Advance Specialist Pharmacist - Microbiology

Key Duties & Responsibilities:

The ASP for Antimicrobial Stewardship will undertake the duties appropriate to that position and grade, subject to the supervision of the Chief II Pharmacist and general supervision of the Head of Pharmacy and/or his/her deputy.

The duties are as follows:

Clinical Leadership and Patient Care

• Key member of the Antimicrobial Stewardship (AMS) Team which works with the Consultant Microbiologists, Infection Control Team nurses and surveillance scientists to prevent Healthcare Associated Infection (HCAIs) and steward antmicrobial use to combat the rise of Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR).
• Work within the Hospital to drive and support the development and implementation of the Hospital Antimicrobial Stewardship programme initiatives and deliver the relevant components of the annual plan pertaining to AMS and AMR.
• Participate in ward based AMS rounds with collection of Key Performance Indictors (KPIs) and develop service improvement action plans based on KPI results.
• Lead and support in advancing the AMS programme both with the clinical pharmacists, pharmacy department and the hospital prescribers in line with the Hospital and National priorities.
• Provide intensive programme, quality improvement and change management support to contribute to the implementation of the Hospital AMS objectives, as set out by the Chief II Antimicrobial Stewardship Pharmacist, while keeping up to date with and mindful of the National HCAI/AMR plans for the HSE and overall service reform.
• Have a working knowledge of the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) Standards as they apply to the role for example, Standards for Healthcare, National Standards for the Prevention and Control of Healthcare Associated Infections, Hygiene Standards, AMRIC recommendations etc.
• Remain knowledgeable and up to date with local, national and international evidence based antimicrobial guidelines.
• Provide innovative pharmacist leadership, AMS advice and guidance based on current best practice and support the modernisation of services.
• Ensure a patient-centred focus where the medicines information and AMS service provided is of a high quality, safe and comprehensive.
• Providing expert professional and highly specialised advice on antimicrobials and infection control.
• Promote safe, effective and cost effective use of antimicrobial medicines by monitoring formulary and guideline compliance in conjunction with the Clinical Microbiology Team.
• Risk assess and monitor the quality of the AMS services.
• Facilitate flow of admission and discharge by managing antimicrobial medications that may cause delays.
• Assist the dispensary, medicines information, clinical and pharmacists with antimicrobial medication shortages and proposals of alternatives.
• Participate in preparations for inspections from JCI, HIQA, OCEI, HPRA, AMRIC, PSI and any other accreditation body where applicable.
• Undertake ward duties and on call service as part of core work in the department, under the direction of the Chief II Clinical Services Pharmacist where appropriate.
• Have the ability to multi task, work flexibly and under pressure in a changing environment.
• Have the ability to prioritise and demonstrate effective time management skills.
• Possess the ability to work independently when required and exercise initiative.
• Demonstrate team working skills both with the pharmacy team and in a multi-disciplinary team (MDT) capacity.
• Exhibit effective communication skills including those applicable to patient counselling, MDT membership, presentation skills as well as guideline and report writing.
• Participate in the provision of a comprehensive pharmacy service, supporting medicines management and clinical services at the discretion and direction of the Chief II Antimicrobial Stewardship Pharmacist.
• Participate in and/or supervise specific pharmacy and hospital projects as delegated or as apparent to the role.
• Participate and lead in research and audit related to the role.

