Senior Pharmacist

Job Summary:

The provision of a pharmaceutical service to patients consistent with the mission and ethos of the Pharmacy Department and the hospital.

Mission Statement:

“The Pharmacy Department strives to safely and efficiently source, acquire, purchase, store, formulate, compound and distribute all drugs and medicines used in Beaumont Hospital, to the highest standards, as well as to advise on the safe, effective and rational use of these drugs and medicines, so as to improve the quality of life of patients who come under our care”

Principal Duties & Responsibilities:

• Maintain throughout the Hospital an awareness of the primacy of the patient in relation to all Hospital activities.
• Demonstrate behaviour consistent with the Values of the Hospital.
• Participate in the pharmaceutical service as part of a punctual, dedicated and professional team
• Create, promote and maintain open communications and healthy working relationships
• Maintain the principles of equity, accountability and quality in daily work
• Participate in departmental mentor/mentee and tutor/tutee programmes
• The successful candidate will be subject to direction and supervision of the relevant Chief II Pharmacist and ultimately the Head of Pharmacy Services and participate in the provision of a comprehensive pharmaceutical service including
  • The supply of medicines and related items as may be required.
  • The, storage, supply and dispensing of all items consistent with quality and value for money.
  • Identify, develop and implement policies and operational processes under the supervision of the appropriate Pharmacy Service Manager to the standards of best practice.
  • To review medications for in or where applicable out-patients prescribed treatment patients.

This will include:

• Checking every prescription order for accuracy and suitability and ensure the safe and efficacious dispensing of each prescription as per the relevant SOP.
• Ensuring that a detailed patient medication history as discussed with patient/GP/Community Pharmacy is obtained, as per local policy and where relevant, in order to manage any potential drug-drug interactions, illicit drug use and that any relevant interactions are discussed with the relative Consultant/ team as appropriate.
• Educating and counselling patients appropriately about their medications and managing side effects according to procedure
• Reviewing relevant laboratory results
• Monitoring and promoting adherence
• Recording activities on the dispensing programme in use and to record additional workload/interventions when requested
• Close interaction with medical and nursing colleagues to advise them on the safe and effective use of medicines and to provide Medicines Information where required.
• To participate in multi and inter disciplinary teams with regard to the safe and effective use of pharmaceutical agents where appropriate  
• The provision of receipt of goods, storage, supply, dispensing, record keeping as per local policy and as per all legislative requirements.
• The provision of ward-based clinical services, including the provision of advice to medical and nursing staff where applicable and as per job requirement.  Ward based clinical services include ward-based drug review and clinical input on all aspects of the medication use process.
• Ensure the timely collation and input of all data concerning drug usage in the hospital in line with departmental policy.
• The performance of all duties and responsibilities in line with all Pharmacy Department procedures and protocols as well as hospital wide procedures.
• Participate in continuing education and research activities consistent with the post.
• Ensure the cost effective use of medicines and show initiative in appraising their designated line manager of any changes in practice likely to lead to significant changes in expenditure or purchasing patterns.
• Create, in consultation with medical and nursing staff and their designated line manager, protocols and guidelines designed to deliver optimal and economical patient care.
• Ensure best practice and compliance with agreed clinical guidelines
• Ensure the consistent adherence to all legal requirements and obligations with particular reference to the Pharmacy Act 2007 and all regulations pertaining thereto
• Ensure that the medication use process is measured, analysed and optimised by undertaking regular clinical audit
• Ensure that all departmental and hospital wide Health and Safety protocols and procedures are adhered to and all areas of non-compliance are promptly addressed.
• Performance of such other duties appropriate to the post, including on call and the participation in extended opening rosters including weekend opening as may from time to time be assigned by the Head of Pharmacy Services.
• To perform such other duties appropriate to the office as may from time to time be assigned by the Chief Executive or designated Officer.

Staff Training

• To provide training and advice on Pharmacy Department services to ward, nursing, medical and pharmacy staff.
• To participate in the induction of new Pharmacy staff as required.
• To participate in the training, development of training and supervision of Pharmacy Technicians as required
• Act as a pharmacy mentor for Pharmaceutical Technicians, Intern and Basic Grade Pharmacists as required.
• To comply with all Hospital and Departmental policies & procedures, work safely and efficiently.
• To undertake any other duties appropriate to the post on request of the relevant Chief II Pharmacist or Head of Pharmacy.
• To contribute to service review.

• Work within Health & Safety Hospital Policies on all matters related to Health & Safety within the Hospital. Be aware of the Health and Safety at Work Act and comply with the regulations set down to ensure safety to patients, visitors and colleagues.
• Record all accidents and untoward occurrences according to Hospital policy.
• Attend fire lectures and fire drills in accordance with the law and to be fully aware of the position of fire alarms, emergency equipment and exits.
• Ensure compliance to standards in respect of all legislative requirements, including Manual Handling, Security, Infection Control and Standard Precautions.
• Adopt the correct administrative procedures when dealing with complaints from patients/relatives following set policies and procedures.
• Infection prevention and control is an essential aspect of patient care.  All post holders must attend mandatory training in infection prevention and control and be compliant with all measures required by the Hospital.
• Post holders must be familiar with the Hospital’s Infection Control Policies, including those that apply to their duties, such as the Hand Hygiene Policy, the Uniform Policy (where one exists) and Personal Protective Clothing Policy. Post holders who have clinical responsibilities must incorporate into their clinical activities up-to-date evidence that supports safe infection control practices and procedures, for example the use of aseptic techniques and the safe disposal of sharps
• In the course of normal work the post holder will come into possession of confidential information concerning patients and staff. This information should be treated confidentially and in accordance with the Data Protection Act and European Union regulations.
• The post holder is responsible for ensuring that he/she maintains the integrity and quality of both computerised and manual data

• Performance of such other duties appropriate to the post that may from time to time be introduced by the Head of Pharmacy Services.

• To perform such other duties appropriate to the office as may from time to time be assigned by the Chief Executive or designated Officer.

The job description is an outline of the post as it is currently perceived by the hospital and will be subject to review and amendment. This job description will therefore be subject to change in light of the various strategies for the hospital and the development of the Clinical Directorate model and any future developments that arise and will evolve and change over time.

Selection Criteria: 

Selection criteria outline the qualifications, skills, knowledge and/or experience that the successful candidate would need to demonstrate for successful discharge of the responsibilities of the post. 

Applications will be assessed on the basis of how well candidates satisfy these criteria.

Mandatory:

• Professional Qualifications, Experience, etc
  1. Candidates must,
     1. Be a registered Pharmacist with the Pharmaceutical Society fo Ireland (PSI) or be entitled to be so registered.

And

1. Have at least three years satisfactory post registration hospital experience.

And

• Possess the requisite knowledge and ability (including a high standard of suitability and management ability) for the proper discharge of the duties of the office.  

Informal Enquiries ONLY to: (Please note NO APPLICATIONS will be accepted via the Informal Email)