Lead Pharmacist - Cancer Services (Oncology)

Job summaryAct as Specialist Pharmacist Lead for Oncology Services, providing professional leadership and acting as the key pharmacy contact for service developments, supported by the Principal Pharmacist for Cancer Services.Provide a comprehensive clinical pharmacy and medicines optimisation service to Oncology and Haematology patients across inpatient wards, day units and outpatient settings.Clinically screen and verify SACT prescriptions for adult and paediatric patients, ensuring safe, appropriate and protocol-compliant , develop and evaluate pharmaceutical care for Oncology and Haematology patients across the Trust.Provide specialist medicines advice and support to the Cancer Services multidisciplinary team.Teach, train and supervise pharmacists, pharmacy technicians and students in Oncology and Haematology practice.Line manage allocated pharmacists, including appraisals, sickness management, development and ongoing professional support.Ensure staff are appropriately trained and
competent, maintaining compliance with legislation, professional standards, Trust policies and local SOPs.Undertake clinical and professional checking of dispensed prescriptions, ensuring compliance with the Trust Formulary and High-Cost Drug procedures.Support the ongoing development and improvement of Oncology and Haematology pharmacy services.Main duties of the jobProvide a specialist clinical pharmacy and medicines management service to Haematology and Oncology patients, including pharmaceutical risk management within ward-based settings.Ensure compliance with medicines legislation, Trust Medicines Policy and relevant national and local guidance.Contribute to the development and implementation of Cancer Services SOPs and policies, ensuring medicines management systems are safe, robust, evidence-based and quality assured.Review and optimise prescribing in accordance with evidence-based practice, national and regional guidance, and clinical governance requirements, including during
consultant ward rounds and multidisciplinary team meetings.Assess individual pharmaceutical care needs, identify actual and potential medicines-related problems and recommend appropriate treatment interventions.Provide evidence-based pharmaceutical advice and recommendations to medical and nursing staff, clearly communicating and supporting any required actions.About usWorcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust is a large
acute and specialised hospital trust that provides a range of local acute
services to the residents of Worcestershire and more specialised services to a
larger population in Herefordshire and beyond.The Trust operates hospital-based services from
three sites in Kidderminster, Redditch and WorcesterOur workforce is more than 7,000 strong, and our
caring staff are recognised as providing good and outstanding patient-centred
care. You could be one of them.We are committed to recruiting the best people to
work with us. Our values, which we ask all staff to demonstrate, underpin our
everyday work and remain firmly at the heart of all we do.
Being open and honest
Ensuring people feel cared for
Showing respect to everyoneWe are committed to developing a culture of continuous improvement by embedding the principles of our Improvement System.We are proud to have achieved Timewise
accreditation - this means we are committed to embedding flexible working
within our organisation as a flex positive employer.DBS Checks and CostsAny applicants who are offered posts requiring a
DBS check as part of their employment check will have the cost of this check
(at the current rate) deducted from their salary. Please see link in Supporting
Information section for more details on DBS checks and costs.DetailsDate posted21 October 2026Pay schemeAgenda for changeBandBand 8aSalary
57,528 to 64,750 a year
ContractPermanentWorking pattern
Full-time,
Flexible working
Reference numberC Job locationsAlexandra HospitalWoodrow DriveRedditchWorcestershireB987UBUnited KingdomWorcestershire Royal HospitalCharles Hastings WayWorcesterWorcestershireWR5 1DDUnited KingdomJob descriptionJob responsibilitiesJob Purpose
Act as
the specialist pharmacist lead for oncology services, serving as the primary
point of contact for oncology-related service developments and providing
professional leadership for the service, with support from the Principal
Pharmacist for Cancer ServicesProvide a clinical pharmacy service
to the Oncology and Haematology working alongside the cancer services team
delivering and extensive medicines management service to patients in ward
and day unit areas.Clinically screening SACT for
adult, paediatric patient for day unit, outpatientUndertake
teaching and supervision of less experienced pharmacists, technicians, and
students providing Cancer for haematology and oncology managing pharmacists as
allocated including managing sickness, appraisals, general support and
developmentTo ensure that all staff are
appropriately trained, ensuring compliance to all legal and best practice
standards and local SOP's.Provide the clinical professional
check on prescriptions dispensed within the dispensary, ensuring that the
Trust high cost drug procedure and Trust Formulary is adhered tLead, develop, evaluate and deliver pharmaceutical
care to patients managed by the Haematology and Oncology within the Trust.Use
specialist knowledge to advise consultants, medical, nursing and pharmacy staff
on all pharmaceutical aspects of care in these areasRecommend,
substantiate and communicate best therapeutic options for patients routinely
and via attendance at MDT to implement changes in prescribing practice to
ensure evidence-based medicine is followed as appropriate and following
commissioning avenueI Introduce measures to keep the directorate drug
expenditure within agreed budgets including pro-active involvement at
directorate board level to achieve this.Key DutiesThe
post holder willProvide
