Job overview This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced and forward-thinking pharmacist to lead and shape the delivery of high-cost medicines and homecare services across University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust. The postholder will provide strategic, operational, and professional leadership to ensure that these services are safe, efficient, financially sustainable, and aligned with national standards and the Trust’s Patient First values.
Working collaboratively with clinical teams, finance, procurement, and regional partners, the role will drive continuous improvement in medicines governance, commissioning processes, and patient access to complex therapies. The postholder will also play a key role in digital transformation, contract management, and service redesign—enhancing both patient safety and the quality of pharmaceutical care across the Trust. Main duties of the job
The postholder will lead and develop high-cost drugs and homecare pharmacy services across University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust, ensuring safe, efficient, and patient-centred delivery in line with national standards. You will manage contracts and service-level agreements with homecare providers, oversee high-cost drug commissioning and recharging processes, and drive service improvement through digital innovation and process standardisation.
Working closely with clinical teams, finance, procurement, and regional partners, you will provide expert pharmaceutical leadership to enhance medicines governance, optimise resources, and support equitable patient access to specialist therapies. You will lead, mentor, and develop the homecare pharmacy team and deputise for the Lead Pharmacist for High Cost Drugs, Business, Homecare and Procurement as required.
Working for our organisation At UHSussex, diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included to help us always put the Patient First. 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 2) and a Veteran Aware Trust.
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.
We look forward to receiving your application and the start of your journey with UHSussex. 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.
The postholder will provide professional, and operational leadership for the Trust’s High Cost Drugs and Homecare Pharmacy Services, ensuring they are delivered safely, efficiently, and in accordance with national standards and regulatory frameworks.
You will be responsible for the day-to-day management, governance, and development of homecare services across all Trust sites, ensuring medicines are procured, supplied, and monitored in a way that safeguards patients and delivers value for money. This includes leading service transformation to streamline processes, enhance automation and digital tools, and strengthen clinical and financial governance.
Key responsibilities include: Managing homecare provider contracts and service-level agreements, ensuring performance, quality assurance, and compliance with the Royal Pharmaceutical Society Homecare Standards. Supporting commissioning and recharging processes for high-cost drugs, ensuring accurate data capture, validation, and reporting in collaboration with Finance and NHS England/ICB teams. Providing expert pharmaceutical advice to clinicians and service leads on the safe and effective use of high-cost and homecare medicines. Leading and developing the homecare pharmacy workforce, ensuring staff are supported, trained, and equipped to deliver high-quality services. Driving service improvement initiatives that reduce waste, increase treatment capacity, and enhance patient experience. Ensuring that incidents, complaints, and clinical risks within homecare and high-cost drug services are appropriately investigated, reported, and acted upon in line with Trust governance processes. Collaborating with regional homecare networks, suppliers, and commissioners to influence best practice and innovation. Deputising for the Lead Pharmacist for High Cost Drugs, Business, Homecare and Procurement where required, contributing to Trust-wide medicines efficiency, governance, and strategic planning. This role has a direct and significant impact on service delivery and patient safety, ensuring continuity of treatment for thousands of patients who rely on homecare and high-cost medicines. The postholder will play a key role in ensuring that University Hospitals Sussex remains compliant, efficient, and at the forefront of safe, patient-focused pharmacy practice.
Person specification Shortlisting Essential criteria Master’s degree in Pharmacy (MPharm or equivalent) and current registration with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC).
Substantial post-registration hospital pharmacy experience, including demonstrable impact in medicines optimisation, high-cost drugs, or homecare service delivery.
Proven ability to manage, motivate, and develop staff; experience in workforce planning, recruitment, and performance management.
Experience implementing governance frameworks, audits, and service improvement initiatives to enhance safety and efficiency.
Demonstrated ability to manage budgets, interpret complex financial data, and deliver efficiency savings or cost improvement programmes.
Demonstrates alignment with Trust values and Patient First principles; evidence of professionalism, inclusion, and commitment to quality improvement. Desirable criteria Postgraduate qualification in Clinical Pharmacy, Leadership, or Management.
Experience contributing to regional or national homecare or high-cost drug networks or committees.
Experience leading multi-site or cross-organisational pharmacy teams.
Experience developing or implementing digital or automation solutions to improve medicines processes.
Experience producing business cases, benchmarking data, or financial reports for senior leadership.
Evidence of contribution to professional development, publications, or peer networks. 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 Important information for applicants:
A Note on AI Use in Applications
We value the individuality and authenticity that each candidate brings to the application process. While AI tools are increasingly accessible, we strongly discourage their use in completing your application. Your responses should reflect your own voice, experiences, and motivations—elements that are essential to a fair and accurate evaluation.
Applications that rely heavily on AI-generated content may misrepresent your abilities and could result in your application being rejected. We encourage you to take the time to present your genuine self, as this helps us better understand your potential and ensures a transparent selection process.
Closing Adverts Early: In the event of exceptional interest, we may close adverts earlier than specified.
Some of our adverts are capped for a limited number of applications; therefore, the advert will close once the cap has been reached. We therefore encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible if you are interested in the position to prevent you from missing out on applying for the opportunity.
Flexible Working: If you would like to explore potential options regarding flexible working please speak with the appropriate recruiting/line manager.
DBS Checks: As part of our commitment to a safe working environment, we undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service check on all new employees where the role is eligible for a criminal record check . We make offers in line with the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1975.
Skilled Worker Visa: Applications for Skilled Worker sponsorship are welcome for the roles that meet the Visa and Immigrations eligibility criteria. For further information please visit the gov.uk website searching for Skilled Worker. It is your responsibility as the applicant to ensure that you meet this criteria.
UHSussex reserves the right to close the role early if we receive a high volume of applications
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