Job summary
We are seeking an enthusiastic and committed pharmacist to join our team of Specialist Clinical Pharmacists, delivering high-quality care to cancer patients. We welcome applications from pharmacists at all stages of their careers. For those with cancer services experience, the role is offered at Band 8a. For those new to the specialty, we offer a progressive Band 7 opportunity with a clear development pathway.
You will lead on clinical pharmacy services to haematology and oncology wards and be supported by two experienced Clinical Lead Pharmacists, ensuring expert mentorship as you develop specialist skills and deliver patient-centred care. This post is ideal for individuals eager to learn, grow, and enhance cancer services through innovation and collaboration.
About University Hospitals Dorset (UHD):UHD serves a diverse population across Poole, Bournemouth, and Christchurch, delivering comprehensive cancer services including outpatient chemotherapy, haematology and oncology inpatient care, and radiotherapy. Electronic prescribing via Mosaiq is well embedded, supported by a dedicated Protocol Pharmacist. UHD is also among the few trusts nationally to implement SACT-verifying pharmacy technicians, demonstrating our commitment to excellence and clinical leadership.
Main duties of the job
As a vital member of the wider Pharmacy Cancer Team, you will lead and contribute to the delivery of clinical pharmacy services across haematology and oncology inpatient wards, outpatient clinics, local hospices, and clinical trials. This role offers the opportunity to work closely with multidisciplinary teams to optimise patient outcomes through safe, effective, and personalised cancer treatment.
Our ongoing investment in Pharmacy Cancer Services supports a culture of innovation, ensuring our team remains at the forefront of high-quality patient care and advanced clinical practice.
As part of advanced practice, the postholder will also be responsible for auditing clinical activity and ensuring ward-based pharmacy practice aligns with national standards across both haematology and oncology pathways. This function is critical in maintaining governance compliance, supporting the safe administration of systemic anticancer therapy (SACT), and contributing to external reviews.
About us
Our values define who we are as #TeamUHD. They underpin everything we do now and in the future. They define how we treat our patients, visitors, and each other, our valued teammates and colleagues. UHD are investing in services across the Trust, with many being transformed and developed following merger and the New Hospital Programme.
This means that some services may move site this year or next, either temporarily or long term. Recruiting Managers interviewing for this role will be happy to answer any specific questions that you have about this at interview.
Please note if the role or service is relocated as part of a planned move, employees will not be eligible for excess mileage reimbursement. Travel from the postholder's home to the new work base will be considered a normal commute. Any other changes not related to this relocation will be managed according to the relevant Trust or National terms and conditions.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Key Responsibilities:
- Provide a high-quality clinical pharmacy and medicines management service to cancer patients.
- At Band 8a, develop specialist knowledge in oncology and haematology.
- Clinically screen SACT prescriptions, adhering to local standards. Following competency-based training aligned with the British Oncology Pharmacy Association SACT Passport (Level 2 or 3), you will have the opportunity to pursue further education to become a Pharmacist Independent Prescriber (PIP) and practise as required.
- Work closely with the Cancer Pharmacy Team Leaders to develop cancer pharmacy services and support the pharmacy elements of cancer clinical trials.
- Play a crucial role in implementing local and national standards, ensuring access to funding through the Cancer Drugs Fund (CDF) and individual funding requests (IFRs).
You will collaborate with the Oncology, Haematology, and Palliative Care teams, under the leadership of the Lead Cancer Pharmacists. We actively support independent prescribing and professional development, and we are seeking someone who shares our vision for the future of cancer services in beautiful Dorset.
Additional Information: This role includes weekend working (4 hours every Sunday, as part of a 1-in-5 rota), as well as early and late shifts within cancer services.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Key Responsibilities:
- Provide a high-quality clinical pharmacy and medicines management service to cancer patients.
- At Band 8a, develop specialist knowledge in oncology and haematology.
- Clinically screen SACT prescriptions, adhering to local standards. Following competency-based training aligned with the British Oncology Pharmacy Association SACT Passport (Level 2 or 3), you will have the opportunity to pursue further education to become a Pharmacist Independent Prescriber (PIP) and practise as required.
- Work closely with the Cancer Pharmacy Team Leaders to develop cancer pharmacy services and support the pharmacy elements of cancer clinical trials.
- Play a crucial role in implementing local and national standards, ensuring access to funding through the Cancer Drugs Fund (CDF) and individual funding requests (IFRs).
You will collaborate with the Oncology, Haematology, and Palliative Care teams, under the leadership of the Lead Cancer Pharmacists. We actively support independent prescribing and professional development, and we are seeking someone who shares our vision for the future of cancer services in beautiful Dorset.
Additional Information: This role includes weekend working (4 hours every Sunday, as part of a 1-in-5 rota), as well as early and late shifts within cancer services.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Masters degree in Pharmacy (or equivalent)
- Registration with the General Pharmaceutical Council
- Diploma in Clinical Pharmacy or equivalent experience
- Registered Pharmacy Independent Prescriber with experience in Haematology / Oncology, or be prepared to undertake this qualification / experience
Desirable
- Membership of a professional organisation (e.g. Royal Pharmaceutical Society, UKCPA, BOPA)
Experience
Essential
- 2 to 4 years NHS hospital experience post qualification
- Previous experience of working in Haematology / Oncology
- Supervising and developing staff
- Delivering education and training
- Directorate pharmacy experience meeting with clinicians and managers
- Ability to communicate effectively in difficult/demanding circumstances
- Time management skills, ability to meet deadlines
- Ability to analyse information and make judgements
- Good clinical knowledge of current therapeutics and pharmacy practice including Haematology / Oncology medication regimens
Desirable
- Clinical audit projects or practice research
- Experience of leading a team
- Experience of service development
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Masters degree in Pharmacy (or equivalent)
- Registration with the General Pharmaceutical Council
- Diploma in Clinical Pharmacy or equivalent experience
- Registered Pharmacy Independent Prescriber with experience in Haematology / Oncology, or be prepared to undertake this qualification / experience
Desirable
- Membership of a professional organisation (e.g. Royal Pharmaceutical Society, UKCPA, BOPA)
Experience
Essential
- 2 to 4 years NHS hospital experience post qualification
- Previous experience of working in Haematology / Oncology
- Supervising and developing staff
- Delivering education and training
- Directorate pharmacy experience meeting with clinicians and managers
- Ability to communicate effectively in difficult/demanding circumstances
- Time management skills, ability to meet deadlines
- Ability to analyse information and make judgements
- Good clinical knowledge of current therapeutics and pharmacy practice including Haematology / Oncology medication regimens
Desirable
- Clinical audit projects or practice research
- Experience of leading a team
- Experience of service development
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.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Additional information
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.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
