Evaluation of perioperative pharmacy services model in a hospital operating theatre setting

We are currently seeking expressions of interest for a full-time PhD position within the School of Pharmacy and Pharmacology at University of Tasmania, subject to successfully obtaining a University Doctoral Scholarship. The successful candidate will be expected to commence as soon as possible, but no later than mid-2022.

Pharmacists are a vital part of multidisciplinary teams in hospital settings, aiming to reduce medication-related harm and improving patient safety. It is a known fact that medication management in the operating theatre (OT) setting is complex that involves prescribing, dispensing and administration of time-critical, high-risk, and high-cost medications. There is emerging evidence on the global demand for perioperative pharmacists, aka dedicated clinical pharmacists in OT settings, to improve medicines management across the continuum of care.

Perioperative pharmacists have established their skills in medication-related – cost containment, inventory control, waste reduction, guideline development and quality improvement. However, there is a lack of established model on perioperative pharmacist roles (based in OTs) within the standard hospital service in Australia. Hence, the primary project aims to demonstrate the role of an integrated pharmacist as a model in the OT setting and evaluate the effectiveness of process change (comparison of new perioperative model vs. usual care) in medication management and pharmacy services, including the efficiency in the transition of care.

Please note that the project is open to domestic (Australia and New Zealand) and international applicants who are already in Australia (onshore) at the time of submitting their application.

The scholarship supporting this project provides:

– a living allowance stipend of $28,597 per annum (2021 rate, indexed annually) for 3.5 years;
– a relocation allowance of up to $2,000;
– a tuition fee scholarship for up to 4 years.

Selection Criteria:

– A degree with a substantial research project (e.g. Research Masters’ degree, Masters’ degree with treatise component, or Bachelor degree with first-class Honours);
– Excellent analysis and writing skills, demonstrated by publications in peer-reviewed journals;
– Exceptional interpersonal communication skills and demonstrated ability to work in teams;
– Capacity to work with a range of disciplines and having prior clinical knowledge;
– Evidence of project management and organisation ability, including the ability to fulfil goals and deliver outcomes within a specified period.

Your Expression of Interest should include:

– Your CV and copy of academic transcript(s);
– List of two or three potential academic referees and/or line managers;
– Sample of written work, ideally appropriate for an academic audience (e.g. honours thesis, peer-reviewed journal article, essay written during coursework study or similar).

Applications close: 24 October 2021