Lead Pharmacist ePMA

Transformationunitgm; Walsall; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 63,000; Full time

Job summary

A healthcare provider in the West Midlands is seeking a Lead Pharmacist to implement and manage the electronic Prescribing and Medicines Administration System (ePMAs). The role involves collaborating with IT, training staff, and ensuring optimal use of the system to enhance medicines optimization. The candidate should have a Master's in Pharmacy and be registered with the GPhC. This full-time position offers a salary ranging from £55,690 to £62,682 annually, with additional benefits and a commitment to diversity.

Benefits

Salary sacrifice scheme

Car leasing scheme

On-site staff accommodation

Qualifications

• Masters Degree in Pharmacy and registered with the GPhC.
• Evidence of commitment to CPD as a registered independent prescriber.
• Experience in building, implementing and maintaining ePMA systems.

Responsibilities

• Support implementation of the ePMA system.
• Conduct training for all staff on ePMA.
• Collaborate with IT for system optimization.

Skills

Leadership skills

Complex clinical IT systems

Communication skills

Team collaboration

Prioritization

Education

Masters Degree in Pharmacy

Registered with the GPhC

Postgraduate qualifications in Clinical Pharmacy

Tools

ePrescribing and Medicines Administration System (ePMA)

Job description

Main area Pharmacy Grade Band 8a Contract 18 months (18 months fixed term) Hours Full time - 37.5 hours per week (weekends, bank holidays and late night support) Job ref 407-WCCS-7601519

Employer Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust Employer type NHS Site Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust Town Walsall Salary £55,690 - £62,682 per annum Salary period Yearly Closing 28/01/2026 23:59 Interview date 23/02/2026

Band 8a

Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust provides integrated acute and community Healthcare in the West Midlands serving a population of 260,000 residents. Walsall Manor Hospital houses the full range of district general hospital services. The £170 million development was completed in 2010 and we are continually upgrading. Construction of the new integrated critical care unit was completed in 2018, extension of a Neonatal Unit and an approved plan to build a brand new, state of the art Emergency Department which commenced in 2021

We provide high quality, friendly and effective community health services from multiple sites covering Walsall. Our multidisciplinary services include rapid response and homebased care, so that those with long term conditions and the frail elderly can remain in their own homes.

We are recommended by colleagues as a place to work which is supported by the trusts values to work as part of a team, being respectful, compassionate and professional. We are committed to investing in our workforce

Following our recent CQC visit the Trust was rated as outstanding for care and this has been recognised by NHS Improvement.

The work we do is highly rewarding, and in addition to an attractive salary, we offer a valuable range of benefits, including: salary sacrifice scheme; car leasing scheme; on-site staff accommodation (subject to availability); the ability to retain your NHS pension (where applicable) or the opportunity to join an alternative scheme; and the opportunity to develop and implement your expertise in an encouraging yet challenging environment

We would particularly welcome applications from people from a Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic background and from people with a disability; these groups are currently under-represented at senior level, we value diversity within our Trust and are working to achieve equality in our recruitment.

COVID-19 vaccination remains the best way to protect yourself, your family, your colleagues and of course our patients from the virus when working in our healthcare settings. Whilst COVID-19 vaccination is not a condition of employment at this time, we do encourage our staff to get vaccinated. We will be checking the vaccination status of all new starters so that we can manage individual and environmental risks, and so that we can support those who may be undecided about vaccination. If you are unvaccinated there is helpful advice and information at COVID-19 Vaccination | How to access your vaccine in the Black Country and West Birmingham (blackcountryandwestbirmccg.nhs.uk ) where you can also find out more about how to access vaccination. There is a current Government consultation underway which will determine whether some new starters may need to be vaccinated.

Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust is proud to be part of the Armed Forces Covenant. The Trust currently holds the Bronze Award which underlines the Trust’s commitment to supporting the Armed Forces Community. As an organisation, we are aiming to achieve the next level Silver award, with our sights firmly on Gold.

RESPECT - COMPASSION - TEAMWORK - PROFESSIONALISM

Job overview

This is a key role within our organisation and exciting time to join Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust as we embark on our ePMA journey. The post holder will act as a specialist Lead Pharmacist, providing clinical and technical support, configuration and testing expertise, and superuser status for the electronic Prescribing and Medicines Administration System(s) (ePMAs) utilised at WHT.

Main duties of the job

The post holder will support the Principal Pharmacist - ePMA and Digital Medicines Management in implementing ePMA.

Work together with partners such as IT to ensure that the ePMA system is used to support medicines optimisation initiatives.

Support the Principal Pharmacist - ePMA and Digital Medicines Management in developing reports and dashboards to maximise the benefits of the ePMA system and demonstrate its effectiveness in medicines optimisation.

Support and help provide training for ePMA for all staff groups across the Trust.

