Job summary

Principal Pharmacist - Antimicrobial Stewardship Band 8b

Are you an enthusiastic, dynamic and experienced clinical pharmacist with an interest in Antimicrobial Stewardship (AMS) & Infection Management?

A new and exciting opportunity has arisen at Croydon Health Services (CHS) for an experienced antimicrobial pharmacist to lead the Pharmacy Antimicrobial Stewardship agenda. The postholder will work closely with the Trust AMS team, consultant microbiologists and DIPC to deliver a high-quality AMS programme, alongside supporting & developing the AMS strategy.

You will have the opportunity to engage in the wider regional and national context, regarding antimicrobial drug use and innovative practices whilst representing the Trust at relevant network or regional meetings developing and maintaining relationships with commissioners and key stakeholders.

In return we will help you develop your leadership skills, and support you to working towards a consultant level.

Main duties of the job

o Named Pharmacy antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) lead for the organisation and will be responsible for the leadership and operational delivery of a high-quality antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) programme in line with the agreed priorities for the Trust

o Support the Trust on the system wide delivery of AMS and to work with local, regional and national stakeholders to ensure delivery of the NHSE Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) strategy

o Practice as an expert level, providing highly specialist evidence-based advice in infection management whilst training all grades of clinical staff on to encourage and ensure good prescribing practices, optimise outcomes and reduce individual patient and organisational risk.

o Oversee and or lead regular AMS and antifungal stewardship (AFS) ward rounds with or without a consultant microbiologist

o Lead, manage and strategically develop specialist clinical pharmacy and medicines optimisation services related to the use of antimicrobial agents within the Trust

o Lead and manage research, quality improvement projects, service evaluations and audits to improve antimicrobial prescribing and infection prevention and control in collaboration with microbiology, pharmacy department and Higher Education Institutes

o Recognised as a regional expert in AMS, representing and acting as a role model for the pharmacy profession at regional and national NHS forums

About us

Croydon Health Services NHS Trust provide hospital and community services from a number of community and specialist clinics throughout Croydon. The Trust was formed on 1st August 2010 through the integration of Croydon Community Health Services and Mayday Healthcare NHS Trust. Around 4,100 staff provide services for a population of over 360,000 people who are relatively young with a high level of ethnic diversity.Our main hospital site, Croydon University Hospital is one of the busiest in London. We're also leading the way in providing more healthcare outside hospitals at clinics, specialist centres and in people's homes. Our experienced district nursing teams, Allied Health Professionals and community matrons look after people of all ages across Croydon.Across the NHS everyone is working hard to meet growing demand and we're no exception. But with the right people on board, we are rising to this challenge, putting our people in the driving seat, encouraging innovation and transforming our services to give local people the quality of care they deserve. Croydon Health Services puts a great deal of importance on education and training throughout the careers of all of our staff.If you want the opportunity to have a real impact, challenge yourself and be part of an NHS Trust that's making a real difference then a career at Croydon Health Services could be just what you're looking for.