Lead Clinical Pharmacist - NeurosurgeryNHS

Job summary

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.

Job description

The Lead Clinical Pharmacist for Neurosurgery provides clinical leadership for advanced clinical pharmacy services across neurosurgery and intensive care, ensuring the safe, effective and costeffective 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 consultantlevel clinical decisionmaking, 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 valuebased 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 medicinesrelated 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 specialtyspecific 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.

About us

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.