University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust (279)

Lead Pharmacist - Antimicrobials - IVOS St Richards & Worthing

The closing date is 26 November 2025

Job summary

We have an exciting opportunity for a pharmacist with a passion for antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) & infection management to join our AMS team at University Hospitals Sussex. This new role with a specific focus in optimising the use of intravenous antimicrobials (IV) in patients admitted to Worthing and St Richards hospitals. The successful candidate will be engaged in actively reviewing patients on IV antimicrobials and will have close contact with clinical teams to promote timely therapy changes. We seek a clinically experienced pharmacist, with previous AMS experience, or a passion to develop skills in this area. As a member of the Trust AMS team you will be an integral support to the Trusts IPC and AMS agenda. We are a department that seeks to be a pioneer with the use of technology to support stewardship and we continue to encourage the use & development of technological methods to identify and support stewardship interventions including IV to oral switch (IVOS).

We are committed to providing opportunities for you to develop your clinical & management skills. The Trust holds research as one of its key pillars you will have the opportunity to be involved with and develop skills in this area.

We are a friendly very supportive team both within pharmacy and the wider AMS team. We welcome contact from any interested parties to discuss the role and visit the department to find out more.

Main duties of the job

Reviewing intravenous antimicrobial prescriptions and engaging with clinical teams to review patients on IV antimicrobials to make timely changes in therapy, to support patient flow and reduce costs and risks associated with inappropriate IV treatments.

To develop strategies to promote and highlight the importance of timely review of antimicrobials with all clinicians engaged in prescribing, reviewing and administering antimicrobials to patients. Raising of profile of the importance of regular review through the development of educational tools and key performance indicators for sharing at local, divisional & trust wide (in conjunction with linked role at Royal Sussex County & Princess Royal hospitals).

Supporting the wider AMS agenda via the provision of expert advice on the safe and appropriate use of antimicrobials to prescribers, nurses, patients and other healthcare professionals in accordance with local and national policies.

Supporting the use of antimicrobials against guidelines, maintaining and promoting local empiric guidelines to optimise patient outcomes and reduce adverse events.

Support of the local outpatient antimicrobial therapy service by attendance at the MDT, review of patient response, and prescribing (if/when qualified as an independent prescriber).

About us

At UHSussex (UHSx), diversity is our strength, & we want you to feel included to help us always put the Patient First. Your uniqueness & experiences will be part of our creative and innovative community where everyone is encouraged to succeed. We have a range of Staff Networks to help break down barriers, & can offer a buddy to help new members settle in. We're proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 2) & a Veteran Aware Trust.

We treat our patients & staff with the same compassion & empathy we expect for ourselves. We're here for them when they need us, and we go above & beyond to meet their needs. This can be seen in our candidate information pack & wellbeing programme,for staff which is extensive & designed to support you when you need it, including where possible, flexible working to support work life balance - because we know that to look after others we must first look after ourselves.

As a university trust and a leader in healthcare research, we value learning, teaching & training so that we can be the best that we can be. From the moment you start with us & throughout your career we will help you to grow & develop.We hope that in choosing UHSx you are choosing a long & happy career where you will be able to see the difference you make & feel valued for all that you do.

We look forward to receiving your application & the start of your journey with UHSx.

Candidate Information Pack: https://www.uhsussex.nhs.uk/resources/candidate-information-pack/

Details

Date posted

12 November 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 8a

Salary

£55,690 to £62,682 a year Per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Job share

Reference number

279-7490153-NOV25

Job locations

Worthing hospital & St Richards Hosptial

Worthing

BN11 2DH


Job description

Job responsibilities

This role is eligible for visa sponsorship under the UK Visas & Immigration (UKVI) Skilled Worker route. Sponsorship can only be provided where applicants meet the specific requirements set by UKVI, including the relevant skill and salary thresholds, and any role-specific criteria.

Specific responsibilities

Reviewing intravenous antimicrobial prescriptions and engaging with clinical teams to review patients on IV antimicrobials to make timely changes in therapy.

Raise the profile of the importance of regular review of IV antimicrobials through the development of educational tools and key performance indicators for sharing at local, divisional & trust wide data (in conjunction with linked role at Royal Sussex County & Princess Royal hospitals).

Provision of expert advice on the safe and appropriate use of antimicrobials in patients at UH Sussex with a particular focus on Worthing and St Richards Hospitals.

General responsibilities include

Support of daily stewardship activities through prescription chart review and attendance on microbiology and AMS ward rounds.

Co-authoring, reviewing local guidelines and maintaining the platforms they reside on to ensure accurate and appropriate information on the use of antimicrobials is available to clinicians in the Trust.