a specialist clinical pharmacy and medicines management service to patients and
undertake pharmaceutical risk management for haematology and oncology patient
in a ward-based setting.Ensure
compliance with medicines legislation, the Trust Medicines Policy, and
medicines related national and local guidelines.Contribute
to the development and implementation of appropriate cancer services SOPs and
associated policies to ensure that the haematology/oncology medicines
management systems are safe, robust, guided by national directives, standards,
guidelines, and the post-holders own specialist knowledge, and are quality
assured.Evaluate
prescribing practices and amend according to evidence-based practice,
national/regional directives and clinical governance targets on a daily basis,
during consultant ward-rounds, and at multidisciplinary team meetings
including:Analysing patients individual
pharmaceutical care needsIdentifying actual and potential
iatrogenic admissions for medical staffRecommending best treatmentSubstantiate
pharmaceutical recommendations and advice to medical and nursing staff and
communicate effectively any necessary actions to medical and nursing staff.Construct
pharmaceutical care plans for patients, assess and monitor clinical progress
and outcome with regard to their medication and actively intervene to ensure
that patients receive optimal care with minimal side effects.Provide
specialist advice to healthcare professionals on all pharmaceutical issues
arising within the post holders specialist clinical area.Be
responsible for the therapeutic blood monitoring of identified drugs within the
post-holders clinical area including:Initial patient assessment and
initiation of appropriate loading or starting dosesInterpretation of blood level results
and subsequent adjustment of the patients dose of medicine and amendment of
the patients prescription in order to optimise the beneficial results of
therapy whilst minimising any potential toxicity.Ensuring
individual patients entered into clinical trials are treated according to the
trial protocol, that their medicines are prepared as specified in the protocol,
that any randomisation codes are allocate appropriately, and that all records
are maintained correctly and stored suitably.Substantiating clinical pharmacy
recommendations at the highest level and against challenge from Consultants,
where necessary, and effectively communicate any required actions to other
medical and nursing staff.Providing specialist clinical advice to
other health care professionals on all pharmaceutical issues arising within the
specialist area of cancer services. This will include the extrapolation of
clinical and complex medicines information where data may be lacking and
analysing, interpreting and comparing differing opinion or facts to determine
the best prescribing strategy for an individual patient or patient group.Assisting with the delivery of the WAHT
pharmacy cancer services to achieve Trust and departmental medicines management
targets includingManaging
the accurate and timely dispensing and supply of medicines to cancer
to NHS England standard operating procedures in relation to drugs supply
through the Cancer Drugs Fund (CDF) and other commissioning arrangements.Adherence
to the Trust Formulary, unlicensed medicines policy and high-cost drug
procedures.Assisting
with the creation of clinical guidelines relating to all areas of medicines use
within the cancer services.Assisting
in the delivery of key pharmacy modernisation initiatives within cancer
services and assisting in the assessment of the impact of such service
development initiatives on medical and nursing staff within the post-holders
area and the WAHT pharmacy department as a whole.Medication
History Taking, Provision of Patient Information and CounsellingEnsure that information and patient counselling
systems are implemented within their specialist area according to patient need
to ensure that patients obtain the most benefit from their medicines.Set standards and manage the counselling of
patients on their medicines within the Haematology directorate to improve
concordance and knowledge of their therapyEnsure all newly admitted patients are interviewed
to construct an accurate medication history and assess compliance/concordance
issues.Review the medication history against the admission
details and prescription chartPro-actively identify to medical staff any
potential or actual medicines-related hospital admissions or associated issues
and outline any required action to resolve identified discrepanciesAssess patients discharge medicines information
requirements as early as possible in the admission stay to be able to prepare
information on medicines for patients based on individual need.Complete Patient Need Assessments to assess
patients information requirements and suitability for delegation of
counselling to a junior pharmacist or lead medicines management technician.Counsel patients with highly complex needs such
as a physical disability which may affect information requirements (sight or
hearing), language difficulties, those with life-threatening or terminal
diagnoses and highly distressed
ResponsibilitiesManage pharmacists as allocated including delivery
of PDR and management of sickness based around trust policies.Undertake the day to day supervision of
pharmacists, technicians, assistants and studentsDevelop and maintain good internal communications
within the department.Ensure that the capability, conduct and performance
of every member of staff within their responsibility are continually assessed
and appropriate action is taken to address shortfalls and resolve issuesEnsure that all Trust policies are complied with,
brought to the attention if all staff and are readily and easily accessiblePlanning of day to day work, annual objectives and
negotiation of personal development plans and in-year performance management.Use the Pharmacy Computer System and MS Word,
Excel, Access, and Powerpoint to produce reports, SOPs, analyses and training
