Senior Pharmacist

Senior Pharmacist - UPMC Waterford role at UPMC Ireland.

Location: UPMC Whitfield Hospital
Job type: Permanent - Full Time

• Act at all times to ensure that the care and safety of patients is prioritized.
• Understand, model, and promote UPMC core values: Quality and Safety, Dignity and Respect, Caring and Listening, Responsibility and Integrity, Excellence and Innovation.
• Strategically and operationally lead, manage and develop the provision of pharmaceutical care and clinical pharmacy services to inpatient wards and clinical areas of UPMC Whitfield Hospital.
• Achieve and maintain competence in the use and administration of relevant clinical information systems (e.g., Oncology/Haematology clinical information system ARIA), acting as the Pharmacy lead for operational and training issues related to these systems.
• Demonstrate best practice and relevant competency frameworks for clinical pharmacy services, including services to gastroenterology, surgery, oncology/haematology, and cardiology.
• Develop and review medication policies, procedures, protocols and guidelines (including those for Systemic Anti-Cancer Therapy (SACT)) within UPMC Whitfield Hospital.
• Manage safe and cost‑effective entry of new medications onto the hospital formulary, supporting colleagues with expert advice and education as appropriate.
• Lead the safe and cost‑effective management of stock shortages within UPMC.
• Assist in managing expanded access or compassionate use programmes, acting as the first point of contact for Consultants to assist with submissions to Drugs and Therapeutics Committee.
• Lead and oversee development and maintenance of SOPs for procurement, storage, handling, and dispensing of medications; ensure updates align with changing practices and Pharmacy law.
• Contribute to medicines information and procurement support to clinical staff; develop medicine information resources for clinical colleagues and patients as appropriate in collaboration with senior pharmacology staff.
• Collaborate with the Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) to optimise workflows relating to medication management and use; contribute to clinical guidelines as part of the MDT.
• Identify and address deficiencies in medications management systems and processes; report discrepancies or incidents to leadership to support quality improvement.
• Audit compliance with good clinical practice standards in medicines use (labeling, storage, dispensing, documentation) and develop KPIs for the Pharmacy service.
• Assist with drug usage reporting to Finance and Hospital leadership; support budget management and horizon scanning in collaboration with the Chief Pharmacist.
• Identify drug budget savings with MDT to optimise medication use.
• Participate in MDT meetings, hospital committees and working groups (e.g., Clinical Governance, Drugs and Therapeutics, Medication Management and Use).
• Act as a leader and role model within UPMC Pharmacy and UPMC Ireland; build partnerships to meet patient and system needs; propose and lead innovation and technological improvements with business cases as appropriate.
• Coordinate service delivery with other Pharmacists and Technicians to ensure efficient, cohesive teamwork; assist in recruitment, development, mentoring and performance management of staff.
• Implement and maintain systems for induction and ongoing training of Pharmacy staff; supervise and line manage staff as appropriate.
• Support colleagues in enhancing skills and assuming advanced responsibilities; ensure adherence to UPMC HR policies; manage performance against competency metrics; participate in performance reviews and appraisals.
• Oversee attendance and wellbeing within the Pharmacy team; delegate tasks according to skill set; establish collaborative relationships with academic and research partners.
• Plan and organise a risk-informed audit programme aligned with service goals; undertake and publish Pharmacy practice-based research in line with GCP standards; promote audit and research within the team.
• Carry out other duties as designated by the Chief Pharmacist, including deputising as required; support Pharmacy Transformation Strategy and continuous professional development; participate in accreditation processes.

• Be registered with the Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland or be entitled to be registered.
• Have at least 4 years of satisfactory post-registration hospital experience.
• Possess specialised knowledge and management ability for the proper discharge of duties; significant post-registration hospital practice and broad clinical pharmacy experience with line management.
• Evidence of ongoing Continuing Professional Development and role-specific learning.
• Excellent planning, organisational and resource management skills; leadership, interpersonal and people management skills; experience of change management and quality improvement initiatives.
• Formal management and leadership training or equivalent experience in management, training and supervision of Pharmacy staff.
• Experience of Good Clinical Practice; experience in working within an Aseptic Compounding Unit and/or haematology/oncology units; previous senior-level experience in Cancer specialties.
• Comprehensive knowledge of the National Cancer Control Programme (NCCP); a further qualification such as a post-graduate diploma or MSc in Clinical Pharmacy.

UPMC is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

We offer a total rewards program that is market competitive and provides growth opportunities for all colleagues.

Compensation - Competitive pay including base pay, performance related pay and premium pay where applicable.

Benefits - Fully paid maternity and paternity leave for new parents; competitive Pension Plan; death in service benefit x3; critical illness cover for all employees up to age 66.

Performance and Recognition - Rewards for performance through the ACES programme.

Work-Life Balance - Enhanced annual leave up to 27 days; flexible working opportunities.

Development and Career Opportunities - Opportunities to reach career goals through continued learning and/or advancement.

UPMC is a $26 billion healthcare provider and insurer, based in Pittsburgh, PA, collaborating with the University of Pittsburgh Schools of the Health Sciences; operates globally through UPMC Enterprises, and UPMC International.

UPMC Whitfield Hospital is part of UPMC Ireland in Waterford, with various sites and services across Ireland.