Job Description
Job Specification and Terms & Conditions Job Title & Grade - Basic Grade Pharmacist (Permanent, Full Time 35 hours) Campaign Reference - RQ936 Closing Date - Monday October 28th Proposed Interview Date - Week starting Monday November 4th Taking Up Appointment - As soon as possible. Informal enquires Deborah Murray Pharmacy Executive Manager Tel Email: Location of Post - Peamount Healthcare, Newcastle Details of Service Peamount Healthcare is an independent voluntary organisation that operates in partnership with the HSE, CHO7 and Dublin Midlands Hospital Group to provide a range of high-quality health and social care services. We help people return home after a serious illness, we provide safe and homely residential care for those who need it, and we support people to live as independently as possible in the community.Peamount Healthcare is committed to the following values: Person centred seeing each person as unique, giving them a voice and focusing on ability. Respect creating a supportive environment where everyone is given courteous and respectful care and support. Excellence enabling interdisciplinary teams to deliver high quality integrated care, meaningful outcomes with a focus on continuous improvement. Team working fostering an inclusive, healthy working environment where people are valued and recognised for their individual and shared achievements. Quality improvement supporting teams to embed continuous improvement methodology as part of everything we do. Education & Research partnering with academia to support education, learning, research and evidence-based care. Reporting Relationship The Basic Grade Pharmacist will report directly to the Pharmacy Executive Manager. Purpose of Post To provide a ward based clinical pharmacy service, predominately to the age related rehabilitation and long stay Units. To assist in the provision of the dispensary, clinical, medication safety and medicines information services as appropriate. Provide effective, efficient and safe pharmaceutical care to all patients under their care in Peamount Healthcare. Identify and address patient care and medication management needs where appropriate. Advise and provide information to other healthcare professionals, including other pharmacists, to assist them in their care of the patient. Eligibility Criteria Qualifications & Experience Candidates must on the latest date for receipt of applications: Be a registered Pharmacist with the Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland (PSI) or be entitled to be so registered. Newly registering pharmacists welcome to apply. Possess the requisite knowledge and ability (including a high standard of suitability) for the proper discharge of the duties of the office. Desirable Skills, Competencies and Knowledge Previous Hospital Pharmacy Experience at Intern or Pharmacist Level Have an understanding of the HIQA Medication Safety Monitoring Programme in relation to rehabilitation healthcare settings. Other requirements specific to the post Communication Skills Excellent interpersonal, communication and presentation skills and an ability to communicate in a manner suited to individuals, target groups and health professionals. Ability to communicate with members of multidisciplinary teams and managers assertively and with diplomacy to ensure adherence with medication policies and clinical best practice. Engage with healthcare & non-healthcare professionals in a respectful, co-operative and professional manner. Have a person-centred approach, which is respectful towards service users/residents, staff and others. Evidence of ability to empathise with and treat service users/ residents, relatives and colleagues with dignity and respect. IT Skills A willingness to develop Information Technology skills relevant to the role. Excellent presentation and facilitation skills i.e. ability to present clearly and concisely. Ability to engage with information systems and data management tools i.e. Cliniscript, Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint. Additional Skills A flexible approach to carrying out the duties of the role and open to new ideas. Demonstrates initiative, innovation and problem-solving ability and ability to identify and implement solutions and change. Demonstrates team working skills and ability to build strong working relationships with multidisciplinary team members and colleagues of all grades Evidence of leadership skills, demonstrating experience completing audits / projects to improve service provision. The ability to effectively evaluate information and make appropriate decisions Evidence of effective planning, organising and time management skills Displays motivation and commitment to providing a quality pharmacy service. Health A candidate for and any person holding the office must be fully competent and capable of undertaking the duties attached to the office and be in a state of health such as would indicate a reasonable prospect of ability to render regular and efficient service. Character Each candidate for and any person holding the office must be of good character Age Age restrictions shall only apply to a candidate where he/she is not classified as a new entrant (within the meaning of the Public Service Superannuation Act, 2004).A candidate who is not classified as a new entrant must be under 65 years of age. Principal Duties & Responsibilities General Accountability Participate in the Pharmaceutical Service as part of a professional, and dedicated team. Create, promote and maintain open communication and healthy working relationships. Maintain throughout Peamount Healthcare, awareness of the privacy of the service user / resident in relation to all hospital activities. Demonstrate behaviour consistent with the values of Peamount Healthcare. Specific Accountability Clinical Service Participate in the development and expansion of ward pharmacy / clinical pharmacy services. Provide a patient focused clinical pharmacy service including prescription review, patient counselling, and medication reconciliation on admission. Act as a specialist resource for the patients and other healthcare professionals. 