Highly Specialist Clinical Pharmacist – Gastroenterology

University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust (279); Worthing; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare provider in Worthing is looking for a Highly Specialist Clinical Pharmacist in Gastroenterology. Responsibilities include providing expert clinical input, managing medicines optimisation for complex patients, and leading on care initiatives. Ideal candidates should have strong clinical skills, experience in gastroenterology, and independent prescriber status or a commitment to achieve it. The position offers professional development and support in a collaborative environment.

Benefits

Professional development opportunities

Supportive pharmacy team

Qualifications

• GPhC-registered pharmacist with postgraduate diploma in clinical pharmacy.
• Significant post-registration hospital pharmacy experience.
• Demonstrated understanding of NICE guidance, medicines governance.

Responsibilities

• Deliver specialist clinical pharmacy services to gastroenterology.
• Act as an independent prescriber to initiate and monitor treatment.
• Provide expert advice on complex medication regimes.

Skills

Strong communication skills

Analytical skills

Team leadership

Clinical confidence

Education

Postgraduate diploma in clinical pharmacy

MSc in advanced clinical pharmacy or gastroenterology

Job description

Go back University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust (279)

Highly Specialist Clinical Pharmacist – Gastroenterology

The closing date is 05 January 2026

You will provide expert clinical input, including pharmacist-led clinics, biologic infusion support, therapeutic drug monitoring and medicines optimisation for complex patients. As part of a multidisciplinary team, you will influence prescribing decisions, lead on implementing NICE guidance and contribute to pathway development, audit and governance initiatives.

You’ll also have the opportunity to lead on medicines management and guideline development, support clinical trials, and train and mentor junior pharmacists and technicians. The role includes responsibility for service evaluation, quality improvement, and cost‑effective use of high‑cost drugs.

We’re looking for a clinically confident, collaborative and innovative pharmacist with strong communication and analytical skills, ideally with experience in gastroenterology or another specialty involving biologics and complex medicines. Independent prescriber status (or a commitment to achieve it) is expected.

In return, you’ll join a supportive and forward‑thinking pharmacy team with access to professional development, research opportunities and leadership support – helping you deliver excellent care every time.

Main duties of the job

As the Highly Specialist Clinical Pharmacist for Gastroenterology, you will deliver expert pharmaceutical care to patients with inflammatory bowel disease, liver disease and other gastrointestinal conditions across inpatient and outpatient settings.

You’ll run or support clinics, providing independent prescribing, therapeutic drug monitoring and counselling for patients receiving biologics and other complex therapies. You will contribute to ward rounds and infusion clinics, optimising treatment, preventing avoidable harm and ensuring compliance with NICE guidance and local commissioning requirements.

The role also includes supporting alignment to prescribing guidelines, reviewing high‑cost medicines use, and supporting formulary applications, audits and service improvement projects. You’ll advise clinicians on complex treatment decisions, liaise with community and primary‑care teams to ensure seamless care, and help deliver CQUIN and quality targets.

You’ll provide leadership, education and supervision for pharmacists, nurses and trainees working within gastroenterology, supporting their competence development and contributing to governance and risk management processes.

This is a dynamic post combining advanced clinical practice, leadership and innovation to improve outcomes for gastroenterology patients across University Hospitals Sussex.

About us

About our Trust

Candidate Information Pack

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.

Job 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.

Deliver and evaluate specialist clinical pharmacy services to gastroenterology, including pharmacist‑led clinics and infusion support for biologic and immunomodulatory treatments.

Act as an independent prescriber (or work towards this) to initiate, optimise and monitor treatment in line with national guidance and local commissioning arrangements.

Provide expert advice to consultants, nurses and GPs on complex medication regimes, drug monitoring, interactions and adherence.

Contribute to quality improvement, audit and research to evaluate and enhance gastroenterology pharmacy services.

Support therapeutic drug monitoring, dose optimisation and medicines reconciliation, including for vulnerable and high‑risk groups.

Monitor and report drug expenditure, support business cases, and contribute to formulary submissions and cost‑effectiveness reviews.

Provide education, mentorship and training to pharmacy staff, prescribers and members of the multidisciplinary team.

Support delivery of the Trust’s Patient First strategy through active participation in governance, sustainability and continuous improvement initiatives.

This is an excellent opportunity for a proactive, clinically confident pharmacist to lead innovation and influence the safe, cost‑effective use of medicines within a highly specialised and rapidly evolving field.

Person Specification

Shortlisting Criteria for interview

• 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
• Demonstrated understanding of NICE guidance, medicines governance and high‑cost drug pathways (Blueteq/commissioning)
• Evidence of audit, service improvement or research to enhance patient care or safety
• Excellent communication and leadership skills with the ability to educate, mentor and influence multidisciplinary teams
• MSc or postgraduate qualification in advanced clinical pharmacy or gastroenterology
• Previous experience in gastroenterology, hepatology or biologic/infusion services
• 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

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion

• Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues
• Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role).

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.

University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust (279)