Job Title: Lead Informatics Pharmacist (Chief II Pharmacist) Temporary Specified Purpose ContractReference No: Department / Directorate: Pharmacy Department, COO DirectorateReports to: Head of Pharmacy and Pharmacy Operations ManagerTallaght University Hospital (TUH) is a model 4, voluntary, academic teaching hospital partnered with Trinity College and situated in south west Dublin.
With a staff of over 4,000 people from 63 different countries, it provides both acute and tertiary care to an increasing population of circa 800,000 people and is a provider of local, regional and national specialties.
It is also a National Urology Centre, the second largest provider of dialysis services in the country, Pelvic and Acetabulum National Centre and a designated Trauma Unit.
The Hospital is part of the newly established HSE Dublin & Midlands Region, which serves a population of over 1.2 million across seven counties, and operates under the governance of an independent Board of Directors who give their time on a voluntary basis.
TUH is also supported by the Adelaide Health Foundation, the Meath Foundation and Tallaght University Hospital Foundation.
TUH recognises the role it plays in our community both as an employer and provider of healthcare and is committed to building a sustainable future for our region both now and into the future with a focus on patient outcomes.The Hospital is ambitious, recognising that healthcare delivery is undergoing seismic change and will be different now and into the future, largely due to digital and technological advances along with research continuing to discover and test new treatment options.
TUH wants to be a leader in determining that future.
It is a "Hospital without Walls" always looking to optimise care both within and beyond in line with the Sláintecare vision of providing the right care, in the right place, at the right time whilst empowering our patients and staff.
TUH Vision and ValuesThe vision of the Hospital is "People Caring for People to Live Better Lives" through excellent health outcomes supported by evidenced based practice, positive patient and staff experience in an empowering and caring environment.
A culture of innovation and quality improvement in everything we do.Our TUH CARE values – for patients, their families, our community and staff are:Collaborate – together and with our academic and care partnersAchieve – our goals, positive outcomes and wellbeingRespect – for patients, each other and our environmentEquity – for patients and staffAt TUH we view our staff as our most valuable asset and every member of the Team is valued equally.
We recognise that a skilled, satisfied and motivated workforce is a prerequisite to high quality care.
purpose of the role:The successful candidate will play a key role in the planning, implementation, development and maintenance of digital solutions to support Pharmacy and Medicines Management in Tallaght University HospitalSupport the provision and development of comprehensive digital solutions for Pharmacy and medicines management in TUH.Support the set-up, implementation and monitoring of digital solutions for medicines management in TUH Apply a critical approach to medicines management processes utilizing digital solutions where possible, and conduct research/audit to identify areas for improvement.Act as an expert resource on the safe and effective use of digital solutions for medicines management in TUH.Lead safe and effective use of digital solutions for medicines management in TUH.
Support clinical governance processes, such as incident reporting and investigation, complaint handling, development of guidelines, policies and procedures, and the monitoring and evaluation of digital solutions services for medicines management.Provide assurance to TUH on the safe, effective and efficient use of digital solutions for medicines management in TUH.Support the provision of relevant evaluated financial data on medicines expenditure, income, and cost saving or avoidance initiatives where digital solutions for medicines management have been employed.Act as a role model to junior staff through supporting their learning and developmentSupport the education of pharmacy and other multidisciplinary staff groups on relevant medicines-related matters.The Pharmacy Informatics Team includes all Pharmacy staff working in that division of the Pharmacy service.overview of role:Key Duties and ResponsibilitiesLead key Medicines Management ICT projects including implementation ofPharmacy Automated Dispensing SystemPharmacy Software SystemElectronic Prescribing and Medicines Administration Automated Dispensing Cabinets A single hospital medicine databaseLead role in the education and training of TUH staff in the use of Medicines Management ICT Systems.Identify and implement operational processes to the standards of best practice in order to optimise use of resources and ensure compliance with statutory requirements Recruit, train and lead a Pharmacy Informatics team of skilled staff, creating and promoting healthy working relationships.
Liaise with Dispensary Manager, Aseptic Unit Manager, Clinical Pharmacy Services Manager, the Pharmacy Education & Research Manager and other Pharmacy Managers in the management of staff rosters.
Assist the Head of Pharmacy / Pharmacy Operations Manager in establishing pharmaceutical service level agreements where appropriate.Lead maintenance of key Medicine Management ICT software systems/hardware ensuring continued development and operation of all systems includingPharmacy Automated Dispensing SystemPharmacy Software SystemElectronic Prescribing and Medicines Administration Automated Dispensing Cabinets A single hospital medicine databaseSupport the Leader of Pharmacy Education & Research by promoting practice research in the provision of education and training to staff and studentsSupport the work of the Medication Safety Manager by ensuring that the Pharmacy Informatics Team assist promptly with medication safety incidents and activities.Support the work of the formulary development pharmacist by ensuring that the Pharmacy Informatics Team assist promptly with promptly with formulary activities.Identify own training and personal development needs.
