Job summary
The Southampton Oncology Centre is one of the largest in the country with medical and clinical oncology specialities as well as a large haematopoietic stem cell transplant unit.
As a tertiary referral centre we treat both common and rare tumours, making it an exciting and innovative place to work. The Centre has close links with Southampton University, there is a research facility on site and clinical trials are a huge part of our work.
This post is focussed around fulfilling the diverse pharmaceutical needs of the oncology centre to ensure that we provide an exceptional patient experience.
The Southampton Oncology Centre Pharmacy (SOCP) within Platinum House is open 8.30am-5.00pm (Mon-Fri) and 0900-1300 on a Saturday. We also open bank holidays (Monday 0900-1300). There is a move towards seven day working.
The oncology pharmacy team provides a comprehensive clinical pharmacy service to four out-patient treatment areas, six in-patient wards and a clinical research facility.
Main duties of the job
Attached you will find the person specification document which provides more detail about the essential and desirable skills and experience needed for this role. We highly recommend you review this document and use it when completing your application as these criteria are used by hiring managers as guidance during shortlisting.
For an overview of the main duties of the role please see the 'Job Description and Main Responsibilities' section below. To understand the day-to-day responsibilities in more detail please read the full job description document attached.
About us
What we can offer you
As one of the largest acute teaching Trusts in England, we offer learning and development opportunities to help you achieve the career you aspire to. UHS is rated 'Good' by the CQC and in the latest national NHS Staff Survey, we were in the top 10 acute trusts for staff engagement and for staff recommending the hospital as a place to work or receive care.
All non-clinical roles may involve a mixture of on site and remote working, Specific details and flexible working options can be discussed as part of the interview process. UHS employees are able to access a range of NHS discounts, are entitled to a minimum of 35 days paid holiday (pro rata), and we offer a generous pension scheme.
Southampton is an attractive place to live and work situated on the south coast, with an international airport and direct trains to London. The New Forest National Park and beaches of the Jurassic coast are also right on our doorstep. The city offers living costs 20% lower than London and 14 schools rated outstanding by Ofsted.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Your Responsibilities
What youll do
We are looking to appoint experienced oncology pharmacists to complete and expand our specialist cancer pharmacy team.
This post is based in the oncology pharmacy, which serves the Southampton Oncology Centre. We are one of the largest oncology centres in the country with medical and clinical oncology specialities as well as a large haematology service, encompassing the Wessex Bone Marrow Transplant Unit (BMT). These posts are principally focussed around the needs of adult as well as teenage and young adult patients with solid and haematological tumours.
The pharmacy service to cancer care serves five in-patient wards, three out-patient areas, several out-reach clinics and an expanding home care service The in-patient areas include medical and clinical oncology wards, an acute oncology review and admissions service. Pharmacists, are integral members of the in-patient clinical teams contributing to patient care through attendance on consultant ward rounds, advising other members of the MDT, assisting with admission and discharges, conducting research and audits, providing education among a multitude of other activities. This role is fully supported by our medicines management technicians. There are ample opportunities to develop and run your own out-patient prescribing clinics, we have four such clinics in place with plans for more. You will be expected to act as a clinical role model for the band seven cancer pharmacists and will be given the opportunity to directly manage some of these staff, fully supported by the principal pharmacist for cancer services.
As a pharmacy department we also manage the chemotherapy electronic prescribing system that is a networked system covering six local acute Trusts including two cancer centres. You will be integral in developing and supporting the operational management of the system including writing and validating protocols.
Cancer is one of the priority clinical areas for the Trust. We moved, in July 2021, into a purpose-built oncology pharmacy, Platinum House which was designed by oncology pharmacy staff. We are now designing an off-site licensed aseptic unit that is due to open in 2024. This will not only extend the current capacity but will incorporate new models of working such as ambulatory care and new treatments such as gene therapy and ATIMPS. The Centre has close links with Southampton University, there is a research facility on site. Clinical trials, including phase 1, are a huge part of our work. We are one of the top ten performing Trusts in the country in terms of recruitment into trials. Southampton an exciting and innovative place to work.
