Pharmacy Practice Assistant

**Req ID: 139260**
**Company: Nova Scotia Health**
**Location: Northern** **Zone, Colchester East Hants Health Centre**
**Department: PH SSP Provincial Bio Depot**
**Type of Employment: Casual** **Hourly FT long-assignment** (100%** **FTE) x 1** **position(s)**
**Status: NSGEU** **Healthcare** Position**
**Posting Closing Date: 22-Nov-22**

Nova Scotia Health is the largest provider of health services in Nova Scotia, with some specialized services also offered to clients throughout Atlantic Canada. We’re on a mission to achieve excellence in health, healing and learning through working together, which is reflected in the hospitals, health centres and community-based programs we operate across the province. Our passionate team of professionals provides a variety of high-quality inpatient and outpatient services including academic, tertiary, and quaternary care, as well as continuing care, primary health care, public health, and mental health and addictions. Join a diverse team of innovators, collaborators and creative thinkers today.

**About the Opportunity**:
The Pharmacy Practice Assistant will report directly to the Manager Health Protection, Science and System Performance, Public Health but will also maintain a reporting and professional connection with the Pharmacy Manager and Pharmacist in Northern Zone. The Pharmacy Practice Assistant works in the Provincial Biological Depot and works closely with the Provincial Immunization Coordinator, Public Health Nurses and other Public Health employees across NSH.

The Pharmacy Practice Assistant provides support to the Public Health vaccine inventory, supply and distribution system with responsibility for the distribution of vaccines and other biological products to public health offices across Nova Scotia Health (NSH), as well as to all immunization providers, within NSH- Northern Zone. The Pharmacy Practice Assistant participates in the provision of safe, competent, and ethical practice, ensuring the goals of the Publicly Funded Immunization Program are prioritized and meet the needs of the population. Using professional knowledge, critical thinking and clinical judgment, the Pharmacy Practice Assistant engages in independent, interdependent and dependent functions to provide support to the immunization program focusing on appropriate contract ordering and contract schedule adherence, inventory management, vaccine/biological preparation, safe and accurate dispensing/distribution, coordination and communication with multiple stakeholders, internal and student education, and research.

Responsibilities include the processing of vaccine orders, packaging and distribution of both passive and active immunization agents used for the prevention of communicable diseases while ensuring safe vaccine handling and storage protocols are maintained. Participation in quality programs is also a responsibility of this position. These functions may be self-determined, assigned by management, or requested by other members of Public Health.

**About You**:

- Graduate of an accredited pharmacy technician/technology program
- Two years’ experience as a hospital pharmacy technician/ pharmacy practice assistant, or recent experience working in a retail pharmacy is considered an asset
- Current CPR certification is required
- Knowledge of pharmaceutical practices to ensure quality of the product throughout inventory supply chain, i.e. cold chain
- Knowledge of the Public Health Agency of Canada, National Vaccine Storage and Handling Guidelines for Immunization Providers, as well as Health Canada Guidelines for Temperature Control of Drug Products during Storage and Transportation and Good Manufacturing Practices
- Excellent communication skills including the ability to speak, read, and follow written and oral instruction
- Excellent ability to read and understand contract requirements related to vaccine ordering to ensuring ordering practices are within established provincial government contract requirements
- Excellent assessment skills and attention to detail is required to review cold chain breaches and implement required follow up actions.
- Demonstrated ability to communicate (verbal and written) effectively with patients, physicians, nurses and other health care providers in hospital and community, including conflict resolution
- Commitment to continuous learning, improvement and innovation
- Commitment to a culture that supports safety, ethical practices and organizational health

**About You Continued**:

- Superior skills in Microsoft Office Suite
- Knowledge of Pharmacy Information Systems, other patient information systems, as well as various software programs
- Self-motivated, independent worker with exceptional interpersonal, organizational and team-building skills
- Proven ability to work collaboratively in a fast paced interdisciplinary environment
- Ability to work flexible hours to ensure vaccine courier deliveries are coordinated and managed to meet service re