Senior Specialist Pharmacist - Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom - NHS Business Services Authority

Description

Job summary

We are looking to recruit a senior specialist pharmacist within NHS Prescription Services to join our Meds Data team comprising pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, data analysts and managers. NHS Prescription Services process all the NHS prescriptions in England that are dispensed in primary care. We then make reimbursement and remuneration payments to over 11,500 pharmacy and contractors based on the drugs or medical devices they have dispensed.

As a senior specialist pharmacist, you will work in a multidisciplinary and stimulating business environment leading and supporting technical colleagues, having the opportunity to interact with colleagues within the wider Directorate. Being uniquely placed to advise and support external stakeholders including colleagues in the Department of Health and Social Care and NHS England, and manufacturers of medicines and medical appliances and devices, with our business activity. You will be enabled to develop a wealth of experience to help you build a valuable and unique set of skills to complement your career pathway.

What do we offer?

Main duties of the job

We are looking for a dedicated and experienced pharmacist registered with the GPhC who has worked for a number of years in either NHS primary (including as an NHS pharmacy contractor) or secondary care.

You need to be well-motivated and to be able to prioritise and manage your own workload within a broad set of directions. You should enjoy learning and thrive on being challenged in your working life. Initially you will need to feel comfortable in approaching colleagues for support and advice when required but as you develop you will be expected to work either collaboratively or autonomously to make reasoned pragmatic decisions which you can articulate clearly in oral or written form to influence stakeholders and support important business processes.

We expect the postholder to be flexible in their approach, to be sensitive to stakeholders' requirements and to exercise discretion as we often deal with highly sensitive NHS and government decisions.

About us

Here at the NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA), what we do matters.

We manage the NHS Pension scheme, process prescription payments and much more. Our services are used by NHS organisations, contractors and the public: we take pride in being part of something so meaningful, that touches millions of lives.

Just as we design our services around the needs of our customers, we place our people at the heart of our organisation. That's why when you join us, you'll be empowered and given the right support to help your career grow.

As one of the UK's Best Big Companies to work for, we're all connected to our values: Collaborative, Adventurous, Reliable and Energetic. We care about our people, our purpose, and your progress.

We strive to offer a fantastic colleague experience, where every voice is heard, and every colleague is supported and respected. Wellbeing, diversity and inclusion is at the centre of this, so when you join us, you can connect with our Lived Experience Networks who help us to bring our authentic selves to work.

We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and circumstances. We are committed and proud to be a flexible employer and will endeavour to offer a working pattern that suits you wherever possible, whether that be hybrid working, flexible hours, job sharing and more.

Ready to join us on our journey to be a catalyst for better health? Apply today and see where the NHSBSA can take you.

We are people connected to care.

Job responsibilities

Areas of responsibility include the appropriate maintenance of NHS Prescription Services systems, processes and products, including Leading and managing Part IX (Medical Devices) administration and approvals, production of the NHS England and Wales Drug Tariff, maintenance and updating of the NHS Dictionary of Medicines and Devices (NHS dm+d) and organisation and prescriber data.

The post holder will be expected to make a positive contribution to the development, management, and performance of the NHSBSA and the achievement of its aims, objectives and Key Performance Indicators.

1. Lead on authoring work for the Dictionary of Medicines and Devices (dm+d) NHS Medicines Standard SCII0052 including maintaining anddeveloping primary care products, complex secondary care medicines and devices on the NHS dm+d and investigating interoperability issueswith a particular focus on patient safety

2. Independently producing highly detailed, complex papers and technical reports, often containing sensitive or contentious data for considerationby national leads, NHSBSA Directors and where appropriate the DHSC, NHSEI or other stakeholders.

3. Responsible for ongoing assessment procedures of all processes performed by the wider team for efficiency, accuracy and relevance.

4. Provide support on collaborative projects both internally and externally to the NHSBSA where specialist pharmacy expertise is required support for submission of product information to dm+d, Prescription Event Monitoring, parliamentary questions, policy changes toACBS, One Database Project etc.

