Job overview
University Hospitals Sussex (UHS) greatly values their pharmacy team and over the years it has continued to grow in strength and numbers. We are now pleased to offer an exciting 8a Surgical and Clinical Preceptor Pharmacist (Highly Specialist) post. The post holder will be a dynamic individual ready to provide expert leadership and knowledge, in safety and clinical governance.
The post holder will be at the forefront of providing pharmacy services optimising and improving the patient experience. It will be an opportunity to share expertise in a multidisciplinary setting and have valuable input into patient outcomes.
The post holder will:
1. Provide an expert level of clinical pharmacy services to surgical wards at PRH
2. Develop and provide clinical practice education and training (experiential learning) for foundation pharmacists and trainee pharmacists undertaking their rotations at PRH.
3. Be responsible for all aspects of medicines management to optimise patient’s care involving the use of medication.
4. Be able to support the medicines governance quality improvement program when required.
If you are looking to drive your own career in an environment that supports your development in a captivating part of the UK then UHS could be the perfect fit for you.
You must be a Registered Pharmacist with a post graduate qualification and ideally experienced at specialist level.
Main duties of the job
The post holder will be required to have excellent communication skills and be expected to communicate with staff, patients and the widen MDT on complex issues and medicine safety.
Contribute to policies and procedure development in relation to prescribing and medicines management within the surgery division. They will support the Divisional Lead of Surgery in achieving standards set out in the Pharmacy Operational Plan.
Monitor drug expenditure and management and be involved in cost improvements.
To co-ordinate pharmacy input into audits within surgery and complete reports and/or present results of audits to the multi-disciplinary team.
Line management and/or practice supervisor of trainee pharmacist, band 6 and band 7 pharmacists as required when in surgery rotations at PRH.
Post holder to manage, provide, co-ordinate and evaluate clinical pharmacy services to surgery.
The post holder will be responsible for the evaluation of new drugs within surgery for presentation to the Medicines Governance Committee (MGC). The post holder will monitor use of drug following approval and challenge instances where the drug is not prescribed in accordance with the terms set by the MGC.
Working for our organisation
At UHSussex, diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included to help us always put the Patient First, 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 2) and a Veteran Aware Trust.
We treat our patients and staff with the same compassion and empathy we expect for ourselves. We’re here for them when they need us, and we go above and beyond to meet their needs. This can be seen in our Wellbeing Programme for staff which is extensive and designed to support you when you need it - 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 and training so that we can be the best that we can be. From the moment you start with us and throughout your career we will help you to grow and develop. We hope that in choosing UHSussex you are choosing a long and happy career where you will be able to see the difference you make and feel valued for all that you do.
We look forward to receiving your application and the start of your journey with UHSussex.
Candidate information pack - University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Communication
5. Communicates to resolve ambiguities relating to care of medical patient’s medicines across the primary / secondary care interface. Actively works to improve the ‘transfer of care’ of medical patients across the interface with the view to reducing medication related readmissions.
6. Effectively communicate with other members of the healthcare team to ensure safe and effective transfer and handover
7. Communicates complex information to patients and colleagues in a clear and concise way
8. Maintain contact with appropriate specialists and groups both nationally and locally to enable best practice to be identified and incorporated into UHSussex practice
Service Delivery and Improvement
9. To lead in the development and evaluation of new and existing clinical pharmacy services within surgery at PRH. Where appropriate to take the lead in the identification of the need for services and in the evaluation of new services implemented.
10. To report and where appropriate investigate and manage medication related errors via the Datix system in accordance with trust policy.
11. The post holder is responsible for the pharmacy contribution to policies and procedures regarding prescribing and medicines management issues within surgery as appropriate.
12. To support the Divisional Lead for Surgery in identifying, developing and managing the achievement of the standards set out in the Pharmacy Operational plan
13. To monitor, evaluate and project future drug usage and expenditure for medicine at UHSussex East. Produce financial reports as required by the Divisional Lead for surgery and the Associate Director of Operations for the Division.
14. To identify areas where drug expenditure may be minimised and negotiate/influence practise within the multi-disciplinary teams to realise these cost improvements.
15. To assist the specialities in applications for funding for new drugs and /or changes in prescribing practise which have financial implications and require additional funding.
16. To co-ordinate pharmacy input into multi-disciplinary audit and pharmacy led audits within the surgery services. To produce written reports and /or present results of audit to the multi-disciplinary team. Where applicable to publish the results of such projects.
17. As a result of audit work make recommendations for policy/procedural changes and lead on implementation of any changes within surgery and across the Trust.