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. Ensure the safe use of medicines by evaluating and managing risks associated with the use of medicines and by participating in the hospitals Medicines Safety reporting process. Develop and implement policies, procedures and guidelines relating to medicines management. Participate in multidisciplinary working groups and committees as required, both within Peamount Healthcare and with other organisations as appropriate. Drug Distribution Work with the pharmaceutical technicians / other pharmacists / dispensary staff to ensure that patients have all required drug therapy available to them when required, in so far as is possible, taking pharmacy and supplier opening hours into consideration. Comply with pharmacy department procedures for the supply and return of medication supplies to clinical areas. Assist in avoidance of stock outages by timely ordering of medications. Ensure that all drug distribution practices conform to local pharmacy policies and good dispensing practice e.g. dispensing of cytotoxic products, dispensing of fridge items, dispensing in accordance with pharmacy ICT recording requirements. Advise and assist in developing, implementing and reviewing drug supply, storage and handling policies in pharmacy and clinical areas. Work systems Be fully conversant with all approved systems of work and documentation associated with the pharmaceutical care of the patient, at the level of the pharmacy department, clinical area, and at an organisational level. Ensure that quality systems are operating correctly. Ensure that all documentation is completed in accordance with any relevant policies, in a timely manner and filed appropriately when complete. Identify and address deficiencies in medications management systems, where applicable. Highlight any discrepancies, incidents or inadequacies in services to the Pharmacy Executive Manager and Quality Manager, as appropriate. Work collaboratively with all members of the pharmacy and wider healthcare teams to deliver an integrated pharmacy service. Act as a liaison between the dispensary and healthcare staff in clinical areas. Identify and participate in Quality / Value for Money initiatives. Encourage completion of adverse drug reaction cards, medication incident reports by healthcare colleagues. Educational Deliver training and education to medical, nursing and pharmacy staff through induction days, study days, journal club and other educational events. Participate in the training of Pharmacy Students. Supervise and tutor other students during work experience placements in the department. Participate in continuing education and in such activities consistent with the post and in accordance with the Irish Institute of Pharmacy. Attend such study days and continuing education courses as may be deemed necessary for the development of both the service and the individual. Health & Safety Comply with and enact Health and Safety responsibilities as outlined in hospital policies, protocols and procedures relevant to your area. Work in a safe manner with due care and attention to the safety of self and others Be familiar with risk management reporting structures, identify risks and take appropriate action. Report any adverse incidents or near misses. Be responsible in highlighting risks to appropriate unit level managers & Pharmacy Executive Manager. Be familiar with the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) Standards: Residential care; Disabilities; Safer Better Healthcare; Prevention and control of Healthcare Associated Infections; Hygiene standards. 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. Adaptability and flexibility is essential, and other clinical areas as listed within job description may need to be covered at times. The job description must be regarded as an outline of the major areas of accountability at the present time, which will be reviewed and assessed on an on-going basis. Hence, the basic grade pharmacist will be required to maintain, enhance and develop their knowledge and skills necessary to respond to a changing situation. How To Apply Informal queries can be directed to the Pharmacy Executive Manager, Debbie Murray at or Campaign Specific Selection Post A ranking and or short listing exercise may be carried out on the basis of information supplied in your CV.The criteria for ranking and or short listing are based on the requirements of the post as outlined in the eligibility criteria and skills, competencies and/or knowledge section of this job specification.Therefore, it is very important that you think about your experience in light of those requirements. Failure to include information regarding these requirements may result in you not being called forward to the next stage of the selection process. Those successful at the ranking stage of this process (where applied) will be placed on an order of merit and will be called to interview depending on the service needs of the organisation. Code of Practice Peamount will run this campaign in compliance with the Code of Practice prepared by the Commission for Public Service Appointments (CPSA).The Code of Practice sets out how the core principles of probity, merit, equity and fairness might be applied on a principles basis.The Code also specifies the responsibilities placed on candidates, facilities for feedback to applicants on matters relating to their application when requested and outlines procedures in relation to requests for a review of the recruitment and selection process and review in relation to allegations of a breach of Code of Practice.Codes of practice are published by the CPSA and are available on The reform programme outlined for the Health Service may impact on this role and as structures change the job description may be reviewed. The job description is a guide to the general range of duties assigned to the post holder.It is intended to be neither definitive or restrictive and is subject to periodic review with the employee concerned. Terms & Conditions of Employment Basic Grade Pharmacist Peamount Healthcare, Newcastle, Co. Dublin. Tenure The Current Vacancy available is a Full-Time Permanent Basic Grade Pharmacist. The post is pensionable. A panel may be created from which permanent and specified purpose vacancies of full or part time duration may be filled.The tenure of these posts will be