Highly Specialist Pharmacist – Critical Care & W&C

Job summary
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.

About us
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

Date posted: 14 July 2026
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 8a
Salary: £57,528 to £64,750 a year
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Full-time
Reference number: 279-8059440-JULY26
Job locations: Royal Alexandra Children's hospital, Royal Sussex County Hospital, Eastern Rd, Brighton and Hove, Brighton, BN2 5BE, United Kingdom

Person Specification
Essential

• 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
• MDT working
• Master's degree in pharmacy or equivalent experience.

Desirable

• 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

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: Royal Alexandra Children's hospital, Royal Sussex County Hospital, Eastern Rd, Brighton and Hove, Brighton, BN2 5BE, United Kingdom
Employer's website: https://www.uhsussex.nhs.uk/

For questions about the job, contact:
Lead Pharmacist Women & Childrens
David Annandale
d.annandale@nhs.net
01273696955