Chief Pharmacist I (Medicines Information and Medication Safety)
Location: Swift Square One
Job type: Fixed Term
Overview of role
The Chief Pharmacist (Medicines Information and Medication Safety) at UPMC Ireland leads and manages cross-site strategies, programmes, and teams to ensure the highest standards of medication safety and medicines information provision. The role is offered on a 11‑month fixed term contract.
Responsibilities
* Act at all times to ensure that the care and safety of patients is assigned the highest priority.
* Understand, model, and promote UPMC core values: Quality and Safety, Dignity and Respect, Caring and Listening, Responsibility and Integrity, Excellence and Innovation.
* Lead the strategic development of a Medication Safety Programme for UPMC Ireland in line with clinical evidence, national guidelines, and professional best practice.
* Lead, coordinate, and guide the work of Pharmacy, Nursing, and Medical colleagues to enhance medication safety and medication safety intelligence across UPMC sites.
* Take a lead role in the development and implementation of UPMC‑wide medicines information and medication safety initiatives, policies, guidance, and quality improvement projects.
* Support colleagues in Pharmacy, Nursing, and Medicine by providing leadership, advice, and information on best practice in relation to medication safety.
* Lead and manage the Medicines Information function of the Pharmacy service, including responding to medicines information queries and proactive dissemination of updates and bulletins.
* Review new medicines and new medicine requests.
* Lead the development and maintenance of the UPMC formulary.
* Support the safe and cost‑effective entry of new medications onto the UPMC formulary, offering expert advice and education to Pharmacy and other disciplines.
* Advise the Director of Pharmacy and Chief Pharmacists on the development of Pharmacy medicines information services and education.
* Review relevant technological advances in medicines information and medication safety and advise the Director of Pharmacy with recommendations.
* Collaborate with senior Pharmacy colleagues across UPMC to oversee the agile development of medicine information resources for clinical colleagues and patients (patient information leaflets, monographs, policies, procedures, protocols, and guidelines).
* Work with colleagues in Pharmacy, Nursing, and Medicine to develop and implement plans and quality improvement processes to achieve measurable and sustained improvement in medication safety across UPMC.
* Develop and deliver training and education to clinical colleagues and other UPMC staff in relation to medication safety.
* Implement and maintain systems to ensure effective induction and ongoing training for all Pharmacy and other UPMC clinical staff in medicines information and medication safety.
* Engage in continuous professional development appropriate to the role and in compliance with professional obligations.
* Support Pharmacy colleagues in enhancing their skills and assuming additional and advanced responsibilities.
* As agreed with the Director of Pharmacy, support the performance achievement of Pharmacy team members against measured and reported competency and performance metrics.
* Develop reports on key performance indicators relating to medication safety and ensure timely dissemination to stakeholders.
* Plan and organise a risk‑informed medication safety audit programme for the UPMC network aligned with service goals.
* Analyse audit data and other medication safety intelligence datasets to inform timely and focused feedback to prescribers and other stakeholders.
* Proactively identify, manage, and monitor risks and deficiencies in medication management systems and processes.
* Take a leadership role in encouraging reporting on medication incidents/near misses across all UPMC sites.
* Take a leadership role in fostering an open and just culture that supports the reporting of medication incidents and near misses.
* Work closely with the Pharmacy Technician Lead to manage medication stock shortages within UPMC.
* Lead and oversee the development, monitoring, implementation, and maintenance of UPMC‑wide SOPs, protocols, and guidelines for medicines information and medication safety.
* Lead and participate in relevant multidisciplinary working groups and committees (e.g., Clinical Governance, Drugs and Therapeutics, Medication Safety).
* Provide exemplary leadership, coaching, and mentoring within the network Pharmacy team, ensuring effective communication to and between all members.
* Establish and maintain collaborative relationships with academic and research partners, as requested by the Director of Pharmacy.
* Undertake, promote, coordinate, and publish practice‑based research, adhering to GCP standards.
* Facilitate and encourage other Pharmacy team members to undertake audit and research and to present and publish findings.
* Build effective partnerships within UPMC Ireland and across the wider health system to manage and develop services that meet patient and stakeholder needs.
* Participate, as appropriate, in national and regional Medication Safety and Medicines Information initiatives.
* Propose, lead, and manage innovation in the UPMC Medication Safety programme and Medicines Information service, including business case preparation.
* Prepare an annual Medication Safety Programme and monitor and report progress on an ongoing basis.
* Participate in UPMC Hospitals' accreditation processes.
* Ensure adherence to all UPMC Human Resource policy and procedures.
* Support the Director of Pharmacy and Chief Pharmacists in ensuring compliance with Pharmacy legislation, regulation, and guidelines.
* Deputise, as required, in the absence of the Director of Pharmacy.
* Support the Director of Pharmacy in implementing the UPMC Pharmacy Transformation Strategy.
Qualifications & Experience
* Registered with the Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland or entitled to be registered.
* At least 5 years of satisfactory post‑registration hospital experience.
* Post‑graduate diploma or MSc in Clinical Pharmacy.
* Significant, proven post‑registration hospital practice experience with broad clinical pharmacy experience and line‑management experience.
* Evidence of ongoing Continuing Professional Development and role‑specific learning.
* Excellent planning, organisational and resource management skills.
* Excellent leadership, interpersonal and people‑management skills.
* Experience of change management and quality improvement initiatives.
* Current driving licence and ability to travel between UPMC sites.
* Formal management and leadership training or equivalent experience in managing and supervising Pharmacy staff.
* Formal training in project management and/or experience leading multi‑disciplinary projects.
Equal Opportunity Statement
UPMC is an equal‑opportunity employer celebrating diversity and committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.
Benefits
* Fully paid maternity and paternity leave for new parents.
* Competitive pension plan.
* Company‑funded death in service benefit x 3 times.
* Critical illness cover for all employees up to the age of 66.
Performance and Recognition
Rewards for performance that supports the goals and mission of UPMC through the annual ACES programme.
Work‑Life Balance
* Enhanced annual leave up to a maximum of 27 days.
* Flexible working opportunities to support external family commitments.
Development and Career Opportunities
Opportunities for each employee to reach their career goals through continued learning and/or advancement.
About UPMC
UPMC is a renowned multinational academic medical centre committed to delivering people‑focused care, close to Pittsburgh, and affiliated with the University of Pittsburgh Schools of the Health Sciences. UPMC’s operations in Ireland include UPMC Whitfield Hospital, UPMC Sports Surgery Clinic, UPMC Kildare Hospital, and UPMC Aut Even Hospital, among other sites. For more information, please visit the UPMC careers page.
Application Process
To be considered for this role, please complete the application process on the careers page. Click the Apply button below to Login/Register.
#J-18808-Ljbffr