Clinical training will be given in all relevant areas. In return we expect a commitment to personal development including self-directed learning and attendance at local and national courses.
What were looking for
We are looking to appoint a pharmacist who is adaptable, enthusiastic about change, enjoys problem solving and wants to make a positive contribution to peoples lives. We want someone who is driven by caring.
Experience of cancer pharmacy (clinical and / or aseptic) in a hospital environment would be an advantage.
We are keen to encourage personal development by offering you structured training and all the support and encouragement youd expect from a leading teaching Trust.
Additional information
The provisional date for interview is Thursday, 08 September 2022
Should you have any queries, please use the contact details below to get in touch.
Deputy Chief Pharmacist Cancer Services Debbie Wright Debbie.wright@uhs.nhs.uk (023) 8120 6668 or Deputy Chief Pharmacist Operations Mark Pepperrell mark.pepperrell@uhs.nhs.uk
Job description
Job responsibilities
Your Responsibilities
What youll do
We are looking to appoint experienced oncology pharmacists to complete and expand our specialist cancer pharmacy team.
This post is based in the oncology pharmacy, which serves the Southampton Oncology Centre. We are one of the largest oncology centres in the country with medical and clinical oncology specialities as well as a large haematology service, encompassing the Wessex Bone Marrow Transplant Unit (BMT). These posts are principally focussed around the needs of adult as well as teenage and young adult patients with solid and haematological tumours.
The pharmacy service to cancer care serves five in-patient wards, three out-patient areas, several out-reach clinics and an expanding home care service The in-patient areas include medical and clinical oncology wards, an acute oncology review and admissions service. Pharmacists, are integral members of the in-patient clinical teams contributing to patient care through attendance on consultant ward rounds, advising other members of the MDT, assisting with admission and discharges, conducting research and audits, providing education among a multitude of other activities. This role is fully supported by our medicines management technicians. There are ample opportunities to develop and run your own out-patient prescribing clinics, we have four such clinics in place with plans for more. You will be expected to act as a clinical role model for the band seven cancer pharmacists and will be given the opportunity to directly manage some of these staff, fully supported by the principal pharmacist for cancer services.
As a pharmacy department we also manage the chemotherapy electronic prescribing system that is a networked system covering six local acute Trusts including two cancer centres. You will be integral in developing and supporting the operational management of the system including writing and validating protocols.
Cancer is one of the priority clinical areas for the Trust. We moved, in July 2021, into a purpose-built oncology pharmacy, Platinum House which was designed by oncology pharmacy staff. We are now designing an off-site licensed aseptic unit that is due to open in 2024. This will not only extend the current capacity but will incorporate new models of working such as ambulatory care and new treatments such as gene therapy and ATIMPS. The Centre has close links with Southampton University, there is a research facility on site. Clinical trials, including phase 1, are a huge part of our work. We are one of the top ten performing Trusts in the country in terms of recruitment into trials. Southampton an exciting and innovative place to work.
Clinical training will be given in all relevant areas. In return we expect a commitment to personal development including self-directed learning and attendance at local and national courses.
What were looking for
We are looking to appoint a pharmacist who is adaptable, enthusiastic about change, enjoys problem solving and wants to make a positive contribution to peoples lives. We want someone who is driven by caring.
Experience of cancer pharmacy (clinical and / or aseptic) in a hospital environment would be an advantage.
We are keen to encourage personal development by offering you structured training and all the support and encouragement youd expect from a leading teaching Trust.
Additional information
The provisional date for interview is Thursday, 08 September 2022
Should you have any queries, please use the contact details below to get in touch.
