Blackrock Health Hermitage Clinic is a private hospital in Lucan, West Dublin that has just undergone an exciting merger to form one third of the Blackrock Health group. Our specialised teams provide medical, surgical and advanced radiotherapy care to patients and are supported by the very latest medical technology. Blackrock Health Hermitage Clinic is committed to providing excellence in patient care using state-of-the-art facilities.
The Pharmacy department provides an advanced clinical pharmacist service to all wards, supported by our medicines management pharmacy technicians (MMPTs). The dispensary is responsible for dispensing all non-stock requisitions as well as dispensing all Discharge Medication (TTO) prescriptions. Our oncology pharmacists provide a clinical and aseptic preparation service to our substantial oncology service. This successful applicant will also be joining us at an exciting time with our transition to ePrescribing and an EHR rollout set for 2025.
About The Role
The Senior Pharmacist 'Antimicrobial Stewardship and Theatres' is responsible for the auditing and monitoring of antimicrobial therapy as well as offering insight into the appropriate prescribing of antimicrobials. This exciting role also requires the post holder to provide the services of a link pharmacist to the medicines management processes within our theatres. The post holder will work closely with the Head of Pharmacy, Microbiologists and Theatres staff.
Key Responsibilities
Leadership
* To lead on, develop and evaluate prescribing of anti-infectives and medicines used in theatres within the hospital, in accordance with the priorities set between the post holder and the microbiologists, anaesthetists, theatre staff and the pharmacy department.
* To identify and promote best practice
* To motivate and inspire others (both within Pharmacy and externally)
* To proactively develop clinical pharmacy services relating to anti-infectives in line with local and national objectives
* To work collaboratively with pharmacy, medical staff, the multidisciplinary team and management to ensure implementation of local and nationally agreed pharmacy services and objectives, relating to anti-infectives and medicines used in theatres
* To negotiate with and persuade clinicians of all grades on issues relating to anti-infective prescribing practice and medicines used in theatres according to local and national policies
Service Provision
* To promote best practice prescribing of medicines through co-ordination of projects and audits in accordance with priorities set by the organisation. To ensure their safe, effective and cost effective use. To actively contribute to the monitoring and management of drug expenditure through regular analysis and reporting, in order to ensure safe, clinically effective and cost efficient use of medicines.
* To identify changes in prescribing practices that may impact on drug budget
* To identify new prescribing practices that may impact on the drug budget (horizon scanning)
* To be available to pharmacy, medical and nursing staff to answer queries relating to individual patients and specific policies and protocols relevant to specialist area
* To undertake audit and investigations and implement changes
* To present results of audit work at National Meetings
* To develop, implement, monitor and evaluate medicines protocols and guidelines
* To update medicines protocols and guidelines on a rolling basis
* To participate in the pharmaceutical aspects of clinical audit to ensure optimal drug usage
* To liaise with clinicians in smoothing the entry of new drug protocols and ensure old practice is phased out
General Service Provision
* To provide a high quality, customer focused pharmaceutical service to all Hermitage Clinic in-patients
* To review prescriptions for their clinical appropriateness, safety and legality and conduct medicine reconciliations as per hospital policy
* To dispense and supply drugs to patients as per service demand
* To provide evaluated pharmaceutical advice and information to all health care professionals and patients of the hospital using on-line databases and primary sources
* To have a working knowledge of pharmacy stock control and ordering systems
* To screen as required discharge medication prescriptions (TTOs) on the ward
Clinical Practice
* To act as a clinical role model to all pharmacists and demonstrate the ability to provide safe, clinically effective and cost efficient use of drugs
* To professionally screen/check prescriptions, thus taking professional responsibility, as required by the hospital
* To integrate research evidence into practice
* To actively seek to improve the ward and clinical services provided
* To demonstrate expert clinical knowledge
* To plan, monitor and review drug treatment protocols
* To ensure that medication histories and patients' own drugs are checked on admission or transfer
* To enhance the quality of patient care
* To manage difficult and ambiguous problems
* To make decisions with limited information
