Lead Pharmacist Antimicrobial Management

Job summaryHelp shape the future of antimicrobial stewardship at Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh NHS Foundation Trust. A newly created Principal Pharmacist ,Antimicrobial Stewardship role leading initiatives to optimise antimicrobial prescribing and tackle antimicrobial resistance.The role will support the expansion of our antimicrobial stewardship programme, strengthening our approach to the safe, effective and sustainable use of antimicrobials across the organisation. The postholder will help shape antimicrobial stewardship activity within the Trust while contributing to collaborative work across Greater Manchester networks.Working closely with pharmacy, microbiology, infection prevention and clinical teams, you will lead stewardship initiatives, influence prescribing practice and support quality improvement to optimise antimicrobial use and patient outcomes.What makes this role different?o Opportunity to influence antimicrobial prescribing and support safer use of medicines.o Collaboration with antimicrobial stewardship partners across Greater Manchester.o Opportunities to contribute to service development and stewardship leadership.Support the Trust's response to antimicrobial resistance and help optimise antimicrobial use across the organisation.We are looking for a pharmacist with strong clinical expertise, leadership skills and a passion for improving medicines use.Informal enquiries are welcomed from candidates interested in learning more about this role.Main duties of the jobThe postholder will provide highly specialist clinical leadership for antimicrobial stewardship, support organisational compliance with national antimicrobial policies and targets, and contribute to the development of antimicrobial stewardship strategy within the Trust and across local healthcare partners. The role will support delivery of national priorities relating to antimicrobial resistance and stewardship, including relevant UK antimicrobial resistance strategies and NHS England antimicrobial stewardship programmes.The role includes responsibility for antimicrobial governance, clinical leadership of Antimicrobial Stewardship initiatives, development of antimicrobial prescribing policy, and education of healthcare professionals.The postholder will ensure that Antimicrobial Stewardship services contribute to the delivery of pharmaceutical care that is safe, effective, caring, responsive and well-led in line with Trust and regulatory expectations.This post forms part of a structured development pathway for advanced Antimicrobial Stewardship leadershipAbout usWrightington, Wigan and Leigh Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust are the proud providers of acute hospital and community services to the people of the Wigan Borough and surrounding areas. At WWL, we value our staff believing that 'happy staff, makes for happy patients'. We have a recognised track record in staff engagement and living our values.People at the HeartListen and InvolveKind and RespectfulONE TeamWWL are committed to placing the patient at the heart of everything we do, and in the provision of safe, effective care that acknowledges and ensures dignity. We are seeking to recruit people who share our values and beliefs.At WWL we value the benefits a rich and diverse workforce brings to our community and therefore welcome applications from all sections of society.DetailsDate posted10 August 2026Pay schemeAgenda for changeBandBand 8bSalary 66,582 to 77,368 a year pa pro rata ContractPermanentWorking pattern Full-time, Flexible working Reference number302-26-7820565L-PHARM-AJob locationsRoyal Albert Edward InfirmaryWigan LaneWiganWN1 2NNUnited KingdomJob descriptionJob responsibilitiesTo lead the operational delivery of the Trust Antimicrobial Stewardship programme and ensure that it develops in line with local, regional, and national directives.Develop and implement the Trust Antimicrobial Stewardship Strategy and operational delivery plan..Working in partnership with other professionals and partners, to lead quality improvement initiatives to optimise antimicrobial prescribing and reduce antimicrobial-related harm throughout the Trust by identifying and implementing new systems of work.Thematically review antimicrobial prescribing data, incident reports, and resistance trends in line with existing and proposed Antimicrobial Stewardship practices, to identify opportunities for improvement and support safer antimicrobial prescribing across the organisation Report findings / recommendations for change to manager, governance team & Trust executives.Lead and develop a multi-disciplinary forum which focuses on Anti-Microbial Stewardship. Deal with complaints and patient / staff / management concerns in relation to Anti-Microbial Stewardship. To liaise with those directly affected by such events & produce appropriate feedback. To refer such issues to relevant line manager once identified.Develop and disseminate Antimicrobial Stewardship guidance, alerts and educational material across the Trust.To clinically supervise and manage an assigned team ensuring the provision of quality driven pharmaceutical care in a manner which is safe, effective, caring, responsive and well-led.To be the lead within a clinical area for organising and managing all aspects of post-registration pharmacist training and assessment in order to ensure that standards set down by the GPhC, CQC, the Trust and the Pharmacy department are met.Provide and lead a highly specialist Clinical Pharmacy service to a defined area in accordance with relevant procedures and Medicines Management standards.Provide highly specialised evidence-based