Job overview

The Lead Pharmacist – Antimicrobial Stewardship at UHCW NHS Trust plays a critical role in delivering the Trust’s antimicrobial stewardship strategy. This includes ensuring the safe, effective, and cost-efficient use of antimicrobials while minimising resistance risks. The role involves close collaboration with the Trust Clinical Lead for Antimicrobial Stewardship, microbiologists, infectious disease consultants, and the Infection Prevention and Control team to drive antimicrobial stewardship initiatives.

The postholder, in collaboration with the Trust AMS lead, will oversee the development and implementation of antimicrobial policies, oversee audits to monitor prescribing practices, and provide specialist advice on complex antimicrobial cases. They will also support training and education for multi-disciplinary teams across the Trust, ensuring best practices in antimicrobial prescribing and infection management. Additionally, they will contribute to the development of digital prescribing tools, engage with regional antimicrobial leads, and work with system partners to align antimicrobial stewardship efforts with wider healthcare objectives.

This role requires strong leadership, expert clinical knowledge in antimicrobial therapy, and a commitment to improving patient outcomes through effective antimicrobial stewardship.

Main duties of the job

The Lead Pharmacist – Antimicrobial Stewardship at UHCW NHS Trust is responsible for developing and delivering a robust antimicrobial stewardship strategy across the Trust. This includes leading initiatives to optimise antimicrobial prescribing, enhance infection control measures, and minimise antimicrobial resistance.

The role involves collaborating with key stakeholders, including the Trust Clinical Lead for Antimicrobial Stewardship, microbiologists, infectious disease consultants, and the Infection Prevention and Control team. The postholder will oversee antimicrobial policy development, support clinical audits, and provide expert guidance on complex antimicrobial cases. Additionally, they will contribute to workforce development by leading training initiatives for pharmacy staff and the wider multi-disciplinary team, ensuring best practices in antimicrobial stewardship are embedded across clinical areas.

Working closely with system partners, the Lead Pharmacist will help align antimicrobial stewardship efforts with integrated care system (ICS) priorities. The role also includes supporting digital advancements in prescribing systems and driving research and innovation in antimicrobial stewardship to improve patient outcomes.

Please be advised the proposed interview date in the week commencing 3rd March 2025.

Working for our organisation

We are extremely proud of our employees across our hospital sites, with high quality patient care at the heart of everything we do.

Boasting some of the most modern facilities in Western Europe, the Trust is renowned for being at the forefront of research and innovation as part of its blossoming reputation as a worldwide leader in healthcare.

We are proud to be recognised as a Pathway to Excellence^® designated organisation – please click the link for further details about this prestigious award. Pathway To Excellence ® - University Hospitals Coventry & Warwickshire (uhcw.nhs.uk)

By joining our exciting journey, you will form part of a passionate, talented team and will be able to access a wide range of learning and development opportunities. There has never been a better time to join our team.

The Trust is committed to building an organisation that makes full use of the talents, skills, experience, and different perspectives available in our diverse society. We want everyone to feel they are respected, valued, can achieve their potential and receive the most appropriate and relevant care. We will create an environment where the equality and human rights principles of fairness, respect, equality, dignity and autonomy are promoted and are part of the organisation's core values.