Lead Pharmacist – Children’s and Young People Cancer Network
The closing date is 17 June 2026
An experienced and motivated oncology pharmacist is required to join the West Midlands Children’s and Young People Cancer Network as the Network Lead Pharmacist. This regional role will provide strategic and clinical leadership for Children’s and Teenage & Young Adult (TYA) cancer pharmacy services across the West Midlands, working closely with Principal Treatment Centres, Paediatric Oncology Shared Care Units (POSCUs), TYA Designated Hospitals, the Cancer Alliance and NHS England.
The postholder will lead and support key regional workstreams relating to systemic anti‑cancer therapy (SACT) governance, medicines optimisation, protocol standardisation, ePrescribing/ChemoCare development, workforce development and quality improvement. The role offers the opportunity to shape and influence regional cancer pharmacy practice, improve consistency of care, and support safer, more effective CYP and TYA cancer services across the Network.
Key Responsibilities
* Provide strategic, professional and clinical pharmacy leadership across the West Midlands Children’s and Young People Cancer Network.
* Lead regional work on SACT governance, protocol standardisation, medicines optimisation and ePrescribing for Principal Treatment Centres and POSCUs.
* Develop and implement regional governance processes, interpret SACT data, reduce unwarranted variation and implement network‑wide improvements aligned to national service specifications.
* Work closely with pharmacy, medical, nursing and operational teams across multiple organisations, providing expert advice on complex oncology pharmacy issues.
* Support workforce development and education, contribute to service development, quality improvement and business planning across CYP and TYA cancer services.
Qualifications
* MPharm or equivalent (or BPharm/BSc Hons for those qualified before 2002).
* Registration with the General Pharmaceutical Council.
* Postgraduate Diploma/MSc in Clinical Pharmacy or Independent Prescriber.
* Member of a relevant national specialist pharmacist group with an active role in developing specialist pharmacy practice.
* Qualified as a pharmacist independent prescriber and actively prescribing in practice.
* Leadership and/or management qualifications.
* MSc in clinical pharmacy or higher research degree (MPhil or PhD).
* Postgraduate qualification in a relevant clinical speciality.
* Evidence of advanced practice (e.g., RPS Advanced Pharmacy framework) or working toward credentialing.
* Membership of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society.
Experience
* Extensive previous hospital pharmacy experience.
* Extensive experience delivering clinical pharmacy services at a specialist level to adult and/or paediatric oncology/haematology at an individual patient and wider service basis.
* In‑depth pharmaceutical skills and knowledge within the speciality, including highly specialist review and advice on safe use of medicines.
* Expert knowledge of national policy, strategy, guidance and evidence base relating to the speciality and breadth across a wide range of clinical areas.
* Experience of electronic prescribing and administration systems.
* Experience of developing and implementing medicines and service‑related policies for a speciality/division and managing risk.
* Experience of leading projects and managing change, with evidence of completed outcomes.
* Publication of audit/research/clinical work at national level.
* Experience of working on national groups and delivering a clinical pharmacy service to a directorate/cluster of services.
* Excellent leadership and management skills.
Analytical and Judgement Skills
* Work with a high level of professional autonomy.
* Assess and minimise risk associated with service provision and medication processes.
* Make judgements involving highly complex facts, requiring critical evaluation, interpretation and options appraisal.
* Critically analyse information and evidence and communicate findings clearly in simple terms.
* Incorporate innovative and best practice into current practice, assessing at national level.
Professional / Managerial / Specialist Knowledge
* Flexible and able to manage change in a complex healthcare environment.
* Motivated by the desire to improve patient outcomes.
* Excellent organisational skills, motivating others, managing time effectively and meeting deadlines under pressure.
* Positive thinker, problem solver, lateral thinker for new ideas.
* Plan and organise new services and develop existing services.
* Self‑motivated and proactive.
* Support departmental and service‑level budget planning for resources (e.g., staff, medicines).
Personal Skills / Abilities and Attributes
* Good computer literacy, word processing and keyboard skills.
* Sound knowledge of Word, Excel, Power‑point and ability to retrieve information from the internet.
Other Requirements
* Well‑motivated, conscientious, accurate and reliable.
* Professional, credible, accountable, responsible and confident.
* Commitment to life‑long learning and professional development.
* Prepared to work flexible hours over a 7‑day shifted pattern of work.
* Ability to concentrate for long periods of time.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975. A submission for Disclosure to the Disclosure and Barring Service will be required.
Contract Details
* Fixed term – 12 months.
* Full‑time, flexible working, compressed hours.
* Salary: £66,582 to £77,368 per annum / pro rota.
Our Trust is committed to creating the best place to work. We promote inclusion, diversity and equality and encourage applications from all areas of the community, regardless of age, gender identity, disability, race, religion or sexual orientation.
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