clinical advice and information (doses, interaction, adverse effects, drug availability, complex dose calculations) to nursing and medical staff (within the Trust and externally) on the management of individual patients.Develop and monitor appropriate Antimicrobial Stewardship and clinical metrics (KPIs) to assess and improve the quality services, actively monitor these and in conjunction with the Associate Directors of Pharmacy ensure action is taken to address any areas of concern.To ensure that assigned pharmacists have sufficient skills, knowledge, and competence to meet the professional and service standards required by patients and service customers.Develop, co-ordinate and implement a continuous personal and professional development strategy for pharmacists in line with the Trust appraisal policy and GPhC expectations.To ensure that all aspects of pre-registration training and competence assessment meet the standards required by the GPhC.To be an active member of the Pharmacy Quality and Safety Group and Medicine Management Strategy Group.To work with other healthcare partners to ensure that care is delivered in the most appropriate setting for patients. Job description Job responsibilitiesTo lead the operational delivery of the Trust Antimicrobial Stewardship programme and ensure that it develops in line with local, regional, and national directives.Develop and implement the Trust Antimicrobial Stewardship Strategy and operational delivery plan..Working in partnership with other professionals and partners, to lead quality improvement initiatives to optimise antimicrobial prescribing and reduce antimicrobial-related harm throughout the Trust by identifying and implementing new systems of work.Thematically review antimicrobial prescribing data, incident reports, and resistance trends in line with existing and proposed Antimicrobial Stewardship practices, to identify opportunities for improvement and support safer antimicrobial prescribing across the organisation Report findings / recommendations for change to manager, governance team & Trust executives.Lead and develop a multi-disciplinary forum which focuses on Anti-Microbial Stewardship. Deal with complaints and patient / staff / management concerns in relation to Anti-Microbial Stewardship. To liaise with those directly affected by such events & produce appropriate feedback. To refer such issues to relevant line manager once identified.Develop and disseminate Antimicrobial Stewardship guidance, alerts and educational material across the Trust.To clinically supervise and manage an assigned team ensuring the provision of quality driven pharmaceutical care in a manner which is safe, effective, caring, responsive and well-led.To be the lead within a clinical area for organising and managing all aspects of post-registration pharmacist training and assessment in order to ensure that standards set down by the GPhC, CQC, the Trust and the Pharmacy department are met.Provide and lead a highly specialist Clinical Pharmacy service to a defined area in accordance with relevant procedures and Medicines Management standards.Provide highly specialised evidence-based clinical advice and information (doses, interaction, adverse effects, drug availability, complex dose calculations) to nursing and medical staff (within the Trust and externally) on the management of individual patients.Develop and monitor appropriate Antimicrobial Stewardship and clinical metrics (KPIs) to assess and improve the quality services, actively monitor these and in conjunction with the Associate Directors of Pharmacy ensure action is taken to address any areas of concern.To ensure that assigned pharmacists have sufficient skills, knowledge, and competence to meet the professional and service standards required by patients and service customers.Develop, co-ordinate and implement a continuous personal and professional development strategy for pharmacists in line with the Trust appraisal policy and GPhC expectations.To ensure that all aspects of pre-registration training and competence assessment meet the standards required by the GPhC.To be an active member of the Pharmacy Quality and Safety Group and Medicine Management Strategy Group.To work with other healthcare partners to ensure that care is delivered in the most appropriate setting for patients.Person Specification Qualifications EssentialMaster's Degree in Pharmacy plus successful completion of pre-registration training year (or earlier equivalent.)Registered with GPhC as PharmacistDiploma/MSc in Clinical Pharmacy or equivalentIndependent Prescribing Qualification.Evidence of CPD in line with GPhC requirements.Post graduate management qualification or equivalent experience.DesirablePostgraduate training or recognised qualification in antimicrobial stewardship or infection control / management. Experience EssentialExperience contributing to antimicrobial stewardship initiatives or antimicrobial prescribing improvement programmes.Experience analysing prescribing data, audit results, or quality indicators to support service improvement.Experience leading or contributing to quality improvement or service development projects.Experience developing clinical guidelines or antimicrobial policies.Experience of work at Highly Specialist 8a clinical roleExperience of staff managementExperience of staff development and trainingExperience of developing SOP'sExperience of managing changeEvidence of Continuing Professional Development (CPD)Evidence of research or auditExperience of computer systems and reporting toolsUnderstanding of Key NHS and Medicines Management issuesDesirableExperience of acting up to 8B gradeExperience undertaking or contributing to