Advanced Specialist Pharmacist Oncology/Haematology

Advanced Specialist Pharmacist Oncology/Haematology – Waterford
Location: UPMC Whitfield Hospital, Waterford
Job type: Permanent

Responsibilities

Act at all times to ensure that the care and safety of patients is assigned the highest priority.

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 the inpatient wards and clinical areas of UPMC Whitfield Hospital.

Achieve and maintain competence in the use and administration of relevant clinical information systems, including the Oncology/Haematology clinical information system (ARIA), acting as the Pharmacy lead for operational and training issues relating to these systems.

Be fully conversant with best practice and relevant competency frameworks for the delivery of clinical pharmacy services, including services to specialised areas such as 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 the safe and cost‑effective entry of new medications onto the hospital formulary, supporting colleagues in Pharmacy and other disciplines with expert advice and education as appropriate.

Take a lead role in the safe and cost‑effective management of stock shortages within UPMC.

Assist in the management of expanded access or compassionate use programmes, acting as the first point of contact for Consultants to assist in the preparation of associated submissions to Drugs and Therapeutics Committee.

Lead and oversee the development and maintenance of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) required for procurement, storage, handling, and dispensing of medications and ensure that these are updated and implemented in line with changing practices locally, nationally and internationally, and in accordance with Pharmacy law.

Contribute to the provision of medicines information and advice on drug availability and procurement to clinical staff in relation to medicines.

In collaboration with the Chief Pharmacist (Medicines Information and Medication Safety), oversee, as appropriate, the development of medicine information resources for clinical colleagues and patients e.g. patient information leaflets, monographs, policies, procedures, protocols, and guidelines.

Collaborate with colleagues in the Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) to optimise workflows relating to medication management and use.

Contribute to the development of clinical guidelines as part of the MDT.

Identify and address deficiencies in medications management systems and processes, where applicable.

Highlight any discrepancies, incidents, or deficits in services to the Chief Pharmacist, Director of Pharmacy, and General Manager as appropriate.

Report and encourage reporting on incidents/near misses in to support management and mitigation of risk and to inform quality improvement initiatives.

Audit compliance to good clinical practice standards in relation to medicines use e.g. with respect to labelling, storage, dispensing, and documentation.

Develop and compile reports on Key Performance indicators (KPIs) for the Pharmacy service and ensure that these are disseminated to, and actioned by, appropriate stakeholders in a timely manner. These KPIs will include metrics describing capacity, workload, drug costs, quality and medication safety.

Assist with the timely provision and analysis of drug usage reports to Finance and Hospital leadership.

As agreed with the Chief Pharmacist, provide expert support to colleagues in Finance and Hospital leadership to help manage the drugs budget, through regular reporting, analysis, and horizon scanning.

Identify drug budget savings in collaboration with the MDT to ensure optimal use of medications.

Participate in multidisciplinary meetings, hospital committees and working groups as required 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 effective partnerships both within UPMC Ireland and across the wider health system to manage and develop services that meet the needs and aspirations of patients, UPMC, and other collaborative partners as appropriate.

Propose, lead, and manage innovation and technological improvements in the Pharmacy service, preparing and presenting business cases for service development as appropriate.

Co‑ordinate service delivery with the other Pharmacists and Pharmaceutical Technicians, to ensure a high level of efficient and cohesive teamwork within the Pharmacy service.

Assist in the recruitment, development, mentoring and motivation of staff to maximise performance and delivery of service objectives and priorities.

Implement and maintain systems to ensure the effective induction and on‑going training of all Pharmacy staff in the Pharmacy service.

As appropriate and under the direction of the Chief Pharmacist, supervise and line manage staff within the Pharmacy service.

Support Pharmacy colleagues in enhancing their skills and assuming additional and advanced responsibilities.

Ensure that all UPMC Human Resource policy and procedures are adhered to.

As agreed with the Chief Pharmacist, manage performance of Pharmacy team members against measured and reported competency and performance metrics.

Participate in the performance review and appraisal process as required.

Ensure that systems are in place to promptly identify poor performance and that any individuals identified are appropriately managed and supported to achieve the required performance level.

As agreed with the Chief Pharmacist, oversee attendance and wellbeing within the Pharmacy team.

Delegate tasks as appropriate to members of the team in line with skill set and job role.

Establish and maintain collaborative relationships with academic and research partners.

Plan and organise a risk‑informed audit programme which is strategically aligned with the service goals of Pharmacy and UPMC.

Undertake, co‑ordinate, and publish Pharmacy practice‑based research, ensuring that all relevant GCP standards are adhered to.

Facilitate and encourage others within the Pharmacy team to undertake audit and research and to present and publish their findings.

Carry out any other duties relevant to this role as designated by the Chief Pharmacist, including deputising for the Chief Pharmacist as required.

Support the Chief Pharmacist and Director of Pharmacy as required in developing and implementing the UPMC Pharmacy Transformation Strategy.

Engage in continuous professional development appropriate to the role and in compliance with professional obligations.

Participate in the Hospital's accreditation process.

Qualifications & Experience

Be registered with the Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland or be entitled to be so registered.

Have at least 4 years satisfactory post‑registration hospital experience.

Possess the requisite specialised knowledge and ability (including a high standard of suitability and management ability) for the proper discharge of the duties of the role.

Significant, proven post‑registration hospital practice experience, with a broad clinical pharmacy experience and experience of line management.

Evidence of ongoing Continuing Professional Development and role‑specific learning.

Ability to demonstrate:
excellent planning, organisational and resource management skills
excellent 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 unit(s).

Previous experience of working within Cancer specialties at a senior level.

Comprehensive knowledge and understanding of all relevant aspects of the National Cancer Control Programme (NCCP).

A further qualification such as a post‑graduate diploma or MSc in Clinical Pharmacy.

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

Benefits include fully paid maternity and paternity leave, competitive pension plan, company‑funded death in service benefits, critical illness cover up to age 66, enhanced annual leave up to 27 days, flexible working opportunities, rewards for performance through the ACES programme, and opportunities for continued learning and career advancement.

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