Deputy Chief Pharmacist Cancer Services Debbie Wright Debbie.wright@uhs.nhs.uk (023) 8120 6668 or Deputy Chief Pharmacist Operations Mark Pepperrell mark.pepperrell@uhs.nhs.uk
Person Specification
Qualifications / training required
Essential
- General Pharmaceutical Council Registration as a Pharmacist
- Diploma or Masters in Clinical Pharmacy or equivalent
- Significant post registration experience with at least three years hospital pharmacy experience, one of which should be in oncology
Desirable
- Royal Pharmaceutical Society Member
- Leadership Qualification
- Quality Improvement Qualification
- Independent Prescribing Qualification or working towards
Previous or relevant experience necessary
Essential
- Extensive post qualification Pharmacy knowledge /experience in one or more areas of pharmacy specialism
- Competent in the accurate supply of medicines (in hospital or community pharmacy)
- Evidence of commitment to relevant ongoing CPD and personal and professional development
- Awareness of current professional regulations/issues
- Experience relevant to role applied for e.g.: providing a ward-based medicines management service, Clinical Trials or research experience, Aseptic services experience
Desirable
- Experience of staff management/operational workload and workforce supervision
- Recruitment and selection experience
- Experience of leading a team
- Dealing with and resolving customers/patients' complaints
- Experience of JAC or similar computer stock control system
- Experience of service development and or design and implementation of audit
- Experience of mentoring/coaching/motivating others
Aptitudes and skills required
Essential
- Ability to communicate sometimes complex information concisely, confidently, and effectively to a diverse range of people e.g., Patients, carers, services users and other health care professionals within and outside of the organisation.
- Attention to detail and accurate in work
- Able to use a range of information technology programmes effectively including Pharmacy Computer system and Microsoft office programmes
- Able to use initiative, but know own limitations and professional boundaries
- Ability to cope with unpredictable events, able to independently plan and prioritise own workload; manage own time and meet deadlines
Personal qualities
Essential
- Flexible and able to adapt at work to deliver and manage competing priorities
- Able to work under pressure
- Ability to delegate appropriately
Special requirements of the post
Essential
- Work weekends, evenings and bank holidays as per rota
- Able to use VDU/PC and keyboard
Values and behaviours
Essential
- Patients First
- Always Improving
- Working Together
Person Specification
Qualifications / training required
Essential
- General Pharmaceutical Council Registration as a Pharmacist
- Diploma or Masters in Clinical Pharmacy or equivalent
- Significant post registration experience with at least three years hospital pharmacy experience, one of which should be in oncology
Desirable
- Royal Pharmaceutical Society Member
- Leadership Qualification
- Quality Improvement Qualification
- Independent Prescribing Qualification or working towards
Previous or relevant experience necessary
Essential
- Extensive post qualification Pharmacy knowledge /experience in one or more areas of pharmacy specialism
- Competent in the accurate supply of medicines (in hospital or community pharmacy)
- Evidence of commitment to relevant ongoing CPD and personal and professional development
- Awareness of current professional regulations/issues
- Experience relevant to role applied for e.g.: providing a ward-based medicines management service, Clinical Trials or research experience, Aseptic services experience
Desirable
- Experience of staff management/operational workload and workforce supervision
- Recruitment and selection experience
- Experience of leading a team
- Dealing with and resolving customers/patients' complaints
- Experience of JAC or similar computer stock control system
- Experience of service development and or design and implementation of audit
- Experience of mentoring/coaching/motivating others
Aptitudes and skills required
Essential
- Ability to communicate sometimes complex information concisely, confidently, and effectively to a diverse range of people e.g., Patients, carers, services users and other health care professionals within and outside of the organisation.
- Attention to detail and accurate in work
- Able to use a range of information technology programmes effectively including Pharmacy Computer system and Microsoft office programmes
- Able to use initiative, but know own limitations and professional boundaries
- Ability to cope with unpredictable events, able to independently plan and prioritise own workload; manage own time and meet deadlines
Personal qualities
Essential
- Flexible and able to adapt at work to deliver and manage competing priorities
- Able to work under pressure
- Ability to delegate appropriately
Special requirements of the post
Essential
- Work weekends, evenings and bank holidays as per rota
- Able to use VDU/PC and keyboard
Values and behaviours
Essential
- Patients First
- Always Improving
- Working Together
Additional information
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).