* To work with a whole-system patient focused approach
* To demonstrate advanced level of clinical reasoning and judgement
* To work with Infectious Diseases/Microbiology/Anaesthesiology/Surgical consultants to develop best practice protocols
* Supervise Medicines Management Pharmacy Technicians (MMPTs) in your clinical area
Staff Management
* To supervise a pre-registration (5th Year APPEL student) pharmacist if required
* To contribute to the management of the APPEL placement programme annual roster
* To act as a diploma tutor to a student undertaking a post-graduate diploma in clinical pharmacy as required
* To act as a junior or middle-grade pharmacist mentor if required
Learning and Education
* To identify the training needs of pharmacy staff in order to undertake the roles required in relation to anti-infectives and medicines used in theatre
* To provide education and training of pharmacy and other staff in relation to Infectious Diseases, anti-infective use and medicines used in theatre
* To participate in education and training of other healthcare professionals
* To participate in the clinical training of ward pharmacists, including accompanied ward visits with junior pharmacists
* To lecture on Infection Management to newly started employees of the hospital
* To identify own training needs and document in personal development plan
* To participate in other areas of pharmacy practice in order to ensure a broad base of pharmaceutical knowledge
* To undertake continual professional development and maintain a CPD portfolio in line with requirements of the
Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland including continuing education and attendance at appropriate courses and study days
* Provide professional and personal development opportunities for all staff working with the relevant Learning and Education specialists to develop an appropriate programme of learning and education based on a planned (individual, department and organisation) training needs assessment.
* Maintain accurate records of all study leave and education resources used.
* Implement an enhanced staff competence assessment relevant to the Department.
* Facilitate study days and leave for staff, in accordance with the Hermitage Clinic Study Leave Policy and within budgeted allowances.
Quality Improvement, Risk Management & Health & Safety
* Ensure that there is compliance with all relevant Hermitage Clinic guidelines, policies, procedures and relevant legislation and regulatory requirements. This includes responsibility for dealing with regulatory or professional bodies and inspections.
* Encourage continuous review and evaluation of policies, guidelines and existing practices through regular audit programmes and review engaging with the multi-disciplinary team where required.
* Promote a culture of continuous quality improvement across the department involving the team in continuous improvement initiatives and encouraging innovation.
* Contribute to the setting and monitoring of core objectives, standards and key performance indicators for the service and monitor performance against these standards through internal and (where applicable) external audit.
* Participate in the requirements of the hospitals accreditation process including JCI, ISO27001 etc. and take the lead as required
* Participate in the requirements of the hospital's risk management programme.
* Work with members of the team in devising Standard Operating Procedures for the development of the Department.
* Develop a culture of safety, promoting positive reporting of incidents and near misses; investigate and take remedial action on incidents or near misses involving patients and staff according to hospital policies, protocols and guidelines.
Essential Criteria
* Master's Degree in Pharmacy or equivalent
* Member of the PSI
* Diploma in Clinical Pharmacy or equivalent
* Minimum 3 years' experience as a clinical pharmacist
* Demonstrate the ability to appropriately recommend, substantiate and communicate therapeutic options and dosage regimens for patients receiving anti-infectives and medicines used in theatres
* Practical clinical experience
* Previous experience in delivering training and education
* Demonstrable use of clinical audit to improve practice
* Experience including working with Clinicians in an MDT/ward round environment
Skills/ Competencies as per BHHC Competency Framework
* Demonstrates awareness of and commitment to the Clinical Governance agenda
* Clinical skills
* IT skills
* Quality focus
* Risk Management
* Clinical audit
* Team work
* Planning and organising skills
* Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
This Job Description is intended as a basic guide to the scope and responsibilities of the position and is subject to regular review and amendment. The role holder will be required to be flexible in this position and is expected to facilitate working additional hours on occasion, when requested.
Blackrock Health Hermitage Clinic is an Equal Opportunities Employer
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