Band 8a Advanced Pharmacist Technical/Cancer Services

Job summary

We have an exciting opportunity for an Advanced Pharmacist in West Hertfordshire Hospital NHS Trust to join the Pharmacy Technical/Cancer Services Department at Watford General Hospital. You will be responsible for supporting the Pharmacy Technical/Cancer Services manager in leading, delivering, developing, and evaluating high-quality pharmacy services within Technical and Cancer Services. You will provide expert advice on pharmaceutical matters, manage risk, and ensure compliance with medicines legislation. You will also facilitate and support the efficient and cost-effective use of medicines, provide professional and legal supervision in the Pharmacy Technical Services Department, and manage the day-to-day operation of the Technical Service to ensure all activities comply with current clinical, GCP, GMP, and NHS QA guidelines.

Main duties of the job

As an Advanced Pharmacist Technical/Cancer Services, you will be responsible for supporting Quality Assurance activities for GMP operations under MHRA licences and for unlicensed aseptic compounding. You will provide pharmaceutical and technical guidance directly to patients, carers, and ward staff. You will be managing and coordinating clinical audits and research projects within your specialty area. You will support the department in achieving financial targets, including income generation and expenditure control. You will contribute to maintaining Pharmaceutical Quality Systems, including handling Deviations, Change Controls, Risk management, Non-compliances, Root Cause Analyses, Complaints, and Recalls. You will support initiatives to improve service provision, technical processes, and ensure consistent high standards within the Pharmacy Technical Services Department.

About us

Here at NHS Professionals, we run England''s largest NHS staff bank and are experts at putting people in places to care. Every year we help thousands of dedicated and highly skilled NHS workers enjoy better career opportunities, more flexible shifts, and a healthier work-life balance across our partnered Trusts.

Career Progression access to Learning & Development opportunities, so that you can take on new roles and challenges

Work-life Balance flexible shifts, committed shifts, wellbeing resources and build paid annual leave

Opportunity & Access over 50 partner NHS Trusts to give you the flexibility of choice to work how and where you want

Job Roles & Responsibilities

• To lead the strategic planning and development of Clinical Pharmacy Services in Haematology and Oncology, ensuring services are high-quality, cost-effective, and aligned with departmental objectives.
• To manage and supervise all staff within Technical/Cancer Services, including recruitment, daily scheduling, performance reviews, training, and professional development to maintain operational efficiency.
• To provide specialist advice on cancer therapies and complex medicines, including guidance on administration, formulation, and patient-specific treatment strategies, supporting safe and effective clinical decision-making.
• To oversee and ensure compliance with all regulatory and legal requirements, including MHRA, GMP, and NHS standards, for aseptic compounding, cytotoxic products, and other specialised pharmaceutical operations.
• To implement and maintain pharmacy IT systems and electronic prescribing platforms, ensuring accurate data capture, reporting, and integration across departments and supporting decision-making and quality improvement initiatives.
• To lead education, training, and professional development programmes for pharmacy staff, students, and multidisciplinary colleagues, including mentoring, competency assessments, and supporting research, clinical trials, and CPD activities.

Person Specifications & Qualifications

• MPharm or equivalent degree with registration with the General Pharmaceutical Council.
• Post-registration hospital pharmacy experience, including clinical services for Haematology and Oncology patients.
• Extensive technical pharmacy production experience, including GMP, clinical trials, and chemotherapy services.
• Experience with electronic prescribing systems, including ChemoCare, Ascribe/EMIS, or Cerner EPR.
• Proven skills in medicines reconciliation, counselling, clinical interventions, and multidisciplinary team working.

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.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details

NHS Professionals Limited

Location

Watford General Hospital, 60 Vicarage Road,
Watford, WD18 0HB

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