Uhwah Senior Pharmacist

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Principal Duties and Responsibilities

The Senior Pharmacist will:

Professional / Clinical

• Oversee the operation of the pharmacy dispensary.
• Assist in managing the efficient running of the pharmacy service.
• Participate in the development and expansion of clinical pharmacy services and top-up services.
• Ensure good pharmaceutical practice, legal and ethical, in the provision of the pharmacy service and ensure that operations are in compliance with the requirements of the pharmacy regulator i.e. the Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland (PSI).
• Monitor standards and systems of working and in conjunction with other pharmacy staff, modify/update procedures, documentation etc. in order to further improve the quality of the service, safety of personnel and cost effectiveness of the service provided.
• 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.
• Act as a specialist resource for service users and other healthcare professionals.
• Provide advice, as required, to medical and nursing staff on the proper and economic use of medicines and treatments including participation in schemes for the dissemination of information in relation to medicines and medicine usage designed to deliver optimal care economically.
• Provide a patient focused clinical pharmacy service including prescription review, patient counselling, and medication reconciliation.
• Liaise with other Pharmacists, pharmacy staff and other disciplines on matters concerning departmental procedures, safety, security and complaints concerning the service.
• Answer and record medicines information queries from staff and service users.
• Supervise the supply of drugs, pharmaceuticals, and other related items, as may be required.
• Ensure that the purchase, storage and supply of all items is operated on the most economical lines, consistent with quality and with reference to legal requirements, transit, security and conditions of chemical and physical stability.
• Maintain records for purchasing, quality control, compounding and dispensing to the standards required.
• Ensure the safe use of medicines by evaluating and managing risks associated with the use of medicines and by participating in the service’s Medicines Safety reporting process.
• Participate in the development, implementation and audit of guidelines, with regard to use of drugs.

Quality and Risk, Health and Safety Management

• Ensure that work is carried out in a safe manner in accordance with the provisions of Health, Safety and Welfare at Work Act, the Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland (PSI) requirements and/or other relevant legislation or advice.
• Adequately identify, assess, manage and monitor risks within their area of responsibility.
• 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. and comply with associated HSE protocols for implementing and maintaining these standards.
• Support, promote and actively participate in sustainable energy, water and waste initiatives to create a more sustainable, low carbon and efficient health service.

Education and Training

• Conduct information sessions relating to medication management for staff.
• Facilitate and manage groups through the learning process; gives constructive feedback to encourage learning.
• Participate in the teaching and training (including in-service training) of pharmacy, medical, nursing and other staff as may be required.
• Participate in continuing education and 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. To maintain professional competency by involvement with Continued Professional Development (CPD) as required by the Irish Institute of Pharmacy (IIOP) and Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland (PSI).
• Promote and actively participate in continuing professional development and research activities consistent with the post.

Personnel / Administration

• Develop and implement policies, procedures and guidelines relating to medication management throughout the service.
• Carry out general administrative and financial duties including recording keeping and medication use monitoring.
• Supervise and manage any pharmacist and other staff assigned to him/her.
• Represent the pharmacy at relevant working groups, committees and/or meetings.

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.