Pharmacist - Voluntary Assisted Dying (VAD)

Why This Role Matters

This role supports patients and families during one of the most sensitive and complex stages of healthcare decision-making. As part of the Voluntary Assisted Dying (VAD) service, the pharmacist plays a crucial role in ensuring safe, compliant, and compassionate medication management.
Beyond technical dispensing responsibilities, this position requires empathy, professionalism, and strong ethical judgement. The role directly contributes to patient dignity, quality of care, and seamless coordination across healthcare settings.

Job Description

The Clinical Pharmacist – VAD Services is responsible for the safe preparation, dispensing, and management of medications associated with Voluntary Assisted Dying across the district.
The position involves coordination with multidisciplinary healthcare teams across acute and community settings, providing education to patients and carers, and ensuring compliance with legislative and clinical governance frameworks.
This is a highly specialised role requiring strong communication skills, emotional resilience, and sound clinical judgement.

Key Features of the Role

• Specialised Voluntary Assisted Dying (VAD) service
• District-wide coordination across hospital and community settings
• Strong multidisciplinary collaboration
• Focus on patient dignity and compassionate care
• Clinical governance and regulatory compliance responsibilities
• Education and advisory component

Responsibilities

• Dispense and manage VAD medications in accordance with legislation and clinical protocols
• Ensure safe storage, documentation, and distribution of VAD medications
• Maintain strict compliance with regulatory and ethical frameworks
• Coordinate patient care across acute and community healthcare settings
• Liaise with medical practitioners, nursing staff, and allied health professionals
• Provide education to patients, carers, and healthcare teams regarding VAD processes
• Support medication counselling with sensitivity and professionalism
• Maintain accurate documentation and reporting standards
• Participate in quality improvement and governance activities
• Contribute to a collaborative and supportive team environment

Educational and Registration Requirements

• Bachelor of Pharmacy (or equivalent qualification)
• Eligibility for registration with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) – Mandatory

Experience and Skills

Experience:
• Clinical pharmacy or hospital pharmacy experience preferred
• Experience working in multidisciplinary healthcare settings desirable

Technical Skills:
• Strong clinical knowledge and medication safety expertise
• Understanding of legislative and regulatory frameworks
• Documentation accuracy and compliance management
• Risk assessment and medication governance capability

Behavioral Skills:
• Exceptional communication skills, particularly regarding sensitive topics such as death and dying
• Emotional resilience and professionalism
• Strong critical thinking and clinical judgement
• Conflict resolution and ethical decision-making capability
• Ability to work collaboratively within a team-based healthcare model

Work Environment

• Collaborative, multidisciplinary healthcare team
• Supportive and growth-oriented culture
• Exposure to complex clinical and ethical care scenarios
• Opportunity to contribute meaningfully to patient-centred services

Salary and Benefits

• Competitive remuneration aligned with NSW public health awards
• Access to professional development and continuing education
• Opportunities for career progression within the public health system
• Supportive workplace culture focused on patient-centred care

Company Overview

NSW Health is the largest public health system in Australia, delivering safe and high-quality healthcare services across New South Wales. The organisation is recognised for its commitment to clinical excellence, innovation, training, and patient-centred care.

FAQs

1. Is prior VAD experience required?
   While prior experience is beneficial, strong clinical judgement and the ability to manage sensitive discussions are essential.

2. Is this a hospital-based role?
   The role involves coordination across both acute and community healthcare settings.

3. What type of team will I work with?
   You will collaborate with doctors, nurses, allied health professionals, and district healthcare teams.

4. What personal qualities are important for this role?
   Empathy, professionalism, emotional resilience, and strong communication skills are critical.

5. Is AHPRA registration mandatory?
   Yes, eligibility for AHPRA registration is required.

Application Tips

• Highlight clinical or hospital pharmacy experience
• Emphasise experience handling sensitive patient interactions
• Demonstrate strong documentation and compliance knowledge
• Provide examples of multidisciplinary collaboration
• Showcase critical thinking and ethical decision-making skills