Southern Adelaide Health Service
JOB AND PERSON SPECIFICATION
(MANAGERIAL)
TITLE OF POSITION: Deputy Director, Pharmacy Services / Senior Specialist Pharmacist,
Clinical and Drug Information Services
ADMINISTRATIVE UNIT:
Southern Adelaide Health Service
Classification: AHP 4
Health Unit:
Division: Pharmacy
Classification Reviewed: 2010
Department / Section: Pharmacy
Position No: FM0199
Position Created:
Job and Person Specification Approval
_________________________________________
CEO or Delegate
_____/_____/_____
Date
JOB SPECIFICATION
1. PREAMBLE
The Southern Adelaide Health Service (Southern Health) was established in 2004. It brought
together Flinders Medical Centre, Noarlunga Health Services and Drug and Alcohol Services
Council. It includes Population & Primary Health Care, Southern Mental Health and Southern
Child & Adolescent Mental Health Services, and works closely with other health providers in the
southern area. Repatriation General Hospital, a public teaching hospital, formally joined
Southern Health in July 2008, further consolidating the working relationship formed over the past
four years.
With an annual budget in excess of $500M, Southern Health provides care for around 330,000
people living in the southern metropolitan area of Adelaide as well as providing a number of statewide services, and services to those in the regional areas.
More than 7,000 skilled staff provide high quality patient care, education, research and health
promoting services.
The Division of Pharmacy provides high quality cost effective pharmaceutical services to support
the patient care needs of Flinders Medical Centre; and to ensure that safe, rational and effective
drug therapy is a primary commitment. Services provided include:
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Clinical Pharmacy and Drug Information - the role of these services is to optimise
therapeutic drug use for patients while minimising adverse effects. This is achieved through
a range of activities and provision of relevant drug information to staff and patients is a
critical function of this service.
Dispensing Service - provides an individual inpatient dispensing service, including the
review of patients' medication charts; provision of medications, counselling aids and support
for patients on discharge; and also a comprehensive range of dispensing and counselling
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services for outpatients. The issue of drugs for individual patients from the Dispensing
Service is supported by an Imprest System to all patient care areas of the Centre.
Production Service - a range of specialised services are provided including cytotoxic
reconstitution, preparation of parenteral nutrition fluids for adults and neonates and
specialised intravenous admixture services. The Service also prepares a range of nonsterile products and repacks a selection of commercially available pharmaceuticals for
internal distribution. The Service is monitored and supported by a quality control laboratory
operated by medical scientists.
2. SUMMARY OF THE BROAD PURPOSE OF THE POSITION and its responsibilities/duties
The Deputy Director, Pharmacy Services, or Senior Specialist Pharmacist Clinical Pharmacy &
Drug Information Services, is responsible for the provision of a comprehensive range of clinical
pharmacy and drug information services, the goals of which are to optimise therapeutic drug use
while minimising adverse effects for inpatients and outpatients of the Centre. The Pharmacist is
responsible for education, training and supervision of professional staff, pharmacy interns and
students in the provision of these services. The Pharmacist also contributes to the educational
and research missions of the Centre, teaching graduates and undergraduates of pharmacy,
medicine, nursing and other professional disciplines and initiating and participating in research
programs.
The Senior Specialist Pharmacist/Deputy Director participates in the Administration of the
Division and is responsible to the Director, Pharmacy Services for supervising and coordinating a
range of activities, including the Imprest Service, in accordance with hospital and Divisional
policies and procedures. This results in a significant contribution to the optimisation of therapeutic
drug use for inpatients and outpatients of the Centre and also the management of the Pharmacy
Services. The pharmacist is directly responsible for the provision of a comprehensive clinical
pharmacy service to a discrete clinical unit within FMC dependant on the pharmacist’s previous
experience and areas of expertise.
The Senior Specialist Pharmacist/Deputy Director represents the Division and Region on statewide and national forum including risk management, medication safety, and other venues when
expert advice is required.
