Job Description Job Title: Pharmaceutical Technician - Basic Grade Dispensary Department: Pharmacy Reports to: Head of Pharmacy Services/Chief 2 Dispensary Manager Date: **** Overall Purpose of Job To undertake a broad range of pharmaceutical activities in the dispensary and on the wards and to demonstrate competence to provide a service making full use of Technician extended roles to provide excellent pharmaceutical care to the patients of Beacon Hospital Responsibilities and Deliverables The purchase, storage and supply of all medicines and related items consistent with quality and value for money.
The provision of dispensary-based services, including the provision of extemporaneous dispensing, Pyxis maintenance, stock management, charging and returns processing.
The timely collation and input of data concerning drug usage in the hospital, in line with departmental policy.
The performance of all duties and responsibilities in line with all Pharmacy Department procedures and protocols, as well as hospital wide procedures.
Participate in continuing education consistent with the post.
Ensure that all departmental and hospital wide Health and Safety protocols and procedures are adhered to and all areas of non-compliance are promptly addressed.
Performance of such other duties appropriate to the post, including but not limited to on call and the participation in extended opening rosters including weekend opening and other such services that may from time to time be introduced by the Head of Pharmacy Services.
Dispensary: Process orders delivered to the Pharmacy Department in accordance with procedures and documentation requirements and having regard to special requirements such as maintenance of cold chain and handling of cytotoxic products.
Operate Pyxis dispensing system as per department policy.
This includes loading, refilling, outdating and general maintenance as required.
The purchase, storage and supply of all medications consistent with quality and value for money and in line with agreed levels and frequencies.
Ensure accurate charging of medications.
Pre-packaging of bulk products and the assembly of CPR grab-boxes and other kits.
Compounding of extemporaneous products in accordance with policy, where required Dispensing of individual prescriptions/requisitions for patients and staff, including clinical trial as per local training and policy Top-up wards and feeding products as per policy.
Check and document expiry dates of all incoming stock and bring short-dated stock to the attention of the Senior Technician in a timely manner.
Report shortages to the Senior Technician in a timely manner.
Provide accuracy check on dispensed/picked items once validated as a competent checker, in line with policy.
Ensure that Pharmacy shelves are neat, tidy and fully stacked and that stock is rotated.
Liaise with the pharmacists in terms of medication management on the ward such as non-stock, ward order queries etc.
Processing of returns from wards and destroy of pharmaceuticals as required, in line with hospital policy.
Record and respond to telephone calls and messages.
Undertake roles as assigned by the Dispensary Manager or Head of pharmacy Services.
Training and Development Participates in in-service training and continuing education programmes within the department and Hospital.
Assists in the training of pharmacists, pre-registration pharmacy students, undergraduate pharmacy students, student pharmacy technicians and pharmacy technicians and other healthcare professionals.
Participates in the training of hospital staff in pharmacy-related topics as necessary Information Technology Competent in the use of the hospital-wide Pyxis automated drug cabinets.
Provides support to clinical staff on the use of automation in relation to Pyxis systems.
Liaise with IT to resolve ICT issues where applicable.
Quality Participate in the JCI and HIQA accreditation and adherence to standards and hospital-wide quality management programmes.
Ensure that the medication use process is measured, analysed and optimised by undertaking relevant pharmacy audits.
Participate in dispensary-based policy formation and the development of pharmaceutical services.
Reports all medication incidents in a timely fashion, via the approved reporting system and participates in any remedial actions that are designated the responsibility of the pharmacy department.
Participate in audit activities where assigned.
Flexibility The above indicates the main duties of the post, which may be reviewed in the light of experience and developments within the service.
This post requires a high level of flexibility to ensure the delivery of an effective and efficient service.
Therefore, the post holder will be required to demonstrate flexibility as and when required by their manager.