incident investigations at departmental level.Experience of working with Electronic prescribing solutionsExperience of Trust Governance / Assurance Committee or equivalent Skills EssentialAbility to influence prescribing practice and support multidisciplinary decision makingAbility to demonstrate professional judgementExcellent Interpersonal skillsAbility to work under pressureExcellent Organisational skillsAbility to deal with highly complex information and develop appropriate planning, assurance & finance management reports.Leadership and team management skillsAbility to manage projectsAbility to delegate tasks.Excellent verbal and written communication skillsAbility to teach and develop staff.IT skillsDesirableAble to handle complaints & conflict with diplomacy. Knowledge EssentialKnowledge of antimicrobial stewardship principles and national antimicrobial resistance strategiesExcellent Clinical Pharmacy knowledgeKnowledge of national, regional, or local modernisation plans in relation to pharmacy.Knowledge of Trust targets, strategies, and values.Knowledge of medicines optimisation.Knowledge of Regulations in relation to Medicines Acts or other regulatory documents.Knowledge of trust policies and proceduresKnowledge of Clinical Governance. additional EssentialGood time managementEvidence of ongoing Continuing Professional Development & learning.Enthusiasm for the post & for pharmacy.Professional credibility with all levels of staff.May be required to lift heavy objects from time to time.Speak English to an appropriate standard relevant to their role, i.e. with confidence and accuracy, using correct sentence structures and vocabulary, and without hesitation. Person Specification Qualifications EssentialMaster's Degree in Pharmacy plus successful completion of pre-registration training year (or earlier equivalent.)Registered with GPhC as PharmacistDiploma/MSc in Clinical Pharmacy or equivalentIndependent Prescribing Qualification.Evidence of CPD in line with GPhC requirements.Post graduate management qualification or equivalent experience.DesirablePostgraduate training or recognised qualification in antimicrobial stewardship or infection control / management. Experience EssentialExperience contributing to antimicrobial stewardship initiatives or antimicrobial prescribing improvement programmes.Experience analysing prescribing data, audit results, or quality indicators to support service improvement.Experience leading or contributing to quality improvement or service development projects.Experience developing clinical guidelines or antimicrobial policies.Experience of work at Highly Specialist 8a clinical roleExperience of staff managementExperience of staff development and trainingExperience of developing SOP'sExperience of managing changeEvidence of Continuing Professional Development (CPD)Evidence of research or auditExperience of computer systems and reporting toolsUnderstanding of Key NHS and Medicines Management issuesDesirableExperience of acting up to 8B gradeExperience undertaking or contributing to incident investigations at departmental level.Experience of working with Electronic prescribing solutionsExperience of Trust Governance / Assurance Committee or equivalent Skills EssentialAbility to influence prescribing practice and support multidisciplinary decision makingAbility to demonstrate professional judgementExcellent Interpersonal skillsAbility to work under pressureExcellent Organisational skillsAbility to deal with highly complex information and develop appropriate planning, assurance & finance management reports.Leadership and team management skillsAbility to manage projectsAbility to delegate tasks.Excellent verbal and written communication skillsAbility to teach and develop staff.IT skillsDesirableAble to handle complaints & conflict with diplomacy. Knowledge EssentialKnowledge of antimicrobial stewardship principles and national antimicrobial resistance strategiesExcellent Clinical Pharmacy knowledgeKnowledge of national, regional, or local modernisation plans in relation to pharmacy.Knowledge of Trust targets, strategies, and values.Knowledge of medicines optimisation.Knowledge of Regulations in relation to Medicines Acts or other regulatory documents.Knowledge of trust policies and proceduresKnowledge of Clinical Governance. additional EssentialGood time managementEvidence of ongoing Continuing Professional Development & learning.Enthusiasm for the post & for pharmacy.Professional credibility with all levels of staff.May be required to lift heavy objects from time to time.Speak English to an appropriate standard relevant to their role, i.e. with confidence and accuracy, using correct sentence structures and vocabulary, and without hesitation.Disclosure and Barring Service CheckThis post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.Certificate of SponsorshipApplications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).UK Registration Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window). Additional information Disclosure and Barring Service CheckThis post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.Certificate of SponsorshipApplications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).UK Registration Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).Employer detailsEmployer nameWrightington Wigan & Leigh Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation TrustAddressRoyal Albert Edward InfirmaryWigan LaneWiganWN1 2NNUnited KingdomEmployer's websiteEmployer detailsEmployer nameWrightington Wigan & Leigh Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation TrustAddressRoyal Albert Edward InfirmaryWigan LaneWiganWN1 2NNUnited KingdomEmployer's website