[ref. c88613200] Consultant Pharmacist - Ophthalmology

Job overview

They will be able to articulate a clear strategy for the delivery of Ophthalmology pharmacy services both locally and across the wider healthcare system, and will be committed to advancing research and innovation in this specialty.

Applications are welcomed from both established Consultant Pharmacists and aspiring pharmacists who are working towards accreditation.

This post is currently being submitted for Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) approval for recognition as a Consultant Pharmacist position.

Pharmacists who have not yet completed their credentialing will initially join as Lead Clinical Pharmacist – Ophthalmology, and upon successful credentialing, will be awarded the Consultant Pharmacist title.

You must be credentialed with the RPSGB as a Consultant Pharmacist. If not already credentialed, you must achieve this within 2 years of starting the role.

• Act as the Consultant Pharmacist for Ophthalmology across the Liverpool Hospitals Group, collaborating with local healthcare organisations to influence the strategic management of medicines used in Ophthalmology.
• Work with Integrated Care Board (ICB) partners and other stakeholders to shape and optimise Ophthalmology prescribing practices across the local healthcare system.
• Provide expert clinical training, mentorship, and supervision to the multidisciplinary team in areas relevant to Ophthalmology, supporting continuous professional development.
• Evaluate the clinical and economic impact of medicines use in Ophthalmology, develop and implement evidence-based clinical guidelines, monitor drug expenditure, and support services in achieving clinical and financial targets.
• Collaborate with Deputy Chief Pharmacists and Lead Divisional Pharmacists to advance pharmacy clinical services and provide strategic leadership in medicines optimisation across the Trust and region.
• For further responsibilities and expectations, please refer to the full job description.

Working for our organisation

Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust comprises Aintree University Hospital, Broadgreen Hospital & Royal Liverpool University Hospital.

We are part of NHS University Hospitals of Liverpool Group, formed on 1 Nov 2024 from the coming together of LUHFT and Liverpool Women’s NHS Foundation Trust. The Group was born from a shared aim to improve the care we provide our patients.

UHLG is one of the largest employers in the region, with over 16,800 colleagues dedicated to caring for our communities - from birth and beyond.

For the 630,000 people across Merseyside, we are their local NHS. We provide general and emergency hospital care, alongside highly specialised regional services for more than two million people in the North West.

Liverpool Women’s Hospital specialises in the health of women and babies, delivering over 7,200 babies in the UK’s largest single site maternity hospital each year. The Royal Liverpool University Hospital is the largest hospital in the country to provide inpatients with 100% single bedrooms and focuses on complex planned care and specialist services.

For roles at Liverpool Women’s, visit their careers page.

• Lead across the Integrated Care System (ICS) as a subject matter expert, supporting the upskilling of pharmacists across both primary and secondary care in ophthalmic medicine.
• Collaborate closely with ophthalmologists, specialist nurses, and multidisciplinary teams in ophthalmology clinics to identify and optimise treatment of ocular and systemic co-morbidities, ensuring timely referrals to other specialties or services as needed.
• Provide Consultant Pharmacist-level input into patient care, championing medicines optimisation for all ophthalmology inpatients, outpatients, and those receiving specialist treatments such as intravitreal injections or ocular surgery.
• Lead the strategic direction and implementation of a harmonised approach to pharmacy services across the Directorates of Ophthalmology.
• Develop, manage, implement, and evaluate the ophthalmology pharmacy team’s services to ensure alignment with clinical priorities and national standards.
• Lead and/or contribute to local, regional, and national ophthalmology workstreams focused on optimising the pharmaceutical management of patients with eye conditions.
• Use innovation to support improved patient outcomes, safety, and experience, aligned with national ophthalmology and medicines optimisation agendas.
• Work with external agencies and partners to develop service delivery pathways that address unmet clinical needs in ophthalmic care.
• Ensure effective and efficient use of medicines and resources across the primary/secondary care interface, developing relevant protocols and pathways where necessary.
• Line manage, coach, and develop pharmacists working within ophthalmology, fostering a culture of excellence and continuous improvement.
• Design and deliver education and training programmes for pharmacy, medical, nursing, and allied health professionals on ophthalmic medicines optimisation at local, regional, and national levels.
• Lead and maintain a portfolio of research, audit, and service improvement projects within ophthalmology across Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (LUHFT).

