Job Description

CCS and NCH&C are merging and this newly created role is pivotal to the continued success of both Trusts and the future Group model



Are you already a Chief Pharmacist, or ready to take that step with all the knowledge and experience you have acquired?



Do you want to be at the forefront of the exciting merger of 2 Trusts and all that it entails?



Can you say yes to all the qualifications and experience required?



Then this unique opportunity will appeal to experienced Chief Pharmacists and those Pharmacists ready for career progression into a Chief Pharmacist role.



As well as the interviews there will be a stakeholder panel on the 17th September as part of this process.



"Should we receive a high number of applications we reserve the right to close this vacancy at any point after 8th August 2025"



Undertake the roles and responsibilities of the Chief Pharmacist as required by all applicable legislation and ensure that practice related to medicines management complies with current legislative framework.



Be professionally accountable to the General Pharmaceutical Council and the Chief Executive for pharmaceutical matters across the Group.

Oversee medicines management across the Group as part of the overall safety, risk, governance, and performance frameworks.



Be responsible for the provision and management of the pharmacy services and professional leadership and advice.



Lead and support the strategic development and improvement of Pharmacy services and medicines management across the Group in line with national, regional, and local objectives and priorities.



Deliver a change agenda to transform current pharmacy models across all areas into a unified service which delivers innovative and integrated ward-based and community health service functions.



Provide strategic leadership regarding medicines management in cross-organisational collaborations across primary and secondary care and community health services.



Deliver the Group's financial plan relating to medicines management and pharmacy services and be responsible for the pharmacy budget including cost control measures and effective use of resources.



Cambridgeshire Community Services and Norfolk Community Health and Care Trusts have come together in a group model and will merge into a new Community Trust in April 2026.



Rated 'Outstanding' by the Care Quality Commission, we are proud to provide high quality innovative services across most of the east of England that enable people to receive care closer to home and live healthier lives.



There's one reason why our services are outstanding - and that's our amazing staff - who, for the seventh year running, rated us incredibly highly in the national staff survey.



If you share our passion for innovative and high-quality care delivery, then please submit your application and join us on our exciting journey as a leading-edge specialist community provider. All are welcome to apply and our promise to you is a culture which prioritises staff engagement and development.



Main Duties and Responsibilities



Ensure that all practice relating to medicines management across the Group complies with the current legislative framework and national policies. Where practice is found to be noncompliant, this is addressed.



Interpret broad current and forthcoming clinical/professional policies, medicines legislation and NHS guidance to manage, develop and lead the vision for the Pharmacy team and medicines management services within the context of the Group's overall strategic direction.



Develop, and lead on the delivery of, a long-term strategy for pharmacy and medicines optimisation with the Chief Nurse and Chief Medical Officer. This will include reviewing pharmacy service provision and procurement, ensuring any proposed changes are in accordance with corporate and clinical governance requirements.



Play an active part in the Group's transformation and organisational development programmes and the development and achievement of the Group's strategic aims and priorities, including adopting a proactive role in developing key performance indicators in relation to medicines.



Undertake the role of the Controlled Drug Accountable Officer,

responsible for ensuring the safe and effective use of controlled drugs across the Group in accordance with the relevant legislation



Ensure comprehensive governance arrangements are in place to provide assurance of the safe use of medicines across the Group and that performance meets, and exceeds where possible, national standards.



Ensure the role of Medicines Safety Officer is fulfilled and Clinical Leaders and Senior Managers are engaged to improve medicines safety.



Pro-actively influence safe and effective drug therapy in conjunction with other clinical staff.



Oversee the Group prescribing systems and associated informatics systems.



Oversee the development and implementation of a comprehensive Clinical Audit Plan for the Group relating to medicines.



Ensure that appropriate training and education is provided to staff within the Trust to provide assurance that they are competent in their roles to prescribe, clinically check, supply, and administer medication, as appropriate.



Ensure that the medicines-related aspects of complaints, serious incidents and other causes of concern are included in any investigation and thematic learning.



Manage critical incidents involving medicines and ensure effective business continuity plans are in place.



Ensure robust risk management arrangements are in place which effectively identify key risks, and associated mitigation plans and advise and act on matters of clinical risk and professional performance.



Deliver the cultural change necessary to implement person-centred services, optimal staff experience and promote partnership working.



Communication



Collaborate with, and advise, senior clinical and operational leads on their strategic plans regarding management of medicines and development and deployment of prescribers.



Collaborate with members of the executive board, patient groups and scrutiny committees as necessary to maintain and enhance positive relationships.



Apply influence to ensure that services have a culture of continuous quality and service improvement in relation to medicines management.

Work closely with internal and external stakeholders to realise opportunities and benefits to the health economy from joint working.



Budgetary Responsibility Function as budget holder for a designated budget and complete reports as requested.



Be accountable for pharmacy pay and non-pay budgets to ensure they remain within current resources.



Have oversight of drug usage and expenditure and exert influence over medicines use to ensure clinical and cost-effectiveness.



Identify and promote cost reduction initiatives in medicines usage including the delivery of cost improvement targets without compromising quality of service delivery.



Meet financial targets for income and expenditure, promoting effective use of resources using evidence-based practice.



Alert the Trust Board to potential the budgetary impact of new drug developments and advise on financial risk management of the prescribing budget.



People Management



Be accountable for the direct management and workload allocation of the Pharmacy team across the Group.



Develop and implement a Pharmacy recruitment and retention policy to support resilience.

Cambridgeshire Community Services NHS Trust:

providing services across Cambridgeshire, Milton Keynes Luton, Norfolk, Peterborough,

Bedfordshire and Suffolk and sustainability and ensure optimal performance.



Ensure that staff have adequate clinical supervision/mentorship

and manage any poor performance actively with the Group's policies and procedures framework.



Continually review skill mix to align with delivery of the Group's strategy and priorities in relation to medicines. Conduct and oversee the annual appraisal process for the team and the production of subsequent development plans to enable staff to reach their full potential.



Foster a culture of lifelong learning, to include provision for post-registration education, continuing professional education/development and vocational training of staff within the team.



Research & Development Activity



Oversee relevant research, innovation, and development projects to optimise quality of patient care and the effective use of medicines.



Clinical and Practice Governance



Observe and maintain strict confidentiality with regards to any patient/family/staff/records and information in line with the requirements of the Data Protection Act. Any data that is taken/shared as part of a phone call or transported, faxed, or transferred electronically must be undertaken regarding the Trust Information Governance and Information Security policies.



Conduct investigations in line with Disciplinary or Grievance policies and where appropriate take these to a conclusion.



The post holder must adhere to the Trust risk assessment and risk management processes.



The post holder must adhere to infection control policies and procedures.

It is a condition of your employment that you are registered with your professional body, and it is your responsibility to maintain your professional registration.



Maintaining own professional development and requirement to take part in appraisal and Key Skills Framework process.



Provide reports as required to the Trust Board on all matters relating to medicines use, prescribing and provision of medicines optimisation services within the Trust.



Undertake mandatory training and any other training relevant to the role as required by the Group.



The post holder must participate in clinical and safeguarding audits as required.



Provide patients and their families /carers with information on standards they should expect from the team.



The post holder will participate in relevant emergency preparedness process for their team.