Lead Cancer Protocol Pharmacist

NHS; Guildford; On-site; GBP 64,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a leading cancer centre as a Lead Cancer Protocol Pharmacist, overseeing the development of vital treatment protocols and providing expert pharmaceutical support. You will collaborate closely with oncologists and contribute to high-quality patient care while engaging in professional development.

Benefits

Comprehensive health and wellbeing program

Career development support

Flexible working arrangements

Qualifications

• Registered Pharmacist with the General Pharmaceutical Council.
• 1 year pre-registration training required.
• Experience as a specialist oncology practitioner.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development of SACT and supportive care protocols.
• Provide training on SACT treatment algorithms.
• Identify cost-saving opportunities and new drug treatments.

Skills

Clinical knowledge

Clinical reasoning

Judgement

Team collaboration

Education

Master's degree in pharmacy

Post-graduate Diploma in Clinical Pharmacy

Qualified Independent Prescriber

Postgraduate oncology qualification

Job description

Job summary

We are excited to offer the role of Lead Cancer Protocol Pharmacist at the Royal Surrey Cancer Centre. This role has lead responsibility for the development of the highly regarded St Luke's systemic anti-cancer therapy (SACT) and supportive care protocols in collaboration with Consultant Oncologist/Haematologist colleagues. The post holder will manage the storage and access of protocols via the St Luke's website: https://www.royalsurrey.nhs.uk/chemotherapy-policies-and-protocols

The post holder would take a lead for entry of new medicines for Oncology/Haemato-Oncology, with opportunities to maintain clinical knowledge and skills as a specialised Oncology/Haemato-Oncology Pharmacist.The post includes specialist clinical cancer pharmacist support to NHS England National and South East Regional Teams, as defined in a separate Service Level Agreement (0.2WTE).

The successful applicant would join an experienced team of specialist pharmacy staff who provide a comprehensive service to oncology, haemato-oncology and surgical oncology patients. You would work closely with the teams in RSCH Pharmacy Limited (the satellite dispensary) and the Aseptic Unit but this role does not include any direct responsibilities in these areas.

This post requires a postgraduate clinical pharmacy qualification and specialist experience in oncology, haemato-oncology, and palliative care. We support relevant personal/career development training and consider flexible working arrangements.

Main duties of the job

The aim of this role is to lead the development of agreed systemic anti-cancer therapy (SACT) and supportive care treatment protocols and guidelines to ensure standardised evidence-based clinical practice across St Luke's Cancer Centre and partner Cancer Units (ASPH, FPH and SASH). This includes leading on the new medicines entry process within this specialty. The post holder will maintain clinical knowledge and skills in order to perform the role of a highly specialised Oncology/Haemato-Oncology Pharmacist.

About us

Royal Surrey is a compassionate and collaborative acute and community Trust. Recognising that our 5000 colleagues are our greatest strength, we offer a comprehensive health and wellbeing program along with a commitment to developing and advancing your career. Our diverse and welcoming Royal Surrey family will ensure you that you feel valued from your initial interview through your entire tenure.

We are clinically led and provide joined up care by bridging the gap between hospital and community services alongside regional specialist cancer care. Our main acute hospital site is in Guildford with community hospital sites at Milford, Haslemere and Cranleigh. We provide adult community health services in homes across Guildford and Waverley.

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) have given us an overall rating of Outstanding.

Royal Surrey has a strong reputation and history to build on. We are proud of our achievements and we are investing in our colleagues through our commitment to supporting professional development as well as investing more than £45 million in our physical environment and new equipment in the next few years. There has never been a better time to join us.

Although it isn't the Trusts normal practice, adverts may close early, so you are encouraged to submit an application as soon as possible.

A video about the Royal Surrey - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R96pMboIYdo

Details Date posted

10 June 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 8b

Salary

£64,337 to £74,415 a year (per annum) pro-rata -includes high cost area supplements (HCAS).

