Job Description

County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust is one of the largest integrated care providers in England, serving a population of around 600,000 people. We are a high performing organisation with a track record of success.
As a pharmacy service we pride ourselves in working at the leading edge of clinical pharmacy practice and medicines management with our teams achieving national recognition for innovative, high-quality patient care.
One of our Cancer Pharmacists has moved to a Consultant post, meaning we are looking for a reliable and forward thinking Senior Cancer Services Pharmacist to join the CDDFT team.
The post will be based at Darlington Memorial Hospital working in the Aseptic Unit supporting the provision of chemotherapy to three locations around the region, with the potential for future outpatient chemotherapy clinics.
Main duties of the job
The post-holder will work as part of our Pharmacy Cancer Services team based in the Darlington Aseptic Unit in the Pharmacy Department.
They will be the lead for training rotational and foundation year pharmacists during their time working in the unit.
The role includes in-depth clinical screening of new chemotherapy patients, screening cancer prescriptions and releasing aseptically prepared items from the S10 Aseptic Unit. The Trust supplies chemotherapy to 3 different locations, and works with clinicians from both James Cook University Hospital and Newcastle University Teaching Hospitals using the ChemoCare prescribing system.
About us
If you are being interviewed you must accept an interview slot in the system to continue, even if you have arranged with the manager
You must be able to produce ALL certificates stated essential in the person specification or you will not be able to complete pre-employment checks
We provide hospital services from two acute sites - Darlington Memorial Hospital and University Hospital of North Durham. We have a centre for planned care in Bishop Auckland and provide care from community hospitals in Chester-le-Street, Shotley Bridge, Barnard Castle, Sedgefield and Weardale as well as over 80 other community based settings and providing care in patients' homes.
We particularly welcome applications from disabled and Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) candidates as BAME and disabled people are currently under-represented
Full s can be found in the adverts supporting documents
Over reliance on AI-generated content is discouraged and may diminish the applicant's chances of success
For the most up-to-date information on visa requirements and eligibility, please check online to determine whether you can apply.
From April 9th 2025 - Healthcare assistants - You must have a minimum of two years of experience working within the NHS as a HCA for the Trust to consider sponsorship (we will only consider sponsorship if you meet this criteria and have a current visa expiring within 3 months)
Details
Date posted
16 July 2025
Pay scheme
Agenda for change
Band
Band 8a
Salary
55,690 to 62,682 a year per annum, pro rata
Contract
Permanent
Working pattern
Full-time, Part-time
Reference number
C9439-2526-0027-1
Job locations
Darlington Memorial Hospital NHS Trust
Hollyhurst Road
Darlington
County Durham
DL3 6HX
Job description
Job responsibilities
The post holder will help lead and manage a team of pharmacy staff and is responsible for managing the delivery of safe, effective and efficient pharmacy and medicines management services to a defined group of patients and service users
To act as an Authorised Pharmacist providing supervision of the Aseptic Unit
To provide and support the delivery and development of pharmacy and medicine management services within the trust, including involvement in research and audit
To maintain and develop a portfolio of personal clinical activity within the trust at a level commensurate with an advanced pharmacist.
To lead on education and training for pharmacists in the Cancer Services team
To provide expert advice in their specialist field to all members of the directorate, the Trust and the wider health economy.
To employ models of practice that recognises the needs of patients and carers whilst maintaining practice that is embedded in the principles of risk minimisation and patient safety
To supervise, support and develop other pharmacy staff, in particular junior pharmacists, pre-registration pharmacists, and other Trust personnel as required
To monitor the practice of other healthcare providers, including medical staff, to ensure that prescribing and medicines use is safe and effective for patients. This would include the resolution of local prescribing issues and contribution to the education and training of clinical and non-clinical staff to promote safe and effective medicines use within the trust. Job description
Job responsibilities
The post holder will help lead and manage a team of pharmacy staff and is responsible for managing the delivery of safe, effective and efficient pharmacy and medicines management services to a defined group of patients and service users
To act as an Authorised Pharmacist providing supervision of the Aseptic Unit
To provide and support the delivery and development of pharmacy and medicine management services within the trust, including involvement in research and audit
To maintain and develop a portfolio of personal clinical activity within the trust at a level commensurate with an advanced pharmacist.
To lead on education and training for pharmacists in the Cancer Services team
To provide expert advice in their specialist field to all members of the directorate, the Trust and the wider health economy.
To employ models of practice that recognises the needs of patients and carers whilst maintaining practice that is embedded in the principles of risk minimisation and patient safety
To supervise, support and develop other pharmacy staff, in particular junior pharmacists, pre-registration pharmacists, and other Trust personnel as required
To monitor the practice of other healthcare providers, including medical staff, to ensure that prescribing and medicines use is safe and effective for patients. This would include the resolution of local prescribing issues and contribution to the education and training of clinical and non-clinical staff to promote safe and effective medicines use within the trust.
Person Specification
Statutory Registration
Essential

