Position DescriptionNSW TAG Electronic Medication Management (eMeds) Project Officer

Full-time 2-year contract project officer ensuring quality use of medicines principles applied to electronic medicines systems in NSW public hospitals

Position Description:    Electronic Medication Management (eMeds) Project Officer

Hours:                              38 hours per week

Fixed contract term:       2 years

Remuneration:                Aligns with NSW Health Pharmacists Award Gr 4

Objective of project: To ensure that Quality Use of Medication principles are embedded in the development and implementation of Electronic Medication Management (eMeds) Systems for NSW public hospitals. Quality Use of Medicines (QUM) is an essential component of Australia's National Medicine Policy and describes the judicious, appropriate, effective and safe use of medicines.

This position will be responsible for liaising with hospitals, particularly Drug and Therapeutic Committees (DTCs), working parties and committees, and Information Technology systems to ensure two-way communication that identifies areas of concern and provides solutions resulting in Quality Use of Medicines principles being embedded in eMeds systems, for current and future practice.  The Officer will liaise with existing eMeds sites ensuring that lessons learnt regarding safe and effective use of medicines are identified and addressed in the implementation of any new program or at any new sites.

The Project Officer will split their time between the NSW Therapeutic Advisory Group office (Darlinghurst) and eMeds Program Team office (Chatswood). It is also envisaged that the officer will spend a significant proportion of time visiting hospital sites. Concord Repatriation General Hospital (Sydney Local Health District), Prince of Wales Hospital (South Eastern Sydney Local Health District), The Maitland Hospital (Hunter New England Local Health District) and St Vincent's Hospital (St Vincent's & Mater Health) are the current NSW sites with eMeds. Other NSW sites have plans to implement an eMeds system and linkage with other electronic programs will be required. It is anticipated that the state-run program will also involve some rural or remote hospitals and travel to these sites may be required.

Key roles and responsibilities for the eMeds Project Officer include (as allocated):

Manage liaison with key stakeholders in the NSW public hospital system regarding development and implementation of an Electronic Medication Management System ('The Project') 

Liaise closely with key safety and quality groups to provide a critical link between practitioners, the NSW Health and other relevant organisations.

Liaise closely with the NSW Health IT and eHealth teams to provide a critical link between practitioners and NSW Health.

Liaise closely with pharmacy leaders throughout the NSW Health public hospital system to assist their preparation for eMeds implementation.

Work with the hospitals in NSW currently piloting eMeds systems to ensure lessons learned are utilised in the development of the state eMeds build.

Provide a focus on optimal medication management in the development and implementation of an eMeds.

Develop and appropriately disseminate reports, correspondence, briefings and other documentation as required.

Other tasks that support eMeds safety and quality initiatives and clinical engagement as required.

Reporting Relationships

The Project Officer will report to the Executive Officer, NSW TAG and the eMR Connect Design Assurance Workstream.

Essential skills, knowledge and experience

Degree in medicine, nursing, pharmacy or a related health discipline. Understanding of, and experience with, management and use of medicines in the NSW

hospital system. Experience in the use and implementation of Electronic Medication Management

systems. Proven experience in change management. Understanding and experience of the activities of hospital Drug and Therapeutics

Committees. Understanding of national and state frameworks for safe and quality use of medicines. Understanding of regulatory frameworks regarding management of medicines in

Australia. Well-developed oral, written and interpersonal communication skills, including the ability

to communicate effectively with senior and ward-based clinicians (including consultants, nursing unit managers and other nursing, medical, and pharmacy staff) and managers

(e.g. Directors of Clinical Governance and Directors of Pharmacy) & foster good working relationships with stakeholders.

Well-developed conceptual and analytical skills and ability to critically appraise and interpret complex information.

Proven time-management and organisational skills and capacity to deliver high quality products within agreed timeframes.

Proven ability to work as part of a team and independently. Experience in use of Word and Excel applications

Desirable skills, knowledge and experience

Formal qualifications in or experience in change management in hospital practice Formal qualifications or experience in project management Understanding of computerised information systems in NSW hospitals Understanding of behaviour change principles in health

Contact details

Dr Sasha BennettExecutive OfficerNSW Therapeutic Advisory Group (TAG)Email: nswtag@stvincents.com.auPhone: 02 8382 2852