Position Description (District)
Role title:
Pharmacy Technician
Reports to:
Pharmacy Manager
Directorate:
Older People, Clinical Support and Community
Direct reports:
NIL
Location:
Pharmacy
Role of the District Health Board
Our Vision:
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Better Health, Better Lives, Whanau Ora.
Our Mission:
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We work in partnership with people and communities to achieve their optimum health and
wellbeing.
We seek excellence through a culture of learning, enquiry, service and caring.
The Southern Way:
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The community and patients are at the centre of everything we do.
We are a single unified DHB which values and supports its staff.
We are a high performing organisation with a focus on quality.
We provide clinically and financially sustainable services to the community we serve.
We work closely with the entire primary care sector to provide the right care in the right
place at the right time and to improve the health of the community.
Our Statutory Purpose:
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To improve, promote and protect the health of our population.
Promote the integration of health services across primary and secondary care services.
Seek the optimum arrangement for the most effective and efficient delivery of health
services.
Promote effective care or support for those in need of personal health or disability support
services.
Promote the inclusion and participation in society and the independence of people with
disabilities.
Reduce health disparities by improving health outcomes for Maori and other population
groups.
Foster community participation in health improvement, and in planning for the provision of,
and changes to the provision of services.
Uphold the ethical and quality standards expected of us and to exhibit a sense of social
and environmental responsibility.
Southern DHB 15198 V7 Issued 10/03/2014
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Purpose of the Role
To assist the Pharmacists in providing a complete pharmaceutical service, ensuring Southern
District Health Board’s policies, procedures and standards of practice are met.
Organisational Competencies
Customer Focus
Is dedicated to meeting the expectations and
requirements of internal and external customers; gets
first hand customer information and uses it for
improvements in products and services; acts with
customers in mind; establishes and maintains effective
relationships with customers and gains their trust and
respect.
Integrity and Trust
Is widely trusted; is seen as a direct, truthful individual;
can present the unvarnished truth in an appropriate and
helpful manner; keeps confidences; admits mistakes;
doesn’t misrepresent him/herself for personal gain.
Drive for Results
Can be counted on to exceed goals successfully; Is
constantly and consistently one of the top performers;
very bottom line oriented; steadfastly pushes self and
others for results.
Role Specific Competencies
Key Relationships
Internal
Manager, Pharmacy
Pharmacy Technicians
Pharmacists
Clinical Staff
Administration Officers
AHS&T professional leaders (PLs)
Multidisciplinary colleagues
Operational manager
AHS&T professional development
facilitator
Other SDHB Staff
External
Clients, patients, families (whanau) and caregivers
Pharmaceutical Society Inc.
Pharmacy Council
NZHPA
Community pharmacies
Services from the community, funding bodies, student or
intern clinical liaison staff
Primary care - GPs, other medical staff
Relevant professional organisations
Pharmaceutical vendors
Other service providers
Other DHB’s
Knowledge, Experience and Skills required
Essential Criteria
 Hold an appropriate New Zealand recognised qualification to work as a qualified pharmacy
technician
Experience/Knowledge
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Proven competence in carrying out instructions and basic manual tasks
Previous computer experience.
Previous experience as a pharmacy technician.
Previous experience working in a Hospital
Southern DHB 15198 V7 Issued 10/03/2014
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Specific Skills and Personal Qualities
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Ability to effectively communicate verbally and in writing with a variety of people.
Be able to organise and prioritise work to meet deadlines.
Ability to use initiative in response to changed situations.
Be able to cope under pressure.
Have a positive attitude to authority.
Good interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to work as part of a team.
Well presented.
Mature, professional approach to work.
Limitations on Duties
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All duties in the Pharmacy must be under the direct supervision of a pharmacist at all times.
All clinical decisions will be made only by a pharmacist
Prescriptions may only be issued with the authority of a pharmacist.
Telephone prescriptions may only be taken by a pharmacist. This does not apply for requests
for a repeat prescription.