materials for others to support the delivery of the post holders key roles and
responsibilities.Financial ResponsibilitiesProduce monthly reports, analyse prescribing trends
and provide guidance and advice on drug expenditure, prescribing patterns and
high cost drug use for the Haematology and oncology and guide Consultants on proposed new
medicines for use within the post-holders clinical area and assist with
compiling new product assessments and evidence-based reviews for submission to
the Area Prescribing Committee for formulary and funding approvalIdentify cost containment programmes and introduce
appropriate measures to keep the Haematology and Oncology Directorates drug
expenditure within agreed budgets. Discuss and influence drug expenditure and
its management with key medical staff, directorate managers and Modern Matrons
within the post-holders specialist area.Service Development and Business PlanningDevelop formal links with the Clinical Director,
Business Manager, Modern Matron and Ward managers in relation to the
pharmaceutical needs.Lead on key pharmacy modernisation initiatives
within the Haematology team, ward and patients, and assess the impact of such
service development initiatives on medical and nursing staff within the
post-holders area and the pharmacy department as a whole.Contribute to the senior clinical pharmacy team
strategy group in planning and organising the delivery, standard and
modernisation of clinical pharmacy services.Research and
Clinical AuditEnsure all pharmaceutical aspects of research in
the post-holders clinical area complies with relevant legislationEnsure that all clinical trials of medicines in the
post holders area comply with National Guidelines, the Trust medicines policy,
and the Trial Protocols.Plan, organise and conduct own areas for
practice-based research, including audit and benefits of clinical pharmacist /
independent prescriber role to support departmental development, Job responsibilitiesJob Purpose
Act as
the specialist pharmacist lead for oncology services, serving as the primary
point of contact for oncology-related service developments and providing
professional leadership for the service, with support from the Principal
Pharmacist for Cancer ServicesProvide a clinical pharmacy service
to the Oncology and Haematology working alongside the cancer services team
delivering and extensive medicines management service to patients in ward
and day unit areas.Clinically screening SACT for
adult, paediatric patient for day unit, outpatientUndertake
teaching and supervision of less experienced pharmacists, technicians, and
students providing Cancer for haematology and oncology managing pharmacists as
allocated including managing sickness, appraisals, general support and
developmentTo ensure that all staff are
appropriately trained, ensuring compliance to all legal and best practice
standards and local SOP's.Provide the clinical professional
check on prescriptions dispensed within the dispensary, ensuring that the
Trust high cost drug procedure and Trust Formulary is adhered tLead, develop, evaluate and deliver pharmaceutical
care to patients managed by the Haematology and Oncology within the Trust.Use
specialist knowledge to advise consultants, medical, nursing and pharmacy staff
on all pharmaceutical aspects of care in these areasRecommend,
substantiate and communicate best therapeutic options for patients routinely
and via attendance at MDT to implement changes in prescribing practice to
ensure evidence-based medicine is followed as appropriate and following
commissioning avenueI Introduce measures to keep the directorate drug
expenditure within agreed budgets including pro-active involvement at
directorate board level to achieve this.Key DutiesThe
post holder willProvide
a specialist clinical pharmacy and medicines management service to patients and
undertake pharmaceutical risk management for haematology and oncology patient
in a ward-based setting.Ensure
compliance with medicines legislation, the Trust Medicines Policy, and
medicines related national and local guidelines.Contribute
to the development and implementation of appropriate cancer services SOPs and
associated policies to ensure that the haematology/oncology medicines
management systems are safe, robust, guided by national directives, standards,
guidelines, and the post-holders own specialist knowledge, and are quality
assured.Evaluate
prescribing practices and amend according to evidence-based practice,
national/regional directives and clinical governance targets on a daily basis,
during consultant ward-rounds, and at multidisciplinary team meetings
including:Analysing patients individual
pharmaceutical care needsIdentifying actual and potential
iatrogenic admissions for medical staffRecommending best treatmentSubstantiate
pharmaceutical recommendations and advice to medical and nursing staff and
communicate effectively any necessary actions to medical and nursing staff.Construct
pharmaceutical care plans for patients, assess and monitor clinical progress
and outcome with regard to their medication and actively intervene to ensure
that patients receive optimal care with minimal side effects.Provide
specialist advice to healthcare professionals on all pharmaceutical issues
arising within the post holders specialist clinical area.Be
responsible for the therapeutic blood monitoring of identified drugs within the
post-holders clinical area including:Initial patient assessment and
initiation of appropriate loading or starting dosesInterpretation of blood level results
and subsequent adjustment of the patients dose of medicine and amendment of
the patients prescription in order to optimise the beneficial results of
therapy whilst minimising any potential toxicity.Ensuring
individual patients entered into clinical trials are treated according to the
trial protocol, that their medicines are prepared as specified in the protocol,
that any randomisation codes are allocate appropriately, and that all records
