Position overview

The Pharmacist – Operations This role ensures the safe, efficient, and compliant delivery of operational pharmacy services across Canberra Health Services. This includes dispensary and inventory services, aseptic, and non-aseptic manufacturing services, and multi-dose and unit-dose repackaging.

Under the direction of the Deputy Director of Pharmacy (Operations) or delegated lead pharmacist, the Pharmacist – Operations will work with a team of pharmacists, technical officers and support staff to provide safe and efficient operational pharmacy services.

Key Responsibilities

Specific responsibilities include but are not limited to the following:

1. Dispense and compound medications (including aseptic, and cytotoxic and non-sterile compounding) according to national standards, local policies and protocols.
2. Adhere to CHS medication governance processes including formulary funding and PBS claiming.
3. Provide outpatient pharmacy services.
4. Counsel patients about their medications to optimise therapeutic outcomes.
5. Provide basic drug information to patients and health professionals.
6. Work with automation and robotics to provide repackaged medication to inpatients and those patients transferring to residential care and in custodial settings.
7. Work with technical and support staff to distribute medicines safely and efficiently across the health service.
8. Manage controlled medicines in accordance with local policies and protocols and legislation.
9. Provide general supervision to pharmacy interns, pharmacy staff, and students.
10. Provide pharmacy services as shift work as rostered, including across CHS sites.
11. Participate in the department quality improvement projects, educational programs, and research activities.
12. Undertake other duties appropriate to this level of classification which contribute to the operation of the organisation.

Competencies

Specific responsibilities include but are not limited to the following:

• Proficiency in Dispensing and Compounding: including aseptic, cytotoxic, and non-sterile compounding, according to national standards, local policies, and protocols (Standard 3.4, 4.2).
• Adherence to Medication Governance: showing a good understanding of and adherence to CHS medication governance processes, including formulary funding and PBS claiming. (Standard 1.1, 1.3, 1.5).
• Effectiveness in Outpatient Pharmacy Services: providing safe and efficient outpatient pharmacy services, including professional interaction with prescribers, patient counselling, medication optimisation, and provision of basic drug information (Standard 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.5).
• Proficiency in Automation and Robotics: working with automation and robotics to provide repackaged medication to inpatients and outpatients in various settings (Standard 3.4).
• Collaboration with Technical Staff: working collaboratively with technical staff to ensure the safe and efficient distribution of medicines across the health service (Standard 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 4.1).
• Controlled Medicines Management: knowledgeable in the management of controlled medicines in accordance with local policies, protocols, and legislation (Standard 1.3).
• Supervision and Mentoring: providing general supervision to interns, pharmacy staff, and students. (Standard 4.3, 5.1).
• Flexibility and Adaptability: willing and able to work shift work as rostered, including across hospital sites.
• Quality Improvement and Research: participating in quality improvement projects, educational programs, and research activities. (Standard 5.1, 5.2, 5.3).
• Versatility and Adaptability: other duties appropriate to this level of classification, contributing to the overall operation of the organisation. (Standard 4.2).

Qualifications

Essential

• Eligibility for, or current full pharmacist registration with the Australian Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) with no restrictions on scope of practice.

Desirable

• Membership and participation with recognised professional hospital or health systems pharmacy organisations.
• Have an understanding of how the National Safety and Quality Health Service (NSQHS) indicators align with this role.

Experience

Essential

• Experience of working professionally as a registered pharmacist in an Australian environment (or in a country where reciprocal arrangements apply with the Australian Pharmaceutical Council Competency Stream Skills Assessment method).

Desirable

• Prior experience in Hospital pharmacy experience is desirable is highly desirable.
• Experience or knowledge of the CHS Exceptional Care Framework, and all other related frameworks.

Prior to commencement

Appointment to this position is conditional on being granted and retaining appropriate clearances:

• Pre-employment National Police Check.
• Comply with Canberra Health Services Occupational Assessment, Screening and Vaccination policy.
• Comply with CHS credentialing and scope of clinical practice requirements for allied health professionals.

Important information

All employees are required to:

• Adhere to the Canberra Health Services Values and the ACT Public Service Code of Conduct.
• Act in accordance and comply with all relevant Safety and Quality policies and procedures.
• Comply with all relevant clinical and/or competency standards.
• Be  available for weekend and shift work.

CHS is leading the drive to digitally transform health service delivery in Australia through the implementation of a territory wide Digital Health Record. Computer literacy skills are required which are relevant to this role as you will be responsible for completing required documentation and becoming a proficient user of the Digital Health Record and/or other Information Technology systems; once proficient, you will need to remain current with changes, updates, and contingencies.

What you Require (Key Selection Criteria)

These are the key selection criteria for how you will be assessed in conjunction with your resumé and experience.

1. Proven basic level of knowledge, expertise and skill sufficient to provide pharmaceutical care to patients in a hospital setting.
2. Demonstrated strong interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to consult, negotiate and liaise effectively with patients and with colleagues in the multidisciplinary setting. This includes building and maintaining effective working relationships with a focus on patient-centred care and a supportive work environment.
3. Proven sense of drive and self-motivation, good problem-solving skills and the ability to adapt to different and changing working environments, models of care and health information technologies.
4. Demonstrated ability to provide professional supervision to graduates, students and support staff and demonstrate a commitment to continuing professional development, including self-directed learning.
5. Demonstrates understanding of, and adherence to, safety and quality standards, Work Health and Safety and the positive patient experience. Displays behaviour consistent with CHS’s values of reliable, progressive, respectful, and kind.

Work environment description

The following work environment description outlines the inherent requirements of the role and indicates how frequently each of these requirements would need to be performed. Please note that the ACT Public Service is committed to providing reasonable adjustments and ensuring all individuals have equal opportunities in the workplace.