Job overview
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Lead Advanced Pharmacist – Women’s Services to join the Pharmacy team at University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust. This is a new role for the Trust, developed to strengthen specialist pharmacy leadership and governance across Women’s Services
This senior clinical leadership post provides expert pharmacy input across maternity, gynaecology, maternal medicine and neonatal interfaces, working across designated hospital sites within the Trust. The post holder will lead the planning, delivery, development and governance of Women’s Services pharmacy provision, ensuring safe, effective and equitable use of medicines for women, pregnant people and neonates
Women’s Services use a wide range of specialist medicines during pregnancy, the postnatal period, breastfeeding and neonatal care. This role provides advanced clinical leadership and independent prescribing expertise to support medicines optimisation, patient safety, regulatory compliance and service resilience, in line with national guidance and Trust priorities
The post holder will work closely with multidisciplinary teams, regional and national networks, commissioners and external partners, and will play a key role in medicines governance, quality improvement, workforce development and cross-site standardisation. This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced senior pharmacist to establish, shape and lead a new specialist role within a large, complex and forward-looking Trust
Main duties of the job
Establish and lead a specialist pharmacy role for Womens Services, providing senior clinical leadership and acting as expert for medicines optimisation in maternity, gynaecology, maternal medicine and neonatal interfaces.
Provide advanced clinical pharmacy input across hospital sites, ensuring consistent pharmacy provision and cross site working.
Work as an independent prescriber, initiating, reviewing and optimising medicines within scope of practice, including high risk, unlicensed and specialist therapies in pregnancy, postnatal, breastfeeding and neonatal care.
Lead medicines governance for Womens Services including prescribing verification, medicines reconciliation, incidents, audit and risk management.
Develop and implement clinical guidelines, protocols and pathways for medicines use across Womens Services, aligned with national guidance.
Provide expert advice and leadership to MDTs including obstetric, gynaecology, maternal medicine, anaesthetic, midwifery and neonatal teams.
Lead service development and quality improvement using prescribing data and incident learning.
Support and develop pharmacy staff through supervision, education and workforce development.
Work with interna l/ external partners including primary care, community pharmacy, LMNS and commissioners.
Provide medicines optimisation and financial oversight including high cost medicines and budget monitoring.
Deputise for senior pharmacy colleagues to support service resilience.
Working for our organisation
At UHSussex, diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included to help us always deliver Excellent Care Everywhere, as shown in our Outstanding for Caring CQC rating. Your uniqueness and 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, and can offer a buddy to help new members settle in. We’re proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 3) and a Veteran Aware Trust.
Candidate Pack
Detailed job description and main 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. For example, applicants for the Senior HCA role must be able to evidence a minimum of 2 years’ experience in the same role to qualify for sponsorship.
If you are applying using a Graduate visa as your right to work, you must have a minimum of 18 months remaining on your visa at time of application.
**Please see attached Job Description for further details**
Person specification
Essential criteria
Essential criteria
1. Registered as a Pharmacist with General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC)
2. Further specialist knowledge through post Diploma level training
3. NMP
4. Acute hospital pharmacy experience
5. Experience managing use of medicine in pregnancy and breast feeding inquiries
Desirable criteria
6. Audit, research, guideline development.
7. Guideline development, formulary submissions, or protocol reviews
8. Member of the Neonatal and Paediatric Pharmacist Group (NPPG)/ +/- UKCPA Women’s Health
9. Experience of working within women’s services
Equality, Diversity & Inclusion
Essential criteria
10. Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role
11. Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues
Important information for applicants:
A Note on AI Use in Applications
We value the individuality and authenticity that each candidate brings to the application process. While AI tools are increasingly accessible, we strongly discourage their use in completing your application. Your responses should reflect your own voice, experiences, and motivations—elements that are essential to a fair and accurate evaluation.
Applications that rely heavily on AI-generated content may misrepresent your abilities and could result in your application being rejected. We encourage you to take the time to present your genuine self, as this helps us better understand your potential and ensures a transparent selection process.
Closing Adverts Early: In the event of exceptional interest, we may close adverts earlier than specified.
Some of our adverts are capped for a limited number of applications; therefore, the advert will close once the cap has been reached. We therefore encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible if you are interested in the position to prevent you from missing out on applying for the opportunity.
Flexible Working: If you would like to explore potential options regarding flexible working please speak with the appropriate recruiting/line manager.
DBS Checks: As part of our commitment to a safe working environment, we undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service check on all new employees where the role is eligible for a criminal record check. We make offers in line with the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1975.
Skilled Worker Visa: Applications for Skilled Worker sponsorship are welcome for the roles that meet the Visa and Immigrations eligibility criteria. For further information please visit the gov.uk website searching for Skilled Worker. It is your responsibility as the applicant to ensure that you meet this criteria.
UHSussex reserves the right to close the role early if we receive a high volume of applications