• Job Description

  Req#: C9252-25-0157?language=en&page=574&sort=publicationDateDesc

  Job summary

  We are seeking a dedicated and experienced Principal Pharmacist to join our Virtual Ward team at Darent Valley Hospital. This role, positioned at Band 8a, involves the leadership and development of clinical pharmacy services for the Virtual Wards, both adults and paediatrics. The successful candidate will play a crucial role in shaping medicine management strategies, supporting cost-saving initiatives, and ensuring the delivery of high-quality pharmaceutical care within the service.

  A band 7 to 8a progression plan may be offered depending on experience.

  Previous applicants need not apply.

  Main duties of the job

  As the Principal Pharmacist for Virtual Ward, you will be responsible for coordinating and managing pharmacy services within the department, working closely with the multidisciplinary team to deliver exceptional patient care. Your duties will include monitoring prescriptions, providing pharmaceutical care plans, and supporting the development of cost-effective prescribing practices. Additionally, you will ensure compliance with national and local guidelines.

  About us

  Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust (DGT) is committed to providing compassionate, high-quality care to our community. At DGT, we value our staff and foster an environment that supports professional development, wellbeing, and job satisfaction. We operate across several sites, including Darent Valley Hospital and Queen Mary's Hospital, and are dedicated to ensuring that every employee feels supported and integral to our mission of delivering safe, effective, and compassionate healthcare.

  Details

  Date posted

  16 May 2025

  Pay scheme

  Agenda for change

  Band

  Band 7

  Salary

  £46,148 to £62,626 a year incl HCAS per annum

  Contract

  Permanent

  Working pattern

  Full-time

  Reference number

  252-7176593

  Job locations

  Darent Valley Hospital

  Darenth Wood Road

  Dartford

  DA2 8DA

  
  

  Job description

  Job responsibilities

  In this role, you will oversee pharmaceutical services to the Virtual Ward service, including adults and paediatrics. You will lead the strategic development of pharmacy standards within the service and collaborate with colleagues to ensure the safe and effective use of medications, particularly in high-risk areas such as antimicrobial stewardship. As a senior member of the team, you will contribute to cost-saving initiatives, manage staff, and support training and education efforts within the department. Additionally, you will work to enhance medication safety, contribute to clinical audits, and take an active role in the departments continuous improvement efforts.

  If you are a proactive, organised, and motivated pharmacist looking for a leadership opportunity, we encourage you to apply for this rewarding role within our forward-thinking organisation.

  Job description

  Job responsibilities

  In this role, you will oversee pharmaceutical services to the Virtual Ward service, including adults and paediatrics. You will lead the strategic development of pharmacy standards within the service and collaborate with colleagues to ensure the safe and effective use of medications, particularly in high-risk areas such as antimicrobial stewardship. As a senior member of the team, you will contribute to cost-saving initiatives, manage staff, and support training and education efforts within the department. Additionally, you will work to enhance medication safety, contribute to clinical audits, and take an active role in the departments continuous improvement efforts.

  If you are a proactive, organised, and motivated pharmacist looking for a leadership opportunity, we encourage you to apply for this rewarding role within our forward-thinking organisation.

  Person Specification

  Education and Training

  Essential

  • GPhC registration as a pharmacist
  • Post graduate Diploma in Clinical Pharmacy or equivalent
  • Independent prescriber (or working towards)

  Desirable

  • Member of Royal Pharmaceutical Society
  • Management and leadership qualification
  • MSc or equivalent postgraduate qualification in Clinical Pharmacy or other appropriate discipline
  • Practice Supervisor Accreditation or equivalent teaching accreditation

  Experience

  Essential

  • Experience working as a band 7 Pharmacist
  • Experience of writing protocols and standards
  • Experience of working in a multidisciplinary clinical pharmacy setting
  • Previous teaching/tutoring experience

  Desirable

  • Hospital Pharmacy Experience
  • Clinical Pharmacy teaching skills
  • Demonstrable use of audit/research to improve practice

  Knowledge and Skills

  Essential

  • Broad pharmaceutical knowledge relating to general medicine and core medical specialities
  • Demonstrates knowledge of national and local guidelines relating to specialism that need to be adhered to
  • Advanced computer literacy including Word, Excel and PowerPoint
  • Budgetary control skills
  • Awareness of current practice and policy affecting pharmacy practice in the NHS & understanding the NHS structure

  Desirable

  • Incident investigation/ root cause analysis
  • Risk management
  • Experience and Knowledge of virtual ward

  Person Specification

  Education and Training

  Essential

  • GPhC registration as a pharmacist
  • Post graduate Diploma in Clinical Pharmacy or equivalent
  • Independent prescriber (or working towards)

  Desirable

  • Member of Royal Pharmaceutical Society
  • Management and leadership qualification
  • MSc or equivalent postgraduate qualification in Clinical Pharmacy or other appropriate discipline
  • Practice Supervisor Accreditation or equivalent teaching accreditation

  Experience

  Essential

  • Experience working as a band 7 Pharmacist
  • Experience of writing protocols and standards
  • Experience of working in a multidisciplinary clinical pharmacy setting
  • Previous teaching/tutoring experience

  Desirable

  • Hospital Pharmacy Experience
  • Clinical Pharmacy teaching skills
  • Demonstrable use of audit/research to improve practice

  Knowledge and Skills

  Essential

  • Broad pharmaceutical knowledge relating to general medicine and core medical specialities
  • Demonstrates knowledge of national and local guidelines relating to specialism that need to be adhered to
  • Advanced computer literacy including Word, Excel and PowerPoint
  • Budgetary control skills
  • Awareness of current practice and policy affecting pharmacy practice in the NHS & understanding the NHS structure

  Desirable

  • Incident investigation/ root cause analysis
  • Risk management
  • Experience and Knowledge of virtual ward

  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.

  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.

  UK Registration

  Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

  Employer details

  Employer name

  Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust

  Address

  Darent Valley Hospital

  Darenth Wood Road

  Dartford

  DA2 8DA

  
  

  Employer's website

  https://www.dgt.nhs.uk/working-for-us (Opens in a new tab)

  Employer details

  Employer name

  Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust

  Address

  Darent Valley Hospital

  Darenth Wood Road

  Dartford

  DA2 8DA

  
  

  Employer's website

  https://www.dgt.nhs.uk/working-for-us (Opens in a new tab)

• About the company

  National Health Service (NHS) is the umbrella term for the publicly-funded healthcare systems of the United Kingdom (UK). The founding principles were that services should be comprehensive, universal and free at the point of delivery—a health service based on clinical need, not ability to pay. Each service provides a comprehensive range of health services, free at the point of use for people ordinarily resident in the United Kingdom apart from dental treatment and optical care.

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