Location
Southampton

Hours
Full Time (hours not specified)

Salary
Band 8a (equivalent to approximately £8 per hour as stated)

About the Role
University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust is delighted to offer an exciting opportunity to join one of the NHS's most ambitious pharmacy sustainability programmes. As Lead Pharmacist - Sustainability, you will play a pivotal role in delivering sustainable medicines optimisation initiatives that improve patient care, reduce environmental impact, and generate significant financial savings for the Trust.

This permanent role supports the development of clinical pharmacy services, medicines optimisation, and quality improvement across UHS, while leading projects aligned with the Trust’s Green Plan and Net Zero ambitions. You will work collaboratively with pharmacy, clinical sustainability leads, and operational teams to deliver transformational projects across the organisation.

The programme aims to deliver over £330,000 of recurrent savings from medicines optimisation initiatives alongside wider environmental benefits.

As part of the pharmacy anti-infectives team, you will provide highly specialist clinical pharmacy expertise and lead innovative sustainability projects including:
- Developing and implementing Trust-wide IV to oral antimicrobial switch programmes
- Reducing inappropriate use of intravenous paracetamol through evidence-based medicines optimisation
- Leading projects to increase the use of tablets and capsules instead of liquid medicines where clinically appropriate
- Identifying and delivering further sustainable prescribing and medicines use initiatives across the Trust and wider Integrated Care Board (ICB)
- Supporting business case development, medicines governance, and service improvement programmes
- Working alongside divisional clinical sustainability leads to deliver transformational change

You will be a core member of multidisciplinary clinical teams, providing expert pharmaceutical care, contributing to consultant ward rounds, supporting prescribing practice, developing guidelines and policies, supervising junior pharmacists, and delivering education across the organisation.

This role offers a unique opportunity to combine advanced clinical pharmacy practice with sustainability leadership, delivering measurable impacts on patient outcomes, medicines safety, NHS carbon reduction ambitions, workforce productivity, and the financial sustainability of the Trust.

Examples of planned projects include:
- IV to oral antimicrobial optimisation with estimated recurrent savings of £250,000 per annum
- IV to oral paracetamol conversion with potential savings of £34,000 per annum
- Switching suitable liquid medicines to tablets/capsules with potential savings of £46,000 per annum
- Development of further pharmacy-led sustainability and medicines optimisation programmes across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight

Working for University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust means joining one of the largest acute teaching Trusts in England, rated ‘Good’ by the CQC. The Trust supports flexible working and offers a minimum of 35 days paid holiday (pro rata), a generous pension scheme, and access to NHS discounts.

Southampton is an attractive place to live and work, situated on the south coast with excellent transport links including an international airport and direct trains to London. The city offers living costs 30% lower than London and has 17 schools rated outstanding by Ofsted. The nearby New Forest National Park and Jurassic Coast provide excellent recreational opportunities.

Experience
Registration with the General Pharmaceutical Council.
Experience delivering clinical pharmacy services within a specialist area.
A strong track record of service improvement, audit, and implementing change.
Experience supervising and developing junior pharmacy staff.

About you
Motivated pharmacist with excellent leadership, communication, and stakeholder engagement skills.
Ability to work collaboratively within multidisciplinary teams.
Committed to delivering sustainability and quality improvement initiatives.
Independent prescribing and experience leading quality improvement or sustainability projects would be advantageous.

Qualifications
Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical Pharmacy or equivalent experience.
Registration with the General Pharmaceutical Council is essential.