Principal Pharmacist - Cancer and Aseptic Services

Job overview

This fixed term maternity cover opportunity for the Principal Pharmacist - Cancer and Aseptic Services role is a senior leadership post within the Pharmacy Department at Princess Royal University Hospital (PRUH), providing strategic, clinical and operational leadership for cancer pharmacy and aseptic services. The post holder is responsible for ensuring the safe, effective and patient-centred delivery of pharmaceutical care for patients receiving systemic anti-cancer therapy (SACT), as well as leading the development and governance of cancer and aseptic services across the site.

As an expert practitioner in adult haematology and oncology, the post holder will provide highly specialised clinical expertise, support multidisciplinary decision-making, and lead the delivery of evidence-based pharmaceutical care. The role includes accountability for the safe and compliant operation of the Section 10 Aseptic Unit, acting as the Accountable Pharmacist and ensuring adherence to all legal, regulatory, quality assurance and Good Manufacturing Practice requirements.

Working as a key member of the Pharmacy Leadership Team, the post holder will contribute to Trust-wide strategic objectives, service development, clinical governance, workforce planning and continuous quality improvement.

The post holder will promote a culture of excellence, safety and continuous professional development.

Main duties of the job

• Provide professional, clinical and managerial leadership for Cancer and Aseptic Services at PRUH, ensuring delivery of safe, effective and patient-focused pharmaceutical care.
• Act as the Trust's specialist pharmacist for haematology and oncology services, providing expert advice on systemic anti-cancer therapy (SACT), cancer medicines and complex patient management.
• Lead the governance, development and continuous improvement of cancer pharmacy services, ensuring compliance with national standards, clinical governance requirements and best practice.
• Serve as the Accountable Pharmacist for the Section 10 Aseptic Unit, overseeing the safe manufacture, release and quality assurance of cytotoxic and aseptically prepared medicines.
• Ensure compliance with relevant legislation, Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP), Good Clinical Practice (GCP), quality assurance standards and health and safety requirements.
• Lead and participate in multidisciplinary working to support optimal treatment outcomes, medicines optimisation and patient experience across oncology, haematology and palliative care services.
• Lead and support clinical audit, research and clinical trials activity, contributing to service evaluation, publication and the advancement of pharmacy practice.
• Deputise for the Associate Chief Pharmacist - Aseptic Services when required and contribute to Trust-wide strategic initiatives and cross-site service development.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

The Principal Pharmacist - Cancer and Aseptic Services provides senior professional, clinical and operational leadership for cancer pharmacy and aseptic services at Princess Royal University Hospital. The post holder is responsible for delivering high-quality, patient-centred pharmaceutical care for patients receiving cancer treatment while ensuring the safe, efficient and compliant operation of aseptic services across the site. They act as an expert practitioner in adult haematology and oncology, providing specialist advice on systemic anti-cancer therapies (SACT), supportive care, palliative care and medicines optimisation.

The post holder serves as the Accountable Pharmacist for the Section 10 Aseptic Unit, holding responsibility for ensuring all aseptic preparation and cytotoxic chemotherapy services comply with current legislation, Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP), quality assurance standards and regulatory requirements. They will oversee the maintenance of pharmaceutical quality systems, risk management processes, capacity planning and continuous service improvement initiatives.

As a senior member of the Pharmacy Leadership Team, the Principal Pharmacist will contribute to Trust strategy, service transformation and workforce development. The role includes leading and managing a specialist pharmacy team, ensuring staff receive appropriate supervision, appraisal, training and professional development opportunities. The post holder will promote a culture of quality, innovation, inclusion and continuous improvement.

Working closely with consultants, nurses, operational managers and regional partners, the post holder will develop and implement policies, guidelines and business cases that support the delivery of safe, effective and financially sustainable cancer services. They will monitor medicines expenditure, identify opportunities for efficiencies and support the introduction of new medicines and technologies.

The role also includes responsibility for clinical audit, research and clinical trials activity, ensuring services remain evidence-based and aligned with national standards. The post holder will contribute to improving patient outcomes, enhancing patient experience and supporting the ongoing development of cancer and aseptic services across King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust.

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.