About this role
Job summary
This fixed term maternity cover opportunity for the Principal Pharmacist - Cancer and Aseptic Services role is a senior leadership post within the Pharmacy Department at Princess Royal University Hospital (PRUH), providing strategic, clinical and operational leadership for cancer pharmacy and aseptic services. The post holder is responsible for ensuring the safe, effective and patient-centred delivery of pharmaceutical care for patients receiving systemic anti-cancer therapy (SACT), as well as leading the development and governance of cancer and aseptic services across the site.
As an expert practitioner in adult haematology and oncology, the post holder will provide highly specialised clinical expertise, support multidisciplinary decision-making, and lead the delivery of evidence-based pharmaceutical care. The role includes accountability for the safe and compliant operation of the Section 10 Aseptic Unit, acting as the Accountable Pharmacist and ensuring adherence to all legal, regulatory, quality assurance and Good Manufacturing Practice requirements.
Working as a key member of the Pharmacy Leadership Team, the post holder will contribute to Trust-wide strategic objectives, service development, clinical governance, workforce planning and continuous quality improvement.
The post holder will promote a culture of excellence, safety and continuous professional development.
Main duties of the job
Provide professional, clinical and managerial leadership for Cancer and Aseptic Services at PRUH, ensuring delivery of safe, effective and patient-focused pharmaceutical care. Act as the Trust's specialist pharmacist for haematology and oncology services, providing expert advice on systemic anti-cancer therapy (SACT), cancer medicines and complex patient management. Lead the governance, development and continuous improvement of cancer pharmacy services, ensuring compliance with national standards, clinical governance requirements and best practice. Serve as the Accountable Pharmacist for the Section 10 Aseptic Unit, overseeing the safe manufacture, release and quality assurance of cytotoxic and aseptically prepared medicines. Ensure compliance with relevant legislation, Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP), Good Clinical Practice (GCP), quality assurance standards and health and safety requirements. Lead and participate in multidisciplinary working to support optimal treatment outcomes, medicines optimisation and patient experience across oncology, haematology and palliative care services. Lead and support clinical audit, research and clinical trials activity, contributing to service evaluation, publication and the advancement of pharmacy practice. Deputise for the Associate Chief Pharmacist - Aseptic Services when required and contribute to Trust-wide strategic initiatives and cross-site service development.
About us
The Trust provides a full range of local and specialist services across its five sites. In June 2026, we launched our new strategy for 2026-31. Our vision is to transform healthcare, and we have agreed six strategic ambitions to help us improve care for patients, and the working lives of our staff.
Our six strategic ambitions are deliveringhigh-quality patient care; creating a great place to work; leading pioneering research, innovation and education; building strong and successful partnerships; providing timely and efficient care; and ensuring long-term financial sustainability.
We have also agreed four new organisational values - Caring, Collaborative, Inclusive, Innovative - and these underpin everything we do, and how our teams interact with the patients under our care.
We are at a pivotal point in our history and we require individuals who are ready to join a highly professional team and make a real, lasting difference to our patients and our people.
King's is committed to delivering Sustainable Healthcare for All via our Green Plan. In line with national Greener NHS ambitions, we have set net zero carbon targets of 2040 for our NHS Carbon Footprint and 2045 for our NHS Carbon Footprint Plus. Everyone's contribution is required in order to meet the goals set out in our Green Plan and we encourage all staff to work responsibly, minimising their contributions to the Trust's carbon emissions, waste and pollution wherever possible.
Job description Job responsibilities
The Principal Pharmacist - Cancer and Aseptic Services provides senior professional, clinical and operational leadership for cancer pharmacy and aseptic services at Princess Royal University Hospital. The post holder is responsible for delivering high-quality, patient-centred pharmaceutical care for patients receiving cancer treatment while ensuring the safe, efficient and compliant operation of aseptic services across the site. They act as an expert practitioner in adult haematology and oncology, providing specialist advice on systemic anti-cancer therapies (SACT), supportive care, palliative care and medicines optimisation.
The post holder serves as the Accountable Pharmacist for the Section 10 Aseptic Unit, holding responsibility for ensuring all aseptic preparation and cytotoxic chemotherapy services comply with current legislation, Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP), quality assurance standards and regulatory requirements. They will oversee the maintenance of pharmaceutical quality systems, risk management processes, capacity planning and continuous service improvement initiatives.
As a senior member of the Pharmacy Leadership Team, the Principal Pharmacist will contribute to Trust strategy, service transformation and workforce development. The role includes leading and managing a specialist pharmacy team, ensuring staff receive appropriate supervision, appraisal, training and professional development opportunities. The post holder will promote a culture of quality, innovation, inclusion and continuous improvement.
Working closely with consultants, nurses, operational managers and regional partners, the post holder will develop and implement policies, guidelines and business cases that support the delivery of safe, effective and financially sustainable cancer services. They will monitor medicines expenditure, identify opportunities for efficiencies and support the introduction of new medicines and technologies.
The role also includes responsibility for clinical audit, research and clinical trials activity, ensuring services remain evidence-based and aligned with national standards. The post holder will contribute to improving patient outcomes, enhancing patient experience and supporting the ongoing development of cancer and aseptic services across King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust.
Person Specification
Education and Qualifications Essential
Masters degree - MPharm Competency assessed and examined professional registration with GPhC Specialist higher qualification (Diploma) in Clinical Pharmacy or equivalent qualification / experience
Desirable
Member of the Royal College Pharmacy (RCP) Leadership / project management qualification/certification
Knowledge and Experience Essential
Knowledge of GMP, GCP, QA and regulations and legislation relevant to aseptic services Experience with clinical ward cover, including haematology/oncology wards Knowledge of regulations and legislation relevant to Clinical Trials Extensive experience of clinical pharmacy practice Post registration experience relevant to Pharmacy Aseptic Services
Skills and Competencies Essential
Can provide highly complex Information on medicines use, clinical pharmacy and financial issues to all levels of healthcare professionals Experience of line management, appraisal, recruitment and performance management
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.
Certificate of Sponsorship Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Employer details Employer name King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Address Princess Royal University Hospital
Farnborough Common
Orpington
BR6 8ND
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.kch.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)