• Registered as a Practising Pharmacist with the GPhC

Desirable

• Membership of RPS

Special Skills & Knowledge
Essential

• Formal training in Aseptic Services Good understanding of current pharmacy / NHS issues Demonstrable chemotherapy expertise and specialist knowledge.
• Ability to apply theoretical knowledge to the clinical situation Good oral and written communication skills Good presentation skills.
• Able to build good relationships with colleagues and influence the practice and behaviours of others in a positive way. Demonstrable prioritisation, organisational, decision- making, time-management and interpersonal skills. Self-motivation and ability to motivate others. Team player
• Desire to develop clinical skills
• Reliable work record

Desirable

• Ability to demonstrate an area of expertise within a field of pharmacy practice
• Evidence of active contribution to relevant specialist interest groups Record of research and/or audit and/or scholarly publications

Experience
Essential

• Sufficient experience to be able to provide highly developed near-patient clinical pharmacy services.
• Able to work as an autonomous practitioner in all areas of pharmacy practice.
• Experience of developing good multidisciplinary working relationships. Experience of providing directorate pharmacist services e.g. drug cost reports, drug usage reviews, specialist drug information etc. Experience in audit and service development

Desirable

• Experience of managing a team. Experience of providing basic HR support.
• Practice Research experience. Contribution to publications / conference presentations

Qualifications
Essential

• Masters Degree in Pharmacy or equivalent. Relevant post graduate clinical qualification (to at least diploma level). Evidence of CPD and education. Qualified Pharmacist Independent Prescriber or working towards the qualification.

Desirable

• Post graduate Masters qualification in a relevant subject. Post graduate management qualification. Formal qualification in Technical Services

Person Specification
Statutory Registration
Essential

• Registered as a Practising Pharmacist with the GPhC

Desirable

• Membership of RPS

Special Skills & Knowledge
Essential

• Formal training in Aseptic Services Good understanding of current pharmacy / NHS issues Demonstrable chemotherapy expertise and specialist knowledge.
• Ability to apply theoretical knowledge to the clinical situation Good oral and written communication skills Good presentation skills.
• Able to build good relationships with colleagues and influence the practice and behaviours of others in a positive way. Demonstrable prioritisation, organisational, decision- making, time-management and interpersonal skills. Self-motivation and ability to motivate others. Team player
• Desire to develop clinical skills
• Reliable work record

Desirable

• Ability to demonstrate an area of expertise within a field of pharmacy practice
• Evidence of active contribution to relevant specialist interest groups Record of research and/or audit and/or scholarly publications

Experience
Essential

• Sufficient experience to be able to provide highly developed near-patient clinical pharmacy services.
• Able to work as an autonomous practitioner in all areas of pharmacy practice.
• Experience of developing good multidisciplinary working relationships. Experience of providing directorate pharmacist services e.g. drug cost reports, drug usage reviews, specialist drug information etc. Experience in audit and service development

Desirable

• Experience of managing a team. Experience of providing basic HR support.
• Practice Research experience. Contribution to publications / conference presentations

Qualifications
Essential

• Masters Degree in Pharmacy or equivalent. Relevant post graduate clinical qualification (to at least diploma level). Evidence of CPD and education. Qualified Pharmacist Independent Prescriber or working towards the qualification.

Desirable

• Post graduate Masters qualification in a relevant subject. Post graduate management qualification. Formal qualification in Technical Services