Lead Pharmacist – Oncology
Job summary
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.

About us
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.

Person Specification
Education/ Qualifications
Essential

• 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

• Independent prescriber or willing to work towards one

Experience
Essential

• Experience of working in a MDT, preferably cancer
• Experience of working in an aseptic preparation unit
• Substantial Hospital Pharmacy experience of which a significant amount has been within an acute UK hospital environment
• Experience in oncology or haematology

Desirable

• Experience of managing a team in a senior position
• Experience of delivering training to other pharmacists and healthcare professionals
• Knowledge of drug funding in the NHS

Skills, Knowledge and Abilities
Essential

• Experience of implementing change in a pharmacy service
• Good knowledge of NICE guidelines and implementation
• Ability to plan and complete tasks / projects

Desirable

• Knowledge of risk management in the NHS

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.
Applicants must have current UK professional registration.