Deputy Lead PharmacistNHS

Job summary

Department Core Purpose

The core purpose of the Pharmacy Department is to ensure the safe, effective, and efficient use of medicines to improve patient outcomes and support high quality clinical care.

As a key member of the pharmacy leadership team, the Deputy Lead Pharmacist contributes to this purpose by providing expert professional and operational leadership across all aspects of pharmaceutical service delivery. The post holder supports the delivery of a responsive, patient-centred, and evidence based pharmacy service that underpins the organisations strategic objectives and clinical priorities.

With centralisation of pharmacy services across the BCHC and CRMP footprint, the Deputy Lead Pharmacist plays an integral part in supporting this core function of service delivery and patient safety.

Main duties of the job

Please note, this role will be based at both Cowley Road Medical Practice and Banbury Cross Health Centre. There will be an expected split of service delivery over both sites.

The Deputy Lead Pharmacist plays a key leadership and operational role within the Pharmacy Department, supporting the Lead Pharmacist in the strategic and day-to-day management of pharmacy services. The post holder will contribute to the delivery of safe, effective, and high quality pharmaceutical care across BCHC and wider PML, ensuring compliance with clinical governance, medicines optimisation, and regulatory standards.

The Deputy Lead Pharmacist will provide expert clinical and professional advice, lead designated service areas or projects, and act as deputy in the absence of the Lead Pharmacist. This includes supporting workforce development, quality improvement initiatives, and having oversight of all trainees within the pharmacy team.

Job description

Duties and Responsibilities

Communication and Key Working Relationships

• To act as one of the first points of contact for Pharmacy team members and partner agencies requesting pharmacy advice and support and be able to direct them accordingly.
• To act as an ambassador of the pharmacy team, providing representation at management meetings or providing advice and guidance to senior managers / board level
• Communicate with a range of different agencies including Integrated Care Board, GPs, medical staff, hospitals and tertiary sectors involved in patient care

Education & Training

• To be the Pharmacist lead for training
• Support the professional development and training of pharmacy staff, pre-registration trainees, and students.
• Deliver education sessions to multidisciplinary teams on medicines optimisation and safe prescribing.
• Act as a role model and mentor, promoting best practice in clinical and operational pharmacy.
• Provide personal development plans for individual team members where appropriate
• Support with team members to achieve expected standards of training and service delivery
• Support with individual team members progress in alignment with the PML career framework for pharmacists

Responsibility for Patient / Client Care

• Deliver specialist clinical pharmacy services in designated areas, ensuring evidence based and patient centred care.
• Promote safe, effective, and economical use of medicines, aligned with national and local formulary guidance.
• Provide expert advice to GPs, clinicians, nursing staff, and other healthcare professionals on all aspects of medicines use.

Policy, Service, Research & Development Responsibility

• Follow Practice guidelines for pharmacy services.
• Will be required to propose and implement changes to policies and asked to provide feedback on new / revised policies for their own area.
• Undertake surveys or audits, as necessary to support with safety, compliance or business development specifically related to pharmacy service delivery
• Support the development, implementation, and evaluation of new pharmacy-led services and clinical pathways.
• Contribute to digital transformation initiatives and the optimisation of electronic prescribing and medicines administration. Provide support to the centralisation of pharmacy services across PML

Responsibility for Finance, Equipment & Other Resources

• Support members of the team with booking onto training and appropriate courses specific to their role
• To support with ordering and stock control of equipment and resources to support all members of the pharmacy team.
• Ensure the suitability and serviceability of all equipment related to the pharmacy team, including FeNO testing machines

Responsibility for Supervision, Leadership & Management

• Support the Lead Pharmacist in the operational and strategic management of pharmacy services.
• Provide leadership and supervision to pharmacists, technicians, and support staff within designated clinical or operational areas.
• Deputise for the Lead Pharmacist as required, ensuring continuity of service and decision making.
• Contribute to workforce planning, recruitment, and staff development, fostering a culture of continuous learning and improvement.
• Have a comprehensive understanding of the practice information systems and provide support to staff where necessary

Governance & Quality

• Support implementation of medicines management policies, audits, and risk management initiatives.
• Ensure compliance with all relevant legislation, standards, and professional codes of practice.
• Lead or contribute to clinical governance, incident review, and service improvement programmes.
• Ensure GPhC standards are upheld across the pharmacy department
• Promote effective and safe prescribing across the whole of PML
• Ensure all clinical staff are aware of medicine warning alerts
• Support with clinical audits around prescribing of medication and medicine safety to support QoF

About us

Cowley Road Medical Practice (CRMP) is a well established GP Practice providing various NHS & Primary Clinical Care to patients in East Oxford.

We are a vibrant, forward-thinking Practice that places the care of both our patients & staff at the core of everything we do.

Our close-knit team fosters a warm, friendly & compassionate environment, creating a space where everyone feels valued. Serving a diverse community of over 12,000 patients, our dedicated GPs, nurses, pharmacist, healthcare assistants (HCAs) & administrative staff work together to provide outstanding care. Every day, our team goes above & beyond to support/improve the health & well-being of the community we are proud to serve.

Rated as GOOD by CQC, our team consists or 30 dedicated professionals. We are committed to implementing a positive workplace in which all staff members are encouraged to grow & develop.

We are actively involved in our local PCN and take a forward-thinking approach to introduce new initiatives that enhance our patient care.

CRMP is supported by Principle Medical Ltd(PML).

PMLis a successful not-for-profit, GP-led organisation providing various clinical services across Oxfordshire & Northamptonshire. They have evolved as a NHS healthcare provider since 2004 & in the last few years have grown significantly, now employing around 300 staff with a turnover of £16m. PML holds GMS contracts, as well as being a GP Federation representing 50 GP practices & nearly 650,000 patients.