Pharmacy Assistant

Position Summary

The Pharmacy Assistant shall be accountable to the location manager and is responsible for performing the technical functions necessary for the general day-to-day operation of the department; replenishing Pyxis med stations (where applicable), filling prescriptions, checking prepared medications for accuracy, entering patient information, running reports, maintaining records, sterile and non-sterile compounding, providing technical assistance in stock-flow control, training new pharmacy staff and performing other related duties as assigned.

Responsibilities

• General
  • Enters patient information into the applicable computer system for profile updates, label generation and charging purposes (inpatient and outpatient refills, chemotherapy orders, leave of absence orders)
  • Generates patient specific reports (labels, profiles)
  • Generates and reviews selected non-patient specific reports (outpatient, inventory, statistical, narcotic, Pyxis); reviews and adjusts reports and follows up with Pharmacist when necessary
  • Sorts and processes medications returned to pharmacy (return bin); records, credits and returns medication to stock location or discards medication
  • Assembles, files and maintains departmental records (prescriptions, patient profiles)
  • Performs intermediate checks on prepared medications for accuracy as per departmental procedure (strip packaged medications)
  • Directs inquiries from phone calls and visitors as applicable
  • Performs inspections of medication storage areas in pharmacy and on nursing units for appropriate storage, cleanliness and expiry dates
  • Trains new pharmacy assistants
  • Delivers medications to appropriate nursing units
  • Accumulates data and maintains records for departmental statistics (workload)
  • Handles cytotoxic and biological products
  • Orders stationary supplies
  • Monitors expiry of medications
• Inpatient Dispensing
  • Fills prescriptions by selecting the medication, placing it into an appropriate container and affixing the label to the container
  • Performs extemporaneous compounding as required and maintains manufacturing records
  • Prepares medications for delivery or shipping as required
  • Stores and maintains records of patients' medications from home
  • Counts and records quantity of narcotics on hand
  • Fills stock medication requisitions
  • Assists the Pharmacist in dispensing prescriptions
  • Issues and delivers controlled drugs and maintains records to non-Pyxis areas
  • Participates in inventory reconciliation
• Pyxis (where applicable)
  • Runs Pyxis reports daily at the Pyxis console and assigns new patient specific medications to Pyxis med stations as required
  • Selects medications from stock for refill and loads Pyxis med stations
  • Loads assigned medications, refills standard medications and unloads medications without orders at Pyxis med stations
  • Responds to stock out bulletins, stock critical low bulletins, picks medication and refills the medication at Pyxis med stations
  • Checks and replenishes ward stock at each nursing unit
  • Maintains adequate supply of strip packaged medications for ward replenishment
  • Assists in maintaining appropriate medications and inventory in the Pyxis med stations
  • Empties Pyxis and non-Pyxis return bins and returns inventory
  • Checks expiry dates, inspects drug storage areas, maintains ward stock lists and organizes and labels cupboards
• Sterile Services
  • Assembles medications and supplies required for patient specific and bulk sterile compounding
  • Assists in the preparation of sterile products, using aseptic technique, in the Horizontal Laminar Flow Hood, and Biological Safety Cabinets
  • Performs batch and patient specific sterile compounding (adult Total Parenteral Nutrition (TPN), pediatric TPN, large and small volume parenterals, chemotherapy, epidurals)
  • Prepares sterile compounds
  • Stocks sterile room with supplies
• Inventory
  • Maintains adequate inventory levels
  • Receives and verifies incoming drug shipments
  • Reconciles invoices and credits
  • Orders non-stock supplies
  • Fills order request from non-contract purchasers
  • Maintains pertinent inventory records
  • Processes month-end and year-end
  • Sends expired goods to vendors for credit
  • Reconciles inventory issues
• Database Management
  • Enters medication and financial information into the Pyxis, BDM and Logibec databases
  • Monitors and tests pharmacy interface systems
  • Reviews, updates and maintains the formulary in response to the Pharmacy and Therapeutics recommendations upon Regional Medical Advisory Committee (RMAC) approval
  • Analyzes system reports and staff feedback to determine inventory levels
  • Oversees the building of Pyxis med stations
  • Resolves system issues
• Secondary Hospital Site & Remote Locations
  • Fills and sends orders to facilities
  • Receives expired stock from contract facilities, sorts and catalogues the stock according to manufacturer/wholesaler then records which facility the stock belongs to and ships expired goods to the appropriate vendor
  • Divides credit invoice amounts and provides an itemized list along with a credit total to each facility
  • Prepares and updates ward stock sheet lists
  • Heat seals (blister packs) controlled drug stock for use at the facilities
  • Checks controlled drug sheets for error/omissions and makes arrangements to have them completed/corrected; files and stores sheets as required by the College of Pharmacists
  • Checks expiry dates of products
• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications

• Pharmacy Assistant course from a recognized program
• Other combination of education and experience may be considered
• Evidence of ability to pass and maintain pharmacy technician or pharmacy assistant verification validation
• Province of Manitoba Class 5 Drivers License, and access to a personal vehicle to provide service within the Prairie Mountain Health
• Proficiency with Microsoft programs (Outlook, Word, Excel, Access and PowerPoint), as well as Internet applications and other Information Technology
• Demonstrated leadership
• Demonstrated written and oral communication skills
• Ability to prioritize in a changing environment
• Strong organizational, decision making and problem solving skills
• Ability to display independent judgment
• Ability to respect and promote a culturally diverse population
• Ability to respect and promote confidentiality
• Ability to perform the duties of the position on a regular basis