Job summary
- Main area
- Pharmacist
- Grade
- NHS AfC: Band 8a
- Contract
- Permanent
- Hours
- Full time - 37.5 hours per week
- Job ref
- 193-7907921NCG
- Employer
- Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- Royal Berkshire Hospital
- Town
- Reading
- Salary
- £57,528 - £64,750 per annum
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Closing
- 04/05/2026 23:59
Employer heading
Lead Pharmacist - Oncology
NHS AfC: Band 8a
At the Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust we put our patients at the heart of every element of health and care that we provide. The Trust works together as a community to deliver its vision which is “Working together to provide outstanding care for our community.”
Royal Berkshire Hospital are pleased to announce that following our CQC inspection we have been rated ‘Good’ with inspectors reporting that we have made significant improvements. The Trust’s overall rating has also improved to ‘good’.
We are Compassionate in our thoughts, words and actions
We are Aspirational and have a true desire to be dynamic and to innovate
We are Resourceful and responsible in the way we work and live
We are Excellent in our development, fairness and sharing best practice
At the Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust, we value candidates who bring their unique personalities, skills, and experiences to the Trust. When completing your application, we encourage you to highlight your individual achievements and strengths, showing us how they align with the requirements outlined in the job description and person specification. While we recognise that some applicants may use AI tools during the process, please be mindful that AI-generated responses can often lack the personal detail and relevance needed to demonstrate your suitability for the role. AI generated content is discouraged by the Trust and may diminish the candidates chances of success.
Amazing things happen at the Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust; delivered by amazing people so why don’t you come and join us. We offer a range of learning and development for all employees may you be clinical or non-clinical.
Please note: all vacancies automatically close when 50 applications have been received.
Job overview
Band 8a Lead Pharmacist – Oncology
This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced and motivated pharmacist to join the Cancer Services Pharmacy team at Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust as an Oncology Lead Pharmacist.
The post holder will take senior responsibility for an agreed portfolio of oncology tumour sites, providing expert clinical, governance and leadership input to support safe, effective and patient-centred cancer care. Working closely with consultant colleagues, nursing teams and the wider multidisciplinary team, you will play a key role in the delivery and development of oncology pharmacy services.
The role includes advanced clinical practice, leadership of tumour site specific pharmacy services, support for prescribing and treatment pathway optimisation, and contribution to governance, audit, education and service improvement. You will also work collaboratively to provide cross-cover across tumour site areas, helping to maintain a resilient and consistent oncology pharmacy service.
Main duties of the job
The post holder will lead the pharmacy service for an agreed portfolio of oncology tumour sites, providing senior clinical, governance and operational input to support the safe, effective and timely delivery of systemic anti-cancer therapy and supportive care. As a senior member of the multidisciplinary team, you will work closely with consultant, nursing and wider clinical colleagues to optimise prescribing, treatment pathways and patient outcomes.
The role combines advanced clinical practice with service leadership and development. You will provide expert clinical advice, undertake clinical screening and authorisation of SACT, support prescribing activity, and work closely with aseptic services to maintain safe and efficient treatment delivery. You will also contribute to service improvement, education and the development of tumour site specific pharmacy services.
In addition, the post holder will play a key role in clinical governance across cancer services, including audit, policy and protocol development, risk management, and implementation of national and local standards. You will work collaboratively across the oncology pharmacy team to provide reciprocal cross-cover across tumour site responsibilities, helping to maintain a resilient, consistent and high quality service.
Working for our organisation
Royal Berkshire Hospital are pleased to announce that following our CQC inspection we have been rated ‘Good’ with inspectors reporting that we have made significant improvements. The Trust’s overall rating has also improved to ‘good’. This is a great opportunity to join our clinical services team to create a positive and motivating environment within our trust. Come and join our team in this exciting time of change as we pride ourselves, our staff and our services on excellence.
At the Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust we put our patients at the heart of every element of health and care that we provide. The Trust works together as a community to deliver its vision which is “Working together to provide outstanding care for our community.”
We are Compassionate in our thoughts, words and actions.
We are Aspirational and have a true desire to be dynamic and to innovate.
We are Resourceful and responsible in the way we work and live.
We are Excellent in our development, fairness and sharing best practice.
Amazing things happen at the Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust; delivered by amazing people so why don’t you come and join us? You will also have countless opportunities to further enhance your own development either through the independent prescribing course, advance practitioner course or leadership forums.
If you have a passion for clinical excellence, patient care and your own career development, you’ll feel at home at Royal Berkshire Hospital.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Please read the attached Job Description and Person Specification when applying for this post - if you have any queries please contact us.
Person specification
Education/ Qualifications
Essential criteria
- Masters Degree in Pharmacy or equivalent (from an accredited University registered with GPhC)
- Current registered practising Member of GPhC
- Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical Pharmacy, MSc or other Clinical Postgraduate qualification or equivalent experience
Desirable criteria
- Independent prescriber or willing to work towards one
Experience
Essential criteria
- Substantial Hospital Pharmacy experience of which a significant amount has been within an acute UK hospital environment
- Experience of working in an aseptic preparation unit
- Experience of managing a team in a senior position
- Experience of working in a MDT, preferably cancer
Desirable criteria
- Experience of managing clinical trials in aseptic services
- Experience of delivering training to other pharmacists and healthcare professionals
- Knowledge of drug funding in the NHS
Skills, Knowledge and Abilities
Essential criteria
- Experience of implementing change in a pharmacy service
- Good knowledge of NICE guidelines and implementation
- Ability to plan and complete tasks / projects
Desirable criteria
- Knowledge of risk management in the NHS
- Experience in aseptic services
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
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Grant Sugiura
- Job title
- Associate Chief Pharmacist
- Email address
- [email protected]
- Telephone number
- 0118 322 6970
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