Palliative Care Pharmacist

Job summaryThe Palliative Care Pharmacist is the lead pharmacist for
Rotherham Hospice and provides strategic and operational leadership and
medicines advice for safe, effective and person centred use of medicines across
all hospice services.Main duties of the jobWorking as part of the Care Navigation hub, the post holder works with the Head of Care Navigation, Triage Manager, Doctors, Advanced Clinical Practitioners (ACPs) and Clinical Nurse Specialists (CNS) with expert advice on medicines, prescribing and stewardship. They oversee the onsite drugs room, work closely with TRFT pharmacy services for medicines supply, and lead the hospice transition to e prescribing.The Palliative Care Pharmacist is responsible for clinical pharmacy services, medicines governance, policies and audits, and for ensuring that medicines support Living Lifes Wishes, helping patients to manage symptoms and maintain quality of life in the safest and most effective way possible.About usRotherham Hospice is a charity dedicated to the people of Rotherham, offering specialist palliative and end of life care to our community since 1996.We provide comprehensive, compassionate care through two primary patient services:24-hour, 14-bed Inpatient Service24-hour Hospice at Home ServiceAdditionally, we offer wider support to patients and their families through:Complementary therapies & hairdressingCounselling and Bereavement Support for adults, children and teenagersDay services with individual and group sessionsFamily memory eventsOccupation therapy and physiotherapySocial workSpiritual careTailored experiences for patients and loved onesDetailsDate posted29 October 2026Pay schemeOtherSalary
47,810 to 54,710 a year

ContractPermanentWorking pattern

Full-time

Reference numberB0109-26-0015Job locationsBroom RoadRotherhamSouth YorkshireS60 2SWUnited KingdomJob descriptionJob responsibilitiesClinical Responsibilities
Deliver
expert pharmaceutical care to hospice inpatients, day patients, and community
patients where applicable
Review
and optimise medication regimens for symptom control e.g. pain, nausea,
agitation, breathlessness
Provide
advice on complex prescribing, including syringe drivers and anticipatory
medications
Support
deprescribing and rationalisation of medicines in line with patient goals of
care
Monitor
for adverse drug reactions and interactions, particularly in frail and complex
patients
Participate
in ward rounds and multidisciplinary team (MDT) meetingsMedicines Management
Ensure
the safe, legal, and effective supply of medicines within the hospice
Oversee
controlled drugs management in accordance with UK legislation
Develop
and implement policies, guidelines, and standard operating procedures
Support
audit and quality improvement initiatives related to medicines use
Contribute
to formulary development and cost-effective prescribingEducation and Training
Provide
training and education to healthcare professionals on palliative care
pharmacotherapy
Support
the development of junior pharmacists, nurses, and medical staff
Offer
guidance to patients and carers on medication use, including administration and
side effectsPatient and Family Support
Provide
compassionate, patient-centred counselling on medicines
Support
patients and families in understanding treatment options and symptom management
Contribute
to advance care planning discussions where appropriateGovernance and Quality
Participate
in clinical audit, research, and service evaluation
Ensure
compliance with professional standards e.g. GPhC, NICE, local policies
Contribute
to risk management and incident reporting processes
E
prescribing preparation and implementation
Lead
the planning and implementation of e prescribing within the hospice, working
with clinical, IT and external partners.
Contribute
to system design, testing, training and go live planning to ensure safe and
user friendly e prescribing processes.
Develop
and maintain associated policies, procedures and guidance for e prescribing and
medicines administration.
Team
leadership and development
Line
manage and support the Pharmacy Technician, ensuring regular supervision,
appraisal and development.
Promote
a culture of openness, learning and high standards within the pharmacy and Care
Navigation teams.General
Act
at all times in line with the values and behaviours of Rotherham Hospice.
Ensure
compliance with hospice policies, including health and safety, infection
prevention and control, safeguarding, lone working, information governance and
confidentiality.
Participate
in meetings, training and mandatory updates as required.
Undertake
any other duties commensurate with the role and grade, as agreed with the Head
of Care Navigation.
Job description
Job responsibilitiesClinical Responsibilities
Deliver
expert pharmaceutical care to hospice inpatients, day patients, and community
patients where applicable
Review
and optimise medication regimens for symptom control e.g. pain, nausea,
agitation, breathlessness
Provide
advice on complex prescribing, including syringe drivers and anticipatory
medications
Support
deprescribing and rationalisation of medicines in line with patient goals of
care
Monitor
for adverse drug reactions and interactions, particularly in frail and complex
patients
Participate
in ward rounds and multidisciplinary team (MDT) meetingsMedicines Management
Ensure
the safe, legal, and effective supply of medicines within the hospice
Oversee
controlled drugs management in accordance with UK legislation
Develop
and implement policies, guidelines, and standard operating procedures
Support
audit and quality improvement initiatives related to medicines use
Contribute
to formulary development and cost-effective prescribingEducation and Training
Provide
training and education to healthcare professionals on palliative care
pharmacotherapy
Support
the development of junior pharmacists, nurses, and medical staff
Offer
guidance to patients and carers on medication use, including administration and
side effectsPatient and Family Support
Provide
compassionate, patient-centred counselling on medicines
Support
patients and families in understanding treatment options and symptom management
Contribute
to advance care planning discussions where appropriateGovernance and Quality
Participate
in clinical audit, research, and service evaluation
Ensure
compliance with professional standards e.g. GPhC, NICE, local policies
Contribute
to risk management and incident reporting processes
E
prescribing preparation and implementation
Lead
the planning and implementation of e prescribing within the hospice, working
with clinical, IT and external partners.
Contribute
to system design, testing, training and go live planning to ensure safe and
user friendly e prescribing processes.
Develop
and maintain associated policies, procedures and guidance for e prescribing and
medicines administration.
Team
leadership and development
Line
manage and support the Pharmacy Technician, ensuring regular supervision,
appraisal and development.
Promote
a culture of openness, learning and high standards within the pharmacy and Care
Navigation teams.General
Act
at all times in line with the values and behaviours of Rotherham Hospice.
Ensure
compliance with hospice policies, including health and safety, infection
prevention and control, safeguarding, lone working, information governance and
confidentiality.
Participate
in meetings, training and mandatory updates as required.
Undertake
any other duties commensurate with the role and grade, as agreed with the Head
of Care Navigation.Person Specification

