Developed
Review:
For review
April 2011
POSITION DESCRIPTION
Position Title:
Pharmacist
Reporting To:
Manager, Pharmacy
Department:
Pharmacy, Dunedin Hospital
Position Size:
As per appointment letter
Functional Relationships:
Internal
External
Pharmacy Manager
Pharmacy Staff
Medical Staff
Nursing Staff
Clinical support staff
Contract staff
Patients
Families
Pharmaceutical suppliers
Other DHB Pharmacies
Community pharmacies
HealthPAC
University of Otago
Primary Objectives:
To be responsible for undertaking such duties as; ward and clinical pharmacy, general
and aseptic dispensing, drug information and advice, and supervision of staff, in an
ethical and competent manner.
Area of responsibility
Dispense Prescriptions
Performance measures
 Comply with all relevant legislation
 Dispense prescriptions in a consistent, accurate manner
 Respond to all prescriptions promptly
 Maintain and demonstrate competency in all elements of
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Clinical Pharmacy
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Competency Standard 6 – Dispense Medicines
Maintain computer records of all dispensing in an accurate
manner
Maintain and apply knowledge of the Pharmaceutical
Schedule
Supervise and monitor dispensing practice of pharmacy
technicians
Demonstrate and maintain competency in Competency
Standard 2 – Facilitates the Rational Use of Medicines and
Standard 5 – Apply Information and Research Skills
Review all patient medication charts in rostered ward(s)
Provide accurate and timely response to all information
requests
PHARMACIST - PAGE 2
Area of responsibility
Clinical Pharmacy (cont)
Performance measures
 Attend Consultant ward round where appropriate
 Provide continuing education to all staff groups as required.
 Comply with clinical pharmacy standards as defined by
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Education / Research
Extemporaneous
Compounding
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Drug Information
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Practice Pharmacy in a
Professional and Ethical
Manner
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Supervise Staff
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NZHPA Clinical Standards Manual
Provide education and counselling to patients as required
Use pharmacokinetic knowledge to provide therapeutic drug
monitoring
Maintain records of all interventions made and document all
relevant information in the patients clinical notes
Provide advice on cost effectiveness of medication and
updates to ward (via monthly report).
Demonstrate and maintain competence in all aspects of
MedChart (electronic prescribing system)
Provide continuing education to all staff groups as required
Product education and counselling to patients as required
Inform and education hospital staff on pharmacy services
Undertake supervision of externs, interns and pharmacy staff
where appropriate
Undertake teaching with School of Pharmacy as required.
Participate in research and development of services
Improved pharmacy quality and services.
Demonstrate and maintain competency in Competency
Standard 7 – Prepare Pharmaceutical Products
Prepare extemporaneous products as required
Demonstrate and maintain competency in all aspects of the
Pharmacy Production Unit
Show competency in Competency Standard 5 – Apply
Information and Research Skills
Provide responses to all drug information requests in a timely
manner, dependant on users requirements
Ensure accuracy and relevance of all information supplied
Maintain records of all requests and replies
Demonstrate skills in operating and using all drug information
databases including Micromedex and Medline
Demonstrate competency in all elements of Competency
Standard 1 – Practice Pharmacy in a Professional and Ethical
Manner
Report any practice or procedure that does not comply to the
Manager
Check dispensing undertaken by technician’s, intern
pharmacist and other pharmacists
Check repacked medicines, prepared by technicians
Maintain and demonstrate competency in Competency
Standard 4 – Apply Management and Organisation Skills
Supervise the dispensing process, monitoring the waiting time
for patients, the workflow in the dispensary and making
decisions as required regarding dispensing
Take sole charge responsibility when operating outside
normal hours
Participate in training of trainee technicians and intern
pharmacists and other staff as appropriate
PHARMACIST - PAGE 3
Area of responsibility
Performance measures
 Participate with supervision of University Extern placements
On-call Service
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Quality Assurance
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Health and Safety
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Provide Primary Health
Care
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Maintain Competency
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Uphold the Principles of
the Treaty of Waitangi
Perform such other
duties as may be
reasonably required by
the Manager
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Be subject to the overall
direction of Southland
District Health Board
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and teaching programmes as required.
Refer all staffing issues to Manager
Provide an on-call and weekend service as part of a roster
Maintain readiness for on-call and ensure a prompt response
is possible
Participate in the Pharmacy quality assurance program
(including policy updates), to provide a continual improvement
in the quality of the pharmacy service.
Provide advice and review pharmacy related policies and
procedures for other District Health Board areas
Develop, review, and comply with (including undertaking of)
all documentation and audits as required by the pharmacy
service
Report any procedures or practice where SDHB does not
meet defined standards
Maintain a safe work method, using all safety equipment
provided
Report any unsafe working conditions to the manager and
take any steps necessary to isolate or eliminate the unsafe
condition.
Comply with Health and Safety policies and procedures
Demonstrate and maintain competency in Competency
Standard 3 – Provide Primary Health Care
Provide primary health care advise for patients as required
Provide primary health care for staff as required
Maintain an annual practising certificate
Maintain competency in all Competency Standards to a
Pharmacist Level
Participate in continuing education on a regular basis, using
the resources provided
Develop and maintain an effective multi-cultural perspective
within the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi
Carry out duties as directed in an efficient and productive
manner
Demonstrate individual responsibility and maintain
accountability for your own work practices.
Comply with all Southland District Health Board policies and
directives
Personal Qualities, Qualifications ad Experience
Education
Essential
 Bachelor of Pharmacy or
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equivalent tertiary qualification
Registration as a Pharmacist with
the Pharmacy Council of New
Zealand under the provisions of
the Health Practitioners
Competence Assurance Act 2003
Preferred
 Commitment to continuing
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education
Post Graduate qualification in
clinical pharmacy or intent to
study for this.
PHARMACIST - PAGE 4
Experience and
Knowledge
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Specific Skills
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Personal
Qualities
Recent dispensing experience
Competency with a range of
computer packages including
Word® and drug information
databases
Ability to work and contribute as
part of a team
Capable of self motivation and
time management
Ability to prioritise work and the
work of other staff
Effective communicator in written
and spoken English, adapting to
the audience for each setting
Capable of working under
pressure
Essential
 Positive attitude
 High standard of ethical and
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Clinical pharmacy experience
Hospital pharmacy
experience
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Lateral thinker
Ability to provide alternative
solutions to problems
Preferred
 Commitment to self
professional practice
Good time manager
Self motivation
Ability to interact well with other
people from a variety of cultural
backgrounds
A mature approach to work
Adaptable to changing health
environment
Well presented at all times
Agreed by:
________________________________ (Job holder’s signature)
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__________________ (Date)
improvement by continuing
education