3. REPORTING/WORKING RELATIONSHIPS
(to whom the person reports, staff for whom the person is
responsible, and other significant connections and working relationships within the organisation)
Supervisor Reports to:
CHIEF OPERATIONS OFFICER,
Supervisor’s Position:
DIRECTOR OF PHARMACY
Subject Position:
SENIOR SPECIALIST PHARMACIST, CLINICAL
PHARMACY & DRUG INFORMATION SERVICES
Positions supervised:
Directly
Indirectly:
32
6
Other Positions Reporting to the Supervisor: SENIOR SPECIALIST PHARMACIST, DISPENSING
SENIOR PHARMACIST, PRODUCTION SERVICE
SPECIALIST PHARMACIST, PRODUCTION SERVICE
SENIOR SPECIALIST PHARMACISTS - CLINICAL
SENIOR MEDICAL SCIENTIST - QUALITY CONTROL
BUSINESS MANAGER (0.5FTE)
OFFICE MANAGER
PURCHASING OFFICER
INTERN PHARMACISTS
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4. SPECIAL CONDITIONS (such as non-metropolitan location, travel requirements, frequent overtime, etc)
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Job and Person Specifications are reviewed regularly as part of the ongoing Performance
Development process.
May be required to work within other locations of the Southern Adelaide Health Service.
Inter and intra state travel to represent the Division may be required.
Some out of hours work will be required.
Support values consistent with the aims of the Region, including honesty, respect and
integrity.
Will be required to undertake a health assessment prior to commencement.
Appointment will be subject to a satisfactory Offender History Check.
Comply with the Principles of the Code of Fair Information Practice, adopted by the
Department of Health, which regulate the collection, use, disclosure, storage and transfer of
all personal patient/client information within the Department and throughout its funded service
providers.
Rostered over 7 days e.g.: Monday to Sunday, including Public Holidays.
Frequency of weekend work ca. 1 in 4 - to be worked either in the Pharmacy Dispensing or
Production Services, as agreed.
Working hours may range from 0800 - 1800 hours, although some out of hours work may be
required.
Rostered to the Pharmacy on-call service for 1 week blocks ca. 1 week in 9.
5. STATEMENT OF KEY OUTCOMES AND ASSOCIATED ACTIVITIES
(group in to major
areas of responsibility / activity and list in descending order of importance).
CLINICAL SERVICE PROVISION
The Senior Specialist Pharmacist, Clinical Pharmacy and Drug Information Services/Deputy
Director, is responsible to the Director, Pharmacy Services for the provision and coordination of
these services in accordance with Divisional and hospital policies and procedures and the guidelines
set by the Society of Hospital Pharmacists of Australia (SHPA) and Australian Pharmaceutical
Advisory Council (APAC) through:
 Planning, coordinating and managing the resources and activities of the Clinical Pharmacy and
Drug Information Services, where appropriate initiating policies, procedures and standards to be
modified to accommodate new practices and knowledge in clinical pharmacy, drug information
and therapeutics.
 Formulating goals and objectives for the staff and Services, monitoring achievements, quality and
appropriateness of the services provided through peer review, audit and quality assurance
processes.
 Providing pharmacists and intern pharmacists assigned to the Service (including dispensary
based pharmacists) with orientation and instruction in all aspects of practice so that they develop
skills and competence.
 Coordinating the Pharmacy Graduate (Intern) program to exceed requirements of the Pharmacy
Board of Australia and other accredited training agencies.
In addition the Pharmacist contributes to the provision of services both through an affiliation with
specialist units and on a broader basis through:
 Providing expert drug knowledge to optimise therapeutic drug use while minimising adverse drug
effects and promoting cost-effective therapy for inpatients and outpatients of the Centre
 Providing medical and nursing staff with accurate, unbiased drug information and pharmaceutical
support including advice on the Drug Formulary process.
 Counselling patients to ensure the safe and effective use of drugs.
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Consulting and advising medical staff on the detection and reporting of adverse drug reactions
and facilitating reporting to the Commonwealth's Adverse Drug Reaction Advisory Committee so
that this organisation is alerted to the nature and incidence of reactions occurring at FMC.
Confirming availability and coordinating the supply of all drugs, including those requiring
preparation by the Pharmacy's production service.
Collaborating with the Production pharmacists to enable them to safely and accurately prepare all
treatments prescribed, including clinical trial studies.
Supervising and directing the Senior Pharmacy Assistants, Clinical Services
Providing expert drug knowledge to DTAC, SAMAC and senior staff/clinicians as requested.
TEACHING and RESEARCH
The Specialist Clinical Pharmacist/Deputy Director contributes to the educational and research
missions of the Division and Centre through:
 Training the rotational pharmacists, intern pharmacists and pharmacy students in the various
aspects of the Clinical Pharmacy & Drug Information Services to assist them:
 consolidate their clinical and therapeutic knowledge.
 understand the clinical use of drugs in patient care.
 evaluate and resolve drug prescribing and drug therapy problems.
 counsel patients about the safe and effective use of drugs.
 understand and respect their legal practice limitations and responsibilities.