Working for our organisation

Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust is an integrated Trust and the only provider of NHS acute care in Walsall, serving a population of 284,300, providing inpatient and outpatient services at the Manor Hospital as well as a wide range of services in the community. Walsall Manor houses the full range of district general hospital services under one roof. The £170 million development was completed in 2010 and the continued upgrading of existing areas ensures the Trust now has a state-of-the-art Critical Care Unit, Neonatal Unit, Obstetric Theatre, and Integrated Assessment Unit facilities.

A new Urgent Emergency Care Centre was opened in March 2023. The two-storey development has significantly improved emergency care facilities and capacity and has provided almost 5,000 square metres of additional clinical space.

We are committed to welcoming and making everyone feel valued at Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust and embody the Trust's values and behaviours. We promote a culture on based on fairness, respect, honesty and trust with both patients and staff being at the heart of all that we do

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

• To support the implementation, maintenance and future development of the ePMA system, working closely with the Pharmacy ePMA team and
• To be a superuser for the ePMA system, developing routine housekeeping of the system to ensure optimal performance and contributing to the
• To ensure there is clear and transparent processes and timeframes for the completion of changes and developments to the EPMA system(s) that can be measured and reported upon.
• Develop robust governance arrangements for the development of workflows and drug file templates and ensure these are implemented and followed.
• To liaise with the ePMA system supplier to ensure the appropriate maintenance of the ePMA system and the continued delivery and development of its highly complex functions and upgrades.
• To help coordinate aspects of the ePMA system and ensure any ePMA related incidents are prioritised, logged, resolved and/or escalated to the, the Trust IT team and the Medicines Management Group as needed.
• To support the ePMA team in providing data and conducting audits for strategy development, service planning, performance and activity monitoring, budgeting and financial management. To support on providing monthly reports on medicines prescribed and administered within the Trust.
• To regularly audit, analyse and interpret highly complex data to identify anomalies, resolve problems and ensure data integrity.
• To maintain an up to date knowledge of developments in medical, pharmaceutical practice and digital health technology as part of continuing professional development.
• Where appropriate to undertake projects at the discretion of the Principal Pharmacist ePMA and Digital Medicines Management.
• To help facilitate improvements in digital literacy for Pharmacy staff in conjunction with the training team in readiness for ePMA implementation.
• Review and grade risk assessments associated with ePMA as prepared by the Lead Technician for ePMA and prepare risk assessments associated with ePMA.
• To write and develop Trust procedures and policies for the ePMA system.
• Liaise with medical, nursing, midwifery, allied health professionals and support staff to ensure effective use of ePMA.
• Support the development and monitoring of error monitoring systems for ePMA.
• To help develop and be responsible for managing and achieving Key Performance Indicators and other such targets for their area(s).

Person specification

Qualifications

• Masters Degree in Pharmacy
• Registered with the GPhC
• Evidence of commitment to CPD
• Registered independent prescriber
• Postgraduate qualifications in Clinical Pharmacy or equivalent

Experience

• Experience in utilising and understanding ePMA systems
• Experience in building, implementing and maintaining ePMA systems
• Suitable period of post qualification experience in hospital pharmacy
• Proven experience of supervising and management of staff
• Experience of implementing an ePMA system

Skills and Knowledge

• Able to work as part of a team.
• Evidence of leadership skills/abilities
• Highly skilled at using a variety of complex clinical IT systems
• Ability to prioritise own work and that of the team.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Ability to confer complex information to clinical staff and patients.

Please note your application will be transferred from the NHS Jobs system to internal Walsall Healthcare Trac System. All correspondence will be sent via Trac

Following our recent CQC visit the Trust was rated as outstanding for care and this has been recognised by NHS Improvement.

** Please Note that this post may be identified as suitable and a preference given for Internal at Risk Employees**

We would particularly welcome applications from people from a Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic background and from people with a disability; these groups are currently under-represented at senior level, we value diversity within our Trust and are working to achieve equality in our recruitment.

IMPORTANT NOTE ON COMPLETION OF REFERENCE SECTION OF APPLICATION FORM

References from current and previous employers will be sought and must cover a minimum of 3 years employment. When completing the reference section of your application form, please give the address, telephone number and work email address of each of your current/previous line managers that cover this period. Failure to complete this section may result in your application not being processed.

Please review the attached Job description and person specification carefully before applying to ensure that you meet the essential job requirements.

Candidates should be aware that, regardless of country of origin, their ability to communicate in written and spoken English to the standard required to carry out the post, will be assessed during the selection process.


Referee email addresses should be provided on your application form.

Following the closing date, if you have not heard from us within 6 weeks you may assume your application has been unsuccessful.

We reserve the right to close this job early. Interested applicants are therefore advised to apply as early as possible.

If a large number of applicants meet the essential criteria then random selection will be applied.

We are committed to operating flexible working practices wherever possible and committed to equal opportunities.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Address Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust
Pleck Road
Walsall
WS2 9PS