Lead Pharmacist - Antimicrobial Stewardship

What's special about this opportunity? Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust can provide you with a dynamic, people-centred environment, where you will be empowered to support patients with complex conditions, adopting a personalised approach to patient care that maximises independence, choice and control, following our philosophy of enabling people to reach and maintain their optimum level of health and wellbeing. We value our employees and put people first. As a Global Digital Exemplar, we will provide you with an excellent working environment that has just been recognised as having a 'Outstanding' rating overall, having being an 'Outstanding', well-led, organisation, and having an 'Outstanding' Older Adults Community Mental Health Team in our latest CQC inspection, which found that: 'There was a clear vision, underpinned by a set of values that were well understood by staff across the trust.' Working in a passionate team, you will have access to our Trust-wide Learning and Development programme and be supported in your career and personal growth, with opportunities to help you build your Continuing Professional Development portfolio, enabling you to extend your skills and ensure that you excel. We are pioneers in compassionate leadership and Quality Improvement, which is about creating a culture where everyone has a voice and where service users and staff collaborate to have a direct impact on the things that matter most. About you: We are looking for a highly motivated and experienced b7/8a pharmacist to lead on our Antimicrobial Stewardship (AMS) programme, in line with the national drive for the safe and appropriate use of antimicrobials. The successful candidate will work closely with all grades of pharmacy staff as well as a wide range of medical, nursing and AHP colleagues. The post holder will ensure compliance with the Trust antimicrobial prescribing guidelines, support the work of the infection prevention team and provide clinical advice on request. You will be actively involved in strategic planning, education, training, surveillance and governance of antimicrobial usage. The post holder will also be expected to engage in the wider regional and national contexts regarding antimicrobial drug use, represent the Trust at relevant network or regional meetings such as the South Central Antimicrobial Network as well as developing and maintaining relationships with commissioners and key stakeholders. Prior knowledge of working with IT systems such as EMIS and Microguide is also desirable but not essential. We are based at Prospect Park Hospital, in leafy Reading, 30 mins by train from London Paddington and Waterloo stations. We offer free onsite parking, top staff accommodation less than a 5-minute walk from your base. In return we will help you develop your clinical, managerial and leadership skills and have collaborative working relationships with both senior and junior clinicians, nursing teams and primary care colleagues. What's next? We are committed to equality and diversity and welcome candidates from diverse backgrounds to help us deliver great care to all of our communities. We would be delighted to welcome you to our friendly pharmacy team, who will help you make your career reflect your ambitions. If you share our passion for people and the dedication to excel, we'd love to hear from you. We are happy to answer any questions that you may have. Please don't hesitate to call Dr Elizabeth Francis, Deputy Chief Pharmacist, on 0118 960 5076 or email: elizabeth.francis@berkshire.nhs.uk who'll be delighted to help. In addition to a competitive salary, as a valued member of our team, you will receive generous annual leave, have access to a car salary sacrifice scheme (available to all permanent staff over the age of 21) and as a respected member of the NHS, discounts from high street retailers and restaurants. We'd love to welcome you to our warm, friendly team, who want to help you to make your career reflect your ambitions. Employment Type: FULL_TIME