Job summary
The core purpose of the Pharmacy Department is to ensure the safe, effective, and efficient use of medicines to improve patient outcomes and support high quality clinical care. As a key member of the pharmacy leadership team, the Deputy Lead Pharmacist contributes to this purpose by providing expert professional and operational leadership across all aspects of pharmaceutical service delivery. The post holder supports the delivery of a responsive, patient-centred, and evidence based pharmacy service that underpins the organisations strategic objectives and clinical priorities.

With centralisation of pharmacy services across the BCHC and CRMP footprint, the Deputy Lead Pharmacist plays an integral part in supporting this core function of service delivery and patient safety.

Main duties of the job
The Deputy Lead Pharmacist plays a key leadership and operational role within the Pharmacy Department, supporting the Lead Pharmacist in the strategic and day-to-day management of pharmacy services. The post holder will contribute to the delivery of safe, effective, and high quality pharmaceutical care across BCHC and wider PML, ensuring compliance with clinical governance, medicines optimisation, and regulatory standards.

The Deputy Lead Pharmacist will provide expert clinical and professional advice, lead designated service areas or projects, and act as deputy in the absence of the Lead Pharmacist. This includes supporting workforce development, quality improvement initiatives, and having oversight of all trainees within the pharmacy team.

About us
PML is a successful not-for-profit, GP-led organisation providing various NHS community and primary care clinical services to patients across Oxfordshire and Northamptonshire. We have evolved as a NHS healthcare provider since 2004 and in the last few years have grown significantly, now employing around 300 staff with a turnover of circa £16m. PML holds GMS contracts, as well as being a GP Federation representing circa 50 GP practices covering approximately 650,000 patients.

We welcome applicants from a diverse range of backgrounds and circumstances and people with protected characteristics under the Equality Act 2010

Date posted
10 July 2026

Pay scheme
Other

Salary
£55,000 to £60,000 a year
FTE, Depending on Experience

Contract
Permanent

Working pattern
Full-time,
Flexible working

Reference number
E0176-26-0060

Job locations
Banbury Cross Health Centre
South Bar House
6 Oxford Road
Banbury
Oxfordshire
OX16 9AD
United Kingdom

Job responsibilities
Duties and Responsibilities

Communication and Key Working Relationships

• To act as one of the first points of contact for Pharmacy team members and partner agencies requesting pharmacy advice and support and be able to direct them accordingly.
• To act as an ambassador of the pharmacy team, providing representation at management meetings or providing advice and guidance to senior managers / board level
• Communicate with a range of different agencies including Integrated Care Board, GPs, medical staff, hospitals and tertiary sectors involved in patient care

Education & Training

• To be the Pharmacist lead for training
• Support the professional development and training of pharmacy staff, pre-registration trainees, and students.
• Deliver education sessions to multidisciplinary teams on medicines optimisation and safe prescribing.
• Act as a role model and mentor, promoting best practice in clinical and operational pharmacy.
• Provide personal development plans for individual team members where appropriate
• Support with team members to achieve expected standards of training and service delivery
• Support with individual team members progress in alignment with the PML career framework for pharmacists

Responsibility for Patient / Client Care

• Deliver specialist clinical pharmacy services in designated areas, ensuring evidence based and patient centred care.
• Promote safe, effective, and economical use of medicines, aligned with national and local formulary guidance.
• Provide expert advice to GPs, clinicians, nursing staff, and other healthcare professionals on all aspects of medicines use.

Policy, Service, Research & Development Responsibility

• Follow Practice guidelines for pharmacy services.
• Will be required to propose and implement changes to policies and asked to provide feedback on new / revised policies for their own area.
• Undertake surveys or audits, as necessary to support with safety, compliance or business development specifically related to pharmacy service delivery
• Support the development, implementation, and evaluation of new pharmacy-led services and clinical pathways.
• Contribute to digital transformation initiatives and the optimisation of electronic prescribing and medicines administration.
• Provide support to the centralisation of pharmacy services across PML

Responsibility for Finance, Equipment & Other Resources

• Support members of the team with booking onto training and appropriate courses specific to their role
• To support with ordering and stock control of equipment and resources to support all members of the pharmacy team.
• Ensure the suitability and serviceability of all equipment related to the pharmacy team, including FeNO testing machines

Responsibility for Supervision, Leadership & Management

• Support the Lead Pharmacist in the operational and strategic management of pharmacy services.
• Provide leadership and supervision to pharmacists, technicians, and support staff within designated clinical or operational areas.
• Deputise for the Lead Pharmacist as required, ensuring continuity of service and decision making.
• Contribute to workforce planning, recruitment, and staff development, fostering a culture of continuous learning and improvement.
• Have a comprehensive understanding of the practice information systems and provide support to staff where necessary

