Principal Pharmacist/Technician Distribution & Purchasing

Job overview

A rare opportunity to join the Distribution and Purchasing Team at Kings College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust. An exciting role has arisen for an experienced, driven and strategic pharmacy technician or pharmacist.

As one of the busiest hospital trusts in London the post holder would manage a diverse fast paced team and environment ensuring the provision of pharmacy distribution and purchasing services to all Princess Royal Hospital and South Sites.

The post holder would provide professional leadership on all matters linked to pharmacy distribution and purchasing and identify areas for growth and development across the service.

Main duties of the job

The Principal Pharmacist/Technician - Distribution & Purchasing will have the following responsibilities:

• To oversee management of all staff based within the Distribution & Purchasing Team ensuring that clear succession planning, defined professional planning for the team and all training requirements are met.
• Assistance with the coordination and provision of Pharmacy distribution services to all Trust sites.
• The provision of professional leadership and advice on matters of Pharmacy Distribution & Purchasing services and their development across all sites.
• To work with the Associate Chief Pharmacist - Distribution & Purchasing in the preparation of strategic plans for Pharmacy Distribution & Purchasing service to ensure the development of progressive services.
• To be the designated Responsible Person named on the MHRA Wholesale Dealers License at Kings College Hospital, Princess Royal University Hospital.
• To cover for the Associate Chief Pharmacist - Distribution & Purchasing during their absence when required

Working for our organisation

The Trust provides a full range of local and specialist services across its five sites. The trust-wide strategy of Strong Roots, Global Reach is our Vision to be BOLD, Brilliant people, Outstanding care, Leaders in Research, Innovation and Education, Diversity, Equality and Inclusion at the heart of everything we do. By being person-centred, digitally-enabled, and focused on sustainability, we aim to take Team King’s to another level.

We are at a pivotal point in our history and we require individuals who are ready to join a highly professional team and make a real, lasting difference to our patients and our people.

King’s is committed to delivering Sustainable Healthcare for All via our Green Plan. In line with national Greener NHS ambitions, we have set net zero carbon targets of 2040 for our NHS Carbon Footprint and 2045 for our NHS Carbon Footprint Plus. Everyone’s contribution is required in order to meet the goals set out in our Green Plan and we encourage all staff to work responsibly, minimising their contributions to the Trust’s carbon emissions, waste and pollution wherever possible.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

POLICY/SERVICE DEVELOPMENT

To be primarily responsible for the purchasing of pharmaceuticals including medical gases used in the Trust.

To be responsible for Pharmacy Distribution services to the Trust and the provision of pharmacy stock items to all wards, departments and external sites, through the management of the pharmacy topping up service on all sites.

To ensure systems such as MedX and other Omnicell linked systems are maximized so as to ensure optimal stock control functionality.

To manage the Pharmacy store and be responsible for the safe and effective storage and stockholding of all pharmaceuticals in the department.

To act as a negotiator for the Trust with pharmaceutical companies on all matters relating to the pricing and purchase of pharmaceutical products.

To support the Chief Pharmacist and Associate Chief Pharmacist- Distribution & Purchasing in the strategic management of pharmacy services, including strategy development, service planning, budgeting and financial management.

To develop standards for Pharmacy Distribution & Purchasing.

To develop and implement policies relating to Pharmacy Distribution & Purchasing both within Pharmacy and where applicable (e.g. pharmacy distribution, topping up, ward stock handling), across the whole of the Trust.

To measure and assess the quality of services provided to ensure the needs of consumers of these services are met.

To establish links with other NHS Trusts and Healthcare Organisations around Pharmacy Distribution & Purchasing services.

Contribute to the determination of the future direction of pharmacy services through identification of customers and their needs.

To contribute to regional, national & international meetings to develop best practice and to have input into a regional, national & international strategy for providing Pharmacy Distribution & Purchasing services.

To support the Emergency Planning Team in ensuring all Pharmacy Distribution & Purchasing services have mapped business continuity plans.

To be the designated Responsible Person named on the MHRA Wholesale Dealers License for King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, and responsible for:

Ensuring the provisions of the license are observed

Ensuring the guidelines on Good Distribution Practice (GDP) are complied with

Ensuring an appropriate quality management system is established and maintained

Chair fortnightly management meetings, to review change controls, deviations and associated WDA related matters.

Person specification

Essential

Essential criteria

• MPharm (Masters degree) or NVQ Level 3 plus accredited underpinning knowledge (BTEC in Pharmaceutical Science or equivalent) or equivalent
• Knowledge of all regulations and legislation relevant to pharmaceutical purchasing including wholesale dealing
• Knowledge of all regulations and legislation relevant to pharmacy distribution services
• Significant post registration experience in hospital pharmacy or equivalent relevant area of practice
• Significant experience in Pharmacy Distribution & Purchasing related area

IMPORTANT

• Check your email account regularly as this is how we will communicate with you
• If you delete the job from any of your accounts, you may be prevented from accessing further communications
• To enquire about your application or inform us of any changes in your circumstances, please contact the named person on this advert
• Please provide email addresses for referees where possible
• Please review the documentation on our recruitment microsite, particularly the Trust’s criminal records checking policy
• All staff have a responsibility for safeguarding children and vulnerable adults and for ensuring they are aware of the specific duties relating to their role.
• Please note that the closing date is given as a guide. On occasion, we might close a vacancy early due to a high number of applications being received. You are advised to submit your application as early as possible to avoid disappointment.

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King's College Hospital is part of King's Health Partners Academic Health Sciences Centre (AHSC), a pioneering collaboration between King's College London, and Guy's and St Thomas', King's College Hospital and South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trusts.