Senior Clinical Pharmacist - Medicines Optimisation for Care Homes

Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust; Eastbourne; Hybrid; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A community health service provider in Eastbourne is seeking a Senior Clinical Pharmacist for the Medicines Optimisation in Care Homes team. The role involves conducting Structured Medication Reviews, collaborating with healthcare teams, and contributing to quality improvement initiatives. Ideal candidates should have strong skills in medicines optimisation and excellent communication abilities. Benefits include professional development opportunities and flexible working arrangements.

Benefits

Continuing professional development opportunities

Training and staff benefits

Qualifications

• Passionate about working with frail elderly patients.
• Warm, empathetic, and excellent communicator.
• Self-motivated, organised, and committed to continuous learning.

Responsibilities

• Deliver person-centred Structured Medication Reviews for care home residents.
• Review prescribing and make recommendations to GPs.
• Build relationships with multidisciplinary teams and stakeholders.
• Contribute to quality improvement projects.

Skills

Skills in medicines optimisation

Clinical knowledge

Digital technology proficiency

Excellent communication

Job description

About the Role

We are looking for a Senior Clinical Pharmacist to join our Medicines Optimisation in Care Homes (MOCH) team at Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust. The role is based at Hampden Park and focuses on delivering person‑centred Structured Medication Reviews (SMRs) for care home residents, reviewing prescribing, and collaborating with multidisciplinary teams across Primary Care Networks.

Key Responsibilities

• Deliver person‑centred Structured Medication Reviews (SMRs) for care home residents through holistic consultations with patients and their support networks (carers, nurses, family members).
• Review prescribing and make expert recommendations to GPs and advanced clinical practitioners, focusing on quality, safety, and improved outcomes.
• Build strong relationships with GPs, PCN teams, community pharmacies, care home managers, social services, and other stakeholders.
• Use clinical systems such as EMIS to document reviews and utilise digital technology for remote meetings and supervision.
• Contribute to quality improvement and research projects to enhance service delivery.
• Potentially line manage a senior pharmacy technician.
• Collaborate on projects and share expertise across medicines optimisation services such as Rheumatology, Children and Young People, Proactive Care, Medicines Optimisation in Care Homes, and Virtual Wards, offering variety and scope for career progression.

About the Team & Organization

Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust is the largest provider of community NHS health services across Sussex, serving 1.3 million people with around 6,000 staff. The MOCH team is subdivided into East, West, and Brighton & Hove regions and works closely with enhanced health in care home multidisciplinary teams, Primary Care Network (PCN) level care homes, GP practices, community pharmacies, social services, acute hospitals and more.

Desired Profile

We are looking for a candidate who:

• Passionates about working with frail elderly patients and individuals with learning disabilities.
• Is warm, empathetic, and an excellent communicator.
• Has strong skills in medicines optimisation with strong clinical and technical knowledge.
• Is self‑motivated, organised, and committed to continuous learning.
• Is proficient in digital technology systems such as Outlook for diary management and MS Teams for video conferencing and clinical supervision.

Essential Skills

Robust CPD in areas such as chronic conditions in older people.

Desirable Skills

Post qualification experience and a proven track record in medicines optimisation.

Benefits

• Access to continuing professional development opportunities, including Independent Prescribing and management qualifications.
• Depending on experience, the CPPE Primary Care Pharmacy Education Pathway (18 months) will be offered, which includes independent prescribing.
• Embedded within a large NHS Trust with access to organisational development, training, and staff benefits.

Working Arrangements

• Base: Hampden Park, Eastbourne.
• Hours: Monday–Friday, business hours (no weekends, bank holidays, or on‑call).
• Flexible and hybrid working supported – laptop and mobile provided.
• Travel across West Sussex required, including to locations that may be served poorly by public transport.

Application Details

To apply, please submit your CV and cover letter via the application portal. Interviews will be held two weeks after the advert closing date. This advert closes on Monday 29 Dec 2025.