At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the Trust’s antimicrobial stewardship programme and implement innovative strategies.
- Company: Join a forward-thinking NHS Trust dedicated to patient care and safety.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, professional development, and potential for permanent position.
- Other info: Diverse and inclusive workplace with strong support for career growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on healthcare by improving antimicrobial use and patient outcomes.
- Qualifications: Master’s in Pharmacy, GPhC registration, and experience in clinical pharmacy.
The predicted salary is between 79504 - 91609 £ per year.
Job reference: 409-S7668183
Location: Whiston Hospital, Town, Prescot
Salary: £79,504 – £91,609 per annum (Annex 21)
Contract: 24-month fixed term with possibility to convert to permanent
Hours: Full time – 37.5 hours per week
Closing date: 14/06/2026 23:59
We are seeking an experienced and visionary Consultant Pharmacist in Antimicrobial Stewardship to lead the Trust’s antimicrobial stewardship programme. This is a senior leadership role, working strategically across the Trust and local health systems to ensure safe, effective, and evidence-based use of antimicrobials across the region.
Responsibilities
- Lead the development and implementation of antimicrobial stewardship policies and strategies across the Trust
- Provide expert clinical input into the management of infections and antimicrobial prescribing
- Work collaboratively with senior clinicians, managers, and multidisciplinary teams to deliver integrated care across the health system
- Manage and develop pharmacy services, ensuring efficiency and quality of antimicrobials
- Contribute to national and regional antimicrobial stewardship initiatives through publications, presentations, and professional networks
- Deliver teaching, training, and mentoring to pharmacy staff and other healthcare professionals
- Provide leadership in antimicrobial stewardship, financial and operational reporting for antimicrobials
- Act as a mentor and role model as an expert clinical pharmacist, manager and leader
- Use innovation to support effective patient outcomes, safety and experience aligned with the relevant national agenda
- Lead and deliver education and training in appropriate use of antimicrobial therapy for pharmacy and other healthcare professionals across the health economy
- Lead, undertake, supervise and publish research in antimicrobial stewardship
- Serve as a role model locally, regionally and nationally
Person Specification
Qualifications
- Master’s degree in Pharmacy or equivalent
- Registration with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC)
- Fulfilment of mandatory Continuous Professional Development/Revalidation requirements
- Diploma in Clinical Pharmacy
- Accredited Independent non-medical prescriber
- Meets or exceeds Department of Health Consultant Pharmacist Framework competencies (Annex 21)
- Membership of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society accredited at Advanced level 2 or Fellowship of RPS faculty or equivalent
- Accredited Tutor for postgraduate clinical diploma
Experience
- Experience of managing a team
- Current clinical experience in Clinical Pharmacy relating to Antimicrobial Stewardship and the management of infections
- Line Management Experience
- Proven experience of working at a strategic level with senior clinicians and managers and within an integrated directorate team
- Proven experience of working at a strategic level across the wider health community
- Proven budget management or monitoring ability and demonstrable success in achieving savings
- Provision of drug usage and expenditure reports and use of financial reports to influence business cases and clinical practice
- Recognition as an expert nationally through publications/presentations or officer in a national group
- Previous experience teaching/training/mentoring
- Proven medicines related policy development and implementation
- Broad clinical or directorate pharmacy provision in a number of different clinical areas
- Proven experience of managing and developing a service within limited resources
- Formal teaching/training/mentoring training
- Proven facilitative leadership skills
- Understanding of NHS finances
Skills
- Excellent verbal and written communication
- Ability to affect and manage change
- Self-motivated and able to motivate/inspire others
- Ability to work on own initiative and as part of a team
- Proven time management skills and an ability to work under pressure
- Negotiating and influencing skills
- Committed to patient care
- Approachable and flexible
- Problem identification, prioritisation and solving
- Professional and personal integrity
- Supportive to other members of Pharmacy and multidisciplinary teams
Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion
We actively cultivate a professional environment of fairness, equality, dignity, and respect for all individuals. We welcome individuals from all backgrounds and value the unique skills, perspective and experience you bring. We are grounded in the belief that diversity enhances our collective strength, fostering innovation and excellence within our workforce. We welcome all applications irrespective of people’s race, disability, gender, sexual orientation, religion/belief, age, gender identity, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy/maternity and in particular those from under‑represented groups.
As a Disability Confident Leader, we commit to offering an interview to all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the job (the essential criteria) listed in the personal specification. If you wish to apply under this Guaranteed Interview Scheme, please indicate this on the online application form. We also commit to offering an interview to all armed forces veterans who meet the minimum criteria for the job (the essential criteria) listed in the personal specification. If you wish to apply under this Guaranteed Interview Scheme, please indicate this on the online application form.
The Trust operates anonymous shortlisting where no personal information about you, including your name or personal details are shared with the recruiting manager. No equality information is shared at any time during the recruitment process with the recruiting manager or other people involved in the decision‑making process. The equality monitoring information you provide is used to review our recruitment practices and, where required, to offer disability reasonable adjustments.
Contact Deputy Chief Pharmacist, Whiston, St Helens
Email: chris.herring@merseywestlancs.nhs.uk
Telephone: 0151 430 1256
Consultant Pharmacist - Antimicrobial Stewardship (Annex 21) in Knowsley employer: Merseywestlancs
At Whiston Hospital, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that fosters a collaborative and inclusive work culture. As a Consultant Pharmacist in Antimicrobial Stewardship, you will have the opportunity to lead innovative healthcare initiatives while benefiting from comprehensive professional development and mentorship programmes. Our commitment to employee well-being and diversity ensures a supportive environment where your contributions are valued and recognised.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Consultant Pharmacist - Antimicrobial Stewardship (Annex 21) in Knowsley
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your contacts in the healthcare sector, especially those involved in antimicrobial stewardship. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about job openings or even a referral.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your clinical knowledge and leadership skills. Be ready to discuss how you’ve implemented antimicrobial policies in the past and how you can contribute to the Trust’s goals.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your passion for patient care and teamwork during interviews. Share examples of how you've collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to improve patient outcomes in your previous roles.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their applications.
We think you need these skills to ace Consultant Pharmacist - Antimicrobial Stewardship (Annex 21) in Knowsley
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your experience aligns with the Consultant Pharmacist role. Use keywords from the job description to show that you understand what we're looking for.
Showcase Your Leadership Skills:Since this is a senior leadership position, don’t shy away from sharing examples of your leadership experience. We want to see how you've managed teams and influenced change in your previous roles.
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, keep it clear and to the point. We appreciate well-structured responses that get straight to the heart of your qualifications and experiences without unnecessary fluff.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us quickly and efficiently, so don’t miss out on this opportunity!
How to prepare for a job interview at Merseywestlancs
✨Know Your Antimicrobial Stuff
Make sure you brush up on the latest guidelines and best practices in antimicrobial stewardship. Be ready to discuss specific cases where you've successfully implemented strategies or policies, as this will show your expertise and commitment to the role.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Consultant Pharmacist, you'll be leading teams and influencing change. Prepare examples of how you've managed teams or projects in the past, focusing on your ability to inspire and motivate others while achieving results.
✨Collaborate Like a Pro
This role requires working with various stakeholders across the health system. Think of instances where you've successfully collaborated with senior clinicians or multidisciplinary teams, and be ready to share how you navigated challenges to deliver integrated care.
✨Prepare for Financial Discussions
Budget management is key in this position. Familiarise yourself with financial reports and be prepared to discuss how you've used data to influence clinical practice or achieve savings in previous roles. This will demonstrate your strategic thinking and operational savvy.