Job Specification & Terms and Conditions

Pharmacist Senior

Job Title, Grade / Pharmacist Senior(Grade Code: 3239)
Campaign Reference
Number / NRS0753
Closing Date / 30th October 2013
Proposed Interview Date (s) / Week Commencing 11th November 2013
Taking up Appointment / A start date will be agreed at job offer stage.
Organisational Area / Health Service Executive (HSE) DML
Location of Post / Pharmacy,
St. Columcille’s Hospital,
Loughlinstown
Co. Dublin
Details of Service / The pharmacy department provides a comprehensive pharmaceutical service to the hospital and to the residents in Dalkey Community care Unit (50 beds). Also supply medication to the ambulance service and GP caredoc services
St. Columcille’s is an acute general hospital with 106 inpatient beds.
Specialities within the hospital include:
Cardiac rehabilitation
Stroke rehabilitation
Care of the elderly
Antimicrobial stewardship
Weight management
Endocrinology
Palliative care
Reporting Relationship / Report to Chief Pharmacist
Purpose of the Post / To work as part of a multidisciplinary team to provide efficient and effective pharmaceutical care.
Principal Duties and Responsibilities / As a Senior Pharmacist the following duties should be carried out where required to ensure the provision of a comprehensive pharmaceutical service:
Clinical Services:
  • To assist in managing the efficient running of the dispensary
  • The supervision and supply of drugs, pharmaceuticals and other related items as may be required
  • To ensure that the purchase, storage and supply of all items is operated on the most economical lines, consistent with quality at pharmacy, ward and department levels and with reference to legal requirements, transit, security and conditions of chemical and physical stability
  • The maintenance of records for purchasing, quality control, compounding and dispensing to the standards required
  • Answer and record medicines information queries from staff and patients
  • The provision of advice, as required, to medical and nursing staff on the proper and economic use of drugs and medicines including participation in schemes for the dissemination of information in relation to drugs and drug usage designed to deliver optimal care economically
  • Provide a patient focused clinical pharmacy service including prescription review, patient counselling, and medication reconciliation on admission/discharge
  • Participate in the development and expansion of ward clinical pharmacy services
  • To ensure that the needs of patients and professional staff are being adequately met by the pharmaceutical service provided. This will involve providing help and advice to patients and staff on all aspects of therapy and collaborating with community pharmacists to ensure continuity of supply of medication where necessary
  • To ensure the safe use of medicines by evaluating and managing risks associated with the use of medicines and by participating in the hospital’s Medicines Safety reporting process
Educational:
  • Deliver training and education to medical, nursing and pharmacy staff through induction days, study days, journal club and other educational events
  • Supervise and tutor pharmacy technician students and other students during work experience placements in the department
  • Participate in continuing education and in such activities consistent with the post. Attend such study days and continuing education courses as may be deemed necessary for the development of both the service and the individual
General:
  • Develop and implement policies, procedures and guidelines relating to medicines management
  • General administrative and financial duties including recording keeping and drug use monitoring
  • Participate in multidisciplinary working groups and committees as required, including hospital accreditation
  • To supervise and manage any pharmacist and other staff assigned to him / her;
  • Where a Chief Pharmacist has been assigned responsibilities to co-operate with and assist him / her in the performance of his / her duties and responsibilities as required
  • To perform such other duties appropriate to the office of Senior Pharmacist as may be assigned to him / her from time to time by the Chief Pharmacist
  • To conduct research and audit relating to the use of medicines and medicines management
  • Employees must attend fire lectures periodically and must observe fire orders
  • All accidents within the Department must be reported immediately
  • Infection Control Policies must be adhered to
  • In line with the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act, 2005 all staff must comply with all safety regulations and audits
  • In line with the Public Health (Tobacco) (Amendment) Act 2004, smoking within the HospitalBuilding is not permitted
  • Hospital uniform code must be adhered to
  • Provide information that meets the need of Senior Management
Health & Safety
  • Each employee is responsible to take reasonable care for his or her own acts or omissions and the effect that these may have upon the safety of themselves or any other person
  • Every employee must use safety equipment or clothing in a proper manner and for the purpose intended
  • Any employee who intentionally or recklessly misuses anything supplied in the interests of health and safety will be subject to disciplinary procedures
  • Every employee must work in accordance with any health and safety procedures, instructions or training that has been given
  • No employee may undertake any task for which they have not been authorised and for which they are not adequately trained
  • Every employee is required to bring to the attention of a responsible person any perceived shortcoming in our safety arrangements or any defects in work equipment
  • All employees are under a duty to familiarise themselves with the Risk Management/Fire, Health & Safety Policies
  • All staff are responsible for identifying, assessing and reporting all risks and for contributing to the management and review of all risks
  • Have a working knowledge of 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.