 Teaching formally, graduates and undergraduates of pharmacy, medicine, nursing and other
disciplines, for which academic status is awarded by recognised tertiary institutions.
 Assisting with the coordination and delivery of pharmacology seminars for the physician training
program so that expert knowledge may be shared with others.
 Acting as preceptor for Bachelor of Pharmacy students undertaking the 4th year Honours program
or postgraduate students enrolled in the Graduate Diploma/Masters in Clinical Pharmacy
Courses.
 Providing in-service education to nursing staff so that they understand the desired and undesired
effects of prescribed therapy and providing professional direction so that they understand the use
of the inpatients drug distribution and imprest systems.
 Initiating and participating in research programs in the fields of therapeutics, pharmacology,
clinical pharmacy and drug information services practice to further knowledge and understanding
in specialised fields.
 Providing support to other hospital staff conducting investigational drug and new drug indication
studies.
 Affiliation and provision of services to University of South Australia and Flinders University.
ADMINISTRATION
The Senior Specialist Pharmacist/Deputy Director contributes to the administration of the Division
and the development, implementation and maintenance of policies and procedures to ensure the
provision of comprehensive professional pharmacy services through:
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Deputising for the Director, Pharmacy Services as required, undertaking the various
administrative and financial functions associated with this position, to ensure the goals and
objectives of the Division continue to be met.
Providing regular reports, critical reviews and statistical analyses of the activities of the Clinical
Pharmacy & Drug Information Services, including key performance indicators and performance
agreement targets.
Advising the Director, Pharmacy Services of resources required to ensure ongoing development
of these Services.
Determining criteria for the selection of staff to work in these Services.
Participating in their performance appraisals/review and recommending further education/training
activities so that they may continue to develop their professional competence and skills.
Coordinating the preparation of staff rosters for weekend services
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actioning new product entries in the Pharmacy Management System, advising pharmacy stores
staff of changes to Formulary listings and assisting them with the purchase of non-marketed
drugs and other issues
COMMITTEE/CONSULTANCY
The Senior Specialist Pharmacist/Deputy Director represents the Division locally, state-wide and
nationally on committees and working parties to promote the quality use of medicines and assist with
the provision of quality pharmacy services; these include:
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Convening the Drug and Therapeutics Advisory Committee's Formulary Working Party which is
responsible for the operation of the Drug Formulary, preparing and consolidating proposals for
drugs to be included in the Formulary and advising and providing guidance to the Secretary of the
Working Party.
Representing the Clinical Pharmacy & Drug Information Services on the Drug & Therapeutics
Advisory Committee.
Participating as a member of the Clinical Trials Committee, reviewing protocols for the conduct of
investigational drug and new drug indication studies, and providing the Committee and
investigators with appropriate guidance and advice.
Providing expert advice and guidance on clinical pharmacy practice and education requirements
to external Pharmacy educational committees and also professional bodies.
Providing expert advice and participating in committees or working parties on medication safety,
risk management and others as directed by the Director.
OTHER
Supervises and co-ordinates the activities of the Senior Pharmacy Assistant providing Imprest
Services, and ensures that all ward associated functions are carried out in accordance with Divisional
and hospital policies and procedures and the assistant's legal practice limitations and responsibilities.
Participates in and contributes to the quality assurance peer review and other audit processes, and
the performance appraisal activities of the Division and the Clinical Pharmacy and Drug Information
Services, to ensure that personnel and service objectives are achieved.
Ensure that a safe and healthy work environment, free from discrimination is provided for employees
by:
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implementing departmental human resource policies
b)
ensuring that the principles of Equal Employment Opportunity and Ethical Conduct are a
normal part of doing business
c)
managing industrial relations issues appropriately as they arise
Acknowledged by Occupant:______________________________ Date:_____/_____/_____
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PERSON SPECIFICATION
1.
ESSENTIAL MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS (those characteristics considered absolutely necessary)
Educational/Vocational Qualifications
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Degree in Pharmacy (or equivalent - eligible for registration with Pharmacy Board of South
Australia).
Registered with the Pharmacy Board of South Australia.
Personal Abilities/Aptitudes/Skills
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Excellent written and oral communication skills and ability to communicate with all levels of
hospital staff, patients and carers.
Well developed organisational skills.
Ability to train, organise and supervise professional staff.
