Highly Specialist Pharmacist – Critical Care & W&C
Band 8a
Main area Pharmacy Grade Band 8a Contract Permanent Hours Full time – 37.5 hours per week Job ref 279-8059440-JULY26
Employer University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust Employer type NHS Site Royal Alexandra Children’s hospital Town Eastern Rd, Brighton and Hove, Brighton Salary £57,528 – £64,750 Per annum Salary period Yearly Closing 28/07/2026 23:59
Job overview
You will provide advanced clinical pharmacy input to paediatric critical care and wider children’s services, supporting the safe and effective use of medicines in critically ill infants and children. This includes participation in multidisciplinary ward rounds, optimisation of complex pharmacotherapy such as sedation, inotropes, antimicrobials, parenteral nutrition and other high-risk medicines, and supporting therapeutic drug monitoring and medicines optimisation.
Working closely with consultants, nurses, dietitians and other specialists, you will contribute to clinical decision-making, influence prescribing practice and support the implementation of national guidance and local protocols. You will also play a key role in medicines governance, audit, quality improvement and service development across paediatric critical care and children’s services.
The role provides opportunities to lead medicines management initiatives, develop clinical guidelines, support education and training of junior pharmacy staff, and contribute to research and service evaluation.
We are looking for a clinically confident and collaborative pharmacist with strong leadership, communication and analytical skills. Experience in paediatrics, critical care or other specialist services involving complex medicines is desirable. Independent prescriber status, or a commitment to achieve it, is expected.
Band 7 to 8a progression candidates will be considered.
Main duties of the job
Provide advanced clinical pharmacy services to paediatric critical care and wider children’s services, supporting safe and effective use of medicines in critically ill infants and children. Participate in multidisciplinary ward rounds and contribute to clinical decision-making for complex patients requiring high-risk medicines, polypharmacy and specialist therapies. Act as a senior clinical pharmacist within paediatric services and deputise for the Lead Pharmacist for Critical Care & Children’s Services when required. Give expert advice on medicines optimisation, therapeutic drug monitoring, antimicrobial therapy, sedation, analgesia, inotropes, parenteral nutrition and other treatments used in paediatric critical care.
Work with consultants, nurses, dietitians, microbiologists and healthcare professionals to support safe prescribing, guideline implementation and medicines governance. Lead or contribute to audit, quality improvement and patient safety initiatives, including antimicrobial stewardship and safe use of high-cost medicines.
Support development and review of clinical guidelines, policies and care pathways aligned with national guidance and Trust strategy. Contribute to education and training for pharmacy staff and the multidisciplinary team, and mentor junior pharmacists and technicians.
Engage with regional and national paediatric and critical care pharmacy networks, supporting service development, research and improvement in medicines optimisation for children.
Person specification
- GPhC-registered pharmacist with postgraduate diploma in clinical pharmacy (or equivalent experience)
- Significant post-registration hospital pharmacy experience, including advanced clinical practice in a relevant specialty
- Proven ability to interpret complex clinical information and optimise medicines for patients with multiple co-morbidities
- Experience of working with paediatric patients
- Master’s degree in pharmacy or equivalent experience.
- Independent prescriber qualification (or working towards completion within 12–18 months)
- Experience developing or updating prescribing guidelines or local treatment pathways
- Experience leading QI projects, business cases, or cross-site service development
- Previous line-management or clinical supervision experience
You must have appropriate UK professional registration.
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