JOB DESCRIPTION

Pharmacy Technician

Health of Older People and Clinical Support (HOPCS)

Position Title: / Pharmacy Technician
Organisation Unit: / HOPCS
Location: / Whangarei, Northland District Health Board
Responsible to: / Dispensary Coordinator, HOPCS, Northland District Health Board
Pharmacy Manager, HOPCS, Northland District Health Board
Primary Functions of the Position: / To provide a safe, accurate and timely medication supply for patients of Northland District Health Board

Functional Relationships

The Pharmacy Technician will develop and maintain excellent relationships with:

Internal / External
·  Pharmacy Manager
·  Dispensary Coordinator
·  Pharmacy Staff
·  Clinical Directors and all Medical Staff
·  All ward and department, clerical and nursing staff
·  Finance department staff
·  Service/Business Manager HOPCS / ·  Medical and Nursing staff employed by Hokianga and Whangaroa Trusts
·  Drug Company representatives
·  Patients under the care of Northland District Health Board and their support persons
·  Medication Wholesalers and Distributors

Key Responsibilities and Expected Outcomes

Northland District Health Board has established a set of values by which the organisation will respond, in part, to achieving its goals and objectives through their workforce. The following Values and supporting statements are expected behaviours of each individual employed with NDHB:

Values / Supporting Statement
People First
Tangata I te tuatahi / People are central to all we do
Respect
Whakaute (tuku mana) / We treat others as we would like to be treated
Caring
Manaaki / We nurture those around us, and treat all with dignity and compassion
Communication
Whakawhitiwhiti korero / We communicate safely, openly and with respect to promote clear understanding
Excellence
Taumata teitei (hirangi) / Our attitude of excellence inspires success, competence, confidence and innovation

The position of Pharmacy Technician encompasses the following major functions or key result areas:

·  Technician continuing education and training

·  Dispensing and extemporaneous compounding

·  Stock management and repacking

·  Clinical Activities

·  Ward imprest stocks

·  Medico-legal

·  General duties

·  Quality Assurance

·  Treaty of Waitangi

·  Health and Safety

The outcome requirements of the above key responsibility areas are outlined below:

Key Responsibility Area / Expected Outcomes /
Technician continuing education and training / ·  Be responsible for personal learning needs, participate in continuing education and development and training when required.
Dispensing and extemporaneous compounding / ·  Dispense medicines for in-patients and out-patients, under the supervision of a pharmacist and in accordance with legal requirements, PHARMAC rules and internal pharmacy protocols.
·  Compound extemporaneous preparations as required.
Stock Management and repacking / ·  Participate in the ordering, receiving, supply and general management of pharmacy goods
·  Repack and label medications under the supervision of a pharmacist and according to pharmacy protocols
·  Support and provide cover for Trainee Pharmacy Technicians when required
·  Participation in the bi-annual pharmacy stocktake
Clinical Activities / ·  Perform calculations, data manipulation and other tasks as per training to support pharmacists in delivery of pharmaceutical care.
·  Support the ward based pharmacy team in carrying out medicine reconciliation
Ward Imprest Stocks / ·  Maintain allocated ward imprest stocks according to agreed levels
·  Have good knowledge of all wards imprest stock and top up these to agreed levels when required.
·  Liaise with ward managers to ensure stock levels are appropriate and adequate for current ward usage
Medico-legal / ·  All activities within the pharmacy service will be conducted within the parameters of appropriate legislation, standards of practice and Northland District Health Board policies
·  Medications will be supplied according to internal protocols
·  Confidentiality of all patient information will be maintained
General Duties / ·  Support the department in managing filing systems
·  Support the department by providing general clerical and photocopying duties when required
·  Participation in quality improvement activities
·  Support the Dispensary Coordinator and Pharmacy Manager in providing a service which meets the need of the patient and NDHB.
·  Participate in the statutory holiday cover rota.
Quality Assurance / ·  Participate in quality initiatives (including audit), where required
·  Continually strive for excellence and aim to identify areas for potential departmental improvement in routine tasks
Treaty of Waitangi / ·  Contribute to the promotion of the principles of Treaty of Waitangi and the involvement of Maori within the decision making process for their health and independence, within District Health Board management processes and procedures
·  Include the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi within all aspects of the role and its outcomes
·  Ensure that consultation and engagement processes include appropriate mechanisms to meet the need of Maori in a culturally appropriate and safe manner
·  Attend the Northland District Health Board Treaty of Waitangi Training
Health & Safety / ·  Ensure compliance with designated responsibilities detailed in Northland District Health Board’s Health and Safety Policy
·  Promote an environment of physical, occupational, cultural, ethical and legal safety
·  Observe safe work practices, rules and instructions relating to work, and be pro-active in hazard management
·  Willingly co-operate in the achievement of all health and safety goals and initiatives by:
-  Practising and observing safe work methods;
-  The use of safety equipment;
-  Reporting unsafe conditions or equipment; and
-  Reporting and documenting all accidents or incidents
·  Complete annual life support and fire training

Variation of Duties

Duties and responsibilities described above should not be construed as a complete and exhaustive list as it is not the intention to limit in any way the scope or functions of the position. Duties and responsibilities can be amended from time to time either by addition, deletion or straight amendment by the Pharmacy Manager to meet any changing conditions.

Person Specification

Education and Qualifications
Essential / Desirable
·  High School Education at least to sixth form level
·  Hold a National Certificate in Pharmacy (Technician) (NC5501 - The Open Polytechnic of New Zealand) / · 
Experience
Essential / Desirable
·  Member of and key contributor to a successful team
·  Previous pharmacy experience / ·  Knowledge and experience of hospital systems
Awareness and Understanding of
Essential / Desirable
·  The Treaty of Waitangi and its application to the health setting
·  Privacy Act (1993) and Health Information Privacy Code (1994)
·  Health and Safety in Employment Act (1992) / ·  Health and Disability Commissioner (Code of Health and Disability Services Consumers’ Rights) Regulations (1996)
·  New Zealand Council of Healthcare Standards
Skills & Personal Attributes
Skills
·  Proven written and verbal communication skills and the ability to communicate with a diverse range people
·  Ability to work as part of a team and willingness to contribute to the team goal
·  Ability to receive and act upon instructions within a specified timeframe and to a high degree of accuracy and quality
·  Ability to work unsupervised within clear guidelines and refer appropriately
Personal Attributes
·  Service focus
·  Team orientated
·  Self motivated

Performance Development Review

An initial review of performance will be conducted after three months, with an annual review thereafter.

An individual Development Plan will be developed to reflect the contribution this position is expected to make towards achieving the team’s objectives and measures. Key result areas will be developed and agreed at this time.

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Acceptance

Acceptance of the position implies acceptance of this position description.

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