ANTIMICROBIAL PHARMACIST (SENIOR PHARMACIST)
Job Specification & Terms and Conditions
Job Title
Antimicrobial Pharmacist (Senior Pharmacist)
Grade Code: 3239
Grade
Campaign Reference
NRS0973
Closing Date
Monday 6th January 2014 at 12 noon
Proposed Interview Date (s)
Taking up Appointment
Organisational Area
Location of Post
Week commencing 27th January 2014
A start date will be indicated at job offer stage.
Health Service Executive South
Pharmacy Department of South Tipperary General Hospital
Details of Service





Provision of pharmaceutical services in South Tipperary General Hospital
which includes dispensary services, medicines information, provision of
chemotherapy and some ward-based clinical pharmacy services.
Pharmacy services are provided to patients being treated in the following
specialities; medicine, surgery, obstetrics & gynaecology, paediatrics,
intensive care, oncology, emergency medicine & psychiatry.
Provision of pharmaceutical services to South Tipperary Community Hospitals
which includes individual patient dispensing for long stay patients
Possible future developments include expansion of the ward based clinical
pharmacy service.
Team structure: the Pharmacy team includes pharmacists, technicians,
clerical admin & portering staff.
Reporting Relationship
The successful candidate will report to the Chief Pharmacist or his/her deputy
Purpose of the Post
To provide a Hospital Pharmacy service to the hospitals, wards and departments
covered by the Pharmacy Department, including but not confined to Antimicrobial
Stewardship
Informal enquiries for this post to:
Ms Audrey O’Reilly, Chief Pharmacist, South Tipperary General Hospital,
Clonmel.
Email: Audrey.oreilly@hse.ie, Tel: 052 6177079
Principal DutiesSpecific
and
requirements
Responsibilitiesof this post
will include:

Lead on the implementation of hospital, regional and national antimicrobial stewardship
initiatives/policies as recommended by the SARI National Committee.

Work closely with the Consultant Microbiologist in the development and implementation of
evidence based hospital antimicrobial policies and the maintenance and review as appropriate of
established policies.

Lead out on the audit, monitoring, analyse and reporting of antimicrobials usage within the
hospital(s) and providing feedback on antimicrobial usage to the prescribers. Participate in
regional and national antimicrobial consumption surveillance and provide relevant data to the
regional SARI committee and Health Protection Surveillance Centre.
NRS0973 Job Spec – Antimicrobial Pharmacist (Senior Pharmacist) – Page 1

Work jointly with the Microbiology Consultant at ward level, providing good clinical pharmacy
practice to ensure the best use of antimicrobial drugs according to hospital antimicrobial policies.

Deliver
training
and education to
pharmacy,
medical & nursing
staff in relation to
antimicrobial use,
resistance
and
other specialised
information
relating
to
antimcirobials.

Participate in
multidisciplina
ry working
groups/
committees
as required
(e.g. the
antimicrobial
committee/
SARI
committee/
infection
control
committee)
As a Senior
Pharmacist the
following duties
should be
carried out
where required
to ensure the
provision of a
comprehensive
pharmaceutical
service:

The
supervision
and supply of
drugs,
pharmaceutic
als and other
related items
as may be
required.

To perform
occasional
duties in the
dispensary if
required on a
NRS0973 Job Spec – Antimicrobial Pharmacist (Senior Pharmacist) – Page 2
rotational
basis to
ensure that
the purchase,
storage and
supply of all
items is
operated on
the most
economical
lines,
consistent
with quality at
pharmacy,
ward and
department
levels and
with
reference to
legal
requirements,
transit,
security and
conditions of
chemical and
physical
stability.

The
maintenance
of records for
purchasing,
quality
control,
compounding
and
dispensing to
the standards
required.

Participate in
the provision,
development
and
expansion of
ward clinical
pharmacy
services.

The provision
of advice, as
required, to
medical and
nursing staff
on the proper
and economic
use of drugs
and
medicines
including
NRS0973 Job Spec – Antimicrobial Pharmacist (Senior Pharmacist) – Page 3
participation
in schemes
for the
dissemination
of information
in relation to
drugs and
drug usage
designed to
deliver
optimal care
economically.

Participate in
orientation and
teaching / training
programmes for
Pharmacy staff,
other relevant
personnel and
trainees/
students, as
required.

Assist with
the
management
of Pharmacy
staff, as
delegated by
the Chief
Pharmacist

To co-operate
with clinical,
scientific and
nursing staff
on the
maintenance
and
development
of new
methods of
treatment.