Governance & Quality

• Support implementation of medicines management policies, audits, and risk management initiatives.
• Ensure compliance with all relevant legislation, standards, and professional codes of practice.
• Lead or contribute to clinical governance, incident review, and service improvement programmes.
• Ensure GPhC standards are upheld across the pharmacy department
• Promote effective and safe prescribing across the whole of PML
• Ensure all clinical staff are aware of medicine warning alerts
• Support with clinical audits around prescribing of medication and medicine safety to support QoF

Review of this Job Description
This job description is intended as an outline indicator of general areas of activity and will be amended in the light of changing service needs. This job description is to be reviewed in conjunction with the post holder.

General Information
At all times promote and maintain the safety of children by working according the Practices Child Protection Policy and supporting guidance. Being pro-active and responsive to child protection concerns by early reporting, recording and referral of issues according to Practice arrangements. Attending child protection training that is appropriate to your role.

Confidentiality
The post holder will maintain appropriate confidentiality of information relating to commercially sensitive matters in regard to Practice business, and also to personal information relating to members of staff and patients. The post holder will be expected to comply with all aspects of the Data Protection Act (2018), the Staff Code of Confidentiality and the IT Security and Acceptable Use Policy.

Equality & Diversity
Banbury Cross Health Centre & Principal Medical LTD are committed to achieving equality of opportunity for all staff and for those who access services. You must work in accordance with equal opportunity policies/procedures and promote the equality and diversity agenda of the Practice.

Safeguarding
All employees have a duty for safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults. Staff must be aware of the Practices procedure for raising concerns about the welfare of anyone with whom they have contact. All staff must be compliant with L3 safeguarding.

Risk Management / Health and Safety
Employees must be aware of the responsibilities placed on them for ensuring the safety of our patients, service users, visitors and colleagues under the Practices Risk Management Strategy and policy and under the Health & Safety at Work Act 1974. All employees are expected to be familiar with and comply with the Practices risk and health and safety policies and procedures and all other policies and procedures relevant to their role.

Records Management
The post holder has responsibility for the timely and accurate creation, maintenance and storage of records in accordance with Practice policy, including email documents and with regard to the Data Protection Act, The Freedom of Information Act and any other relevant statutory requirements.

Clinical Governance
The post holder will be expected to participate in clinical governance activities to assist the Practice to provide high quality services.

Policies & Procedures
Practice employees are expected to follow Practice policies, procedures and guidance as well as professional standards and guidelines. Copies of Practice policies can be accessed via the staff intranet or TeamNet or via your manager.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Qualified Pharmacist registered with the GPhC
• Completed PCPEP
• Independent & Supplementary Prescriber

Desirable

• Mentor / Education delivery qualification e.g. PGCert in medical education

Skills and Behaviours

Essential

• Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to remain calm and professional when faced with challenging or distressing situations and to direct accordingly
• Professional and responsible approach at all times
• Able to work unsupervised using good judgement when receiving standing in for the lead pharmacist
• Able to operate flexibly, co-operatively and effectively with colleagues to ensure continuity and efficient performance of the department
• Able to demonstrate a good standard of English language
• Good communication skills on the telephone, via email, face to face and in written correspondence
• Able to work using own initiative
• Able to work as part of the wider team
• Able to collaborate with others to ensure optimum efficiency
• Positive and flexible approach to work
• Able to lead the team and provide expert level guidance to junior colleagues
• Willingness to use technology to improve standards of care and support to our patients
• Be prepared to work flexibly and be mobile across the Trust including remote working and across several sites
• To carry out this role successfully the post holder needs to be fully aware of and adhere to Trust values: Kindness, Respect, Teamwork

Experience

Essential

• Experience of using IT systems i.e., Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint.
• Minimum of 5 years post qualification
• Experience of providing training / education to student pharmacists within a relatable clinical setting
• Proven ability to manage a team of staff
• Maintain good working relationships across a range of staff levels, both internally and externally
• Experience of creating and delivering personal development plans
• Experience managing performance within a clinical setting
• Experience of working within the General Practice environment

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
Principal Medical Limited
Address
Banbury Cross Health Centre
South Bar House
6 Oxford Road
Banbury
Oxfordshire
OX16 9AD
United Kingdom
Employer's website
https://www.principal-medical.co.uk (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details
For questions about the job, contact:
Pharmacist Manager
Donald MacIver
pml.recruitment@nhs.net