Lead Pharmacist - Oncology and Haematology

East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust; Ipswich; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading NHS organization is seeking a Lead Clinical Pharmacist to join their Oncology & Haematology team in Ipswich. The successful candidate will provide specialized pharmacy services, develop clinical guidelines, and support patient care directly. This fixed-term position is an excellent opportunity for those passionate about patient care and professional development in a supportive environment.

Benefits

Generous pension scheme

NHS discounts

27 days annual leave pro-rata

Qualifications

• Must be a registered non-medical prescriber.
• Experience in Oncology and Haemato-oncology is essential.
• Ability to develop clinical guidelines and chemotherapy protocols.

Responsibilities

• Provide clinical pharmacy service to Oncology & Haematology.
• Validate and check chemotherapy prescriptions.
• Support the Research and Development team in clinical trials.

Skills

Oncology knowledge

Non-medical prescribing

Clinical guidelines development

Risk management

Education

Registered Pharmacist

Job description

Have you got the enthusiasm and passion to take up the challenge of this vital Pharmacy position?

An opportunity has arisen for you to contribute to our team as a Lead Clinical Pharmacist within our Pharmacy Oncology & Haematology team. The post is fixed term to cover maternity until 1st January 2027.

The role will allow you to develop your skills and utilise your experience, knowledge and qualifications that you have gained and to enable you to move forward to the next level of your career. You will be required to use your knowledge of Oncology and Haemato‑oncology medicine to contribute effectively to the care of patients both directly and indirectly and to develop the clinical pharmacy service to In‑patients, Out‑patients and those being treated in the Woolverstone Macmillan Centre/Outreach clinics. You will need to be a registered non‑medical prescriber and be able to practice within designated clinics, liaising closely with the patient’s MDT. You will be involved in the production of clinical guidelines and chemotherapy protocols and their incorporation into the electronic prescribing system, also the validation and final checking of chemotherapy medicines with the Chemotherapy Preparation Unit. There will also be the opportunity to work closely with the Oncology Research Team and the investigation of risk management issues. Internal applicants currently employed by ESNEFT will be offered on a secondment basis only. The role is based at Ipswich, however you will be expected to contribute to the Clinical Divisional Group across both Ipswich & Colchester sites.

Responsibilities

• Provide a highly specialised clinical pharmacy service to the Oncology & Haematology Clinical Divisional Group (O&H CDG) including the in‑patient ward, day unit and out‑patient clinics.
• Develop the clinical pharmacy service within specified tumour types as determined by the Lead Pharmacist O&H.
• Develop clinical guidelines and protocols for the use of medicines within the O&H CDG speciality.
• Provide support to the O&H CDG by undertaking activities appropriate to an independent non‑medical prescriber as determined by the Lead Pharmacist O&H.
• Contribute to the provision of the chemotherapy preparation service by validating and final checking chemotherapy prescriptions.
• Contribute to the investigation of medicines‑related risk management incidents and audits and implement actions recommended from such investigations.
• Support the O&H CDG Research and development team with regard to the implementation and management of clinical trials and audits.
• Act as a Non‑medical prescriber supporting the prescribing to O&H patients on the ward/day unit.

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion

Equality Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) is at the heart of all we do; and it forms part of the ESNEFT’s core activities. The Trust operates and relies on everyone treating each other with dignity and respect, to receive equitable and fair treatment in the implementation of Policies, Procedures and in its Practices, to foster positive work relationships, and finally to act with integrity as a professional within ESNEFT as well as a representative of the NHS as a whole. The EDI Agenda reflects the Trust values such as Optimistic, Appreciative and Kind. In line with the NHS Long Term Plan, People Plan, People Promise and a Model Employer intrinsic in the Equality Diversity and Inclusion Agenda, we consistently strive to improve, to take the learning into Action for a better ESNEFT.

About the Trust

We are ESNEFT and we provide hospital and community health services to almost one million people across east Suffolk and north Essex. Our dedicated staff deliver care from acute hospitals in Colchester and Ipswich, community hospitals, surgeries, community clinics and in patients’ own homes. We are one of the largest NHS organisations in England, employing more than 12,000 staff. We pride ourselves on supporting our staff by offering a wide range of training and development opportunities, as well as flexible working options. We also offer a generous pension scheme, unsocial hours payments (where applicable), 27 days annual leave on commencement (pro‑rata) and access to a range of NHS discounts. Our Staff Health and Wellbeing programme offers a variety of services.

We invest in our commitment to Time Matters with a partnership with leading electronic patient record (EPR) supplier Epic. This digital transformation will bring what is widely regarded as the world’s best EPR system to ESNEFT, transforming life in hospital for staff and patients.

If you are passionate about patient care and want to develop your skills and knowledge, then we want to hear from you.