Advanced Specialist Pharmacist - Oncology & Haematology

NHS; Norwich; On-site; GBP 53,000 - 61,000; Full time

Job description

Job summary

The Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital is a forward-thinking teaching hospital offering acute care to a population of approximately one million. We are one of the largest acute teaching hospitals in the UK with strong links to both the School of Pharmacy and the Medical School at the nearby University of East Anglia. Electronic prescribing and medicines administration has been implemented across all inpatient wards, the A&E and outpatients. We are at the forefront of healthcare delivery with a strong focus on Medicines Management and innovative pharmaceutical practice.

Norwich is a vibrant city, voted one of the Best Places to Live in the UK by The Sunday Times 2025, with a fabulous market, excellent shopping, restaurants and nightlife, yet surrounded by beautiful countryside. The unique combination of the Norfolk Broads, a picturesque coastline and a choice of city or rural living make Norwich an ideal home, no matter what your interests. For those who love to travel or see friends Norwich offers excellent rail and air links.

We welcome informal visits, or contact us for any queries regarding this role, we are also able to provide you with resources to support with your application completion via our recruitment team.

Interview date: 14/5/25

Main duties of the job

An opportunity has arisen for a full-time Band 8a Pharmacist to join the Oncology and Haematology Pharmacy team and act as deputy for the Lead Oncology and Haematology pharmacist. The post holder will be based in the Colney Centre and provide a clinical pharmacy service to Weybourne Day Unit and Mulbarton Ward.

Key roles within the team focus on chemotherapy verification, co-ordination and advice on all aspects of the chemotherapy service as part of a multidisciplinary team and a clinical ward pharmacy service. Operation and updating of the e-prescribing system for chemotherapy, management of the cancer drugs fund and NHS England commissioned systemic anti-cancer treatments (SACT) plus close collaboration with Pharmacy Aseptic Services, Dispensary and Procurement to ensure the timely and safe provision of these therapies are also significant roles.

This post is for full time employment. However, applications from those seeking part-time employment or job shares are welcomed. Please specify within your application how many days/hours you would ideally like to work.

To support 7 day working all staff are required to work 1 in 10 weekends with corresponding time off given during the week. All staff are required to undertake at least one bank holiday duty per year. All rotas are subject to review at any time.

About us

Join us at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital and be part of a workforce of over 10,000 staff!

The NNUH is one of the largest NHS trusts in the UK, providing first-class acute care for around one million people, living in Norfolk and surrounding areas. We are a teaching and research hospital, at the forefront of innovation, home to state-of-the-art facilities, such as the Quadram Institute. We are pleased to work closely with the University of East Anglia, providing teaching opportunities for our staff and placement opportunities for their students. We attract some of the best and leading professionals from across the country and are proud that our workforce represents 94 countries from across the world.

We are a friendly, collaborative hospital, working with local services and home to N&N Hospitals Charity.

We can offer you the full range of NHS benefits/discounts and in addition:

1. Flexible working hours
2. Fast Track Staff Physiotherapy Service
3. Multi Faith prayer room
4. Discounted gym memberships
5. Excellent pension scheme and annual leave entitlement
6. Wagestream - access up to 40% of your pay as you earn it
7. Free Park & Ride service direct to NNUH site
8. Free 24-hours confidential counselling support
9. On-site Nursery
10. On-site cafes offering staff discounts
11. Support in career development
12. Flexible staff bank
13. Salary Sacrifice schemes including lease cars, Cycle to Work scheme and home electronics

Date posted: 10 April 2025

Pay scheme: Agenda for change

Band: Band 8a

Salary: £53,755 to £60,504 a year per annum, pro rata

Contract: Permanent

Working pattern: Full-time, Part-time, Job share, Flexible working

Reference number: 234-24-CS2787

Job locations:

Norfolk & Norwich University Hospital

Norwich

NR4 7UY

Job description

Job responsibilities

The post-holder will work closely with the Lead Pharmacist to develop a growing oncology and haematology pharmacy service. Key projects include the set-up and running of pharmacy led clinics for oral SACT treatments, extending and supporting electronic prescribing of SACT for paediatrics and James Paget Hospital, development of a satellite pharmacy and extending the role of Pharmacy Technicians in Oncology & Haematology.

The post-holder will also be expected to represent pharmacy at Oncology & Haematology related directorate meetings including the SACT board and assist the Lead Pharmacist in line managing the team of Clinical Pharmacists and Pharmacy Technicians.

1. To participate in the provision of clinical pharmacy services to the Oncology and Haematology directorate (specifically Weybourne Day unit and Mulbarton Ward) in liaison with the Highly Specialist Pharmacist, Oncology & Haematology.
2. To communicate highly complex drug information to prescribers, clinicians, patients, nursing and pharmacy staff. Specifically in respect to chemotherapy regimen sequencing and dosing, drug and drug-herb interactions, safe administration, compliance with medicines legislation and drug funding status which may be contentious.
3. To act as a specialist pharmacist providing an advanced level clinical pharmacy service to the Oncology and Haematology directorate this involves a more complex/high risk patient population in terms of optimising patient care with respect to medicines in liaison with health care professionals, including medical and nursing staff;
4. To analyse complex and specialist information relating to systemic anti-cancer treatments where this information is frequently not readily available. This includes interpreting data from medical and pharmaceutical databases, published papers and specialist treatment centres to advise medical and nursing staff with high level recommendations on patient treatment options.
5. To plan and organise the oncology and haematology pharmacy workload to ensure all systemic anti-cancer treatments are prescribed, verified, procured, manufactured and dispensed effectively and efficiently to ensure that they reach the patient in a timely and safe manner.
6. To initiate and actively implement service developments in Oncology and Haematology including pharmacy led service developments e.g. pharmacy led oral systemic ant-cancer treatment clinics.
7. To initiate and plan service and clinical audits and practice research. To organise drug trials for oncology and haematology helping to ensure prescriptions for trial drugs are inputted accurately and safely in the electronic prescribing system and prescribed and dispensed according to the relevant trial protocol.
8. To utilise highly specialist knowledge of Oncology and Haematology and promote and support evidence based medicine within the speciality and across the Trust in order to fulfil the role as a pharmaceutical lead in this area.
9. To initiate and undertake risk management of cancer drugs used within Oncology and Haematology.
10. To actively participate in directorate, chemotherapy board and other multidisciplinary meetings.

Please refer to the Job Description for the full specification of responsibilities and requirements for this post.

Person Specification

Qualifications Essential

1. Qualified pharmacist registered with GPhC
2. Post-Graduate Diploma in Clinical Pharmacy or equivalent
3. Independent prescriber

Experience Essential

1. Significant experience as a clinical pharmacist
2. Experience and specialist knowledge of Oncology and/or Haematology Pharmacy

Attitude, aptitude Essential

1. Effective role model, demonstrating NNUH's PRIDE values of People focussed, Respect, Integrity, Dedication and Excellence
2. Demonstrates understanding and commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
3. Initiative to develop service and new ways of working

Skills Essential

1. Time management and prioritisation

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.

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.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website.

Employer details

Employer name: Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital

Address: Norfolk & Norwich University Hospital, Norwich, NR4 7UY

Employer's website: https://teamnnuh.co.uk/