Description:
Under the direct supervision of a licensed pharmacist, the Pharmacy Assistant performs assigned duties necessary to provide for the efficient daily operation of the pharmacy, providing quality products to home and community care patients. The Pharmacy Assistant will assist in the data entry and processing of medical orders, receive phone calls, and assist with tasks within scope to ensure smooth workflow in the pharmacy.
- Performs and documents all activities of processing medical orders including but not limited to: data entry and prescription label generation according to Bayshore Policies and Procedures (P&P) and the model standards for pharmacy compounding outlined by the National Association of Pharmacy Regulatory Authorities (NAPRA) and adopted by the Ontario College of Pharmacists (OCP):
o Prepares infusion supply order for each individual patient to ensure accuracy related to patient-specific medical order as determined by established procedures for pre-check by the pharmacist.
o Prepares compounding instructions and infusion pump programming requirements accurately as determined by established procedures for pre-check by the pharmacist
o Programs infusion equipment based on pharmacist verified infusion pump programming parameters to ensuring accuracy of values programmed for final check by the pharmacist or pharmacy technician.
- Ensures compliance with federal, provincial, and local laws and regulations, Bayshore Policies and Procedures (P&P) and accrediting body standards (Ontario College of Pharmacists (OCP), Bureau Veritas (ISO)).
- Adheres to quality control procedures as indicated in Bayshore Policies to meet ISO standards.
- Performs accurate computer prescription order-entry in accordance with Ontario College of Pharmacists (OCP) regulations.
- Communicates with health care providers appropriately.
- Documents all individual patient-related communications under the specific patient profile in the prescription processing software.
- Accurately maintains all legally required records as outlined by Bayshore Policy and Procedure (P&P) and accreditation standards (Ontario College of Pharmacists (OCP), Bureau Veritas (ISO)).
- Communicates with patients and care teams (for example: caregivers, nurses, prescribers, etc.) regarding order status, equipment, and supplies including pump troubleshooting as required and within scope.
- Assists the pharmacist in notifying health care team if there are changes in the therapy for individual patients.
- Maintains pharmacy records including filing and documenting required information on dispensing records and prescription hardcopy.
- Follows established procedures for obtaining equipment and supplies ensuring adequate inventory levels of equipment and supplies.
- Schedules patient for refills as requires and performs accurate refill processing through the prescription software according to established procedures.
- Works cohesively with other Bayshore team members including Customer Service Representatives, Pharmacy Assistants, Registered Pharmacy Technicians, Registered Pharmacists, Warehouse Technicians, Logistics Coordinators, Medical Device Reprocessing Technicians, Medical Device Management Coordinators, Nurse Clinical Consultants, and Contracts Coordinators.
- Monitors selected measures of individual performance as it relates to departmental performance standards and reports results as requested.
- Participates in Performance Improvement activities and continuous professional development as required.
- Attends and participates in departmental and business meetings as scheduled.
- Assists in orientation and training of new employees.
- Performs other duties as assigned
Qualifications:
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this job.
Education and/or Experience
- Pharmacy Assistant Certificate/Diploma from an accredited institution is an asset.
- Experience in sterile compounding or equivalent work experience is an asset.
- Experience in a busy community pharmacy setting or hospital pharmacy setting is preferred.
Language Skills
- Ability to read, analyze, interpret technical procedures and government regulations.
- Ability to write correspondence to members of individual patient care team and documentation for patient chart.
- Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from managers/supervisors, patients/caregivers, nurses, prescribers, and other members of the patient care team.
Mathematical Skills
- Must be able to perform accurate pharmaceutical calculations as related to sterile compounding.
- Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals.
- Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent, and to interpret graphs.
- Ability to solve word problems and algebraic equations.
Reasoning Ability
- Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists.
- Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts and draw valid conclusions.
- Interpret instructions provided in written, oral, or visual form.
Certificates, Licenses, Registrations
- Current CPR certification is an asset.
Other Skills and Abilities
- Proficient with basic computer programs (Microsoft Office).
- Experience with Kroll is an asset.
Physical Demands
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
- The employee is regularly required to talk and hear.
- The employee is frequently required to stand, walk, and sit.
- The employee is regularly required to use hands and fingers to type on a keyboard, operate a telephone, and program infusion equipment.
- Vision requirements include close vision, colour vision, night vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
- Lifting required as per employee capacity, employee must notify Supervisor regarding any health issues that may affect ability to lift
Work Environment
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
- While performing the duties of this job, the employee is may be exposed to toxic or caustic chemicals, fumes or airborne particles.
- The employee occasionally works near moving parts.
- The noise level in this work environment is usually moderate
