Visa Note
This position is eligible for visa sponsorship under the UK Visas & Immigration (UKVI) Skilled Worker route. However, applicants must verify their eligibility with the employer even if sponsorship is offered. Sponsorship is contingent upon meeting specific requirements set by UKVI, including relevant skill and salary thresholds.
Job Details
Company: University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust (279)
Location: Worthing General Hospital, Lyndhurst Rd, Worthing, BN11 2DH
Salary: £55,690 to £62,682 per annum
Schedule: Full-time, Job share, Flexible working
Employment Type: Permanent
Language: English
Application Deadline: 05 January 2026
Job Summary
As a Highly Specialist Clinical Pharmacist for Gastroenterology, you will provide expert clinical input including pharmacist-led clinics, biologic infusion support, therapeutic drug monitoring, and medicines optimisation for complex patients. You will be part of a multidisciplinary team, influencing prescribing decisions and leading on implementing NICE guidance.
This role offers the opportunity to contribute to pathway development, audit initiatives, and governance processes. You will also lead on medicines management, guideline development, support clinical trials, and train and mentor junior pharmacists and technicians.
The position includes responsibility for service evaluation, quality improvement, and ensuring cost-effective use of high-cost drugs. We are seeking a clinically confident, collaborative, and innovative pharmacist with strong communication and analytical skills.
Experience in gastroenterology or another specialty involving biologics and complex medicines is highly desirable. Independent prescriber status (or a commitment to achieve it) is expected for this challenging and rewarding role.
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 will 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 includes supporting alignment to prescribing guidelines, reviewing high-cost medicines use, and supporting formulary applications, audits, and service improvement projects. You will 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 will 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 the Employer
At University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust, 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, ambition, and 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.
Person Specification
Essential Criteria
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
Desirable Criteria
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
Essential Qualification
Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues. This demonstrates your commitment to providing equitable healthcare and working effectively with diverse patient populations.
Desirable Qualification
Not specified in the job description.
Essential Experience
GPhC-registered pharmacist with postgraduate diploma in clinical pharmacy (or equivalent experience). This role requires a solid foundation in clinical pharmacy practice with specific expertise in gastroenterology or related specialties involving biologics and complex medicines.
Equality, Diversity & Inclusion
We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace where everyone can thrive. Evidence of having undertaken development to improve understanding of equalities issues is essential. We also seek candidates who can demonstrate evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles, as appropriate to the position.
At University Hospitals Sussex, we value the unique contributions of all our staff members and are committed to providing equal opportunities for everyone regardless of background, identity, or circumstance.
How to Apply
Apply Instructions: Apply via NHS Jobs website.
International applicants should verify their eligibility for skilled worker sponsorship before applying. Required documents typically include proof of qualifications, professional registration, and English language proficiency. Contact the employer early in the application process to discuss visa requirements.
All applicants must provide evidence of current UK professional registration where applicable. For overseas candidates, information about UK registration requirements can be found on the NHS Careers website.
Contact Information
For questions about the job, contact:
Name: Fiona Rees
Title: Consultant Pharmacist – Gastroenterology
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 01273696955
International applicants are encouraged to contact Fiona Rees early in the application process to discuss visa sponsorship requirements and eligibility.
Salary and Benefits
This position offers a competitive salary ranging from £55,690 to £62,682 per annum, paid under the Agenda for Change pay scheme at Band 8a. In addition to salary, the trust offers a comprehensive benefits package including:
NHS Pension Scheme, generous annual leave, access to occupational health services, opportunities for continuing professional development, and support for maintaining required professional qualifications. The trust is also committed to employee wellbeing with access to staff counseling services and various staff discounts.
Working Pattern
This position offers flexibility with options for full-time, job share, and flexible working arrangements. The trust recognizes the importance of work-life balance and is happy to discuss working patterns that suit both the individual and the service requirements.
Flexible working options may include compressed hours, staggered start and finish times, or home working where appropriate. The trust is committed to supporting staff with dependent care responsibilities and other personal commitments.
Location
The position is based at Worthing General Hospital, Lyndhurst Rd, Worthing, BN11 2DH. The hospital is easily accessible by public transport and has parking facilities available for staff. The location offers a good quality of life with excellent transport links to London and other major cities.
The surrounding area provides a range of housing options at various price points, from seaside apartments to family homes in nearby villages. Sussex offers a wonderful quality of life with beautiful countryside, coastal areas, and excellent schools.
Employer Website
For more information about University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust, please visit: https://www.uhsussex.nhs.uk/. The website contains detailed information about the trust, its services, staff benefits, and the local area.
The trust website also includes information about its commitment to equal opportunities, staff development programs, and the application process. International candidates may find the ‘Working for Us’ section particularly useful for understanding the trust’s approach to diversity and inclusion.
Certificate of Sponsorship
University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust offers Certificate of Sponsorship for eligible international candidates under the UK Skilled Worker route. Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled Worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications.
Please note that 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. From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants have had to present criminal record certificates from each country they have resided in for 12 months or more in the past 10 years.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975, and 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.
All applicants must be willing to undergo this check as part of the pre-employment process. The trust is committed to ensuring the safety and wellbeing of both patients and staff through rigorous recruitment procedures.
Privacy Notice
For information about how your data will be used during the recruitment process, please refer to University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust’s privacy notice: https://www.uhsussex.nhs.uk/privacy/
The trust is committed to protecting your personal data and complying with data protection legislation. Your information will be used solely for recruitment purposes and will be handled in accordance with the trust’s data protection policy.
