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Job summary

Main area
Pharmacy
Grade
NHS AfC: Band 8a
Contract
Permanent
Hours
  • Full time
  • Part time
37.5 hours per week (Participation in late duties and weekend working)
Job ref
418-AHP4949-MR
Employer
Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Employer type
NHS
Site
Pharmacy, Bedford Hospital
Town
Bedford
Salary
£55,690 - £62,682 per annum
Salary period
Yearly
Closing
14/09/2025 23:59

Employer heading

Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust logo

Lead Pharmacist - Cancer Services & ASU

NHS AfC: Band 8a

Job overview

We are looking for an enthusiastic, forward-thinking Pharmacist to join our experienced and friendly team dedicated to providing an advanced clinical Oncology/Haematology service and supply of aseptic products to the Trust. 

This role will suit candidates experienced in a cancer services role, including experience within aseptics and haematology/oncology.

 

Main duties of the job

To provide an advanced level clinical pharmacy service to the Oncology & Haematology departments. 

To support pharmaceutical aspects of the clinical trials service at Bedford Hospital site.

To support the Aseptics Team by monitoring and checking chemotherapy. To be an active member of the Oncology Pharmacy team and to help meet the overall strategic objectives of the team in the provision of pharmaceutical care for cancer and medical patients.

Working for our organisation

Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust provides hospital services to a growing population of around 700,000 people living across Bedfordshire and the surrounding areas across two busy hospital sites in Bedford and Luton.  Both hospital sites offer key services such as A&E, Obstetrics-led Maternity and Paediatrics.

You will be joining a friendly, high performing Trust committed to ensuring the health and wellbeing of staff. As one of the largest NHS Trusts in our region you will have access to a programme of high quality training and development to help you grow your career. 
We have state-of-the art facilities placing us at the heart of cutting edge health care. The Trust continues to be committed to delivering the best patient care using the best clinical knowledge and technology available.

Please note that vacancies may close prior to the advertised closing date when sufficient number of applications have been received. Please ensure that you make your application as soon as possible.

All new staff will be subject to a probationary period covering their first six months in post. Travel between hospital sites may be required.

Please review all documents attached to this advert to ensure you familiarize yourself with all requirements of the job.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

To provide an advanced level clinical pharmacy service under the direction of the Principal Pharmacist for Oncology, Haematology & Clinical Trials. Supporting the development, expansion and maintenance of oncology & haematology services to adult patients by undertaking clinical practice with a patient care service co-operating with medical and nursing personnel to optimise the pharmaco-therapeutic aspects of patient care.

To monitor prescriptions for haematology and oncology medicines, and any associated therapies to help ensure they are prescribed in a safe, efficient and appropriate manner according to Trust, Regional and National guidelines, as well as ensuring compliance with the prescribing requirements of NHS England

To liaise with medical and nursing staff on the Primrose Oncology Unit, Haematology Department and the Day Treatment Unit (DTU).

To monitor and check chemotherapy and parenteral nutrition products to appropriate standards after completion of local training programme.

To provide advice concerning the pharmaceutical care of cancer and general medical patients as appropriate, to patients, relatives and other health professional colleagues including senior consultant medical staff.

To ensure GMP is followed at all times in pharmacy Aseptics and that appropriate monitoring and record-keeping is carried out.

To assist in the on-going training of pharmacists to clinically verify chemotherapy prescriptions and to check chemotherapy and parenteral nutrition products as requested by the Principal Pharmacist Oncology, Haematology & Clinical Trials.

To promote multidisciplinary working with medical and nursing colleagues on the Primrose Cancer Unit, Haematology Department and the DTU and to report in Oncology Business Meetings.

 To participate and contribute to Aseptics/ Haematology/Oncology training, audit and drug usage review, if required to do so.

To provide period end reports relating to activity for the Principal Pharmacist Oncology, Haematology & Clinical Trials.

To be responsible for the preparation and submission of applications for new haematology/oncology Systemic Anti-Cancer Therapy (SACT) or individual funding requests to the Drugs & Therapeutics Committee/NHSE, and the processing and maintenance of SACT medicines requested and approved through the Cancer Drugs Fund.

To assist in the provision of monthly chemotherapy statistics to cancer services to enable the chemotherapy tariff funding to the hospital through PBR and chemotherapy SACT data set information to be sent to the Chemotherapy Intelligence Unit (CIU.)

