Lyell McEwin Hospital
Job and Person Specification
DIRECTORATE:
Medical Services
DEPARTMENT:
Pharmacy
TITLE OF POSITION:
Pharmacy Technician
POSITION NUMBER:
NW2290
CLASSIFICATION:
OPS2
TYPE OF APPOINTMENT:
1.0 FTE
PERIOD OF APPOINTMENT:
From
Permanent
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Temporary
to
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Casual
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/
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Job and Person Specification Approval
All excluding senior positions
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GM or delegate
Position Occupant:
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Date
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Occupant
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Date
JOB SPECIFICATION
1. Summary of the broad purpose of the position, and its responsibilities/duties
The Pharmacy Department provides a quality, cost effective pharmaceutical service to all patients/clients
of the Lyell McEwin Hospital.
The Pharmacy Technician provides an effective support service to Pharmacists by assisting in the
dispensing and distribution of medicines and inventory management in wards & departments.
2. Reporting, Working Relationships (To whom the person reports, staff for whom the person
is responsible and other significant connections and working relationships within the
organisation.)
Reports through all pharmacists to the Senior Pharmacist in the area.
Works as a team member with all pharmacy staff.
Liaises with Nursing Staff.
3. Special Conditions (Such as non-metropolitan location, travel requirements, frequent
overtime, etc.)
Rostered over 7 days, including public holidays.
Hours of Duty between 0800 - 1800 with 30 minute lunch break as negotiated, 7.5 hours per day, 75
hours per fortnight.
Some overtime may be required.
A performance appraisal will be conducted annually.
Lyell McEwin Hospital is a smoke free environment.
JOB SPECIFICATION (continued)
4. Statement of Key Responsibilities/Duties (Group into major areas of responsibility/activity & list in
descending
order of importance). For senior positions, statements should be made in outcome terms
The incumbent provides assistance to Pharmacists by providing a support service that
complies with departmental policies and procedures by:
Ensuring the Pharmacy Department has adequate consumables for dispensing and all
records are maintained, filed and stored
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Stocking of all containers, plastic and paper bags. Ensuring an adequate supply of rinsed and dried
glass and plastic bottles (ie those that hold liquids) in all dispensing areas.
Photocopying of invoice and patient information sheets.
Filing of emergency and outpatient scripts, discharge and inpatient medication orders, various registers
and Drugs of Dependence orders/nursing records in appropriate areas.
Assisting in the pharmacy’s Inventory Management by:
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Checking expiry dates of medicines and the proper rotation of stock between dispensing areas.
Maintaining correct storage conditions. Monitoring all fridges to ensure required temperatures are
maintained. Separate cytotoxic storage from other medications.
Advising if stock levels are incorrect
Performing stocktaking procedures following departmental procedures.
Keying in stock returned from Wards.
Entering all relevant details into pharmacy dispensing and inventory system.
Assisting the Dispensary Pharmacists by:
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Assisting with the maintenance of a safe, clean and tidy work environment
Attending the front counter and receiving prescriptions and requisitions.
Being able to read and interpret prescriptions.
Assisting in assessing patients’ status, determining appropriate charges for prescriptions, and
generating accounts (and accepting monies on weekends and public holidays).
Entering data into the pharmacy dispensing and inventory system including all relevant details for the
after hours cupboard, requisitions, drugs of dependence and simple prescription orders.
Creating patient medication profiles.
Selecting appropriate drugs for dispensing and preparing the prescription and medication profile for
final checking by a pharmacist.
Handing out simple analgesics and counsel as necessary, handing out all repeat prescriptions and
ensuring appropriate packaging of fridge items, supplying the patient with relevant information.
Receiving telephone calls and answering inquiries from patients and staff in relation to the day to day
operations of the service. Refer inquiries when appropriate to the pharmacist.
Preparing delivery bags and corresponding paper work for courier ward round deliveries. Delivering
pharmacy supplies to wards as required.
Receiving deliveries from courier and handling all items delivered according to departmental policies.
Prioritising all incoming work.
Organising stock transfers between Pharmacy sites to ensure adequate working supplies.
Facilitating timely provision of Pharmacy services by following departmental policies and procedures
for the prepacking of medications in appropriate packages for issue from the department.
Ensuring that patients own, expired and unwanted medications are collected for appropriate
destruction following Departmental procedures
Ensuring the correct removal of confidential waste, toxic waste and recyclables.
Advising the Pharmacist if assistance is required to maintain workload.
Being prepared to perform any duties requested in times of crisis.
Assisting in the security of the Department following Departmental Policy.
Ensuring that the Main After Hours Cupboard and individual ward After Hours Cupboards
for Pharmaceuticals is adequately stocked by:
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Collection of the Main After Hours Cupboard (AHC) List.
Check ward after hours cupboards stock levels on weekdays.
