Position overview

The Pharmacy department sits within the Division of Medical Services (EDMS) which includes the Physician Training Office, Medical Officer Support, Credentialing, Employment and Training Unit (MOSCETU), GP Liaison Unit (GPLU), Pathology, Pharmacy, Medical Imaging and Library Services.

The Canberra Health Services (CHS) Pharmacy Department have a dynamic, talented team of approximately 100 staff, including: pharmacists, technicians and administration staff. The department provides a range of clinical services to inpatients and outpatients, including several specialised services.

We are looking for Pre-Registration Pharmacist Intake for 2027; there may be the potential to enroll in the AdPhA accredited CHS Pharmacy Foundation Residency Program on completion of the pre-registration training program.

Please note:

Successful applicants will be expected to sit for their written AHPRA exams and oral AHPRA exams at the earliest scheduled session where they have met the practice hour requirements.

Successful applicants will also need to be available for weekend and after hours work on a rostered basis across Canberra Health Service Pharmacy sites.

Key Responsibilities

Specific responsibilities include but are not limited to the following:

Under limited direction of the Lead Pharmacist for Education and Training you will perform intern pharmacist duties within the Division of Medical Services at CHS during the intern training year. You will be primarily responsible for the provision of a range of pharmacy services, including weekends and after hours as rostered. The hospital has multiple site locations, and all Pharmacy staff are required to work across CHS sites as rostered:

1. Attend and participate in the Canberra hospital pharmacy department pre-registration training program, the ACT Health Allied Health Graduate Program & the ACT Health Inter-professional graduate program, or as designated.
2. Dispense medicines for inpatients, outpatients and for patients being discharged from the hospital, including preparing non-sterile extemporaneous pharmaceuticals, completing the relevant theoretical and practical training required in aseptic dispensing, and provide ward based clinical pharmacy services.
3. Counsel patients about their medications in order to optimise their therapeutic outcomes and provide basic medicines information to patients and health professionals.
4. Participate in ongoing professional development, continuing education and departmental quality improvement projects, educational programs and research activities.
5. 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:

• Passion for learning and contributing to great healthcare, to achieve the best patient care outcomes possible, with the patient's goals and objectives in mind
• Strong organisational skills with a strong work ethic.
• Self-motivated, ability to demonstrate initiative and thrive in a busy and dynamic environment.

Qualifications

Essential

• Relevant Tertiary Qualification in Pharmacy.
• Registered or eligible for registration with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) as a provisional pharmacist.
• Eligible to enroll in an Intern Training Program accredited by the Australian Pharmacy Council.

Desirable

• AdPhA (Advancing Pharmacy Australia) Membership.
• Have an understanding of how the National Safety and Quality Health Service (NSQHS) indicators align with this role.

Experience

Essential

• N/A

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.
• Current registration issued under the Working with Vulnerable People (Background Checking) Act 2011 is required.
• 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/or after-hours 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 understanding of a pharmacist’s role in hospital pharmacy practice including entry level knowledge of pharmacology, pharmacotherapy, and professional attributes sufficient to provide a clinical pharmacy service across a variety of clinical areas.
2. Demonstrated interpersonal and communication skills to enable effective communication with consumers and colleagues in a written and oral format and build and maintain effective working relationships. This includes the ability to consult and negotiate effectively.
3. Demonstrate effective problem-solving skills in the clinical environment.
4. Engagement in the profession of pharmacy and a commitment to continuous development and extension as a health professional.
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.