Contract

Fixed term

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

384-JH-EMF18471-8b

Job locations

Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust

Guildford

GU2 7XX

Job description Job responsibilities

Responsible for the development of protocols and guidelines for the St Lukes Cancer Centre and partner Cancer Units (ASPH, FPH and SASH) in collaboration with Consultant Oncologists/Haematologists. These reference the latest clinical evidence and commissioning guidance. They include:

o Tumour site specific treatment algorithmso Systemic anti-cancer therapy (SACT) treatment protocolso Supportive care protocolso Guidelines/protocols for the delivery of SACTo Guidelines/protocols for SACT-related acute oncology presentationso General SACT prescribing guidelinese.g. assessment of renal function, monitoring patient weight

Responsible for monitoring deviations from the agreed treatment algorithms/protocols (off protocol reporting).

Responsible for the provision of training to medical, nursing and pharmacy staff on SACT treatment algorithms/protocols and supportive care/toxicity management guidelines.

Responsible for the identification of new drug treatments or clinical guidance within the specialty that have financial implications, and support the management or implementation of these within the Trust (i.e. Horizon Scanning) in liaison with Deputy Chief Pharmacist Cancer, Aseptic and Research Services.

Responsible for the new medicines entry process for SACT (including compassionate use) and associated supportive care medicines, involving liaison with other areas of Pharmacy e.g.o Pharmacy Procuremento Pharmacy Aseptic Unito Pharmacy Dispensary (RSCH Pharmacy Limited)o Lead Electronic Prescribing Pharmacist (Chemotherapy)

Responsible for the development of SACT regimen-specific consent forms in collaboration with Consultant Oncologists/Haematologists.

Liaise with commissioners as required to ensure the Cancer Centre is operating within latest commissioning guidance e.g. NHS England / local Clinical Commissioning Groups.

Act as a resource in dealing with complex and contentious issues surrounding the use of high cost drugs, including the resolution of commissioner data challenges. Where required, ensure that commissioner approval at individual patient level is in place prior to treatment initiation.

Identify areas of potential cost-savings within the specialty and implement systems to realise savings and contain prescribing costs.

Work as a highly specialised practitioner, with tumour-site specific teams as required, to contribute to the delivery a comprehensive clinical pharmacy service to oncology, haemato-oncology and palliative care patients in accordance with objectives set by the Deputy Chief Pharmacist Cancer, Aseptic and Research Services.

Provide specialist clinical cancer pharmacist support to NHS England National Teams and the South East Regional Team with scope and responsibilities as defined in a separate Service Level Agreement (0.2WTE commitment).

Job description Job responsibilities

Responsible for the development of protocols and guidelines for the St Lukes Cancer Centre and partner Cancer Units (ASPH, FPH and SASH) in collaboration with Consultant Oncologists/Haematologists. These reference the latest clinical evidence and commissioning guidance. They include:

o Tumour site specific treatment algorithmso Systemic anti-cancer therapy (SACT) treatment protocolso Supportive care protocolso Guidelines/protocols for the delivery of SACTo Guidelines/protocols for SACT-related acute oncology presentationso General SACT prescribing guidelinese.g. assessment of renal function, monitoring patient weight

Responsible for monitoring deviations from the agreed treatment algorithms/protocols (off protocol reporting).

Responsible for the provision of training to medical, nursing and pharmacy staff on SACT treatment algorithms/protocols and supportive care/toxicity management guidelines.

Responsible for the identification of new drug treatments or clinical guidance within the specialty that have financial implications, and support the management or implementation of these within the Trust (i.e. Horizon Scanning) in liaison with Deputy Chief Pharmacist Cancer, Aseptic and Research Services.

Responsible for the new medicines entry process for SACT (including compassionate use) and associated supportive care medicines, involving liaison with other areas of Pharmacy e.g.o Pharmacy Procuremento Pharmacy Aseptic Unito Pharmacy Dispensary (RSCH Pharmacy Limited)o Lead Electronic Prescribing Pharmacist (Chemotherapy)

Responsible for the development of SACT regimen-specific consent forms in collaboration with Consultant Oncologists/Haematologists.