Dispensing of all AHC stock and putting the dispensed stock away in main AHC.
Regular checking for stock levels and expiry dates of stock in AHC’s.
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JOB SPECIFICATION (continued)
Enabling the work output of the Department to be completed by being prepared to:
Providing backup for other Pharmacy Technicians/Pharmacy Intern as requested (eg prepacking,
dispensing, relieving other Pharmacy Technicians when sick or on Annual Leave.)
Providing an Imprest Service for ensuring that wards for which the incumbent is rostered
are adequately supplied with agreed quantities of drugs by:
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Performing imprest checking and restocking at the allocated frequency.
Checking the expiry dates of Pharmaceuticals in those Departments where rostered.
Setting up and maintaining of imprest areas in an up-to-date, organised and well presented manner.
Any other duties elated to the provision of a timely imprest service.
Receiving Service and assisting in the Pharmacy’s Inventory Management by:
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Carrying out all processes required in the receiving of Pharmacy Orders following Departmental
procedures.
Performing stocktaking procedures following Departmental procedures.
Following Departmental policies and procedures for returning stock
Advising if stock levels are incorrect or low
Entering all relevant details into computerised pharmacy system.
Undertaking creation and confirmation of stock transfers between Pharmacy sites to ensure adequate
working supplies and reordering of low stock takes place.
Ensuring that the Pharmacy stock for dispensing and issue to patients/wards/departments is able to be
used by having a system that ensures that there is no expired stock within the Department
Supporting the department’s staff training and development program by:
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Readily accepting rational directions and instructions of supervisors/mentors
Working diligently to acquire the skills and experience necessary to perform assigned duties to the
standards required.
Assisting graduate trainees, students and new staff in their understanding of the day to day operational
practices and procedures of the department.
Displaying a commitment to as well as contributing and participating in departmental and
interdisciplinary educational meetings.
Undertaking regular Safety training as directed by LMH
Contributing to the Pharmacy Department providing a high quality service by participating
in continuous quality improvement activities.
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Participating in and assisting in Quality Improvement activities.
Providing the necessary environment for staff to participate in Continuous Quality Improvement
activities.
Assisting in the department’s commitment to the EQUIP accreditation process.
Contribute to the ongoing commitment to policies and procedures of the Central Northern
Adelaide health Service by:
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Contributing to the provision of a safe and healthy work environment for self and others by:
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Reporting all accidents, incidents and near misses;
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Using equipment provided for the prevention of injuries;
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Complying with reasonable instructions or procedures aimed at protecting the health and
safety of themselves and others; and
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Carrying out responsibilities as detailed in occupational health, safety and injury management
policies and procedures.
Participating in Quality Improvement activities, including the identification of performance standards
and increased efficiencies.
Complying with Equal Employment Opportunity principles and procedures on a daily basis.
Participating in Performance Enhancement activities, including annual performance appraisals.
Understanding and complying with the CNAHS Delegations of Authority.
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PERSON SPECIFICATION
Essential Minimum Requirements (Those characteristics considered absolutely necessary.)
Educational / Vocational Qualifications (Include only those listed in Commissioner's Circular
No. 50, Appendix 1 as an essential qualification for the specified classification group).
Nil
Personal Abilities/Aptitudes/Skills
(Related to the job description, and expressed in a way which allows
objective assessment)
Customer focus approach to work and service quality
Demonstrated ability to read prescriptions and/or knowledge of inventory management
Demonstrated proficiency in computer data entry
Demonstrated ability to perform basic arithmetical calculations relevant to dispensing.
Provide evidence of accurate and orderly work habits
Evidence of ability to work co-operatively and harmoniously as a member of a team.
Demonstrated mature outlook with ability to learn quickly
Ability to train, supervise and monitor new staff.
Ability to lift goods of moderate weight
Reliable and trustworthy
Ability to maintain confidentiality at all times
Experience (including community experience)
Experience in a Pharmacy or a service dealing directly with clients.
Experience with Microsoft Office Word
Experience in handling inquiries from clients or the public in a commercial or professional work
environment
Knowledge
Basic knowledge of pharmaceutical products and/or stores procedures
Desirable Characteristics (to distinguish between applicants who have met all essential requirements)
Educational/Vocational Qualifications (Considered to be useful in carrying out the
responsibilities of the position.)
Satisfactory completion of year 12 (if since 1990)
Experience with Microsoft Excel
Recognised post secondary qualification relevant to hospital/pharmacy practice
Experience (including community experience)
Experience in a hospital/community pharmacy providing a service to private hospitals or aged care
facilities.
Employment in a pharmaceutical or related industry
Knowledge
An understanding of the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme
Knowledge of common PC applications such as Microsoft Office
An understanding of the basic principles of inventory management
Knowledge of pharmaceutical terminology and an understanding of drugs and various dosage forms
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