Confidentiality
In the course of the employment you will have access to information regarding the personal affairs of patients or staff. Such information is strictly confidential. Unless acting on the instruction of an authorised officer, on no account must information concerning patients, staff or 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. Records must be stored in safe custody when no longer in use.
The above Job Specification 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.
Eligibility Criteria
Qualifications and/ or experience / Candidates must:-
On the latest date for receipt of application forms for the post
a)Be registered in the Registrar of Pharmaceutical Chemists for Ireland or be entitled to be so registered
and
b)Have at least three years satisfactory post registration hospital experience
and
c)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
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 / n/a
Other requirements specific to the post / n/a
Essential skills, competencies and/or knowledge / Planning & Organising
  • Demonstrate evidence of effective planning and organising skills
Patient/Customer Focus
  • Demonstrate an understanding of what the service users should expect from a quality service.
  • Demonstrate patient centred focus
Leadership & Teamwork
  • Demonstrate leadership skills and the ability to work as part of multi-disciplinary team
  • Demonstrate motivation and an innovative approach to job and service developments
  • Demonstrate initiative
Professional Knowledge
  • Demonstrate evidence of a good overview of the service and reporting structures within it
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the role of Clinical Pharmacist
  • Demonstrate capacity to integrate role with various medical and surgical specialties
  • Demonstrate commitment to continuing professional development
  • Demonstrate effective use of computer/IT packages
  • Demonstrate evidence of continuing education and membership of an appropriate educational organisation or body
  • Demonstrate evidence of attainment of post graduate diploma/degree in Clinical Pharmacy or Management or a related healthcare area or in pursuit of same
  • Demonstrate ability to analyse data using standard PC software
  • Demonstrate evidence of experience in clinical pharmacy
Communication & Interpersonal Skills
  • Demonstrate effective communication skills including the ability to present information in a clear and concise manner through presentations and report writing
  • Demonstrate an ability to effect change in a multidisciplinary environment
  • Demonstrate a willingness to share knowledge and/or new ideas with staff and colleagues
  • Demonstrate negotiation/influencing skills

Campaign Specific Selection Process
Ranking/Shortlisting
/Interview / A ranking and or shortlisting exercise may be carried out on the basis of information supplied in your application form. The criteria for ranking and or shortlisting are based on the requirements of the post as outlined in the eligibility criteria and skills, competencies and/or knowledge section of this job specification. Therefore it is very important that you think about your experience in light of those requirements.
Failure to include information regarding these requirements may result in you not being called forward to the next stage of the selection process.
Those successful at the ranking stage of this process (where applied) will be placed on an order of merit and will be called to interview in ‘bands’ depending on the service needs of the organisation.
Protection of Persons Reporting Child Abuse Act 1998 / As this post is one of those designated under the Protection of Persons Reporting Child Abuse Act 1998, appointment to this post appoints one as a designated officer in accordance with Section 2 of the Act. You will remain a designated officer for the duration of your appointment to your current post or for the duration of your appointment to such other post as is included in the categories specified in the Ministerial Direction. You will receive full information on your responsibilities under the Act on appointment.
Code of Practice / The Health Service Executive will run this campaign in compliance with the Code of Practice prepared by the Commission for Public Service Appointments (CPSA). The Code of Practice sets out how the core principles of probity, merit, equity and fairness might be applied on a principle basis. The Codes also specifies the responsibilities placed on candidates, feedback facilities for applicants on matters relating to their application when requested, and outlines procedures in relation to requests for a review of the recruitment and selection process and review in relation to allegations of a breach of the Code of Practice. Additional information on the HSE’s review process is available in the document posted with each vacancy entitled “Code of Practice, Information For Candidates”.
Codes of practice are published by the CPSA and are available on in the document posted with each vacancy entitled “Code of Practice, information for candidates or on
The reform programme outlined for the Health Services may impact on this role and as structures change the job specification may be reviewed.
This job specification is a guide to the general range of duties assigned to the post holder. It is intended to be neither definitive nor restrictive and is subject to periodic review with the employee concerned.

Pharmacist Senior

Terms and Conditions of Employment

Tenure / The appointment is (1) permanent and (1) 2 year specified purpose and pensionable.
Appointment as an employee of the Health Service Executive is governed by the Health Act 2004 and the Public Service Management (Recruitment and Appointment) Act 2004.
Remuneration / The Salary scale (as at 01/01/10) for the post is:
Euro 59,427 – 62,204 – 63,093 – 63,979 – 65,086 – 66,325 – 67,641 – 69,936 (pro rata)
Working Week / The standard working week applying to the post is to be advised at Job Offer Stage
HSE Circular 003-2009 “Matching Working Patterns to Service Needs (Extended Working Day / Week Arrangements); Framework for Implementation of Clause 30.4 of Towards 2016” applies. Under the terms of this circular, all new entrants and staff appointed to promotional posts from Dec 16th 2008 will be required to work agreed roster / on call arrangements as advised by their line manager. Contracted hours of work are liable to change between the hours of 8am-8pm over seven days to meet the requirements for extended day services in accordance with the terms of the Framework Agreement (Implementation of Clause 30.4 of Towards 2016).
Annual Leave / The Annual Leave applying to the post is To be advised at Job Offer Stage
Superannuation / Membership of the HSE Employee Superannuation Scheme applies to this appointment.
Existing Members who transferred to the HSE on 1st January 2005 pursuant to Section 60 of the Health Act 2004 are entitled to superannuation benefit terms under the HSE Scheme which are no less favourable to those to which they were entitled at 31st December 2004.
Appointees to posts in the Mental Health Services which formerly attracted fast accrual of service should note that the terms of Section 65 of the Mental Treatment Act 1945 do not apply to New Entrant Public Servants as defined by Section 12 of the Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2004.
Probation / Every appointment of a person who is not already a permanent officer of the Health Service Executive or of a Local Authority shall be subject to a probationary period of 12 months as stipulated in the Department of Health Circular No.10/71.
Protection of Persons Reporting Child Abuse Act 1998 / As this post is one of those designated under the Protection of Persons Reporting Child Abuse Act 1998, appointment to this post appoints one as a designated officer in accordance with Section 2 of the Act. You will remain a designated officer for the duration of your appointment to your current post or for the duration of your appointment to such other post as is included in the categories specified in the Ministerial Direction. You will receive full information on your responsibilities under the Act on appointment.
Infection Control / Have a working knowledge of 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.

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