Highly Specialist Clinical Pharmacist – Gastroenterology with certificate of sponsorship to the UK
Visa Note
This position is eligible for visa sponsorship under the UK Visas & Immigration (UKVI) Skilled Worker route. However, applicants must verify eligibility requirements directly with the employer, including meeting specific skill and salary thresholds. Sponsorship can only be provided where applicants meet all UKVI requirements.
Job Details
Job Title: Highly Specialist Clinical Pharmacist – Gastroenterology
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
Band: Band 8a
Pay Scheme: Agenda for change
Schedule: Full-time, Job share, Flexible working
Employment Type: Permanent
Language: English
Application Deadline: 22 April 2026
Reference Number: 279-7569038-JAN26
About the Role
As the Highly Specialist Clinical Pharmacist for Gastroenterology at University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust, you will have the opportunity to provide expert clinical input to patients with complex gastrointestinal conditions. This role involves pharmacist-led clinics, biologic infusion support, therapeutic drug monitoring, and medicines optimisation for patients across inpatient and outpatient settings.
You will work as part of a multidisciplinary team, influencing prescribing decisions, leading on implementing NICE guidance, and contributing to pathway development, audit, and governance initiatives. This position offers significant opportunities for professional growth, including leadership in medicines management, guideline development, and support for clinical trials.
The Trust is seeking a clinically confident, collaborative, and innovative pharmacist with strong communication and analytical skills. Ideally, you will have experience in gastroenterology or another specialty involving biologics and complex medicines. Independent prescriber status (or a commitment to achieve it) is expected for this role.
Key Responsibilities
As the Highly Specialist Clinical Pharmacist for Gastroenterology, your main duties will include:
- Delivering and evaluating specialist clinical pharmacy services to gastroenterology, including pharmacist-led clinics and infusion support for biologic and immunomodulatory treatments
- Acting as an independent prescriber (or working towards this) to initiate, optimise and monitor treatment in line with national guidance and local commissioning arrangements
- Providing expert advice to consultants, nurses and GPs on complex medication regimes, drug monitoring, interactions and adherence
- Contributing to quality improvement, audit and research to evaluate and enhance gastroenterology pharmacy services
- Supporting therapeutic drug monitoring, dose optimisation and medicines reconciliation, including for vulnerable and high-risk groups
- Monitoring and reporting drug expenditure, supporting business cases, and contributing to formulary submissions and cost-effectiveness reviews
- Providing education, mentorship and training to pharmacy staff, prescribers and members of the multidisciplinary team
- Supporting delivery of the Trust’s Patient First strategy through active participation in governance, sustainability and continuous improvement initiatives
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
- Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues
- Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role)
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
About University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust
At UHSussex, 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. We offer a supportive and forward-thinking pharmacy team with access to professional development, research opportunities, and leadership support to help you deliver excellent care every time.
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.
Additional Information
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such 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.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see the NHS Careers website.
Criminal Records Requirements for Overseas Applicants
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement.
How to Apply
Apply Instructions: Apply via NHS Jobs website.
International applicants should follow this application checklist:
- Verify your eligibility for UK Skilled Worker sponsorship with the employer
- Ensure you have current UK professional registration (GPhC registration for pharmacists)
- Prepare evidence of criminal record checks from all countries where you have resided for 12+ months in the past 10 years
- Gather documentation of your qualifications and experience
- Contact the employer directly with any questions about visa requirements or application process
For questions about the job, contact: Fiona Rees (Consultant Pharmacist – Gastroenterology), Email: fiona.rees2@nhs.net, Phone: 01273696955
Employer Contact Information
Employer Name: University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust (279)
Address: Worthing General Hospital, Lyndhurst Rd, Worthing, BN11 2DH
Website: https://www.uhsussex.nhs.uk/
Privacy Notice: University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust’s privacy notice
Supporting Documents
Job Description and Person Specification.pdf (PDF, 464 KB) is available for download on the NHS Jobs website.
Equal Opportunities
University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of their race, sex, disability, religion/belief, sexual orientation, or age. We are committed to ensuring that our recruitment processes are fair and inclusive.
Further Information
Please note, this vacancy advert has a closing date as of 22 April 2026 so you will not hear from us with regards to your application until after this date. We appreciate your patience and understanding during our recruitment process.
For additional information about working in the NHS or for international healthcare professionals seeking to work in the UK, please visit the NHS Careers website.