Lead Pharmacist - Worcester City PCN

Job summary

We are seeking an experienced and highly motivated PCN Lead Pharmacist to provide strategic leadership and management for the PCN pharmacy team. The post-holder will play a key role in medicines optimisation, patient safety, and service improvement across the network. This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced Clinical Pharmacist looking to take the next step in their career within a dynamic and supportive environment.

Main duties of the job

• Lead, manage, and support the team of Clinical Pharmacists and Pharmacy Technicians within the PCN.

• Ensure compliance with NHS DES requirements and other relevant contractual obligations.

• Oversee medicines optimisation initiatives, including medication reviews, safety audits, and prescribing support.

• Develop and implement strategies to improve clinical outcomes and reduce risk.

• Provide specialist pharmaceutical expertise and advice to healthcare professionals within the network.

• Support the professional development and training of pharmacy team members.

• Work collaboratively with GPs, practice teams, and community pharmacy colleagues to enhance patient care.

• Contribute to clinical governance, quality improvement, and service development initiatives.

About us

Vertis Health is a federation of GP surgeries and Primary Care Networks (PCNs) in Worcestershire, serving over 600,000 NHS patients through a range of local services. We support our GP practices by reducing administrative workload, enabling them to focus on patient care. Our goal is to drive innovation, improve patient outcomes, and ensure the long-term sustainability of primary care services.

At Vertis Health we want to build a diverse workplace, and so and encourage women, people of colour, LGBTQIA individuals, people with disabilities, members of ethnic minorities, foreign-born residents, older members of society, and others from minority groups and diverse backgrounds to apply.

We do not discriminate on the basis of race, gender, religion, colour, national origin, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. All Vertis employees and contractors are responsible for maintaining a work culture free from discrimination and harassment by treating others with kindness and respect.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Please refer to the attached Job Description for a detailed overview of the role's responsibilities and requirements. This will provide a clear understanding of the skills, experience, and qualifications needed for the position.

We welcome applications from individuals who meet the criteria and are enthusiastic about making a positive impact in primary care. Our team is committed to reviewing all applications thoroughly and fairly.

Location(s)

St. Martins Gate Surgery
37 Newtown Road
Worcester
WR5 1EZ

Person Specification

Skills and Knowledge

Essential

• Understanding of prescribing and medicines management issues

• Good clinical pharmaceutical knowledge including terminology

• An appreciation of the nature of primary care prescribing, concepts of rational prescribing and strategies to improve prescribing

• Understanding of prescribing and medicines management issues

• Relevant theoretical and practical knowledge of Primary Care Networks, General Practice and evidence-based medicine

• Awareness of systems to support the management of patients in a primary care setting, delivering pharmaceutical input and support the context of pathways of care

• Awareness of GP budgets and funding systems

• Good clinical pharmaceutical knowledge including terminology

• Knowledge and understanding of pharmacy law and ethics and current legislation

• Able to analyse and interpret prescribing data

• Good interpersonal, influencing and negotiating skills

• Good communication skills, verbal and written, with ability to adjust communication style and content to suit the audience

• Able to work under pressure and meet deadlines

• Ability to work in a busy environment and prioritise tasks effectively whilst also supporting others

• Ability to accept guidance and constructive criticism

• Works effectively independently and as part of a team

• Demonstrates attention to detail, able to work accurately, identify errors quickly and easily

• Demonstrates ability to self-motivate and use own initiative to achieve goals

• Adaptable and flexible

• Able to maintain confidentiality

• Good computer literacy

Desirable

• Experience of managing a team

• Experience of managing contracts

Qualifications

Essential

• Registration with the General Pharmaceutical Council as a Clinical Pharmacist

Desirable

• Registration as an Advanced Practitioner

Experience

Essential

• Completion of an undergraduate degree in Pharmacy

• Evidence of commitment to continuing professional development

• Experience working as a qualified, registered pharmacist

• Experience of working within primary care

• Demonstrate ability to influence and persuade partners and stakeholders of the respective merits of different options, innovations, new opportunities and challenges

• Completion of an Advanced Practitioner qualification

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).