 To assist in the ongoing running of the chemotherapy e-prescribing system, iQemo, including adding or reviewing chemotherapy protocols.

To undertake line management of a specialist pharmacist within Pharmacy Aseptics. .

To be GCP trained and support the Clinical Trials Service provided by the Pharmacy Department.

To work with the Principal Pharmacist – Oncology, Haematology & Clinical Trials/Clinical Trials Pharmacist, if requested, in: participating in formal audits; advising potential impact on the drugs budget of new SACT drugs; analysing and responding to new initiatives relevant to SACT.

To provide supervision and support to all Pharmacy staff involved in the ASU and promote the safe use of medication.

To contribute to the Pharmacy clinical risk programme.

 To be able to screen / final check clinical trial prescriptions to ensure safety and accuracy of prescriptions according to trial protocols.

To promote high quality, cost effective prescribing in line with local and national guidelines

To undertake and take part in clinical audit, practice research and other project work as agreed with senior pharmacists.

To complete further Oncology/Clinical Trial training as necessary. This may be to undertake a Diploma/MSc/Independent prescribing/GMP training as per training needs analysis.

 To train and work as an Independent Prescriber according to Trust Policies and within your identified scope of practice, if required.

To deputise for the Principal Pharmacist Oncology, Haematology & Clinical Trials if requested to do so.

To provide highly specialised pharmaceutical information, advice and support to the multi-disciplinary team to ensure care is optimal, individualised and that timely medication reviews are undertaken as determined by relevant protocols.

 To supervise, check and if necessary, carry out the dispensing and issue of medicines in accordance with the safe systems of work in operation and the established procedures, to ensure a high quality pharmaceutical service as required.

To carry out the professional responsibilities of a pharmacist in accordance with the law and ethics of the General Pharmaceutical Council and to meet registration, continuing education and continuing professional development requirements.

 To provide advice to all staff and patients on all aspects of medicines and their use, ensuring safe and effective use of medicines in accordance with Trust Policies.

To assist with the training of supporting staff and students including pre-registration pharmacists and student technicians as required by the Lead Specialist Pharmacist – Training and Development.

To assist in the maintenance of agreed policies and procedures on the control of medicines.

 To participate in and encourage an open communication climate.

To value and acknowledge the contributions of colleagues.

 To continually improve quality.

To actively promote the cost-effective distribution and appropriate use of medicines in the best interests of patients.

To follow pharmacy procedures and participate in their review.

 To create opportunities for and participate with colleagues to assist CPD activities.

 To undertake other reasonable duties within the framework of the post as directed by the Chief Pharmacist or their Deputy.

 To participate in weekend working, late duties and emergency duties (including Bank Holidays) according to rota, if necessary

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential criteria
  • Registered Pharmacist (General Pharmaceutical Council)
  • Bachelor/Master of Pharmacy or equivalent
  • Evidence of Continuous Professional Development
  • Post- graduate Clinical Certificate or equivalent
  • Post- graduate Clinical Diploma or equivalent
Desirable criteria
  • IT/ECDL
  • GCP certificate
  • Registered with the GPhC as an Independent Prescriber.
  • Management/leadership training

Experience

Essential criteria
  • Evidence of relevant hospital pharmacy experience
  • Evidence of relevant clinical pharmacy experience
  • Experience of NHS commissioning arrangements.
Desirable criteria
  • DUR and audit experience
  • Experience of working in hospital Aseptic Services
  • Experience of working with clinical trials.
  • Experience of small group coaching

Knowledge

Essential criteria
  • IT skills PowerPoint and Word
  • An up An up to date knowledge of pharmacology and therapeutics in oncology/haematology.
  • Good communication skills (written and verbal)
  • Clinical pharmacy skills
  • Good interpersonal skills
  • Good time management and prioritisation skills
Desirable criteria
  • IT skills Excel

Employer certification / accreditation badges

NHS Pastoral Care Quality AwardApprenticeships logoNo smoking policyPositive about disabled peopleAge positiveArmed Forces Covenant (Silver Award)Care quality commission - GoodDisability confident employerNational Preceptorship for Nursing Quality Mark 2024Employer with Heart

Applicant requirements

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Documents to download

Apply online now

Further details / informal visits contact

Name
Juliet Morris
Job title
Principal Pharmacist - Oncology & Haematology
Email address
[email protected]
Telephone number
01234355122
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