Service and Financial Management

• Ensure that the purchase, storage and supply of medications is operated on the most economical lines, consistent with quality at pharmacy and ward level.
• Analyse and report on data in relation to antimicrobial usage, consumption and expenditure in the hospital.
• Ensure the provision of accurate information from the pharmacy software system to Pharmacy & Hospital management and National bodies as directed.
• Work with the Head of Pharmacy, Chief II Antimicrobial Stewardship Pharmacist and Consultants Microbiologists where applicable to effectively manage the introduction of new high cost therapies.
• Provide a specialist clinical antimicrobial pharmacy service in a manner that promotes safe, rational and economic usage of antimicrobials, providing advanced expertise and education on the pharmaceutical aspects and clinical applications of antmicrobial drugs.
• Devise and update policies, procedures and guidelines in conjunction with all relevant stakeholders including Clinical Microbiology, Infection Prevention and Control and each directorate, ensuring the adoption of best practice methodology.
• Development and enhancement of the Beaumont Hospital Antimicrobial Guidelines and Antimicrobial App.
• To participate in multidisciplinary hospital committees at the discretion and direction of the Chief II Antimicrobial Stewardship Pharmacist and Head of Pharmacy.
• To liaise with Chief II Pharmacist Dispensary Services to ensure that the storage of medicinal and related products used is compliant with pharmacy and hospital standards and SOPs.
• To review antimicrobial medication errors and when relevant identify actions to reduce risk working with the Chief II Medication Safety Pharmacist in the process, as well as ensuring medication safety events are responded to and addressed, as per Hospital policy.

Staff Management and Training

• Maintain a high standard of clinical knowledge by undertaking continuing professional development (CPD) activities.
• Provide education and training of pharmacy staff, the MDT and undergraduates, where required.
• To train and supervise any pharmacist or other pharmacy staff assigned to him/her.
• Ability to organise and co-ordinate staff assigned to work under your supervision
• Act as a mentor for pharmacy staff in AMS and Clinical Pharmacy services rotation.
• Ensure that the needs of patients and professional staff are being adequately met by the AMS service

Other Core Elements

• Where the Chief II Antimicrobial Stewardship Pharmacist has been assigned responsibilities, to co-operate with and assist him/her in the performance of his/her duties & responsibilities as required.
• To perform such other duties appropriate to the office, as may be assigned to him/her by the Head of Pharmacy & other duly authorised officer(s).
• To practice in accordance with PSI standards at all times
• To have awareness of corporate responsibility.
• To participate in the on-call pharmacist rota & weekend rota

The job description is an outline of the post as it is currently perceived by the hospital and will be subject to review and amendment. This job description will therefore be subject to change in light of the various strategies for the hospital and the development of the Clinical Directorate model and any future developments that arise and will evolve and change over time.

Selection Criteria: 

Selection criteria outline the qualifications, skills, knowledge and/or experience that the successful candidate would need to demonstrate for successful discharge of the responsibilities of the post. 

Applications will be assessed on the basis of how well candidates satisfy these criteria.

Mandatory:

• Be a registered Pharmacist with the Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland (PSI), or be entitled to be so registered.
• Have a minimum of five years satisfactory post registration hospital experience of which at least 3 years must be in the relevant specialty demonstrating the required level of specialist practice where no relevant post graduate qualification has been undertaken

OR

• Have a minimum of 4 years post registration hospital experience, of which at least 2 years must be in the relevant specialty demonstrating the required level of specialist practice where a relevant post graduate qualification has been undertaken.
• Possess the requisite knowledge and ability (including a high standard of suitability) for the proper discharge of the duties of the office

Desirable:

• Possess a post graduate Diploma/Masters in Hospital/Clinical Pharmacy or a related healthcare area or in pursuit of same.

Role Specific Requirements

• You will be required to work the agreed roster/on call arrangements advised to you by your line manager. Your contracted hours of work are liable to change between the hours of 08:00 – 20:00 over seven days to meet the requirements for extended day services in accordance with the terms of the Framework Agreement.

If an appointee has previously been employed in the Civil or Public Service and that appointee is entitled to or in receipt of a pension from the Civil or Public Service or where a Civil/ Public Service pension comes into payment during the appointee’s re-employment that pension will be subject to abatement in accordance with Section 52 of the Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and other Provisions) Act 2012.

Please note: In applying for this position you are acknowledging that you understand that the abatement provisions, where relevant, will apply. It is not envisaged that the employing Department/ Office/ Body will support an application for an abatement waiver in respect of appointments to this position.

Please be aware that Beaumont Hospital will never ask candidates to pay money at any stage of the recruitment process. Any requests for payment, bank details, or financial information in connection with a job application should be treated as fraudulent. If you receive such a request claiming to be from Beaumont Hospital, please do not respond and report to the recruitment department immediately

Informal Enquiries ONLY to: (Please note NO APPLICATIONS will be accepted via the Informal Email)