Job Title: Prison Pharmacist
About the Role:
We are currently recruiting an experienced Prison Pharmacist to contribute to the provision of prison pharmacy services. The successful candidate will be a permanent full-time post.
The location for this position is flexible, with two preferred locations: Longford or Dublin. The successful candidate must choose their preferred location at contract stage.
Principal Duties and Responsibilities:
To undertake regular audits of prescribing practice within the Irish Prison Service, ensuring compliance with all relevant policy and guidance.
To participate in the development, implementation, and audit of guidelines regarding the use of medicines.
To provide expert advice on the use of specialist medicines, including those used to treat Hepatitis C and Antiretroviral Viruses (ARVs).
To support the IPS Covid vaccination program with respect to logistics, medication management, and safety, as well as pharmacovigilance.
Other Duties and Responsibilities:
To provide advice to medical and nursing staff on the proper and economic use of drugs and medicines, including participation in schemes for the dissemination of information related to drug safety and drug usage, aimed at delivering optimal care economically.
To ensure the safe use of medicines by evaluating and managing risks associated with their use, and participating in the National Incident Management System (NIMS) process.
To participate in multidisciplinary committees, such as the IPS Drugs & Therapeutics Committee.
To conduct audits and other active research to promote medicines safety and minimize error, as requested by the Chairman of the Drugs & Therapeutics Committee and/or Chief Pharmacist.
To assist with the preparation of tender documentation and undertaking of tender competitions in respect of prison pharmacy services.
To assist in the oversight and management of all IPS pharmacy service contracts.
To provide medication information and training to prison healthcare staff.
To visit prison pharmacy areas to ensure appropriate medication storage, recording, etc.
To maintain professional competency through involvement with Continued Professional Development.
To undertake such other duties as may be assigned from time to time.
To work as a member of the IPS HQ healthcare team.
Requirements:
Be registered as a Pharmacist with the Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland (PSI) or be entitled to be so registered.
Have at least two years of satisfactory post-registration experience.
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.
In addition, candidates must demonstrate evidence of up-to-date pharmaceutical knowledge and skills, patient-centered focus, experience of medication and prescribing audit, good interpersonal skills, and proven written and verbal communication abilities, as well as the ability to work on their own initiative, prioritize and manage multiple issues simultaneously, and demonstrate attention to detail, planning and organizational skills, leadership and decision-making ability.
Desirable Qualifications:
Knowledge and/or experience of vaccination programs, addiction pharmacy services, mental health pharmacy services, experience of policy development, and knowledge of the tender process.