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Chief II Pharmacist – Medication Safety Pharmacist

Employer
Beaumont Hospital
Location
Dublin, Leinster (IE)
Salary
€71,537 - €90,292
Closing date
13 May 2022

Job Details

Key Responsibilities and Deliverables

The provision of medication safety by coordinating a process to evaluate and improve medication management through pharmacy, medical and nursing staff. To effectively manage risk so as to facilitate continuous improvement in the medicines management process.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities;

To contribute to the provision of a comprehensive pharmaceutical service including:-

Have a working knowledge of the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) Standards as they apply to the role for example, Standards for Healthcare, National Standards for the Prevention and Control of Healthcare Associated Infections, Hygiene Standards, NCCP recommendations etc.

 

Professional/ Clinical

The Chief II Pharmacist (Medicine Safety) will:

  • Promptly investigate medicines incidents in order to improve staff performance and patient care.
  • Ensure that all medication-related reports are logged in the hospital and or national incident reporting system
    • analyses all medicines incident reports and categorizes them using the NCC MERP classification.
    • All incidents with a NCC MERP severity rating of E – I will be investigated.
    • Incidents with a lower severity may be investigated based on aggregate analysis and/or at the discretion of the Medication Safety Pharmacist.
    • Root cause analysis and/or other appropriate methodologies will be used for analysis of incident causation.
  • Work to ensure optimal patient outcomes from drug therapy by managing risk in the medicines management process and making recommendations for process improvements designed to prevent or minimise error.  
  • Prepare of reports and recommendations for the Drugs & Therapeutics Committee, the Clinical Governance Committee, Clinical Directors, Quality and Risk Director and other relevant clinical and management staff where required.
  • Compile, distribute implement and maintain relevant hospital-wide Policies, Procedures and Guidelines relating to medication safety under the approval of the Drugs & Therapeutics Committee and medication safety information committee.
  • Compile, distribute, implement and maintain relevant pharmacy departmental Policies, Protocols and Guidelines relating to medication safety.
  • Liaise with nursing, pharmacy, medical, and other relevant clinical staff, and/or the Risk Management Department, as appropriate to ensure safe, standardized medicines management practices and to develop and implement quality improvement measures.
  • Work with the other members of the Medication Safety Information Committee to develop and implement a medication safety strategy for Beaumont Hospital.
  • Participate in multidisciplinary hospital committees, such as the Drugs & Therapeutics committee as required.
  • Prepare an annual Medication safety work programme, audit progress against this programme on an ongoing basis, lead on the planning, implementation and evaluation.
  • Conduct of audits, observational studies and other active research to promote medicines safety and minimize error, as requested by the Chairman of the Drugs & Therapeutics Committee or Chief Pharmacist and or as the trends of incidents dictates.
  • To co-ordinate and track projects and initiatives within the hospital related to medication safety and reduction of medication errors.
  • To advise regarding the safe, cost effective and efficient procurement, storage and distribution of medicines and related items as may be required and in keeping with the Pharmacy Department structures and policies.
  • To collaborate in the responsibility for the application of pharmacy legislation, regulation and guidelines as they relate to all aspects of pharmacy department service provision, security, drug storage, procurement etc.
  • Provide innovative Pharmacy leadership, advice and guidance based on current best practice and support the modernisation of services

 

General:

  • Work in collaboration with Chief Pharmacist, Chief II Pharmacists, Prescribers, Nurses and other healthcare staff to implement good clinical pharmacy practice to ensure safe and efficient use of medicines, including documentation of the effect of clinical pharmacy services.
  • Work in collaboration with medical, nursing, management and allied health professional staff towards the development and implementation of evidence-based medicines management policies.
  • Provide advice and information to the relevant pharmacy, medical and nursing staff on best practice in relation to all aspects of medicines management on the campus.
  • Liaise with appropriate healthcare professionals to ensure continuity of care to patients in the units.
  • To work with the Chief II Pharmacists  to promote staff development
  • Along with the Chief II Pharmacists  to tutor and mentor Student Technicians, Pharmacy Interns, MSc students and other Pharmacy staff where required.
  • To participate in and /or supervise  specific pharmacy and hospital projects as delegated.
  • To maintain and develop professional expertise and knowledge by actively engaging in continuing professional development
  • To support the Head of Pharmacy in ensuring compliance with all relevant aspects of pharmacy legislation, regulation and guidelines as they relate to the Pharmacy Service in Beaumont Hospital.
  • To deputise for the Head of Pharmacy as required
  • To agree other duties with the Head of Pharmacy as appropriate to the overall purpose of the role and Pharmacy service developments
  • To perform such other duties as may be appropriate to the office and as may be assigned to her/him from time to time by the Head of Pharmacy
  • To participate in the on-call pharmacist rota and weekend rota
  • To perform such other duties appropriate to the office as may be assigned to him/her by the Director of Pharmacy and other duly authorised officers of the Hospital Board
  • Ensure that the needs of patients and professional staff are being adequately met by the pharmaceutical service provided and are delivered in a manner that respects privacy and confidentiality.
  • Awareness of corporate responsibility.
  • Participates in all other areas of the Pharmacy, in the provision of services to all service users, as requested.
  • The post holder agrees to liaise with the Head of Pharmacy on matters concerning departmental procedures and on matters concerning safety, security, complaints concerning the service and unusual occurrences or conditions relating to drugs, drug requests, usage and their security in the hospital. 
  • Ensure Head of Pharmacy or designated delegate is made aware of any current or future implications of changes in practice that would significantly impact on Medication Safety as these arise

 

Education & Training

  • Educate and communicate with medical, nursing, pharmacy and other clinical staff through feedback, newsletters, presentations, etc. to create a culture of medicines safety awareness.
  • Design and implement educational presentations to facilitate the attainment and maintenance of safe medication practices within the hospital.
  • Promote and actively participate in continuing professional development and research activities consistent with the post.

