Non-Medical Prescribing, Education&Training Strategic Lead Pharmacist

Overview University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust (279) invites applications for the role of Non-Medical Prescribing, Education & Training Strategic Lead Pharmacist. This dual aspect role will take overall responsibility for all aspects of non-medical prescribing within the Trust. The department is committed to developing the consultant pharmacist role with credentialled posts and progression pathways.

The closing date is 21 September 2025

We welcome applications from candidates working at advanced level who wish to use this as a progression opportunity from band 8B to 8C. The successful candidate can expect a supported induction period, training and development opportunities, clear leadership and management, and an expanding health and wellbeing focus to support a highly engaged workforce. The role includes consultant credentialling for the post and the individual.

UHSx Pharmacy has a strong education and training ethos with progression pathways across bands and roles. We are developing pathways for bands 7-8a, 8a-8c, pharmacy technician pathways (bands 4-6) and are working on band 2-3 pharmacy assistant pathways. This reflects a commitment to career progression and staff development.

Job summary University Hospitals Sussex are proud to offer an exciting opportunity to develop a Consultant Education and Training strategic lead Pharmacist. This dual aspect role will also take overall responsibility for all aspects of non-medical prescribing within the Trust. Within University Hospitals Sussex Pharmacy Department, we are committed to developing the consultant pharmacist role and have a number of credentialled posts with several other positions on progression pathways.

We would welcome applications from candidates working at advanced level who wish to use this as a progression opportunity from band 8B to 8C. The successful candidate can expect a supported induction period, training and development opportunities, clear leadership and management and an expanding health and well being focus to support a highly engaged workforce. We are committed to supporting this role with their own consultant credentialling as well as that of the post itself.

UHSx Pharmacy has a strong education and training ethos with the department being early adopters of the band 6-7 progression pathway. We now also have developed progression pathways for band 7-8a, 8a-8c and pharmacy technician pathways at band 4-5 and 5-6. We are working on developing band 2-3 pharmacy assistant pathways in the very near future. With this strong sense of career progression and development, our pharmacy department aims to retain our committed staff and work hard to create an environment of opportunity.

Main duties of the job The post holder will ensure a central role for Pharmacy education and training in pursuance of national and local agendas pertaining to provision and delivery of pharmacy education across University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust, aligned with education awarding bodies, external and internal audit standards, and legislative requirements.

The post holder will have overall operational responsibility for the delivery of pharmacy educational services in the Trust and provide senior management support to the pharmacy education and training team. They will support and work closely with the Director of Integrated Education and Trust clinical lead pharmacists to ensure successful delivery of the pharmacy education contracts at a local level. There will be a focus on building the Trust as a centre of excellence for pharmacy education and driving innovative work within the Trust.

The post holder will hold primary responsibility and accountability for all aspects of non-medical prescribing within University Hospitals Sussex. The Trust currently has an active database of approximately 300 non-medical prescribers. The post holder will act as the University Hospitals Sussex Trust Chair of the Non-Medical Prescribing Governance Board and lead on strategic development and local governance of NMPs within the Trust.

About us At UHSussex, diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included to help us always put the Patient First. We encourage staff networks and offer buddy systems. We're proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 2) and a Veteran Aware Trust. We are committed to staff wellbeing and flexible working where possible to support work-life balance and career development.

As a university trust and leader in healthcare research, we value learning, teaching and training. From start to finish, we aim to help you grow and develop, offering opportunities to see the difference you make and feel valued.

We look forward to receiving your application and starting your journey with UHSussex.

Candidate Information Pack:

Job description Job responsibilities To provide high-level operational management of the department, supporting managers within the team to deliver the strategic goals of the pharmacy department across all sites.

To act as the primary link between the Trust, University and Health Education England Kent Surrey and Sussex. To be accountable for providing a central focus for Pharmacy Education in service developments within the organisation.

To contribute to the operational management of the Pharmacy Board, generate summary reports for the Pharmacy Board, act as a delegated Pharmacy Board member when required, and lead on specific initiatives and projects. To act as delegate sponsor for the Pharmacy Board in developing supporting business cases/reports for submission.

To actively manage, challenge and support clinical lead managers across traditional boundaries ensuring the planning, coordination and monitoring of service-level objectives.

To lead and support the development and implementation of innovative learning opportunities throughout the service.

Ensure the service utilises sound educational principles to design, develop, implement and evaluate training programmes in all areas of Pharmacy Education.

Embed a research-focused culture within Pharmacy through leading regular research-focused education and training, representing Pharmacy in the Trust research integrated leadership group and chairing the Pharmacy research and audit group. Promote internal audits/projects and best practice through networks.

To ensure programmes meet educational credibility and are fit for practice, implementing a culture of evaluation and using feedback to support trainees.

Deliver regular reports to the Trust Healthcare Education Development Quality Group.

Work with staff to understand the skill mix within the Pharmacy Department and support staff development to optimise knowledge, skills and experience.

Assist the Trust Clinical Pharmacy Lead in developing a strategy for undergraduate and postgraduate education, pre/post-registration training and Trust-wide training and inter-professional curricula regarding:

• The Trust objectives in staff development and patient safety
• Improved patient experience and safety through inter-professional education
• Development of a regional reputation for excellence

The post holder will act as the Trust NMP lead with four main functions: communication, coordinating, clinical governance and support. The NMP lead will chair the non-medical prescribing panel and deliver the following objectives:

• Attend internal and external meetings relevant to independent prescribing
• Be responsible for presentation/publication of data locally and regionally
• Attend MDTs related to prescribing as required
• Maintain the Trust database of NMPs
• Support all NMPs with prescribing issues; liaise with staff re role and capabilities
• Provide prescribing guidance to all grades of doctors and nurses
• Implement relevant standards in prescribing
• Represent NMPs at senior levels on key issues in independent prescribing
• Attend and provide feedback at relevant forums
• Contribute to setting and monitoring prescribing standards
• Help create and support independent prescribing policy
• Attend Medicines Governance Committee for policy changes
• Attend HEI prescribing programme board meetings for feedback and course development
• Represent the Trust in HEI course development discussions and integrate pharmacy undergraduates within Trust departments
• Support CPD for NMPs with resources and references

Person Specification Qualifications Essential

• Registered member of the General Pharmaceutical Council
• Post-graduate qualification in Education and Training, Management and/or Clinical Pharmacy or equivalent experience
• Experience with multiple healthcare professions and managers
• Training in management and HR policies (absence, capability, appraisal)

Desirable

• Independent Prescriber
• Experience managing a service
• Experience in strategic planning
• Working towards or achieved consultant credentialling

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Essential

• Evidence of championing diversity
• Evidence of development to improve understanding of equalities issues

Skills Essential

• Evidence of ongoing development to improve understanding of equalities issues

Disclosure and Barring Service Check This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act and requires DBS submission.

Certificate of Sponsorship Applications from job seekers who require Skilled Worker sponsorship are welcome. For information . click apply for full job details