indicated at expression of interest stage. Appointment as an employee of Peamount Healthcare is governed by the Health Act 2004 and the Public Service Management (Recruitment and Appointment) Act 2004. Remuneration Remuneration is in accordance with the salary scale approved by the Department of Health: Current salary scale with effect from 1st October 2024: (Point 1) €47,995 to (Point 10) €76,845 Working Week The hours allocated to this post are 35 hours per week with 7 hours as a standard working day. The allocation of these hours will be at the discretion of the Department Head and in accordance with the needs of the service. HSE Circular 003-2009 Matching Working Patterns to Service Needs (Extended Working Day/Week Arrangements); Framework for Implementation of Clause 30.4 of Towards 2016 applies. Under the terms of this circular, all new entrants and staff appointed to promotional posts from Dec 16th 2008 will be required to work agreed roster / on call arrangements as advised by their line manager. Contracted hours of work are liable to change between the hours of 8am-8pm over seven days to meet the requirements for extended day services in accordance with the terms of the Framework Agreement (Implementation of Clause 30.4 of Towards 2016 Annual Leave 27 days per annum pro rata based on contracted hours. Probation All employees will be subject to a probationary period as per the probation policy. This policy applies to all employees irrespective of the type of contract under which they have been employed. A period of 12 months probation will be served: On commencement of employment. Fixed term to permanent contract. Permanent employees commencing in promotional posts will also undertake a probationary period relating to their new post. Pension Employees of Peamount Healthcare are required to be members of the Hospitals Superannuation Scheme. Deductions at the appropriate rate will be made from your salary payment. If you are being rehired after drawing down a public service pension your attention is drawn to Section 52 of the Public Services Pension (Single and Other Provisions) Act 2012. The 2012 Act extends the principle of abatement to retired public servants in receipt of a public service pension who secure another public service appointment in any public service body. Maternity Maternity leave is granted in accordance with the terms of the Maternity Protection Acts 1994 and 2001. Sick Leave Peamount Healthcare operates a Sickness Absence Management policy in line with the new Public Service Sick Leave Scheme as introduced in 31st March 2014. Pre-Employment Health Assessment Prior to commencing in this role a person will be required to complete a form declaring their health status which is reviewed by the hospitals Occupational Health Service and if required undergo a medical assessment with this department. Any person employed by Peamount Healthcare must be fully competent and capable of undertaking the duties attached to the office and be in a state of health such as would indicate a reasonable prospect of ability to render regular and efficient service. Validation of Qualifications & Experience Any credit given to a candidate at interview, in respect of claims to qualifications, training and experience is provisional and is subject to verification. The recommendation of the interview board is liable to revision if the claimed qualification, training or experience is not proven. References Peamount Healthcare will seek up to two written references from current and previous employers, educational institutions or any other organisations with which the candidate has been associated. The hospital also reserves the right to determine the merit, appropriateness and relevance of such references and referees. Garda Vetting Peamount Healthcare will carry out Garda vetting on all new employees. An employee will not take up employment with the hospital until the Garda Vetting process has been completed and the hospital is satisfied that such an appointment does not pose a risk to clients, service users and employees. Health & Safety These duties must be performed in accordance with the hospital health and safety policy. In carrying out these duties the employee must ensure that effective safety procedures are in place to comply with the Health, Safety and Welfare at Work Act. Staff must carry out their duties in a safe and responsible manner in line with the Hospital Policy as set out in the appropriate departments safety statement, which must be read and understood. Quality, Risk & Safety Responsibilities It is the responsibility of all staff to: Participate and cooperate with legislative and regulatory requirements with regard to Quality, Risk and Safety. Participate and cooperate with external agencies on safety initiatives as required. Participate and cooperate with internal and external evaluations of hospital structures, services and processes as required, including but not limited to: National Standards for Safer Better Healthcare. National Standards for the Prevention and Control of Healthcare Associated Infections. HSE Standards and Recommended Practices for Healthcare Records Management Safety audits and other audits specified by the HSE or other regulatory authorities. To initiate, support and implement quality improvement initiatives in their area which are in keeping with the hospitals continuous quality improvement programme. It is the responsibility of all managers to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements for Quality, Safety and Risk within their area/department Specific Responsibility for Best Practice in Hygiene Hygiene in healthcare is defined as the practice that serves to keep people and the environment clean and prevent infection. It involves preserving ones health, preventing the spread of disease and recognizing, evaluating and controlling health hazards. It is the responsibility of all staff to ensure compliance with hospital hygiene standards, guidelines and practices. Department heads/ managers have overall responsibility for best practice in hygiene in their area. It is mandatory to complete hand hygiene training every 2-years and sharps awareness workshops yearly. Skills: Registered Pharmacist Experience at Intern or Pharmacist level Knowledgeable