Lead Ophthalmology Pharmacist

NHS; Southampton; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 63,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare provider in Southampton is seeking an Ophthalmology Care Group Pharmacist to oversee pharmaceutical care within the eye unit. You will manage diverse clinical responsibilities and work within a supportive environment. Candidates must possess significant clinical pharmacy experience and hold a Master's degree in Pharmacy. This permanent role offers a competitive salary ranging from £55,690 to £62,682 per year, with flexible working patterns available.

Qualifications

• Significant experience as an independent prescribing pharmacist.
• Ability to implement change and manage projects.
• Experience of working as part of a multi-disciplinary team.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage service development projects.
• Support patient flow with timely discharge medications.
• Train and educate pharmacy staff on eye related medications.

Skills

Independent prescribing

Clinical pharmacy experience

Change management

Team communication

Education

Masters Degree in Pharmacy

Registered with General Pharmaceutical Council

Postgraduate diploma in clinical pharmacy

Job description

Job summary

University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust is delighted to offer a fantastic opportunity to work with us.

Please see below for detailed job description of the role.

Main duties of the job

Following the recent success in securing dedicated funding, we are very pleased to be offering a new and exciting opportunity for an Ophthalmology Care Group Pharmacist to work within the Ophthalmology service at University Hospital Southampton eye unit.This post will go hand in hand with a new specialist technician post and offers a great opportunity to broaden your portfolio or to deepen a specialist interest working towards consultant level.

Covering all aspects of pharmaceutical care along the patient journey from the moment they are admitted to the eye unit to the point that they are discharged, the role offers a varied, interesting and rewarding range of clinical, logistical and financial tasks and responsibilities. It requires the post-holder to demonstrate strong clinical application of knowledge; team working, clinical governance and processes; and flexibility and leadership in change management. This being a completely new post, the eye unit team can't wait to start working with you. While you would be part of a large, friendly and supportive clinical pharmacy team, this is a fantastic opportunity to put your own stamp on a range of new and improved services.

About us

University Hospital Southampton is one of England's largest acute teaching Trusts, offering a wide range of learning and development opportunities to support your career aspirations.

Located on the south coast with an international airport and direct rail links to London, Southampton offers an ideal setting to live and work, with the New Forest, South Downs and Jurassic Coast.

We believe that using technology wisely shows strong time management and commitment to innovation. However, personalizing your recruitment application to highlight your unique skills and experiences is crucial. Relying too heavily on generic, AI-generated content instead of drawing from your own strengths and accomplishments may lead to your application being rejected if multiple candidates present identical or similar information.

At UHS we're committed to providing a flexible working environment where possible. Whether you are balancing family, study, or your wellbeing with your career, we want to support you so you can help our patients.

At UHS, we proudly champion individuality, recognizing that outstanding care is only possible with a diverse, inclusive team. We're committed to creating an anti-racist, anti-discriminatory environment where everyone feels valued, safe, and empowered to make a meaningful impact in our communities. We welcome applicants of all backgrounds, identities, and experiences to join us in building a healthcare community where everyone can belong, thrive, and contribute.

Details Date posted

18 July 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 8a

Salary

£55,690 to £62,682 a year pa or pa pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time

Reference number

188-CL200725

Job locations

Southampton General Hospital

Tremona Road

Southampton

SO16 6YD

Job description Job responsibilities

WHAT WERE LOOKING FOR

An independent prescribing pharmacist with significant experience of clinical pharmacy.

Experience of change management and service improvement.

Ability to communicate well, inspire confidence and work well both independently and as part of a team.

WHAT YOULL DO

Lead and manage projects to support service development.

Identify and implement cost improvement related to medication spend in the eye unit

Lead and facilitate biologic switching of current and future biologics

Support education and training to improve medicines optimisation in the eye unit

Make autonomous prescribing decisions, tailored to each individual patient.

Support patient flow by organising discharge medications in a timely manner.

We are very proud of our development and utilisation of independent prescribing pharmacists and would encourage the successful candidate to make full use of their skills, working closely alongside the wider multidisciplinary team, joining ward rounds where appropriate, and prescribing for both inpatient and discharge purposes. This post would be ideal for a pharmacist wishing to progress their career and portfolio or to gain experience in service and change management.

You will work closely with the newly appointed Specialist Pharmacy Technician for Ophthalmology to improve medicines optimisation for patients in the eye unit and the local area, supporting adherence and counselling on eye drops and other medication related to the service. You will ensure relevant medication is prescribed and reviewed whilst supporting cost savings and liaising with supply services to ensure continuity of specialist products.

You will also be required to support the pharmacy trainees and staff in understanding and optimising the use of eye drops and eye preparations so they can offer suitable advice and referrals to help patients manage their conditions.

