Job Description

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 thesites'expert inmedicinesoptimisation, with delegatedresponsibility from thechiefpharmacist.
Deputise for thechiefpharmacistto provide strategic and professional leadershipformedicines optimisation services across the trustand to externalcustomers.
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 thetrust.
Positively influence stakeholders to achievehigh standardsin medicines optimisation across the organisation.
Lead on business planning, formulating cases of need andsubmittingbids for
procurement ofadditionalresources based on evaluation, research, quotations andestablishedcontracts.
Appraise and evaluate service delivery and role development.
Represent the pharmacy department attrust committees and collaborate with internal and external stakeholders, such as other NHS trusts and Integrated Care Boards (ICBs).
Delegated management ofallocatedpharmacy budget for RSCH and PRH pharmacy.
Member ofpharmacyboard.
About us
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/
Details
Date posted
09 January 2026
Pay scheme
Agenda for change
Band
Band 8d
Salary
91,342 to 105,337 a year Per annum pro rata
Contract
Permanent
Working pattern
Full-time, Job share, Compressed hours
Reference number
279-7589487-JAN26
Job locations
Royal Sussex County Hospital
Eastern Road
Brighton
BN2 5BE
Job description
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. 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 sitesexpert inmedicinesoptimisation, with delegatedresponsibility from thechiefpharmacist.
Deputise for thechiefpharmacistto provide strategic and professional leadershipformedicines optimisation services across the trustand to externalcustomers.
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.
Maintainresponsibilityfor audit, research, and service evaluation activities
related to medicines optimisationacross their sites.
Lead and manage strategic project planning for pharmacy services, assessing
resource requirements and potential impact across thetrust.
Positively influence stakeholders to achievehigh standardsin medicines
optimisation across the organisation.
Lead on business planning, formulating cases of need andsubmittingbids for
procurement ofadditionalresources based on evaluation, research, quotations
andestablishedcontracts.
Appraise and evaluate service delivery and role development.
Represent the pharmacy department attrust committees and collaborate with internal and external stakeholders, such as other NHS trusts and Integrated Care Boards (ICBs).
Delegated management ofallocatedpharmacy budget for RSCH and PRH pharmacy.
Member ofpharmacyboard. Job description
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. 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 sitesexpert inmedicinesoptimisation, with delegatedresponsibility from thechiefpharmacist.
Deputise for thechiefpharmacistto provide strategic and professional leadershipformedicines optimisation services across the trustand to externalcustomers.
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.
Maintainresponsibilityfor audit, research, and service evaluation activities
related to medicines optimisationacross their sites.
Lead and manage strategic project planning for pharmacy services, assessing
resource requirements and potential impact across thetrust.
Positively influence stakeholders to achievehigh standardsin medicines
optimisation across the organisation.
Lead on business planning, formulating cases of need andsubmittingbids for
procurement ofadditionalresources based on evaluation, research, quotations
andestablishedcontracts.
Appraise and evaluate service delivery and role development.
Represent the pharmacy department attrust committees and collaborate with internal and external stakeholders, such as other NHS trusts and Integrated Care Boards (ICBs).
Delegated management ofallocatedpharmacy budget for RSCH and PRH pharmacy.
Member ofpharmacyboard.
Person Specification
Shortlisting
Essential

• 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

• 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

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

Person Specification
Shortlisting
Essential

• 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

• 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

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

Skills Required