The relevant module of the National Certificate must be completed prior to any
Extemporaneous Compounding being undertaken
Key Accountabilities
Deliverables
Example Measures
Dispensing
Prescriptions
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 Tasks completed with
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Named Patient Supply
to Wards/Areas
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Southern DHB 15198 V7 Issued 10/03/2014
Dispense medications to in
patients and outpatients
accurately off prescriptions.
Receiving a written prescription
from the patient or their
representative
Checking the accuracy and
completeness of the prescription,
in association with the pharmacist
Stamping, numbering and
annotating the prescription
Performing necessary
calculations for checking by the
pharmacist
Computer entry for generation of
prescription labels
Retrieving, counting and pouring
of medicines under the
supervision of the pharmacist
Selecting type of prescription
container
Affixing prescription and auxiliary
labels to prescription containers
Pricing prescriptions
Filing prescriptions
Establishing and maintaining
prescription records.
Undertake the timely supply of
named patient medications to the
ward
Ensure the correct application of
the named patient method of
supply on the ward
accuracy and in a timely
manner.
 Error log maintained
 Tasks completed with
accuracy and in a timely
manner
 Minimal requests for
after-hours supply of
named patient
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Ward Stock
Management
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Repacking and
Compounding
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Medication Supply
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Work closely as a team with other
technicians, pharmacists and
nursing staff to ensure the supply
of named patient stock to the
ward
Be the first point of contact for
medication supply issues on the
ward
Dispense medications
appropriately to a patient off the
received patient chart.
Charts requiring further
clarification are brought to the
wards pharmacist’s attention.
Review medicine requirements for
the wards and clinical areas to
maintain imprest supplies
Work as a team with the ward
pharmacist, to ensure all the
medicine needs of the patients
are met
Maintain all imprest supplies and
review imprest requirements as
required
Ensure stock is correctly rotated
Take a proactive role in identifying
and modifying the ward imprest
system to optimise medicine
delivery
Ensure stock is returned from
wards as appropriate
Comply with the New Zealand
Standards: Pharmacy Services
and Southern DHB policies and
procedures for repacking and
compounding.
Repack and compound under the
supervision of a pharmacist
Extemporaneously compound
pharmaceuticals. This will also
include the production of aseptic
products (including
chemotherapy) where required.
Maintain all records and
documentation for repackaging
and extemporaneous
compounding.
Ensure that the work area is kept
clean and tidy at all times.
Prepare and supply medications
promptly and accurately
according to the requisition of the
end user.
Ensure medicines are supplied off
an appropriate order and guide
DHB staff as to appropriate
ordering procedures]
Southern DHB 15198 V7 Issued 10/03/2014
medications for new
patients admitted into
hospital during opening
hours
 Positive ward staff
feedback and audit
results
 Error log maintained
 Minimal requests for
imprest items during
and after Pharmacy
opening hours
 Positive ward staff
feedback and audit
results
 No expired stock on
ward imprest.
 Completion of the
extemporaneous
compounding module
of the National
Certificate in
Pharmacy
(Technician)
 Tasks completed with
accuracy and in a timely
manner
 Tasks completed with
accuracy and in a timely
manner
 Minimal requests for
after-hours supply of
medications to
departments
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Administration
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Housekeeping
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Inventory Management
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Southern DHB 15198 V7 Issued 10/03/2014
Ensure department procedures
are complied with, updated when
required and department
standards are maintained
Arrange for products not currently
available to be ordered
Deliver medications to areas if
required
Ensure that all prescriptions faxed
to us are followed up with the
original copy
Be able to complete the end of
month batch in a timely and
accurate manner
Filing and archiving of all
documentation according to the
legislation and Southern DHB
policy in conjunction with either
the Pharmacy Manager or the
Patient Services Co-ordinator.
Telephones are answered
promptly. Messages received are
recorded accurately and passed
on appropriately. Calls that
cannot be actioned are passed
onto an appropriate person.
Participate in the development
and maintenance of pharmacy
policies and procedures.