18. Will be required to work in the dispensary at PRH to provide professional support and to provide pharmacy services (clinical and supply) for in-patients, out-patients and patients participating in clinical trials to fulfil the clinical and legal requirements of a dispensary service
19. Will be required to participate in the PRH Saturday and bank holiday rota with the view to being involved in the development, implementation and delivery of 7 day clinical pharmacy services to the PRH acute floor
20. Will be required to participate in out of hours emergency duty services if there is a service need
People Management and Development
21. The post holder will act as a role model for specialist clinical pharmacists, rotational pharmacists and trainee pharmacists and all other members of the pharmacy team
22. The post holder will act as a mentor for rotational pharmacists and trainee pharmacists who are undertaking rotations at PRH, including those in frailty and surgery.
23. To include regular peer review to share working practice and provide informal feedback, identifying individual clinical education needs and learning objectives, and the facilitation of post graduate assessments.
24. To act as a designated supervisor for a trainee pharmacist as required
25. To line manage band 7 and band 6 pharmacists as required.
26. To undertake individual performance review and objective setting with the named pharmacist and be responsible for all personnel issues for this post holder.
27. To act as a practice supervisor of band 7 pharmacists and trainee pharmacists in surgery providing developmental feedback during a period of training and assessment and to be able to identify and support those trainees requiring additional assistance including interfacing with employment performance management procedures
28. To co-ordinate and participate in the provision of education for pharmacy staff and members of the multidisciplinary team on medicines management issues within surgery.
29. To participate in pharmacy’s input into F1 and F2 training for speciality, this will involve working with the Trust’s Clinical Tutors and Medical School as appropriate
30. To teach junior doctors good prescribing practices according to legal and trust requirements and to reduce clinical risk.
31. To participate in the provision of clinical pharmacy education for pharmacy undergraduates at the University of Brighton
32. To contribute to a work-based learning culture
Patient Care Delivery
33. To manage, provide, co-ordinate and evaluate clinical pharmacy services to surgery.
This role includes provision of ward-based pharmacy services to medical patients as a highly specialist clinical pharmacy practitioner encompassing:
34. Participation in consultant led ward rounds
35. Medication reconciliation and review
36. Identification of patients who need additional help with their medication
37. Prompt identification, preparation of patients for early discharge and where possible complete the discharge process at ward level. Accurately document information relating to medications initiated or discontinued following admission and the follow up required
38. Counselling on changes to medication regimens and high risk drugs e.g. warfarin
39. To evaluate the clinical appropriateness, safety and legality of prescriptions based on the patients’ disease, co-morbidities and other medication and treatment taken, contacting the prescriber to make agreed changes as appropriate and clearly documenting rationale and agreed actions in the medical notes
40. To provide professional support to the ward based technical pharmacy staff and supervise the daily provision of technical pharmacy services to the surgery service with the senior pharmacy technician
41. Provide expert medicine information, and act as a resource on pharmaceutical care issues to other healthcare colleagues and patients within surgery.
42. The post holder will be responsible for the evaluation of new drugs within surgery for presentation to the Medicines Governance Committee (MGC). The post holder will monitor use of drug following approval and challenge instances where the drug is not prescribed in accordance with the terms set by the MGC.
43. To provide highly specialist clinical pharmacy expertise to senior clinical staff of the multi-disciplinary team within surgery to enable implementation of local and national standards including national service frameworks, NICE guidance and Healthcare Commission recommendations. In addition to, maintain, develop and implement prescribing guidelines for the Trust and the local health economy in line with evidence based medicine.
44. To take the lead in the provision of clinical pharmacy expertise for the identification and management of risk issues within surgery, with particular reference to risks associated with medication. To act as a resource for the directorate in investigation of clinical incidents and complaints regarding medication. To contribute to the clinical governance agenda in surgery and pharmacy.
Learning and Development
45. Attend mandatory training updates as required.
46. Undertake training as necessary in line with the development of the post and as agreed with the line manager as part of the personal development process.
47. Achieve and demonstrate agreed standards of personal and professional development within agreed timescales.
48. Identify own learning needs and jointly plan training requirements with your line manager
49. Participate in the Trust’s appraisal process to discuss how your role will help deliver the best possible care to our patients and help to deliver any changes in service.
50. To take responsibility for own continuing professional development (CPD) and maintain an up-to-date portfolio of evidence to meet the General Pharmaceutical Council of Great Britain’s requirements for CPD
This job description is an outline of the role and responsibilities. From time to time due to the needs of the service, we may ask you to flexibly undertake other duties that are consistent with your role and banding, including project work, internal job rotation and absence cover.
The job description and person specification may be reviewed on an ongoing basis in accordance with the changing needs of the department and the organisation.
Person specification
Essential
Essential criteria
51. Qualified Pharmacist
52. Registered with GPhC
53. PG certificate or equivalent
54. Hospital experience
Desirable criteria
55. PG diploma or equivalent
56. NMP or working towards
Equality Diversity & Inclusion
Essential criteria
57. Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues
58. Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role).
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