Person specification

Other

• Methodical with attention to detail
• Ability to cope under pressure
• Flexible and agile approach
• Demonstrable commitment to continuing professional development / education

Qualifications

• Vocational Masters Degree (or equivalent) in Pharmacy
• Relevant postgraduate clinical pharmacy qualification or equivalent experiential learning
• Leadership/ Management Qualification or equivalent experiential learning
• Non-Medical Prescribing Qualification

• Credentialled with the RPSGB as a Consultant Pharmacist (If not you MUST be credentialled within 18 months of starting the role)

Experience

• Relevant post diploma clinical experience at advanced clinical pharmacist level
• Expert clinical knowledge relating to the use of medicines in the perioperative period
• Experience in senior management and leadership
• Teaching skills and experience and previous experience as a tutor for postgraduate qualifications or trainee pharmacist tutor
• Project and change management experience
• Demonstrate advanced knowledge and expertise in pharmacotherapy, including anti-VEGF, immunosuppressive management, drug monitoring, and patient education.

Knowledge & Skills

• Computer Literate – ability to use a range of media including excel, word powerpoint
• Good, detailed knowledge of appropriate legislation relating to pharmacy services
• Excellent verbal communication skills
• Excellent written communication skills
• Demonstrable leadership skills
• Ability to work unsupervised and as part of a team
• Good time management skills
• Ability to affect and manage change
• Able to negotiate a positive outcome
• Report writing skills

Please ensure you check the email account (including junk/spam boxes) from which you apply regularly as we will use this to contact you regarding your application.

Posts advertised to ‘internal staff’ are open to employees of hospitals within University Hospitals of Liverpool Group and you should confirm your employment within your application form.

Note: Under current Home Office Immigration Rules we are currently unable to offer right to work visa sponsorship for Band 2 and 3 roles with a salary of less than £25,000 pa as they do not meet the UK Visas & Immigration criteria.

Only those applicants who demonstrate clearly how they meet our person specification will be shortlisted for interview.

We reserve the right to close any vacancies from further applications when we have received a minimum number of applications from which to make a shortlist. Please ensure you apply without delay if you wish to be considered for this role.

Candidates applying for the role of Healthcare Assistant on the staff bank should note that due to the nature of the role, workers must be aged 18 or above when commencing in post. Applicants are therefore welcome from those aged over 18 or within 3 months’ of their 18^th birthday.

Not all roles are suitable for every flexible working opportunity all of the time. Flexible working options may include reduced hours, compressed hours, fixed shifts, time back in lieu and home working.

The Trust is committed to promoting equality and diversity; we value the contribution of individual talent, skills, knowledge and experience and aim for a workforce demography representative of the local community. We encourage applicants from the following groups that are currently under-represented in our workforce black, Asian and minority ethnic, lesbian, gay, bisexual and Transgender (LGBTQ+), disabled, male and age 16-24.

Bank posts require upfront payment. DBS applications submitted from 2nd December will be subject to the new DBS fee of £26.50 (standard) and £54.50 (Enhanced).

From April 2017, Skilled visa applicants and their adult dependant(s) will be required to provide a criminal record certificate from each country they have lived in consecutively for 12 months or more in the past ten years.

Applicants requiring sponsorship may wish to determine the likelihood of obtaining sponsorship for this position by assessing themselves against the criteria on the gov.uk website - https://www.gov.uk/check-uk-visa.

This organisation has a zero-tolerance approach to the abuse of children, young people and vulnerable adults. All staff must ensure they adhere to the organisations safeguarding children and adults’ policy and comply with the Local Safeguarding Children and Adult Board procedures.

Staff should be mindful of their responsibility to safeguard children and adults in any activity performed on behalf of the organisation in line with the requirements of statutory guidance and legislation.

All employees (and volunteers)are expected maintain their safeguarding knowledge and skills by completing mandatory safeguarding training which includes understanding and recognising the signs of abuse and neglect and taking appropriate action.

As an organisation, we have adopted the Merseyside Domestic abuse workplace scheme which supports our staff who are experiencing Domestic Abuse /any forms of sexual violence.

If you have any personal requirements that will enable you to participate in our recruitment process please contact a member of the Recruitment Services by phone on 0151 706 4666 at the earliest opportunity to ensure that measures can be put in place to enable your application for this post.

Please note: new entrants to the NHS will commence on the first pay point of the relevant band.