Undertake quality assurance
audits as required by the
Manager, Pharmacy (or their
delegate) or the Patient Services
Co-ordinator
Maintaining dispensary, including
fixtures and fittings, in a clean tidy
state including responsibility for
cleaning protocols
Maintaining packaging and
dispensing equipment.
Monitoring stock levels to ensure
sufficient quantities for optimal
operation and assisting with
ordering.
Place orders with suppliers if
required, under the supervision of
the Pharmacy Manager or his/her
delegate.
Receiving and checking supplies
purchased
Returning wrong or damaged
stock for credit and maintaining
records of such transactions.
Replenishing stock bottles
Maintaining inventory records
Rotating stock and monitoring
expiry dates
 Positive departmental
staff feedback and
audit results
 Minimal returns
(delayed payment) or
rejections (nonpayment) from batch
 Faxes reconciled with
originals within 7 days
or as per legislation
 Filing and archiving
completed in a timely
manner
 Cleaning schedule
signing sheet
 Minimal out-of-stocks
and overstocking
 Pharmacy dispensing
system transaction
records
 Minimal expired stock
 Tasks completed with
accuracy and in a
timely manner
 Temperature
monitoring signing
sheet
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Education
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Communication /
Prioritisation
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Adaptability
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Southern DHB 15198 V7 Issued 10/03/2014
Identifying expired products for
disposal or return to
manufacturers
Maintaining correct storage
conditions for all stock including
monitoring pharmacy ambient,
fridge and freezer temperatures
and maintain documentation
according to Cold Chain Policy
Take opportunities to participate
in continuing education activities.
Attend department meetings and
tutorials. Record activity in
training record.
Act as a resource person and
trainer, in areas of personal
technical expertise, for other
pharmacy personnel and health
professionals.
Be directed by and communicate
with the Manager Pharmacy,
pharmacy staff and any other
members of staff to ensure
effective service delivery.
Prioritise work to ensure efficient
service delivery across the
Pharmacy Department.
Provide appropriate handovers as
necessary to ensure seamless
and efficient running of the
dispensary.
Communicate accurate
information within stated time
frames to appropriate areas.
Maintain open and constructive
communication at all times
throughout the department to
foster a good team environment
Maintain courteous and
professional communication with
all customers – both internal and
external at all times
Maintain a good professional and
courteous telephone manner at all
times
Performs (and helps develop)
new roles for Pharmacy
Technicians as the Department
service evolves (as an example
but not specifically limited to
Medicines Reconciliation or
accuracy checking technicians)
 Training log / portfolio
 Tasks completed with
accuracy and in a
timely manner
 Positive staff
relationships and
feedback
 Tasks completed with
a positive attitude,
accurately and in a
timely manner
 New services
implemented
(depending on
departmental service
requirements).
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Perform such other
duties as may be
reasonably required by
the Pharmacy Manager
or supervising
pharmacist.
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Treaty of Waitangi
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The Southern District Health
Board is committed to its
obligations under the Treaty of
Waitangi. As an employee you
are required to give effect to the
principles of the Treaty of
Waitangi - Partnership,
Participation and Protection.
Health and Safety
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Foster and support commitment
to achieving the highest level of
health and safety, including
identification and reporting of all
hazards, assistance in resolving
issues that may cause harm to
staff, and working safely at all
times.
Quality and
Performance
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Maintain professional and
organisational quality standards.
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Ensure delivered work is
planned, delivered, and
implemented consistently
against quality standards.
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Continuously identify
improvement opportunities to
perform job in most effective
manner.
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Investigate opportunities to
achieve goals in a more efficient
way.
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Carry out duties as directed in an
efficient and productive manner.
Demonstrate individual
responsibility and maintain
accountability for own work
practice.
 Tasks completed with
a positive attitude,
accurately and in a
timely manner
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Performance is in
alignment with HR
quality audit standards,
organisational
requirements, and
professional standards.
Note: The above example measures are provided as a guide only. The precise performance
measures for this position will require further discussion between the job holder and manager.
I have read and understand the above job description:
Name: ______________________________________
Signed: ______________________________________
Date: _______________________________________
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