Supporting the Lead Pharmacist - Clinical Infection to meet the requirements laid down by national and local governance bodies to ensure appropriate antimicrobial stewardship activities are occurring and the trust is compliant with national policy.

Supporting with appropriate auditing of antimicrobial stewardship to ensure safe and effective use of antimicrobials within the trust including response to NPSA alerts, NICE guidance, CQUINs and National Contract requirements.

Support of the outpatient antimicrobial therapy service by attendance at and resolution of actions from the weekly MDT.

Please see Job Description and Person Specification for full details

Job description

Job responsibilities

This role is eligible for visa sponsorship under the UK Visas & Immigration (UKVI) Skilled Worker route. Sponsorship can only be provided where applicants meet the specific requirements set by UKVI, including the relevant skill and salary thresholds, and any role-specific criteria.

Specific responsibilities

Reviewing intravenous antimicrobial prescriptions and engaging with clinical teams to review patients on IV antimicrobials to make timely changes in therapy.

Raise the profile of the importance of regular review of IV antimicrobials through the development of educational tools and key performance indicators for sharing at local, divisional & trust wide data (in conjunction with linked role at Royal Sussex County & Princess Royal hospitals).

Provision of expert advice on the safe and appropriate use of antimicrobials in patients at UH Sussex with a particular focus on Worthing and St Richards Hospitals.

General responsibilities include

Support of daily stewardship activities through prescription chart review and attendance on microbiology and AMS ward rounds.

Co-authoring, reviewing local guidelines and maintaining the platforms they reside on to ensure accurate and appropriate information on the use of antimicrobials is available to clinicians in the Trust.

Supporting the Lead Pharmacist - Clinical Infection to meet the requirements laid down by national and local governance bodies to ensure appropriate antimicrobial stewardship activities are occurring and the trust is compliant with national policy.

Supporting with appropriate auditing of antimicrobial stewardship to ensure safe and effective use of antimicrobials within the trust including response to NPSA alerts, NICE guidance, CQUINs and National Contract requirements.

Support of the outpatient antimicrobial therapy service by attendance at and resolution of actions from the weekly MDT.

Please see Job Description and Person Specification for full details

Person Specification

professional registration

Essential

  • Registered member of the GPhC.

Desirable

  • Member of UKCPA or other relevant specialist interest group
  • RPS faculity membership or working towards

Experience

Essential

  • Further post-graduate qualification in clinical pharmacy at PG diploma level or sufficient experience gained in practice to equate to this level of training

Desirable

  • Independent prescriber
  • PG qualification in AMS
  • PG leadership or management qualification

Skills

Essential

  • experience of planning and reporting service audits
  • Significant experience in clinical hospital pharmacy in a broad range of specialties
  • experience in working in an MDT
  • excellent written and oral communication skills

Desirable

  • working as a specialist pharmacist within the field of antimicrobials
  • experience in provision of a clinical pharmacy service to critical care

people management and development

Essential

  • teaching and tutoring experience

Desirable

  • experience of developing teaching and training programs
  • staff management experience

Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion

Essential

  • Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues
  • Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role)
Person Specification

professional registration

Essential

  • Registered member of the GPhC.

Desirable

  • Member of UKCPA or other relevant specialist interest group
  • RPS faculity membership or working towards

Experience

Essential

  • Further post-graduate qualification in clinical pharmacy at PG diploma level or sufficient experience gained in practice to equate to this level of training

Desirable

  • Independent prescriber
  • PG qualification in AMS
  • PG leadership or management qualification

Skills

Essential

  • experience of planning and reporting service audits
  • Significant experience in clinical hospital pharmacy in a broad range of specialties
  • experience in working in an MDT
  • excellent written and oral communication skills

Desirable

  • working as a specialist pharmacist within the field of antimicrobials
  • experience in provision of a clinical pharmacy service to critical care

people management and development

Essential

  • teaching and tutoring experience

Desirable

  • experience of developing teaching and training programs
  • staff management experience

Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion

Essential

  • Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues
  • Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role)

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

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

University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust (279)

Address

Worthing hospital & St Richards Hosptial

Worthing

BN11 2DH


Employer's website

https://www.uhsussex.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)


Employer details

Employer name

University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust (279)

Address

Worthing hospital & St Richards Hosptial

Worthing

BN11 2DH


Employer's website

https://www.uhsussex.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)


Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Lead Pharmacist Clinical Infection

Jo Munns

joanne.munns1@nhs.net

01243788122

Details

Date posted

12 November 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 8a

Salary

£55,690 to £62,682 a year Per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Job share

Reference number

279-7490153-NOV25

Job locations

Worthing hospital & St Richards Hosptial

Worthing

BN11 2DH


Supporting documents

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