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Job summary

Main area
Pharmacy
Grade
Band 8b
Contract
Permanent
Hours
Full time - 37.5 hours per week
Job ref
287-DTC-189-26
Employer
Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Employer type
NHS
Site
Aintree University Hospital
Town
Liverpool
Salary
£66,582 - £77,368 per annum
Salary period
Yearly
Closing
09/10/2026 23:59

Employer heading

Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust logo

Lead Clinical Pharmacist - Neurosurgery

Band 8b

Job overview

We are looking for a dynamic and forward thinking pharmacist with experience in Neurosurgery to join our pharmacy team. You will work as part of the neurosciences pharmacy team to provide pharmacy services to The Walton Centre, a specialist Trust which provides tertiary neurology, neurosurgery, spinal and pain management services to a wide catchment area.

The Pharmacy Department in LUHFT delivers a full pharmacy service to The Walton Centre (WCFT; based on the same site). This post will be based within WCFT but work closely with colleagues within other Trusts to standardise services relating to medicines management where appropriate, and to maximise quality, safety, productivity and efficiency.

This will include a commitment to Neuro ITU, developing/updating policies, clinical guidelines, and involvement in quality improvement projects relating to medicines within the Trust. 

The role includes representing supporting the WCFT at Cheshire and Mersey Area Prescribing Group subgroups when required and the North Wales Medicines Management Group, and participation in the Walton Centre Drugs and Therapeutics Committee.

You will also participate in in the well established pharmacist prescribing service for patients newly admitted on the morning of their elective neurosurgery.

Experiential learning along with experience of medicines management or governance roles, and current (or imminent) registration as a prescriber. Experiences working in a tertiary centre would be an advantage. 

Main duties of the job

Assist the WCFT Operational and Clinical Lead Pharmacist in the development of pharmacy services and medicines management within The Walton Centre. 

Assist the WCFT Operational and Clinical Lead Pharmacist  in leading and managing the neurosciences pharmacy team.

Assist the WCFT Operational and Clinical Lead Pharmacist in acting as a primary point of contact for senior staff and departments across WCFT for advice and guidance regarding medicines related issues

Assist the WCFT Operational and Clinical Lead Pharmacist in reviewing compliance with CQC and other national standards at WCFT.

Assist the WCFT Operational and Clinical Lead Pharmacist in providing medicines-related training for other Trust staff.

Lead and provide pharmaceutical expertise in the delivery and development of pharmacy services to the neuroscience’s directorates, developing an exemplary clinical service to our patients.

Identify the clinical and economic impact of medicines use, develop and implement clinical guidelines, monitor drug expenditure and support the area to meet their clinical and financial targets.

Working for our organisation

Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (LUHFT) comprises Aintree University Hospital, Broadgreen Hospital and the Royal Liverpool University Hospital. Together with Liverpool Women's NHS Foundation Trust, LUHFT forms the NHS University Hospitals of Liverpool Group (UHLG), established on 1 November 2024. The Group was created to strengthen collaboration, improve patient outcomes and provide high quality care across Liverpool and beyond.

The Walton Centre NHS Foundation Trust is the UK's only specialist hospital trust dedicated to neurology, neurosurgery, spinal and pain management services. Rated Outstanding by the Care Quality Commission, it is recognised nationally and internationally for clinical excellence, research and innovation. Serving approximately 3.5 million people across the North West, North Wales and the Isle of Man, The Walton Centre provides specialist diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation for a wide range of neurological conditions. With around 1,550 colleagues, the Trust delivers expert care through its main Liverpool site and extensive outreach clinics, ensuring patients can access specialist neurological services as close to home as possible.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

The Lead Clinical Pharmacist for Neurosurgery provides clinical leadership for advanced clinical pharmacy services across neurosurgery and intensive care, ensuring the safe, effective and cost‑effective use of medicines for patients with complex neurological, neurosurgical and critical care needs.

Working as an expert member of the multidisciplinary team, the post holder delivers highly specialist pharmaceutical care across inpatient, outpatient and homecare pathways, contributing to consultant‑level clinical decision‑making, including independent prescribing and deprescribing. As a senior clinical leader, you are responsible for the development, implementation and evaluation of neurosurgery and critical care pharmacy services in line with national standards, NICE guidance and Trust priorities. This includes leading medicines optimisation initiatives, improving medication safety, embedding best practice, and supporting the introduction of new therapies and technologies, with a strong focus on horizon scanning, financial sustainability and value‑based prescribing.

The role has significant responsibility for medicines governance, quality and safety within neurosurgery and intensive care services. The post holder leads work to reduce medicines‑related risk, responds to patient safety incidents and national alerts, and ensures compliance with medicines legislation, formulary processes and Trust policies. Working closely with clinical teams, they develop and maintain specialty‑specific guidelines, protocols and patient pathways, supporting delivery of regulatory, GIRFT and CQC expectations.

As part of the Pharmacy Leadership Team, the Lead Clinical Pharmacist provides strong professional and people leadership, including line management, supervision and development of pharmacists and technicians. The role includes responsibility for education and training, workforce planning, skill mix optimisation, succession planning, and fostering a culture of clinical excellence, innovation and continuous improvement across neurosurgery and critical care pharmacy services.

The post holder also contributes at regional and national level, representing the Trust through specialist neuroscience, critical care and pharmacy networks, supporting research, service evaluation and quality improvement. Working closely with senior pharmacy, clinical and finance colleagues, they contribute to business case development, medicines value programmes and commissioning discussions, ensuring that neurosurgery and critical care services remain clinically effective, financially sustainable and aligned with local and national priorities.

See job description for more detail.

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential criteria
  • MPharm or equivalent
  • Registration with the General Pharmaceutical Council
  • Post-graduate clinical qualification to Diploma level
  • Pharmacist Independent Prescriber qualification
Desirable criteria
  • Management qualification

Knowledge

Essential criteria
  • Working knowledge of medicine related legal and pharmaceutical regulations
  • Excellent clinical knowledge and practical clinical skills within relevant specialty

Skills

Essential criteria
  • Excellent communication skills - written
  • Excellent communication skills - verbal
  • Able to work on own initiative and as part of a team
  • Self-motivated and able to motivate/inspire others showing enthusiasm for the position
  • Able to empathise with patients and colleagues
Desirable criteria
  • Highly computer literate including Microsoft Word, Office and PowerPoin
  • Able to affect and manage change

Experience

Essential criteria
  • Managing a team
  • Demonstrable experience in delivering a relevant specialist pharmacist role in acute care
Desirable criteria
  • Experience of prescribing biologic/ immunomodulating therapy
  • Presenting at national conferences
  • Managing and delivering projects
  • Delivering medicines value and commissioning across landscape
  • Experience of working across clinical pharmacy networks

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Fair Employment Charter Status - Aspiring LevelNHS Pastoral Care Quality AwardTrust IDVeteran AwareApprenticeships logoNo smoking policyPositive about disabled peopleInvestors in PeopleArmed Forces Covenant Gold AwardMindful employer.  Being positive about mental health.Carer confident logo, the employers for carers confident schemeDisability confident committedStep into health

Applicant requirements

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Documents to download

Apply online now

Further details / informal visits contact

Name
Colin Brennan
Job title
Deputy Chief Pharmacist - Clinical Services UHLG
Email address
[email protected]
Telephone number
07834043594

If you have problems applying, contact

Address
L9 7AL
Telephone
0151 706 4666
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