, Academic Health and Science Networks, Clinical Commissioning Groups, Hospital Trusts, Local Pharmaceutical Committees, Local Professional Networks, Local Authorities
- To be able to deputise for the Head of Pharmacy in any of these work areas
- To act as a discipline specific practitioner for the PAG and PLDP panels
- Monitor and address contractor compliance to ensure patient safety requirements are met
- Establish and implement NHS England framework and processes and oversee the investigation, reporting and resolution of medicines and pharmacy related incidents, SUI, complaints and concerns about health professionals
- Lead, advise on and co-ordinate implementation of national policy related to controlled drugs across the NHS England Central Midlands to meet national standards for patient treatment and care, e.g. CQC, NICE
- Establish and maintain processes to identify, report and address illegal, fraudulent or substandard practice in relation to medicines use across the NHS England Central Midlands area
- To co-ordinate and professionally oversee the work of CDAO support staff to ensure that procedures are safe and efficient
Enabling patient and public involvement
- To act as a champion for patients and their interests and involve the public and patients in the policy development and decision-making of NHS England
- To ensure all public and patient contact with the office is of the highest professional standard
- To embed patient and public involvement within NHS England at all levels of decision making.
Promoting equality and reducing inequalities
- To uphold organisational policies and principles on the promotion of equality.
- To create an inclusive working environment where diversity is valued, everyone can contribute, and everyday action ensure we meet our duty to uphold and promote equality
Partnership and cross boundary working
- To liaise with NHS pharmacy contractors
- To liaise with system pharmacy leads and trust chief pharmacists
- To liaise with key staff in other NHS England teams
Leadership for transformational change
- As part of the regional medical leadership team and together with colleagues support the regional director in the delivery of all regional objectives
- To support the medical director in delivery of statutory functions
- To provide clear clinical leadership on using innovative approaches and aligning tools and levers in order to support the improvement of outcomes for patients and drive up the quality of care
- To model a collaborative and influencing style of working, negotiating with others to achieve the best outcomes. Embedding this approach across the Directorate
General/Functional Responsibilities
- To uphold organisational policies and principles on the promotion of equality
- To create an inclusive working environment where diversity is valued, everyone can contribute, and everyday action ensure we meet our duty to uphold and promote equality
- To work in partnership with others and as part of cross directorate teams to deliver successful outcomes
- To support the organisations ways of working, model its values and champion the NHS Constitution
- To ensure the health, safety and wellbeing of all staff within the department
- To ensure compliance with all confidentiality and governance requirements within the department
- To adhere to the NHS Managers Code of Conduct and any other relevant professional codes of conduct at all times.
Developing an excellent organisation
- To ensure the health, safety and wellbeing of all staff within the department
- To ensure compliance with all confidentiality and governance requirements within the department
- To adhere to the NHS Managers Code of Conduct and any other relevant professional codes of conduct at all times
Equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI)
- The post holder will champion equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) and be proactive as a member of the team and as a line manager (if applicable) in the promotion of equality, diversity and inclusion to ensure that EDI is embedded into their working culture, behaviour, values and practice.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Pharmacy (masters) degree (4 years) + 1 year pre-registration qualification
- Pharmacist, registered with and a practicing member of the General Pharmaceutical Council
Skills Capabilities & Attributes
Essential
- Demonstrable experience of delivering results through the development and management of teams to ensure success and use a range of levers in the absence of direct line management responsibility
- Ability to provide and receive highly complex, sensitive and contentious information, and negotiate with senior stakeholders on difficult and controversial issues.
Knowledge and experience
Essential
- Knowledge and understanding of medicines and pharmacy related legislation and national medicines related guidance e.g. NICE
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Pharmacy (masters) degree (4 years) + 1 year pre-registration qualification
- Pharmacist, registered with and a practicing member of the General Pharmaceutical Council
Skills Capabilities & Attributes
Essential
- Demonstrable experience of delivering results through the development and management of teams to ensure success and use a range of levers in the absence of direct line management responsibility
- Ability to provide and receive highly complex, sensitive and contentious information, and negotiate with senior stakeholders on difficult and controversial issues.
Knowledge and experience
Essential
- Knowledge and understanding of medicines and pharmacy related legislation and national medicines related guidance e.g. NICE
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).
