Job overview

We are seeking a highly skilled and motivated Principal Pharmacist – Antimicrobials & HIV to join our dynamic team at London North West University Healthcare NHS Trust.

This pivotal role involves leading and optimising antimicrobial stewardship programmes to promote the appropriate use of antimicrobials, reduce resistance, and improve patient outcomes. You will work closely with the Department of Clinical Microbiology and Antimicrobial Stewardship, ensuring the safe and effective use of anti-infectives across the Trust and beyond.

As a Principal Pharmacist, you will provide advanced clinical practice, leadership, and expert guidance in the management of infectious diseases. Your responsibilities will include developing and implementing strategic plans for antimicrobial stewardship initiatives, providing education and training to healthcare professionals, and ensuring cost-effective anti-infective usage.

The post-holder is expected to progress through the RPS consultant pharmacist credentialing process to transform the post into a consultant pharmacist position.

This role requires a high degree of professional autonomy and clinical judgement, making it an excellent opportunity for a dedicated professional to make a significant impact on patient care and public health.

Main duties of the job

·      To provide expert level leadership to deliver, develop, manage and evaluate anti-infective treatments and antimicrobial stewardship initiatives alongside the members of the Department of Clinical Microbiology and Antimicrobial Stewardship in accordance with appropriate Trust and Hospital objectives.

·      To support the provision of a safe, efficient and cost-effective use of anti-infective treatments service to our patients and support to other care providers, across organisational boundaries, who are covered by North West London.

·      To provide expert level professional leadership for, and management of the pharmacy staff working within anti-infective roles.

·      To lead on providing a framework for the provision of a safe, effective and appropriate anti-infective treatments.

·      To be responsible for the education and training of pharmacy staff and other healthcare professionals on anti-infective treatments and antimicrobial stewardship.

·      To develop and maintain expert pharmaceutical advice and clinical knowledge on anti-infective treatments and antimicrobial stewardship.

·      To lead and be a role model, both within the Trust, nationally and internationally in the field of antimicrobial stewardship.

·      To lead on the strategic development of antimicrobial stewardship initiatives.

·      To report on anti-infective prescribing and ensure cost-effective anti-infective usage across the Trust.

·      To lead on reducing risks associated with anti-infective treatments through managing risk, incidents and promoting learning and a just culture.

·      Act as an independent prescriber to ensure safe prescribing of anti-infective treatments.

Working for our organisation

London North West University Healthcare NHS Trust (LNWH) cares for the people of Brent, Ealing, Harrow and beyond.

Our team of more than 8,200 clinical and support staff serve a diverse population of almost one million people.

We run major acute services at:

• Northwick Park Hospital: home to one of the busiest emergency departments (A&E) in the country. The hospital provides a full range of services including the country’s top-rated hyper-acute stroke unit and one of only three hyper-acute rehabilitation units in the UK
• St Mark’s Hospital: an internationally renowned specialist centre for bowel disease
• Ealing Hospital: a busy district general hospital providing a range of clinical services, as well as 24/7 emergency department and urgent care centre, and specialist care at Meadow House Hospice
• Central Middlesex Hospital: our planned care site, hosting a range of surgical and outpatient services and collocated with an urgent care centre.  

We are a university teaching NHS trust, in recognition of the important role we play in training clinicians of the future and bringing the benefits of research to the public.