Additional information

This post is offered on a full-time basis (37.5 hours per week) but shift patterns are open to discussion.

Every pharmacist in Division B is expected to do a late night shift till 7pm once a week.

All pharmacists are included in the weekend rota where you will work either a Saturday or a Sunday 9 - 5pm once every 6 weeks.

Job plan

Attached is a copy of the Job Plan for your review.

Job description Job responsibilities

WHAT WERE LOOKING FOR

An independent prescribing pharmacist with significant experience of clinical pharmacy.

Experience of change management and service improvement.

Ability to communicate well, inspire confidence and work well both independently and as part of a team.

WHAT YOULL DO

Lead and manage projects to support service development.

Identify and implement cost improvement related to medication spend in the eye unit

Lead and facilitate biologic switching of current and future biologics

Support education and training to improve medicines optimisation in the eye unit

Make autonomous prescribing decisions, tailored to each individual patient.

Support patient flow by organising discharge medications in a timely manner.

We are very proud of our development and utilisation of independent prescribing pharmacists and would encourage the successful candidate to make full use of their skills, working closely alongside the wider multidisciplinary team, joining ward rounds where appropriate, and prescribing for both inpatient and discharge purposes. This post would be ideal for a pharmacist wishing to progress their career and portfolio or to gain experience in service and change management.

You will work closely with the newly appointed Specialist Pharmacy Technician for Ophthalmology to improve medicines optimisation for patients in the eye unit and the local area, supporting adherence and counselling on eye drops and other medication related to the service. You will ensure relevant medication is prescribed and reviewed whilst supporting cost savings and liaising with supply services to ensure continuity of specialist products.

You will also be required to support the pharmacy trainees and staff in understanding and optimising the use of eye drops and eye preparations so they can offer suitable advice and referrals to help patients manage their conditions.

Additional information

This post is offered on a full-time basis (37.5 hours per week) but shift patterns are open to discussion.

Every pharmacist in Division B is expected to do a late night shift till 7pm once a week.

All pharmacists are included in the weekend rota where you will work either a Saturday or a Sunday 9 - 5pm once every 6 weeks.

Job plan

Attached is a copy of the Job Plan for your review.

Person Specification Qualifications, knowledge and experience Essential

• Masters Degree in Pharmacy or equivalent.
• Registered with General Pharmaceutical Council.
• Postgraduate diploma in clinical pharmacy or equivalent experience
• Can demonstrate Advanced Stage 1 competencies in the RPS Advanced Pharmacy Framework in relation to medical or surgical patients
• Experience of working as part of a multi-disciplinary team.
• Sound knowledge of clinical pharmacy services acquired while working within a suitable specialty.
• Experience of audit and evaluative work
• Teaching and tutoring experience
• Experience of supervising others
• Experience of implementing change and change management
• Development and implementation of guidelines and procedures.
• Experience of change management

Desirable

• Management qualification or equivalent experience
• MSc in clinical pharmacy or equivalent experience
• Independent Prescribing qualification.
• Advanced Pharmacy Framework in relation to medical or surgical patients
• Leadership qualification or experience
• Sound understanding of healthcare priorities and political agendas.
• Training in medicines information.
• Project Management training or qualification
• Experience of managing others

Person Specification Qualifications, knowledge and experience Essential

• Masters Degree in Pharmacy or equivalent.
• Registered with General Pharmaceutical Council.
• Postgraduate diploma in clinical pharmacy or equivalent experience
• Can demonstrate Advanced Stage 1 competencies in the RPS Advanced Pharmacy Framework in relation to medical or surgical patients
• Experience of working as part of a multi-disciplinary team.
• Sound knowledge of clinical pharmacy services acquired while working within a suitable specialty.
• Experience of audit and evaluative work
• Teaching and tutoring experience
• Experience of supervising others
• Experience of implementing change and change management
• Development and implementation of guidelines and procedures.
• Experience of change management

Desirable

• Management qualification or equivalent experience
• MSc in clinical pharmacy or equivalent experience
• Independent Prescribing qualification.
• Advanced Pharmacy Framework in relation to medical or surgical patients
• Leadership qualification or experience
• Sound understanding of healthcare priorities and political agendas.
• Training in medicines information.
• Project Management training or qualification
• Experience of managing others

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Additional information Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details Employer name

University Hospital Southampton NHS Trust

Address

Southampton General Hospital

Tremona Road

Southampton

SO16 6YD

Employer's website

https://www.uhs.nhs.uk/home.aspx (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details Employer name

University Hospital Southampton NHS Trust

Address

Southampton General Hospital

Tremona Road

Southampton

SO16 6YD

Employer's website

https://www.uhs.nhs.uk/home.aspx (Opens in a new tab)