Senior Pharmacist - Education

Why This Role Matters

The Senior Pharmacist – Education plays a vital role in strengthening the clinical capability and professional development of the pharmacy workforce within a complex hospital environment. By delivering high-level clinical pharmacy education services, this role directly supports safe medication practices, improved patient outcomes, and consistent implementation of evidence-based care. Education within a hospital setting is not limited to knowledge transfer; it ensures that pharmacists remain clinically competent, confident decision-makers who can respond effectively to evolving healthcare challenges.
This position is particularly significant because it integrates clinical expertise with structured workforce development. The successful candidate will not only deliver education but also influence training frameworks, mentor future pharmacy leaders, and support multidisciplinary learning across medical, nursing, and allied health teams. By maintaining an active clinical component, the role ensures that teaching remains grounded in real-world practice, aligning education initiatives with the operational priorities of the hospital and broader health network.
Ultimately, this role contributes to long-term workforce sustainability, continuous service improvement, and the delivery of high-quality, patient-centred pharmacy services across the health system.

Job Description

The Senior Pharmacist – Education is responsible for delivering a comprehensive and high-level range of clinical pharmacy education services within a dynamic hospital environment. Working within the pharmacy department, the role requires independent and autonomous judgement in planning, implementing, and evaluating education initiatives. The position involves collaboration with the pharmacy education team to achieve strategic education deliverables and organisational goals.
In addition to educational leadership responsibilities, the successful applicant will contribute to the development and delivery of educational content for pharmacists, interns, students, and other healthcare professionals. The role also supports structured clinical pharmacy training programs and leads a specified education portfolio using evidence-based strategies. Maintaining an active clinical caseload ensures continued engagement with contemporary clinical practice and reinforces the relevance of education activities.
The position is offered on a part-time contractual basis, requiring strong time management skills and the ability to balance clinical, educational, and leadership responsibilities effectively.

Key Features of the Role:

• Delivery of high-level clinical pharmacy education services
• Part-time contracted roles working 15 hours per week
• Contract duration until May 2027
• Salary classification at AHP3 level with superannuation benefits
• Salary packaging opportunities
• Work across multiple metropolitan hospital locations
• Integration of education leadership with active clinical practice
• Autonomous decision-making within professional scope
• Contribution to multidisciplinary healthcare education
• Leadership of an allocated clinical pharmacy education portfolio

Responsibilities

• Deliver structured, high-level clinical pharmacy education programs within a hospital setting
• Collaborate with the pharmacy education team to meet departmental and organisational education objectives
• Develop and implement evidence-based training strategies for pharmacists and pharmacy staff
• Design and deliver educational content for medical, nursing, and allied health professionals
• Support the ongoing development of clinical pharmacy training frameworks
• Lead and manage a specified education portfolio aligned with workforce priorities
• Maintain currency of clinical knowledge and practice through active participation in clinical pharmacy services
• Supervise, mentor, and support professional and non-professional staff
• Contribute to service development initiatives and quality improvement projects
• Participate in research, data analysis, and evaluation activities that support education outcomes
• Exercise independent professional judgement in complex clinical and educational situations
• Foster a culture of learning, collaboration, and continuous improvement within the pharmacy department

Required Qualifications

The role requires a qualified and experienced hospital pharmacist who demonstrates strong clinical competence, leadership capability, and a commitment to professional education.
Applicants must be professionally and technically competent in pharmacy practice and possess comprehensive knowledge of relevant codes of practice, professional standards, and regulatory requirements. Demonstrated ability to work effectively within a multidisciplinary healthcare environment is essential.

Educational Requirements:

• Bachelor of Pharmacy or equivalent qualification
• Registered, or eligible for registration, with the Pharmacy Board of Australia
• Compliance with professional regulatory standards
• Willingness to meet immunisation and occupational screening requirements
• Commitment to ongoing professional development

Postgraduate qualifications in clinical pharmacy, education, leadership, or related fields are desirable but not mandatory.

Experience and Skills:

• Extensive experience in hospital-based clinical pharmacy practice
• Current employment in a clinical pharmacy environment
• Demonstrated leadership, supervisory, or management experience
• Experience delivering education or training within a healthcare setting
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to engage effectively with pharmacists, medical officers, nurses, and allied health professionals
• Proven capability to work independently and collaboratively
• Experience in research, data interpretation, and service evaluation
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• High-level organisational skills with the ability to manage competing priorities
• Experience leading change initiatives and implementing service improvement strategies
• Confidence in mentoring and supporting early-career pharmacists

Salary Insights

The role is classified at the AHP3 level, with an annual salary range of $108,347 to $116,216 per annum (pro-rata for part-time employment). In addition to base salary, employees are entitled to superannuation contributions and access to salary packaging benefits, which may enhance overall remuneration.
The part-time structure of 15 hours per week provides flexibility while maintaining access to public sector employment benefits. Employees also gain access to professional development opportunities and potential career progression pathways within the broader state health system.

Company Overview

This position is situated within a major public health network in South Australia, operating under Statewide Clinical Support Services. The organisation delivers specialist clinical support services across the state and encompasses multiple divisions, including pharmacy, medical imaging, pathology, dental services, and screening programs.
The health network serves metropolitan and regional communities, providing comprehensive healthcare services across all stages of life. With a strong focus on patient-centred care, workforce development, and service innovation, the organisation promotes evidence-based practice and continuous quality improvement.
The workplace culture emphasises collaboration, diversity, inclusion, and professional growth. Employees are supported in building long-term careers within the public health system, with opportunities for mobility across various sites and service areas.

FAQs

Q1. Is this a full-time position?
No, this is a part-time contracted role working 15 hours per week until May 2027.

Q2. Is current clinical practice required?
Yes, applicants must currently be working in a clinical pharmacy environment and maintain an active clinical component alongside education duties.

Q3. Are leadership skills mandatory?
Yes, demonstrated leadership and supervisory experience in a hospital pharmacy setting is essential.

Q4. Are salary packaging benefits available?
Yes, eligible employees can access salary packaging benefits in addition to superannuation.

Q5. Is prior education experience required?
Experience in education, mentoring, or training within a healthcare setting is highly desirable and strongly valued.

Application Tips

• Clearly demonstrate current hospital-based clinical pharmacy experience
• Highlight leadership, supervision, and mentoring responsibilities
• Provide examples of education delivery or training program development
• Showcase involvement in quality improvement or research projects
• Emphasise communication skills and multidisciplinary collaboration
• Ensure professional registration details are clearly stated
• Address how you balance clinical duties with education leadership