Job overview
University Hospitals Sussex greatly values its SACT pharmacy team, which has grown significantly in both expertise and capacity in recent years. We are now delighted to offer a fixed‑term or secondment opportunity for an experienced pharmacist to join us as ourLead Haematology Pharmacist.
You will be joining a highly skilled and well‑established team of SACT pharmacists at an exciting time of service development. We are expanding our clinical pharmacy workforce and increasing our patient‑facing services across cancer pathways. In this role, you will work across all areas of SACT pharmacy while developing your specialist haematology expertise and contributing to the continued enhancement of the service.
Prescribing skills are welcomed but not essential, and the post offers opportunities to develop the clinical experience needed to progress towards non‑medical prescribing in future roles.
As a core member of the SACT service, you will work closely with the medical, nursing and wider multidisciplinary teams to deliver safe, effective and compassionate care for patients receiving systemic anti‑cancer therapy.
We are seeking a dynamic, proactive and motivated pharmacist who is keen to drive service improvement and support innovation within cancer services. If you are ready to take the next step in your career, broaden your specialist knowledge and gain valuable leadership experience, this role provides an excellent opportunity to do so.
Main duties of the job
As Lead Pharmacist for Cancer Services – Haematology, you will provide highly specialist clinical pharmacy expertise to the multidisciplinary haematology service at Worthing Hospital. You will act as the senior pharmacy lead for haematology, ensuring the safe, effective and evidence‑based use of SACT across inpatient and outpatient pathways.
You will deliver advanced clinical input at clinics, ward rounds, and MDTs; oversee the screening of SACT prescriptions; and support the planning and coordination of chemotherapy production with the aseptic unit. The role includes leading service development, clinical governance, policy and guideline production, and contributing to quality improvement and safety initiatives across cancer pharmacy services.
You will also be responsible for the training, supervision, and professional development of pharmacists, technicians and other staff involved in cancer care, acting as a role model for advanced clinical pharmacy practice. The post holder will work collaboratively with colleagues across UHSussex and the wider cancer network to support high‑quality, patient‑centred care.
We welcome applications from GPhC‑registered pharmacists with relevant postgraduate qualifications and experience working at, or ready to progress to, a specialist level. Call and have a chat or even better come and see us if convenient.
Working for our organisation
At UHSussex, diversity is our strength, and we want you to feel included to help us always deliver Excellent Care Everywhere, as shown in our Outstanding for Caring CQC rating. Your uniqueness and experiences will be part of our creative and innovative community where everyone is encouraged to succeed. We have a range of staff networks to help break down barriers, and can offer a buddy to help new members settle in. We’re proud to be a Disability Confident Employer (Level 3) and a Veteran Aware Trust.
We look forward to receiving your application & the start of your journey with UHSx.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
This role is eligible for visa sponsorship under the UK Visas & Immigration (UKVI) Skilled Worker route. Sponsorship can only be provided where applicants meet the specific requirements set by UKVI, including the relevant skill and salary thresholds, and any role-specific criteria. For example, applicants for the Senior HCA role must be able to evidence a minimum of 2 years’ experience in the same role to qualify for sponsorship.
If you are applying using a Graduate visa as your right to work, you must have a minimum of 18 months remaining on your visa at time of application.
You will lead and develop the clinical pharmacy service for haematology, providing expert pharmaceutical advice to clinicians, patients and carers. You will integrate fully within the haematology MDT and contribute to excellent patient care through clinical screening, medicines optimisation, prescribing support (if NMP‑qualified), and participation in pre‑chemotherapy consultations.
You will ensure robust governance for cancer medicines, including authoring and reviewing Trust‑wide SOPs, policies and treatment guidelines. You will support safe SACT prescribing in line with national guidance, local protocols, NICE and Cancer Drugs Fund requirements.
The post holder will champion service improvement, lead audits and quality improvement projects, and contribute to strategic planning for cancer pharmacy services across the Trust. You will line‑manage and support the development of pharmacy colleagues, delivering teaching, training and competency assessment for staff involved in cancer care.
The role requires strong communication skills, advanced clinical judgement, and the ability to work autonomously while developing effective relationships across pharmacy, cancer services, and external partners. You will contribute to research activities, clinical trials support, and the wider UHSussex strategy to deliver Excellent Care Everywhere.
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
1. Registered Pharmacist
Qualifications
Essential criteria
2. BSc (Pharmacy) / BPharm / MPharm Further post-graduate qualification in Clinical Pharmacy at diploma level or higher
Experience
Essential criteria
3. Previous experience working in cancer services
Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion
Essential criteria
4. Evidence of having undertaken own development to improve understanding of equalities issues
5. Evidence of having championed diversity in previous roles (as appropriate to role).
Important information for applicants:
A Note on AI Use in Applications
We value the individuality and authenticity that each candidate brings to the application process. While AI tools are increasingly accessible, we strongly discourage their use in completing your application. Your responses should reflect your own voice, experiences, and motivations—elements that are essential to a fair and accurate evaluation.
Applications that rely heavily on AI-generated content may misrepresent your abilities and could result in your application being rejected. We encourage you to take the time to present your genuine self, as this helps us better understand your potential and ensures a transparent selection process.
Closing Adverts Early: In the event of exceptional interest, we may close adverts earlier than specified.
Some of our adverts are capped for a limited number of applications; therefore, the advert will close once the cap has been reached. We therefore encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible if you are interested in the position to prevent you from missing out on applying for the opportunity.
Flexible Working: If you would like to explore potential options regarding flexible working please speak with the appropriate recruiting/line manager.
DBS Checks: As part of our commitment to a safe working environment, we undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service check on all new employees where the role is eligible for a criminal record check. We make offers in line with the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1975.
Skilled Worker Visa: Applications for Skilled Worker sponsorship are welcome for the roles that meet the Visa and Immigrations eligibility criteria. For further information please visit the gov.uk website searching for Skilled Worker. It is your responsibility as the applicant to ensure that you meet this criteria.
UHSussex reserves the right to close the role early if we receive a high volume of applications