Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
Lead Pharmacist – East Sussex
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Lead Pharmacist – East Sussex
Band 8a | Permanent
Full Time – 37.5 Hours per Week
Combe Valley Hospital | Bexhill-on-Sea
£57,528 – £64,750 per annum
Closing date: 17 August 2026
Lead the delivery of clinical pharmacy services within East Sussex's newest purpose-built mental health hospital, helping shape medicines optimisation, improve patient outcomes and support the future of mental health pharmacy services.
Why this role stands out
- Senior Band 8a leadership opportunity within Mental Health Pharmacy
- Based at the new Combe Valley Hospital, opening later this year
- Lead clinical pharmacy services across inpatient mental health wards
- Combine clinical practice, leadership, medicines optimisation and education
- Excellent opportunity to progress towards future senior pharmacy leadership roles
Who can apply
We welcome applications from registered pharmacists who have:
- A Pharmacy degree and GPhC registration
- A postgraduate clinical pharmacy qualification
- Experience working alongside multidisciplinary healthcare teams
- Mental Health Clinical Pharmacy experience
- Strong clinical judgement and leadership potential
You'll also bring:
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
- The ability to work independently and manage competing priorities
- A passion for improving outcomes for people with mental health needs
The role
As Lead Pharmacist, you'll provide professional leadership for clinical pharmacy services within Combe Valley Hospital while acting as an integral member of the multidisciplinary team.
Your responsibilities will include:
- Leading delivery of high-quality clinical pharmacy and medicines optimisation services
- Supporting safe, effective and cost-efficient use of medicines
- Providing expert clinical advice to prescribers and multidisciplinary teams
- Leading medicines optimisation initiatives across inpatient services
- Supporting prescribing, administration and monitoring of medicines
- Working collaboratively with pharmacy colleagues across East Sussex
- Contributing to continuous improvement of pharmacy and clinical services
- Providing medicines management leadership across the hospital
- Delivering education and training for pharmacy staff and wider healthcare professionals
- Line managing and supporting members of the pharmacy team
- Promoting evidence-based prescribing and best practice throughout the organisation
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The role combines advanced clinical pharmacy practice with leadership, education and service development.
About the service
This position is based at Combe Valley Hospital, Sussex Partnership's brand-new purpose-built mental health hospital in Bexhill-on-Sea.
The pharmacy team plays a vital role in supporting:
- Adult mental health inpatient services
- Medicines optimisation across the Trust
- Physical health improvement for people living with serious mental illness
- Safe prescribing and medicines governance
- Multidisciplinary inpatient care
Recognising that people with severe mental illness experience significantly poorer physical health outcomes, the pharmacy service plays a key role in improving life expectancy and reducing avoidable health inequalities.
What we're looking for
We're seeking an experienced pharmacist who can:
- Lead clinical pharmacy services within a specialist mental health environment
- Build effective relationships across multidisciplinary teams
- Make complex clinical decisions with confidence
- Support and develop colleagues through leadership and education
- Deliver high-quality medicines information and advice
- Balance multiple priorities while maintaining excellent patient care
- Drive medicines optimisation and service improvement initiatives
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Leadership experience is welcomed, but the Trust also encourages pharmacists looking to develop into senior leadership roles through structured development, education and workplace support.
What we offer
- Opportunities for further professional accreditation and development
- Leadership training aligned to the NHS Healthcare Leadership Model
- Excellent clinical supervision and professional support
- Flexible working opportunities
- Comprehensive wellbeing support services
- NHS Pension Scheme
- Generous annual leave entitlement
- Staff discounts across gyms, retail, restaurants and travel
- The opportunity to help establish pharmacy services within a brand-new mental health hospital
Why join the team?
Sussex Partnership's Pharmacy Service is highly regarded across the Trust and continues to expand, offering excellent opportunities for professional growth.
You'll play an important role in:
- Improving medicines safety and optimisation
- Supporting the physical health of people with mental health conditions
- Leading clinical pharmacy practice within a modern inpatient environment
- Developing colleagues through education and mentorship
- Helping shape the future of pharmacy services at Combe Valley Hospital and across East Sussex.
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