At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead aseptic pharmacy services and shape the future of patient care.
- Company: Join Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, a leader in healthcare innovation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career development, and the chance to make a real difference.
- Other info: Exciting opportunity to lead new aseptic units opening in 2027.
- Why this job: Be at the forefront of transforming pharmacy services for patients in need.
- Qualifications: Registered pharmacist with leadership experience in technical pharmacy.
The predicted salary is between 103102 - 117560 £ per year.
Shape the future of aseptic pharmacy services at Guy's and St Thomas'. We are looking for an inspirational senior pharmacy leader to join our Pharmacy and Medicines Optimisation Directorate as Associate Chief Pharmacist, Technical Services. You will lead a large and complex portfolio of aseptic preparation services spanning chemotherapy, advanced therapies, clinical trials and other aseptically prepared medicines, with responsibility for quality management, regulatory assurance, operational delivery, workforce, finance and future service development. You will have the opportunity to shape the running of two new aseptic units due to open in 2027 providing adult and paediatric chemotherapy and advanced therapies ensuring services meet current and future patient needs.
Main duties of the job
- Provide strategic, professional and operational leadership for the Trust's Aseptic Pharmacy Services.
- Ensure services are delivered to the required standards of patient safety, quality, governance and regulatory compliance, including Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP).
- Lead the development and transformation of aseptic services, supporting sustainable capacity and future service requirements.
- Provide senior leadership for workforce planning, development and performance, building resilient and effective technical services.
- Hold responsibility for the operational and financial performance of the services within the portfolio.
- Contribute as a senior member of the Pharmacy and Medicines Optimisation Directorate Management Team, supporting the wider strategic objectives of the pharmacy service and Trust.
- Provide expert professional advice and leadership on aseptic preparation and technical pharmacy matters, representing the service at senior level.
About us
We have one of the largest and most complex portfolios of aseptic preparation facilities in the region. There is a chemotherapy preparation unit and the advanced therapies containment suite within the Cancer Centre at Guy's; the CIVAS preparation unit at Guy's; a modular CIVAS preparation unit at St. Thomas' and a new chemotherapy and advanced therapies unit at St. Thomas' which will open in 2027. The Trust's requirement for aseptically prepared ready-to-administer doses is growing and there are plans in place to further increase capacity through development of an off-site licensed aseptic unit in future.
Job responsibilities
- Maintain robust quality, governance and regulatory oversight, ensuring services operate safely and in accordance with relevant standards, including GMP requirements.
- Lead the strategic development and transformation of aseptic services, ensuring they are sustainable and responsive to changing patient and organisational needs.
- Provide senior leadership for service delivery and operational performance, balancing quality, capacity, efficiency and patient need.
- Lead workforce planning, development and performance, supporting a skilled, resilient and high-performing technical services workforce.
- Take responsibility for the effective management of resources and financial performance across the portfolio.
- Provide expert professional advice on aseptic preparation and technical pharmacy services, supporting safe and effective decision-making.
- Contribute to the strategic leadership of the Pharmacy and Medicines Optimisation Directorate, working collaboratively with senior pharmacy, clinical and corporate colleagues.
- Support the delivery of major service improvement and transformation programmes, ensuring technical services are positioned to meet future requirements.
- Exercise the senior professional responsibilities and delegated authority associated with the post, including deputising for the Chief Pharmacist where required.
Person Specification
Knowledge
- Relevant first degree, registered pharmacist.
- Post-graduate qualification relevant to technical pharmacy practice or portfolio that demonstrates the acquisition and use of a higher level of specialist knowledge.
- Evidence of commitment to Continuing Professional Development.
- Desirable: Management qualification relevant to the NHS.
Experience
- Recent practice (within the last 8 years) in a leadership role within technical pharmacy practice.
- Business Planning with Project and Financial Management.
- Manipulation, analysis and interpretation of data.
- Line management responsibility for staff, including appraisal and performance review.
- Desirable: Experience within a range of technical specialties; Commercial experience or similar within the NHS sector.
Skills
- Communication to Trust committees, up to Board level.
- Negotiation for resources and conflict resolution.
- Multi-disciplinary working with exec level clinical and management colleagues.
- Evidence of significant project management at estates and service level.
- Oversee an effective system of quality review with identification and management of risk.
- Desirable: Graduate and post graduate teaching; National profile through publications, committee membership or course management.
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.
UK Registration: Applicants must have current UK professional registration.
Associate Chief Pharmacist - Technical Services employer: National Health Service
Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and collaborative work environment for healthcare professionals in North Wales. With a commitment to employee development and a focus on compassionate care, staff have access to continuous professional development opportunities and the chance to make a meaningful impact in both acute and community paediatrics. The Health Board's integrated approach ensures that employees are part of a dynamic team dedicated to improving health outcomes for the local population.
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We think this is how you could land Associate Chief Pharmacist - Technical Services
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We think you need these skills to ace Associate Chief Pharmacist - Technical Services
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✨Understand the Science
Make sure you brush up on key pharmaceutical concepts and recent developments in the industry. You might get asked some technical questions during the interview at National Health Service that show your grasp of drug development processes or regulatory requirements, so be ready to discuss them clearly.
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In a full-time pharmaceutical role, understanding the regulatory landscape is crucial. Prepare for situational questions that may test your problem-solving skills concerning compliance and safety standards. You could be asked how you'd handle a hypothetical issue regarding a drug’s market release, so think through your approach.