are maintained correctly and stored suitably.Substantiating clinical pharmacy
recommendations at the highest level and against challenge from Consultants,
where necessary, and effectively communicate any required actions to other
medical and nursing staff.Providing specialist clinical advice to
other health care professionals on all pharmaceutical issues arising within the
specialist area of cancer services. This will include the extrapolation of
clinical and complex medicines information where data may be lacking and
analysing, interpreting and comparing differing opinion or facts to determine
the best prescribing strategy for an individual patient or patient group.Assisting with the delivery of the WAHT
pharmacy cancer services to achieve Trust and departmental medicines management
targets includingManaging
the accurate and timely dispensing and supply of medicines to cancer
to NHS England standard operating procedures in relation to drugs supply
through the Cancer Drugs Fund (CDF) and other commissioning arrangements.Adherence
to the Trust Formulary, unlicensed medicines policy and high-cost drug
procedures.Assisting
with the creation of clinical guidelines relating to all areas of medicines use
within the cancer services.Assisting
in the delivery of key pharmacy modernisation initiatives within cancer
services and assisting in the assessment of the impact of such service
development initiatives on medical and nursing staff within the post-holders
area and the WAHT pharmacy department as a whole.Medication
History Taking, Provision of Patient Information and CounsellingEnsure that information and patient counselling
systems are implemented within their specialist area according to patient need
to ensure that patients obtain the most benefit from their medicines.Set standards and manage the counselling of
patients on their medicines within the Haematology directorate to improve
concordance and knowledge of their therapyEnsure all newly admitted patients are interviewed
to construct an accurate medication history and assess compliance/concordance
issues.Review the medication history against the admission
details and prescription chartPro-actively identify to medical staff any
potential or actual medicines-related hospital admissions or associated issues
and outline any required action to resolve identified discrepanciesAssess patients discharge medicines information
requirements as early as possible in the admission stay to be able to prepare
information on medicines for patients based on individual need.Complete Patient Need Assessments to assess
patients information requirements and suitability for delegation of
counselling to a junior pharmacist or lead medicines management technician.Counsel patients with highly complex needs such
as a physical disability which may affect information requirements (sight or
hearing), language difficulties, those with life-threatening or terminal
diagnoses and highly distressed
ResponsibilitiesManage pharmacists as allocated including delivery
of PDR and management of sickness based around trust policies.Undertake the day to day supervision of
pharmacists, technicians, assistants and studentsDevelop and maintain good internal communications
within the department.Ensure that the capability, conduct and performance
of every member of staff within their responsibility are continually assessed
and appropriate action is taken to address shortfalls and resolve issuesEnsure that all Trust policies are complied with,
brought to the attention if all staff and are readily and easily accessiblePlanning of day to day work, annual objectives and
negotiation of personal development plans and in-year performance management.Use the Pharmacy Computer System and MS Word,
Excel, Access, and Powerpoint to produce reports, SOPs, analyses and training
materials for others to support the delivery of the post holders key roles and
responsibilities.Financial ResponsibilitiesProduce monthly reports, analyse prescribing trends
and provide guidance and advice on drug expenditure, prescribing patterns and
high cost drug use for the Haematology and oncology and guide Consultants on proposed new
medicines for use within the post-holders clinical area and assist with
compiling new product assessments and evidence-based reviews for submission to
the Area Prescribing Committee for formulary and funding approvalIdentify cost containment programmes and introduce
appropriate measures to keep the Haematology and Oncology Directorates drug
expenditure within agreed budgets. Discuss and influence drug expenditure and
its management with key medical staff, directorate managers and Modern Matrons
within the post-holders specialist area.Service Development and Business PlanningDevelop formal links with the Clinical Director,
Business Manager, Modern Matron and Ward managers in relation to the
pharmaceutical needs.Lead on key pharmacy modernisation initiatives
within the Haematology team, ward and patients, and assess the impact of such
service development initiatives on medical and nursing staff within the
post-holders area and the pharmacy department as a whole.Contribute to the senior clinical pharmacy team
strategy group in planning and organising the delivery, standard and
modernisation of clinical pharmacy services.Research and
Clinical AuditEnsure all pharmaceutical aspects of research in
the post-holders clinical area complies with relevant legislationEnsure that all clinical trials of medicines in the
post holders area comply with National Guidelines, the Trust medicines policy,
and the Trial Protocols.Plan, organise and conduct own areas for
practice-based research, including audit and benefits of clinical pharmacist /
independent prescriber role to support departmental developmentPerson Specification
Additional information
EssentialSkilled at preparing and implementing pharmaceutical care plans to best meet patient needs within the ward multidisciplinary team.Skilled at using reference sources, journals, the internet and on-line ...