About the role
There is a small Health Service on St Helena, however, as a result of the covid-19 virus our government are taking steps to ensure we have the required additional resources in the event that the virus presents itself on the island. Currently there are no confirmed cases. We therefore require a second Pharmacist:
Clinical Responsibilities:
- Provide over-the-counter advice and prescribing to patients with minor ailments, working closely with the outpatient triage nurse to ensure appropriate care;
- Ensure safe and effective prescribing for inpatients by liaising closely with medical and nursing staff and regularly completing clinical checking on drug charts;
- Directly manage discharge prescriptions and provide patient counselling where necessary;
- Generate and issue repeat prescriptions in accordance with the Directorate’s policies. Ensure that patients requiring review are referred appropriately;
- Make appropriate records of care provided or interventions made in the electronic medical record system in accordance with professional guidelines and Directorate policies;
- Maintain and update the Directorate’s Patient Group Directions (PGDs). Provide care in accordance with a PGD where appropriate;
- Challenge appropriately and confidently where standards of care fall below that which would be expected;
- Ensure safe and clinically effective prescribing by monitoring prescriptions and providing advice to clinicians on all aspects of medication, including information about side-effects, harmful interactions with other drugs and the suitability of treatments for patients with particular health conditions;
- Maintain, update and expand drug prescribing guidance, to ensure evidence-based and cost-effective prescribing for conditions commonly encountered on St Helena and to minimise drug-related incidents;
- Maintain and update the St Helena Formulary as agreed with the Senior Medical Officer/ Director of Health. Keep abreast of, and evaluate, new medications and advise on their adoption to the St Helena Formulary;
- Ensure evidence-based, cost-effective prescribing practices by maintaining, updating and monitoring compliance with the St Helena Formulary and other pharmaceutical guidelines, working in collaboration with clinical colleagues. This will include attending ward rounds and other meetings with clinical staff as required by the Senior Medical Officer to input and advise on prescribing behaviours;
- Promote a culture of continuous quality improvement through the use of audit, patient/client feedback and reflection on practice by self and other members of the team. Ensure the results of prescribing audits are fed back to clinical colleagues and that changes are made and re-evaluated as necessary;
- Critically review patient’s pharmaceutical care for chronic disease management, ensuring that appropriate interventions to optimise care are made in conjunction with clinical colleagues to improve patient outcomes;
- Review processes/practices to ascertain if there are better ways of working within the department to enhance patient care, service delivery and deliver required efficiencies;
- Ensure appropriate drug stocks are held in the hospital wards and district clinics so that appropriate care can be provided whilst minimising wastage through expiry;
- Ensure the secure and safe storage of medicinal products in accordance with manufacturer’s guidance and COSHH regulations to ensure freshness, safety and potency. Ensure that Controlled Drugs are stored in accordance with agreed local procedures and legal requirements;
To be willing to aseptically prepare, on occasion, chemotherapy infusions in a portable mini-isolator;
To be available for out of hours requests for advice on medication and the provision of emergency drugs and consumables;
Implement, adhere to and monitor the Directorate’s guidelines, policies, procedures and protocols; Maintain and update Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for the Pharmacy and Medical Store;
Provide appropriate supervision and guidance to dispensers issuing prescriptions and counselling patients.
Clinical Governance Responsibilities:
Ensure appropriate local procedures are in place and are monitored for the management of Controlled Drugs;
Ensure risk management arrangements are in place within the pharmacy, by ensuring near misses, incidents, accidents and faulty devices are recorded, reported, investigated and learning disseminated as per Directorate policy.
Requirements:
- Pharmacy Degree;
- Registration with the relevant regulatory body or local regulatory body
- At least 3 years’ clinical experience post registration;
- Up-to–date with Continuing Professional Developmental (CPD) records;
- Computer literate;
- Knowledge and experience of electronic stock control;
- Ability to work under pressure and adaptable to working in a remote environment;
- Good command of the English language
About us
You’ll be working with Crown Agents which is a high impact social enterprise passionate about transforming the future for millions of people. Since our creation in 1833 we have worked across the globe to improve public services and drive economic growth. Our expertise is finding new solutions to difficult problems for clients in the areas of health, governance, economic growth, humanitarian action and supply chain services. We work with and train leaders at local, national and international level to achieve lasting change drawing on our insight and experience.
About what's on offer
Crown Agents offers a competitive benefits package.