5. Translating complex pharmacy and medicine law, NHS Regulations, the Drug Tariff and allied publications, as they affect NHS PrescriptionServices. Providing specialist expertise in the form of pharmaceutical knowledge and support to the Meds team and the NHSBSA.

6. Leading on a DHSC directed function on behalf of the NHSBSA. This includes responsibility for Part IX of the Drug Tariff, Dictionary ofMedicines and Devices (dm+d), and policy implementation relating to reimbursement and remuneration activity. This includes liaising with theDHSC and PSNC and managing this relationship.

7. Proactively leading on the implementation of DHSC led changes to reimbursement/remuneration policy as they impact the NHSBSA functionand internal processes.

8. Accountable for the provision and dissemination of evidence-based critical analysis of complex clinical data to support the maintenance of theDrug Tariff Part IX process and for managing medical devices available to prescribe in primary care in England and Wales.

9. Responsible for NHSBSA representation on the NHS dm+d Editorial Content Committee and the Drug Tariff Part IX Forum, includingsecretariat function and leading on providing feedback. Both comprise key stakeholder representation including DHSC, NHSEI, NHSX, andmanufacturers and regulators.

10. Accountable for the writing of and compilation of national governance documentation (Editorial Policy, Technical Specification and Data Model)that underpins key business deliverables including the dm+d Editorial Policy, and the medical device documentation and subsequent approvalby DHSC and NHSD as required.

11. Approve and sign-off on behalf of the NHSBSA, relevant core / key NHSBSA business deliverables, and directed functions: medical devicesas being cost-effective, safe and appropriate for prescribing in NHS England and Wales primary care; the monthly NHS England and WalesDrug Tariff on behalf of the NHSBSA; the weekly/monthly NHS dm+d extract for system suppliers and national NHS-wide dissemination.

12. Leading on quality and accuracy aspects of the dm+d output for the NHSBSA by overseeing and advising on all primary care and secondarycare authoring decisions.

13. Responsible for relevant enquiries coming through the dm+d enquiries helpdesk as appropriate and supporting, for example, CCGs,prescribing IT System Suppliers and pharmaceutical companies providing support to access and implement the data as well as its analysis,interpretation and insight.

14. Taking the lead on behalf of the NHSBSA in supporting the detail of the governance of the dm+d; and ensuring this is relevant and substantivefor current and evolving requirements. This includes both primary and secondary care authoring of content for national dissemination, asdetailed above.

15. Taking ownership, building upon and maintaining professional relationships with key stakeholders (including DHSC, commissioning agencies, PSNC, manufacturers, NHSEI, NHS Digital and NHSX) to ensure that the NHS Primary Care Services processes are responsive tostakeholders needs. This may also include wider NHSBSA services where specialist pharmacy expertise is required.

16. Responsibility for both long- and short-term planning to positively drive forward the development, management and performance of thedepartment in accordance with matrix operating and utilising skills and experience of the team to achieve department plans and strategicobjectives.

17. Identifying, managing and delivering change processes and leading in the adaptation of existing or development of new/revised processes(products and services) enabling organisational capacity improvements and associated efficiencies. This includes the specification ofrequirements, development of the product/service and the formulation of, and participation in, user acceptance testing activities

18. Having responsibility for the identification and implementation of policy, procedure and service developments to support DHSC initiatives.Providing input to routine and ad-hoc management team meetings defining and explaining the DHSC policy and service development.

19. Contributing to budget setting function for activities within area of responsibility. Is an authorised signatory for expenditure (requisitions,Invoices, expenses and payroll) up to £1,000.

20. Proactively participating in organisation-wide working groups appropriate to the post holders expertise and experience. Proactively Providing specialist pharmaceutical expertise to inform other areas of the NHSBSA business when required to do so Information Services, IT andData Analytics.

Personal Qualities, Knowledge and Skills

Essential

Desirable

Experience

Essential

Desirable

Qualifications

Essential

Desirable