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
NRS0973 Job Spec – Antimicrobial Pharmacist (Senior Pharmacist) – Page 4
Healthcare
Associated
Infections,
Hygiene
Standards etc.
The
above
Job
Description 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
and to contribute to
the development of
the post while in
office.
Candidates must:Eligibility Criteria
Qualifications
or experience
On the latest date for receipt of application forms for the post
and/
a) Be a registered Pharmacist with the Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland (PSI) or be entitled to
be so registered
and
b) Have at least three years satisfactory post registration hospital experience
and
c) Possess the requisite knowledge and ability (including a high standard of suitability and
management ability) for the proper discharge of the duties of the office
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 on the first day of the month in which the latest date for
receiving completed application forms for the office occurs.
Post
Specific
Requirements
o
o
Other requirements
specific to the post
Skills,
competencies
and/or knowledge
Demonstrate depth and breadth of hospital pharmacy experience to include experience of
reviewing individual prescriptions.
Demonstrate interest in and/ or experience of stewardship strategies.
N/A
 Demonstrate sufficient clinical and professional knowledge to carry out the duties and
responsibilities of the role.
 Demonstrate interest in antimicrobial subject matter and an understanding of antimicrobial
NRS0973 Job Spec – Antimicrobial Pharmacist (Senior Pharmacist) – Page 5
stewardship.
 Demonstrate evidence of organisation and management skills including awareness of resource
management and importance of value for money and the financial issues related to medication
management
 Demonstrate the ability to manage and develop self and others in a busy working environment
including the ability to prioritise caseloads according to need
 Demonstrate good communication skills, both verbally and written
 Demonstrate excellent interpersonal skills and show leadership in a team environment
 Demonstrate ability to work individually and as part of a multi-disciplinary team
 Demonstrate an excellent understanding of the needs of patients and of other hospital staff and
work to ensure the pharmacy services meets these needs as fully as possible
 Demonstrate the ability to evaluate information, make effective decisions and solve problems
especially with regard to service user care
 Demonstrate commitment to providing a quality service and high standards and to strive for a
user centred service
 Demonstrate initiative and innovation in identifying areas for service improvement
 Demonstrate evidence of ability to empathise with and treat patients, relatives and colleagues
with dignity and respect
 Demonstrate commitment to continuing professional development
 Demonstrate the willingness and ability to both teach and learn
 Demonstrate awareness of the security considerations/confidentiality involved in working in a
hospital pharmacy
Campaign Specific
Selection Process
Ranking/Shortlisting
/ Interview
A ranking and or shortlisting exercise may be carried out on the basis of information supplied in your
application form. The criteria for ranking and or shortlisting 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 in ‘bands’ depending on the service needs of the organisation.
Code of Practice
The Health Service Executive 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 principle 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 the Code of Practice. Additional information on the HSE’s review process is available in
the document posted with each vacancy entitled “Code of Practice, Information for Candidates”.
Codes of practice are published by the CPSA and are available on www.hse.ie/eng/staff/jobs in the
document posted with each vacancy entitled “Code of Practice, Information for Candidates” or on
www.cpsa.ie.
The reform programme outlined for the Health Services may impact on this role and as structures change the job description
may be reviewed.
This job description is a guide to the general range of duties assigned to the post holder. It is intended to be neither definitive
nor restrictive and is subject to periodic review with the employee concerned.
NRS0973 Job Spec – Antimicrobial Pharmacist (Senior Pharmacist) – Page 6
Antimicrobial Pharmacist (Senior Pharmacist)
Terms and Conditions of Employment
Tenure
The initial vacancy for this post is permanent and wholetime. The post
is pensionable. A panel will be created from which permanent and
specified purpose vacancies of full or part time duration will be filled.
The tenure of these posts will be indicated at “expression of interest”
stage.
Appointment as an employee of the Health Service Executive is
governed by the Health Act 2004 and the Public Service Management
(Recruitment and Appointment) Act 2004.
Remuneration
The Salary scale (as at 01/07/13) for the post is:
€59,427, €62,204, €63,093, €63,979, €65,000, €65,000, €65,000,
€66,089
Working Week
The standard working week applying to the post is to be confirmed
at Job Offer stage.
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).
The annual leave applying to the post is to be confirmed at Job Offer
stage and as determined by the Organisation of Working Time Act
1977.
Annual Leave
Superannuation
Probation
Protection
of
Persons Reporting
Child
Abuse
Act
1998
This is a pensionable position with the HSE. The successful
candidate will upon appointment become a member of the
appropriate pension scheme. Pension scheme membership will be
notified within the contract of employment. Members of pre-existing
pension schemes who transferred to the HSE on the 01st January
2005 pursuant to Section 60 of the Health Act 2004 are entitled to
superannuation benefit terms under the HSE Scheme which are no
less favourable to those which they were entitled to at 31st
December 2004
Every appointment of a person who is not already a permanent officer
of the Health Service Executive or of a Local Authority shall be subject
to a probationary period of 12 months as stipulated in the Department
of Health Circular No.10/71.
As this post is one of those designated under the Protection of
Persons Reporting Child Abuse Act 1998, appointment to this post
appoints one as a designated officer in accordance with Section 2 of
the Act. You will remain a designated officer for the duration of your
appointment to your current post or for the duration of your
appointment to such other post as is included in the categories
specified in the Ministerial Direction. You will receive full information
on your responsibilities under the Act on appointment.
NRS0973 Job Spec – Antimicrobial Pharmacist (Senior Pharmacist) – Page 7
Infection Control
Have a working knowledge of 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 etc.
NRS0973 Job Spec – Antimicrobial Pharmacist (Senior Pharmacist) – Page 8