Lead Pharmacist - Cancer services

NHS; King's Lynn; On-site; GBP 62,000 - 73,000

Job description

The Queen Elizabeth Hospital King's Lynn NHSFT

As the Lead Clinical Pharmacist, Oncology, Haematology Palliative Care and Technical Services, you will lead the service to provide an oncology and haematology clinical pharmacy service to our chemotherapy day unit and inpatient haematology ward.

The post holder will be the Accountable Pharmacist for the aseptic production unit and provide professional pharmacist support to the aseptic production unit; this will include clinically screening prescriptions for chemotherapy and authorising final release of products for administration to patients. The post holder will provide Quality Assurance advice and support the pharmacy Quality Assurance technician.

As the lead pharmacist, you will be a source of advice for pharmacists and other healthcare professionals for cancer services, will develop pharmacist skills by offering rotations in cancer services, and will participate in multidisciplinary and governance meetings.

Main duties of the job

Key areas of responsibility include:

1. Adult cancer services - provide person-centred care and ensure that drug therapy is safe, effective, and cost-effective.
2. Represent the Trust at the Regional Cancer Network.
3. Liaise with commissioners, including NHS England, to ensure correct funding channels for the use of all medication.
4. Paediatric oncology - ensure treatments are safe, effective, peer-reviewed, and in the best interests of the patient.
5. Chemotherapy electronic prescribing - act as lead pharmacist to support the team implementing EPR module for electronic chemotherapy.
6. Provide strategic leadership to pharmacy cancer services and the aseptic production unit.

About us

There's never been a more exciting time to join TeamQEH. We're working on a once-in-a-generation opportunity to build a new state-of-the-art hospital to open in 2030 and we are also carrying out one of the biggest pieces of digital transformation work we've ever undertaken.

Our new electronic patient record (EPR) will replace paper-based patient records from 2026 and will lead to better, safer, joined-up care at The Queen Elizabeth Hospital and beyond.

At The QEH, we provide a comprehensive range of specialist, acute, obstetrics, and community-based services to around 331,000 people across west and north Norfolk, North Cambs, and South Lincs. We are an ambitious organisation that upholds our values of kindness, wellness, and fairness. We strive for continuous quality improvement, recently demonstrated in our 2024 CQC maternity inspection rating our services as 'Good', and we are proud to be a place to learn and grow through recognised learning and apprenticeships.

We recognise and reward our 4,000 staff and volunteers, priding ourselves on a community atmosphere and positive team spirit. We have approximately 530 beds across 33 wards and have newly built education and training facilities, a range of modern award-winning centres alongside a talented team of people ready to give you a warm welcome.

We love working here and think you will too.

Job responsibilities

For further information about this role, please refer to the attached Job Description and Person Specification.

Person Specification

Qualifications/training and professional development

• Master's (MPharm) Degree in Pharmacy or equivalent.
• Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical Pharmacy or pharmacy practice or equivalent.
• Registered member of the General Pharmaceutical Council.
• Independent Prescriber, working towards IP qualification, or willing to complete training to become an IP.
• Postgraduate Leadership and management qualification or equivalent.
• Postgraduate qualification in cancer services or pharmacy production or Qualification in MHRA Good Clinical Practice (GCP) or equivalent.

Experience

• Extensive post-registration experience with substantial hospital experience working in an aseptic unit.
• Able to demonstrate advanced specialist cancer services and providing a clinical service for oncology and haematology patients.
• Experience of multidisciplinary working.
• Experience managing an aseptic unit.
• Experience of working with external bodies such as BOPA and multidisciplinary cancer networks.

Skills, abilities and knowledge

• Ability to manage a service, including prioritisation of workload, setting strategic direction, target setting, and meeting deadlines.
• Highly specialised knowledge of the treatment of cancer and associated symptom control.
• Knowledge of statutory requirements for the operation of an aseptic production unit.
• Knowledge of JAC Cancer Management System.

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.

The Queen Elizabeth Hospital King's Lynn NHSFT

£62,215 to £72,293 a year PA, pro rata. Attracts 2% on-call payment for up to 1/12 rota.