Ability to initiate, solve, plan and implement procedures.
Good presentation and teaching skills.
Ability to train and supervise students, pharmacy interns and pharmacists.
Demonstrated commitment to the principles and practices of Equal Employment Opportunity and
Ethical Conduct, and an understanding of, experience in, and ability to manage to the spirit and
principles of the Premier’s Safety Commitment and the legislative requirements of the
Occupational Health Safety and Welfare Act, utilising AS/NZS 4360 Risk Management, or to an
equivalent set of standards.
Experience
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Proven experience in basic computing skills, including email and word processing.
Significant experience in hospital pharmacy practice.
Experience, training and specialisation in areas of therapeutics.
Professionally competent in clinical pharmacy/drug information practice including the selection,
evaluation and utilisation of medical literature.
Experience in teaching graduates and undergraduates of pharmacy and other health disciplines
through in-service programs and formal tertiary programs.
Knowledge
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Sound knowledge of Occupational Health, Safety & Welfare principles and procedures
Sound knowledge of Quality Management principles and procedures
Working knowledge of Microsoft Applications
Clinical drug use and therapeutics.
Drug information retrieval systems.
Statistical analysis of published medical and pharmaceutical data.
Legal and ethical responsibilities in provision of clinical pharmacy services.
Pharmacy Acts and Regulations.
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2. DESIRABLE CHARACTERISTICS (to distinguish between applicants who meet all essential requirements)
Personal Abilities/Aptitudes/Skills
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Ability to encourage staff supervised to be actively involved in both their personal development
and that of the service in which they work.
Experience
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Previous involvement and experience in research.
Publications in peer reviewed journals.
Membership of hospital and professional committees.
Knowledge
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Computer databases and programming.
Educational/Vocational Qualifications (considered useful in carrying out the responsibilities of the position)
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Relevant post graduate qualification in Clinical Pharmacy
e.g.: Graduate Diploma or Masters in Clinical Pharmacy, PhD or Doctorate in Pharmacy or
related discipline.
Other details
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INFORMATION FOR APPLICANTS
INTRODUCTION
Thank you for considering applying for a position with the Southern Adelaide Health Service
(Southern Health). Recruitment and Selection processes at Southern Health reflect best practice and
a commitment to a selection based on merit. This means treating all applications in a fair and
equitable manner that aims to choose the best person for the position.
The following information is provided to assist you when applying for a position with Southern Health.
HOW TO MAKE THE BEST IMPRESSION
A well presented, easy to read application will allow the panel to assess the information they need
from your application. To give yourself the best opportunity to reach interview, the application should
clearly and concisely demonstrate to the selection panel that you are suitably equipped to perform
the role, and that you possess all of the stated minimum essential skills, abilities, knowledge,
experience and educational qualifications (where required).
We suggest the following format:
 A covering letter of up to 2 pages introducing yourself to the selection panel and describing
your skills, abilities, knowledge, qualifications and experience in relation to the position. The
covering letter should clearly state the job vacancy number, position title, your name and your
contact details;
 A curriculum vitae that includes your personal details, relevant employment history,
education, training courses, qualifications and professional memberships. Your CV should
also include your nominated referees, their position and their contact details.
THE JOB AND PERSON SPECIFICATION
Selection for interview will be based on an assessment of your application against the requirements
of the position as outlined in the Job Specification, and against the criterion detailed in the
accompanying Person Specification. It is recommended that you carefully read the Job and Person
Specification to understand what the position entails before proceeding to apply for the position, and
ensure that your written application reflects your suitability for the position.
Note for Nursing/Midwifery applicants: Applicants applying for positions at the Clinical Nurse (level 2)
classification are required to demonstrate by way of example/evidence that each of the criteria contained in the
statement of key outcomes and activities of the Job Specification are met in their application.
Please ensure that your written application includes sufficient information for the panel to make an
informed determination.
REFEREES
It is recommended that you advise your referees of the position you are applying for as the panel
may seek their opinion of your capability to perform the requirements of the position. At least one
referee should be your immediate supervisor/manager in your current position, able to provide
current feedback about you to the selection panel.
SUBMISSION OF APPLICATIONS
It is generally preferable that applications are not bound or in folders, and that the requested number
of applications be provided when posting. Please ensure that applications are addressed as
indicated in the job advertisement, and that you allow sufficient time for your application to reach us
by the closing date/time specified. Late applications may not be considered.
We take this opportunity to wish you success with your application!
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