Liaise with commissioners as required to ensure the Cancer Centre is operating within latest commissioning guidance e.g. NHS England / local Clinical Commissioning Groups.

Act as a resource in dealing with complex and contentious issues surrounding the use of high cost drugs, including the resolution of commissioner data challenges. Where required, ensure that commissioner approval at individual patient level is in place prior to treatment initiation.

Identify areas of potential cost-savings within the specialty and implement systems to realise savings and contain prescribing costs.

Work as a highly specialised practitioner, with tumour-site specific teams as required, to contribute to the delivery a comprehensive clinical pharmacy service to oncology, haemato-oncology and palliative care patients in accordance with objectives set by the Deputy Chief Pharmacist Cancer, Aseptic and Research Services.

Provide specialist clinical cancer pharmacist support to NHS England National Teams and the South East Regional Team with scope and responsibilities as defined in a separate Service Level Agreement (0.2WTE commitment).

Person Specification Qualifications Essential

• Master's degree in pharmacy or equivalent and 1 year pre-registration training
• Registered Pharmacist with the General Pharmaceutical Council (Great Britain)
• Post-graduate Diploma in Clinical Pharmacy or equivalent
• Qualified Independent Prescriber (IP) or willingness to undertake this training

Desirable

• Postgraduate oncology/haemato-oncology qualification
• Member of British Oncology Pharmacy Association (BOPA)
• Member of Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS)

Knowledge Essential

• Professional knowledge acquired through vocational Master's degree in pharmacy or equivalent
• Advanced level core therapeutic knowledge and clinical skills as gained through postgraduate clinical pharmacy diploma (or equivalent)
• Demonstrates high level of clinical knowledge, clinical reasoning and judgement; manages difficult and ambiguous problems
• Specialist oncology/haemato-oncology/palliative care clinical knowledge and skills as developed through postgraduate education, experience and CPD including conferences, courses etc.
• Demonstrable experience as a specialist oncology/haemato-oncology practitioner in hospital clinical pharmacy
• Experience of working in a supervisory role and as a line manager within a hospital pharmacy environment
• Evidence of working effectively within multidisciplinary groups
• Previous experience of delivering training and education at postgraduate level
• Evidence of practice research or audit
• Experience of formally interacting with senior clinicians and managers

Person Specification Qualifications Essential

• Master's degree in pharmacy or equivalent and 1 year pre-registration training
• Registered Pharmacist with the General Pharmaceutical Council (Great Britain)
• Post-graduate Diploma in Clinical Pharmacy or equivalent
• Qualified Independent Prescriber (IP) or willingness to undertake this training

Desirable

• Postgraduate oncology/haemato-oncology qualification
• Member of British Oncology Pharmacy Association (BOPA)
• Member of Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS)

Knowledge Essential

• Professional knowledge acquired through vocational Master's degree in pharmacy or equivalent
• Advanced level core therapeutic knowledge and clinical skills as gained through postgraduate clinical pharmacy diploma (or equivalent)
• Demonstrates high level of clinical knowledge, clinical reasoning and judgement; manages difficult and ambiguous problems
• Specialist oncology/haemato-oncology/palliative care clinical knowledge and skills as developed through postgraduate education, experience and CPD including conferences, courses etc.
• Demonstrable experience as a specialist oncology/haemato-oncology practitioner in hospital clinical pharmacy
• Experience of working in a supervisory role and as a line manager within a hospital pharmacy environment
• Evidence of working effectively within multidisciplinary groups
• Previous experience of delivering training and education at postgraduate level
• Evidence of practice research or audit
• Experience of formally interacting with senior clinicians and managers

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

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).

Employer details Employer name

Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust

Guildford

GU2 7XX

Employer's website

https://www.royalsurrey.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details Employer name

Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust

Guildford

GU2 7XX

Employer's website

https://www.royalsurrey.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)