Demonstrate a commitment to continuous personal and professional development (CPD),Ensure that the Pharmacy Informatics Team makes the best use of information technology for patient care.
Understand the limitations of existing systems and seek to improve technology.Any other duties assigned by the Head of Pharmacy / Pharmacy Operations ManagerLeadership Lead changes in work, procedures, techniques or technologies having regard to developments in the field of ICT and its application to medicines management in a modern acute healthcare setting.Lead the Pharmacy Informatics Team to ensure that medicines usage is in line with best practice, implementing the Pharmacy and Organisation's strategy.Ensure that the safety and efficiency of the Pharmacy services is validated by quality assurance activities.Identify risks in relation to medicines use, and support the development and implementation of strategies aimed at risk reductionLead the Pharmacy Informatics Team, applying maximum delegation compatible with safetyEnsure that work schedules and work programmes are created to provide for the most effective and efficient deployment of staff and other resources.
This will involve close liaison with other pharmacy divisional leaders to facilitate staff rotation & deploymentDevelop, implement, monitor and maintain strategies for documenting and evaluating the contributions of the Pharmacy Informatics Team and technology to TUH Medicines Management.Participate in the management of the pharmacy dept. as required.
Staff ManagementLead by example a professional, punctual and dedicated Pharmacy Informatics teamLiaise with the Head of Pharmacy / Pharmacy Operations Manager to ensure effective recruitment and selection of staffEvaluate training needs of individual staff and ensure that training matches the requirements of the jobCreate, promote and maintain clear, open communications and healthy working relationships.
Stimulate initiative among team membersMotivate team members, through the use of agreed goals and objectives and performance reviewMaintain teamwork and only when necessary take action in accordance with the hospital's disciplinary policyEnsure required training is completed by all members of the Pharmacy Informatics team e.g. Mandatory Training as per hospital policy.Manage staff absences in line with hospital policy e.g. completing return to work meetings Delegate authority appropriately to more junior members of staff, and evaluate their performance against identified criteria FinancialLiaise with the Head of Pharmacy / Pharmacy Operations Manager to ensure that expenditure on medicines and staff is controlled within the Departmental budgetLiaise with the Formulary Development Pharmacist in relation to costing of new drugs and formulary changes.Seek out opportunities to ensure the cost effective use of medicines in TUH using ICT developments medicines management developments where possibleDevelop business cases seeking approval from the Head of Pharmacy and Hospital Management for the development of pharmacy and medicines management technology.Ensure that departmental or organisational policies (e.g. generic prescribing, generic substitution, compliance with formulary guidelines) are enforced Quality ImprovementLead the application of quality improvement tools and methods (e.g. brainstorming, priority matrix, control charts, cause and effect analysis) to improve systematically the pharmaceutical care of patientsPromote and engage in team work with medical, nursing and pharmacy staff to improve the quality of the medication use processApply statistical methods to analyse data from routine collection systems, medication use evaluations and audits, and take action to bring about improvement using data driven decisionsCollect, interpret and present to the Head of Pharmacy data and information on Pharmacy and medicines management ICT activities and expenditure.
Organisational Co-ordinate service delivery with pharmacy staff in the Clinical Pharmacy, Dispensary and Aseptic Unit services.
Specifically, coordinate the rostering of staff as required.In co-operation with the Pharmacy Dispensary Manager ensure seamless supply of medication to all clinical areas.
Utilise and promote technology where available.
Seek additional resources where possible.Act as a mentor to junior pharmacy staff, and an educational supervisor when required.Approve leave in line with the Pharmacy Department's Leave Policy.Complete Pregnancy risk assessments for Pharmacy Informatics staffLead the provision of induction training to new Pharmacy staff in the pharmacy Informatics team.Contribute to the pharmacy response to medication shortages.Ensure practice relating to medicines management in ICT and technology is supported by adequate policies and procedures.Expand services as required by demand in line with available resources.Prepare risk assessments as requiredQualifications & Experience requiredMust have:Be registered in the Register of Pharmacists as maintained by the Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland, or be entitled to be so registeredHave not less than five years' satisfactory post registration hospital experiencePossess the requisite knowledge and ability (including a high standard of suitability) for the proper discharge of the duties of the officePossess a high standard of administrative, managerial or business abilityDesirable:Have relevant experience of management in a hospital pharmacy setting, including staff supervision and service deliveryImplementation and Management of Pharmacy and/or Medicines Management Technologies in an acute hospital settingA relevant post-graduate qualificationExperience of working with multidisciplinary teams and promoting good communicationsReward & RecognitionRemuneration is in accordance with the Department of Health Consolidated Salary Scales, grade code 3271.The appointment is Temporary, whole time, Specified Purpose Contract and pensionable.The annual leave entitlement is 30 working days per year.
The leave year runs from 1st April to the 31st of March each year.Normal working hours are 35 worked over 5 days.
Your contracted hours of work are liable to change between the hours of 8 am to 8 pm over 7 days to meet the requirements for extended day services in accordance with the terms of the Framework Agreement.