Qualifications

EssentialMasters degree in Pharmacy - MPharm or equivalentRegistered with the General Pharmaceutical Council - GPhCPostgraduate clinical pharmacy experienceExperience working in hospital or specialist clinical settingsStrong knowledge of pharmacotherapy, particularly in pain and symptom managementExcellent communication and interpersonal skillsAbility to work independently and within a multidisciplinary teamIndependent Prescriber qualification, or working towardsDesirableExperience in palliative care, oncology, or geriatricsPostgraduate diploma or MSc in clinical pharmacy or palliative careExperience in hospice and community-based care

Experience

EssentialCompassion and sensitivity when working with patients at end of life.Strong clinical decision-making and problem-solving skills.Attention to detail and commitment to patient safety.Ability to manage complex and emotionally challenging situations.Commitment to continuous professional development.Professional, reliable and accountable, with high standards of integrity.Detail focused and safety conscious.Compassionate and person centred, with a focus on quality of life.Flexible and adaptable, able to work across services and respond to change. Enthusiasm for developing pharmacy and medicines optimisation in a hospice environment.DesirableAbility to design and deliver training and education sessions.Skills in data analysis and presentation for medicines related reports.
Person Specification

Qualifications

EssentialMasters degree in Pharmacy - MPharm or equivalentRegistered with the General Pharmaceutical Council - GPhCPostgraduate clinical pharmacy experienceExperience working in hospital or specialist clinical settingsStrong knowledge of pharmacotherapy, particularly in pain and symptom managementExcellent communication and interpersonal skillsAbility to work independently and within a multidisciplinary teamIndependent Prescriber qualification, or working towardsDesirableExperience in palliative care, oncology, or geriatricsPostgraduate diploma or MSc in clinical pharmacy or palliative careExperience in hospice and community-based care

Experience

EssentialCompassion and sensitivity when working with patients at end of life.Strong clinical decision-making and problem-solving skills.Attention to detail and commitment to patient safety.Ability to manage complex and emotionally challenging situations.Commitment to continuous professional development.Professional, reliable and accountable, with high standards of integrity.Detail focused and safety conscious.Compassionate and person centred, with a focus on quality of life.Flexible and adaptable, able to work across services and respond to change. Enthusiasm for developing pharmacy and medicines optimisation in a hospice environment.DesirableAbility to design and deliver training and education sessions.Skills in data analysis and presentation for medicines related reports.Disclosure and Barring Service CheckThis 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).
Additional information
Disclosure and Barring Service CheckThis 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 detailsEmployer nameThe Rotherham HospiceAddressBroom RoadRotherhamSouth YorkshireS60 2SWUnited KingdomEmployer's websiteEmployer detailsEmployer nameThe Rotherham HospiceAddressBroom RoadRotherhamSouth YorkshireS60 2SWUnited KingdomEmployer's website