Specialist Antimicrobial Stewardship Pharmacist

Join our large, established, and research-active Antimicrobial Stewardship (AMS) pharmacy team, led by a Consultant Pharmacist. We're pioneer users of Computer Decision Support Systems (CDSS) for AMS rounds, integrating cutting-edge technology daily.
This pivotal role involves leading and developing a robust framework for the safe, cost-effective, and rational use of antimicrobials across the Trust. You'll shape local prescribing policies, participate in drug review/audit programmes, and drive innovative stewardship strategies.
You'll lead key AMS activities, including leading on daily ward rounds and the Outpatient Parenteral Antimicrobial Therapy (OPAT) service. As deputy for the Lead Directorate Pharmacist for Antimicrobials, you'll collaborate with specialist pharmacists and consultants to spearhead Trust-wide AMS efforts.
The role requires close collaboration with pharmacy, microbiology/infection control, medical, and nursing staff. You'll coordinate crucial work programmes and provide a highly specialist clinical pharmacy service, upholding the highest standards in this critical specialty., The Specialist Antimicrobial Stewardship Pharmacist will contribute to the continuous improvement and delivery of antimicrobial stewardship across Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, with a strong operational focus at West Middlesex University Hospital., + Independent Ward Rounds: Autonomously lead specialist antimicrobial ward rounds, providing expert advice, optimising prescribing, and intervening for safe, effective antimicrobial use.
+ OPAT Service Leadership: Lead the Outpatient Parenteral Antimicrobial Therapy (OPAT) service, covering patient assessment, prescribing oversight (if an independent prescriber), monitoring, and care coordination.
+ Supervision & Training: Provide direct supervision, mentorship, and training to junior pharmacists, pre-registration pharmacists, and other healthcare professionals in antimicrobial stewardship.
+ Policy Development: Develop, review, and implement local antimicrobial prescribing policies and guidelines, aligned with national recommendations.
+ Audit & Quality Improvement: Design and lead antimicrobial audits, analysing data to identify improvements and facilitate change for enhanced quality and cost-effectiveness.
+ Strategic Collaboration: Work closely with the Lead Directorate Pharmacist, Consultant Microbiologists, and Infection Control teams to drive strategic AMS initiatives, This Specialist Antimicrobial Stewardship Pharmacist role offers an excellent opportunity to work within a large, established, and research-active antimicrobial stewardship team. The post holder will play a key role in supporting the delivery and ongoing development of safe, effective, and rational antimicrobial prescribing practices across the Trust, with a strong operational focus at West Middlesex University Hospital.
Your main responsibilities will include:
+ Antimicrobial Stewardship (AMS) Delivery: You'll be at the forefront of our AMS programme, developing and implementing strategies to optimise antimicrobial use. This includes leading daily ward rounds across our sites, making independent clinical decisions and interventions, and providing highly specialist advice to medical and nursing teams.
+ Driving Innovation with Technology: Our team is a pioneer user of Computer Decision Support Systems (CDSS) for AMS rounds. You'll actively engage with and help evolve these innovative tools to enhance prescribing decisions and streamline our workflow.
+ OPAT Service Leadership: You'll take the lead on our Outpatient Parenteral Antimicrobial Therapy (OPAT) service, ensuring seamless care transitions and expert management for patients receiving intravenous antibiotics at home or in outpatient settings.
+ Policy and Guideline Development: A core part of the role involves developing, reviewing, and implementing local antimicrobial prescribing policies and guidelines, ensuring they align with national best practice and evidence.
+ Audit and Quality Improvement: You'll conduct regular audits of antimicrobial prescribing, analyse data to identify areas for improvement, and drive change initiatives to enhance patient outcomes and cost-effectiveness.
+ Mentoring and Supervision: You'll play a crucial role in supervising and mentoring junior pharmacists and other healthcare professionals, guiding their development in antimicrobial stewardship principles and practice.
+ Collaborative Working: This role requires strong collaboration with Consultant Microbiologists, Infection Control, and all levels of medical, nursing, and pharmacy staff across the Trust to achieve our shared goals.
+ Medication Safety: You will actively contribute to reducing antimicrobial medication errors and promoting overall medication safety within the speciality.

Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is one of England's top-performing and safest trusts. We operate two main acute hospital sites-Chelsea and Westminster Hospital and West Middlesex University Hospital-along with award-winning clinics across North West London.
Our nearly 7,500 staff care for a diverse population of 1.5 million, providing full clinical services, including maternity, A&E, and children's services, plus specialist HIV and sexual health clinics. The Care Quality Commission rates us 'Good' in safety, effectiveness, care, and responsiveness, and 'Outstanding' in leadership and resource use.
We continually invest in our facilities, including a £30m expansion of critical care at Chelsea and Westminster and an £80m Ambulatory Diagnostic Centre at West Middlesex.

+ Please check your emails regularly as this is how we will communicate with you throughout the recruitment process.
+ If you have not heard from us within 3 weeks after the closing date, we regret that this usually means your application was not successful.
+ In submitting an application, you authorise the Trust to confirm any previous NHS service details via the Inter Authority Transfer (IAT) process, should you be appointed to the post.
+ During the recruitment process your identity documentation (ie passport, driving licence, visa etc) will be scanned using a device which recognises UV, infrared and machine-readable zone security features of the documents provided.
+ Employment at the Trust is offered subject to successful completion of a six month probationary period.