Job summary
- Main area
- Pharmacy
- Grade
- Band 8d
- Contract
- Permanent
- Hours
- Full time
- Job share
- Compressed hours
- Job ref
- 279-7589487-JAN26
- Employer
- University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- Royal Sussex County Hospital
- Town
- Brighton
- Salary
- £91,342 - £105,337 Per annum pro rata
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Closing
- 08/02/2026 23:59
Employer heading
Deputy Chief Pharmacist - RSCH & PRH
Band 8d
About our Trust
At UHSussex we’re proud to be at the heart of the NHS. As one of the UK’s largest acute trusts, we’re a leading example of the excellence, the ambition and the values that have embodied the NHS for over 70 years.
Our hard-working, talented and dedicated people work together towards a common goal – to deliver Excellent Care Everywhere for our patients, our people and our communities. Whatever your role here at UHSussex you will play a part in driving us forwards and in improving the lives of patients across Sussex.
At UHSussex, diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included to help us deliver Excellent Care Everywhere. 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.
We value compassion, inclusion and respect as our core values. 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, 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 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.
As part of our commitment to access for all, please see the different ways you can access the application form: https://apps.trac.jobs/accessibility?_ts=1
We look forward to receiving your application and the start of your journey with UHSussex.
Job overview
As Deputy Chief Pharmacist, you will play a pivotal role in leading, developing, and delivering safe, effective, and innovative pharmacy services across our hospitals. Working closely with the chief pharmacist and pharmacy board, you’ll help drive our new trust strategy in matters related to medicines optimisation , support national priorities, and ensure regulatory compliance.
You’ll lead a diverse team of pharmacy professionals across multiple sites, fostering a culture of inclusion, learning, and excellence. You will also drive innovation and create a culture of continuous improvement. The role involves deputising for the chief pharmacist in representing pharmacy within senior trust and regional networks when needed — influencing policy, service design, and quality improvement.
This is an exciting opportunity for a visionary pharmacy leader who thrives on strategic challenges and wants to make a lasting impact on patient care.
Main duties of the job
-
Act as the sites’ expert in medicines optimisation, with delegated responsibility from the chief pharmacist.
-
Deputise for the chief pharmacist to provide strategic and professional leadership for medicines optimisation services across the trust and to external customers.
-
Ensure pharmacy services are patient-centred, safe, progressive, cost-effective, and delivered within agreed budgets by competent staff.
-
Drive continuous improvement and innovation in pharmacy services, embedding quality improvement and R&I principles.
-
Lead and manage strategic project planning for pharmacy services, assessing resource requirements and potential impact across the trust.
-
Positively influence stakeholders to achieve high standards in medicines optimisation across the organisation.
-
Lead on business planning, formulating cases of need and submitting bids for
procurement of additional resources based on evaluation, research, quotations and established contracts.
-
Appraise and evaluate service delivery and role development.
-
Represent the pharmacy department at trust committees and collaborate with internal and external stakeholders, such as other NHS trusts and Integrated Care Boards (ICBs).
-
Delegated management of allocated pharmacy budget for RSCH and PRH pharmacy.
-
Member of pharmacy board.
Working for our organisation
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/
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.
-
Act as the sites’ expert in medicines optimisation, with delegated responsibility from the chief pharmacist.
-
Deputise for the chief pharmacist to provide strategic and professional leadership for medicines optimisation services across the trust and to external customers.
-
Ensure pharmacy services are patient-centred, safe, progressive, cost-effective,
and delivered within agreed budgets by competent staff.
-
Drive continuous improvement and innovation in pharmacy services, embedding
quality improvement and R&I principles.
-
Provide professional leadership and development support to all pharmacy staff.
-
Maintain responsibility for audit, research, and service evaluation activities
related to medicines optimisation across their sites.
-
Lead and manage strategic project planning for pharmacy services, assessing
resource requirements and potential impact across the trust.
-
Positively influence stakeholders to achieve high standards in medicines
optimisation across the organisation.
-
Lead on business planning, formulating cases of need and submitting bids for
procurement of additional resources based on evaluation, research, quotations
and established contracts.
-
Appraise and evaluate service delivery and role development.
-
Represent the pharmacy department at trust committees and collaborate with internal and external stakeholders, such as other NHS trusts and Integrated Care Boards (ICBs).
-
Delegated management of allocated pharmacy budget for RSCH and PRH pharmacy.
-
Member of pharmacy board.
Person specification
Shortlisting
Essential criteria
- Registered as a Pharmacist with the General Pharmaceutical Council.
- Master’s degree in Pharmacy or equivalent (earlier BSC or BPharm).
- Post -graduate qualification relevant to hospital pharmacy practice.
- Leadership or Management qualification relevant to the NHS at Diploma or Masters level or substantial senior management experience and success in previous roles.
- Clinical leadership in an acute hospital setting.
- Experience of leading and managing a large team in an acute hospital setting.
- Evidence of commitment to CPD.
- Track record of high performance
Desirable criteria
- Responsible Person (RP) qualified as per Good Distribution Practice (GDP) principles
- Experience with wholesale dealer’s authorisations and MHRA inspections.
- Experience with other regulatory bodies such as GphC and CQC.
Equality, Diversity & Inclusion
Essential criteria
- Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role)
- Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues.
Employer certification / accreditation badges
Applicant requirements
You must have appropriate UK professional registration.
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.
Documents to download
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Soha Mohamed
- Job title
- Chief Pharmacist
- Email address
- [email protected]
- Telephone number
- 01273 696955
- Additional information
Extension 64404
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