 

Risk Health & Safety

  • Maintain and implement standard operating procedures, protocols and safe working practices, ensure ongoing quality control and validation of all services.
  • Ensure that correct procedures are adhered to in relation to accidents and investigations and that proper reporting arrangements are in place in line with the requirements of the Health, Safety and Welfare at Work Act 2005, to include frequent risk assessments and adherence to the hospital Safety Statement.
  • Lead on the audit, monitoring, analysis and reporting of all aspects of medicine usage within the services, including provision of feedback to prescribers and managers and involvement in the co ordination of changes in practice required as a result of risk management process.
  • Have a working knowledge of the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) Standards as they apply to the role for example, Standards for Healthcare, National Standards for the Prevention and Control of Healthcare Associated Infections, Hygiene Standards etc and comply with associated HSE protocols for implementing and maintaining these standards as appropriate to the role.
  • Ensure that all relevant legislation, guidelines and standards with regard to Health and Safety are adhered to.
  • Support, promote and actively participate in sustainable energy, water and waste initiatives to create a more sustainable, low carbon and efficient health service.

Management

  • Assist in the management of the department with regard to personnel, finance, quality assurance mechanisms, hygiene, planning & operations.
  • Manage resources effectively and efficiently having reference to budgetary provision.
  • Lead on the implementation of hospital, regional and national medicines management policies

Confidentiality: In the course of your employment you may have access to, or hear information concerning the medical or personal affairs of patients and/or staff or other health services’ business.  Such records and information are strictly confidential, unless acting on the instructions of an authorised officer, on no account must information concerning staff, patients or other health service business be divulged or discussed except in the performance of normal duty.  In addition records must never be left in such a manner that unauthorised persons can obtain access to them and must be kept in safe custody when no longer required.

 The above Job Description is neither definitive nor restrictive and is not intended to be a comprehensive list of all duties involved and consequently, the post holder may be required to perform other duties as appropriate to the post which may be assigned to him/her from time to time and to contribute to the development of the post while in office. 

 

Skills, competencies and/or knowledge

The post holder must demonstrate

  • Evidence of up-to-date pharmaceutical knowledge
  • Patient centred focus
  • Team working skills both within the Pharmacy and in a multi disciplinary capacity across medical and surgical specialities
  • The ability to multi task, work flexibly and under pressure
  • The ability to work alone and to exercise initiative
  • Effective communication skills including those applicable to patient counselling, presentation skills and report writing
  • Evidence of computer skills including as part of the dispensing process, Word, Excel and Power Point, Cliniscript and or other dispensing systems available
  • Awareness of the security considerations/confidentiality involved in working in a hospital pharmacy
  • The ability to work in a changing environment
  • An understanding of value for money and the financial issues related to medication management
  • Planning and organisational skills
  • Leadership and decision-making ability
  • The ability of organise and co-ordinate staff assigned to work under your supervision
  • The ability to contribute to the training and development of others both within the pharmacy and in the general multidisciplinary team

 

Staff Training

·         To provide training and advice on Pharmacy Department services to ward, nursing and medical staff.

·         To participate and or lead in the induction of new Pharmacy staff as required.

·         To participate and or lead in the training, development of training and supervision of Pharmacy Technicians.

·         Act as a pharmacy mentor for Pharmaceutical Technicians, and Pharmacists

·      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 Head of Pharmacy.

·         To contribute to service review.

 

Health and Safety

  • 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.

 

Qualifications 

Selection Criteria: 

https://www.hse.ie/eng/staff/jobs/eligibility-criteria/ Please ensure to check HSE mandatory 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:

Candidates must have at the latest date of application: -

a)       Be a registered Pharmacist with the Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland (PSI) or be entitled to be so registered

                                                           and

b)       Have at least five years satisfactory post registration hospital experience

                                                           and

c)       Possess the requisite knowledge and ability (including a high standard of suitability, administrative business or management ability) for the proper discharge of the duties of the office

 

Health

A candidate for and any person holding the office must be fully competent and capable of undertaking the duties attached to the office and be in a state of health such as would indicate a reasonable prospect of ability to render regular and efficient service.

Character

Each candidate for and any person holding the office must be of good character.

Age

Age restrictions shall only apply to a candidate where he/she is not classified as a new entrant (within the meaning of the Public Service Superannuation Act, 2004).  A candidate who is not classified as a new entrant must be under 65 years of age on the first day of the month in which the latest date for receiving completed application forms for the office occurs.

 

Post Specific Requirements

Demonstrate experience in the depth and breadth of working in Medication Safety and is familiar with the associated processes

 

Desirable:

Post graduate qualification in Hospital Pharmacy

 

Company

Beaumont Hospital is a large academic teaching hospital 5km north of Dublin City centre. We provide emergency and acute care services across 54 medical specialties to a local community of some 290,000 people. In addition, we are a Designated Cancer Centre and the Regional Treatment Centre for Ear, Nose and Throat, and Gastroenterology. We are also the National Referral Centre for Neurosurgery and Neurology, Renal Transplantation, and Cochlear Implantation.

We employ approximately 3,000 staff and have 820 beds. We are the principal teaching hospital for the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland. We also enjoy close links with Dublin City University, especially in the area of nurse training, and with other academic institutions in respect of training and research.

St. Joseph's Hospital, Raheny, is under the management of Beaumont Hospital  Board  since the 6th of August 2004. St. Joseph's is an acute Hospital and provides both Medical and Surgical in-patient care, Day Care Services, Outpatient Physiotherapy and Radiology services.  The Hospital has also developed a Rehabilitation Unit. At present St. Joseph's can accommodate 69 patients.

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