Pharmacy Technician

Overview

The Pharmacy Technician is responsible for carrying out functions of a technical and clerical nature complemented by their therapeutic knowledge in Hospital Pharmacy Practice. These functions include, but not limited to: drug distribution, inventory control, intravenous admixture preparation, nonsterile compounding and other components of pharmacy technician practice. The practice standards are outlined by National Association of Pharmacy Regulatory Authorities (NAPRA) and that of the College (Ontario College of Pharmacists) by-laws, standards, and regulations, including the Code of Ethics and Code of Conduct. The Pharmacy technician will use their knowledge to collaborate with the pharmacists and other health care professionals to provide and support patient care. They will demonstrate commitment to the quality and safety of the health care system, maintain competence in drug distribution systems, and demonstrate professional & ethical conduct. The Pharmacy Technician will adhere to all relevant legislated and regulatory requirements. The Pharmacy Technician may have to work at different sites, as assigned.

Primary Responsibilities

General:

• Work collaboratively with the Pharmacists and other healthcare professionals in the practice of

pharmacy and defined by the standards of practice for Canadian pharmacy technicians as outlined by NAPRA and / or the Ontario College of Pharmacists

• Adhere to all Pharmacy Technician requirements and best practices by the Ontario College of Pharmacists including the Codes of Ethics and Conduct
• Comply with departmental policies and procedures
• Maintain a clean and orderly workplace
• Observe departmental and hospital policies and requirements including occupation health and safety. Participate in occupational health and safety inspection
• Participate and meet minimum standards in hospital quality assurance and risk management programs
• Assist in the orientation of new staff and community college pharmacy technician or pharmacist students
• Participate on departmental committees, and continuing education programs
• Available to work days, evenings, overnight and weekend shifts according to the hours of operation of the pharmacy department
• Carry out other cross functional duties as assigned by pharmacy manager or designate
• Actively participate in supporting staff and patient safety initiatives and alert or work with the pharmacists on adverse events or incidents. For example, Corrective and Preventative Action (CAPA)

Drug operations and distribution:

• In general, independently perform all technical aspects of the drug distribution system including repackaging, interim dose fill and deliver, Unit Dose cart fill/exchange, Sterile compounding including TPN and chemotherapy, Wardstock replenishment, Narcotic distribution/destruction, purchasing and inventory rotation, non-sterile compounding, inventory maintenance, independent double checks of technical work performed
• Receive, review, process, prepare, verify, and release drugs and product orders/prescriptions following written protocol and college standards
• Respond to telephone inquiries, requests for missing doses / refills etc.
• Compound extemporaneous and stock products under supervision following written protocol
• Prepare sterile products by aseptic technique under supervision following written protocol
• Fill narcotic /controlled drug wardstock and maintain perpetual inventory records as required by federal and provincial statutes
• Deliver and address returns of narcotics and controlled drugs to / from nursing units, respectively
• Competently operate all equipment in Pharmacy operations as per policies and procedures

Inventory Management:

• Narcotics and Control

o Account for routine inventory of narcotic and controlled drugs per assignment

o Work in conjunction and oversight to account for assigned activities for ordering, receiving, repackaging to unit dose, distribution in central operations, to/from the nursing units, and disposal.

o Perform quality assurance audits on completed narcotic and controlled drug inventory and administration sheets

• Kits: check and restock emergency drug trays, crash carts, code kits, and other specialty kits
• Wardstock: manage and replenish Units on established lists and quotas
• Dispensing cabinet (ADC): manage and replenish inventory according to set par levels
• Update quota replenishment sheets on the advice of the supervisor or Pharmacist
• Operate and maintain competency in the operation of unit dose dispensing equipment, automated dispensing cabinets and/or other applicable technology that support pharmacy practice
• Participate in routine inspection visits of nursing units for expired stock
• Inventory Control Main Dispensary:

o Maintain adequate drug and supply inventory in the dispensary

o Assist in inventory control by reporting stock shortages to purchasing personnel

o Receive purchased stock into inventory, including barcoding activities. Alert the purchaser if thereare discrepancies at the point of receiving

o Process drug returns for credit from patient care areas

o Identify expired items and remove outdated stock from inventory

Admixture Preparation:

• Prepare I.V. Admixtures, TPN solutions, I.V. chemotherapy drugs (with specialized training) and other sterile products
• Deliver and allocate I.V admixtures to designated nursing units.
• Retrieve discontinued I.V. medications.

Others:

• Maintain records of workload measurement and statistics (as outlined)
• Perform and comply with quality assurance audits for product preparation and distribution processes
• As assigned various unique rotations / skills, not limited to:

o Purchaser: maintain knowledge and competency to address inventory management, such as but not limited to: ordering, sourcing of available product, support identifying back-orders, work with external vendors and stakeholders (hospital and retail pharmacy) to buy/sell/borrow under the oversight of the manager or designate

o Oncology: maintain knowledge and competency in aseptic preparation of hazardous drugs

o Skills for handling, administrative, and trouble-shooting specific pharmacy equipment

o IV trainer: Able to train others in aseptic technique and activities

o Obtain and document best possible medication histories in support of medication reconciliation

• Other duties as assigned

Education

• Completion of a recognized CCAPP-accredited Canadian pharmacy technician education program or equivalent
• Current and actively maintained licensure and registration as a PART A Registered Pharmacy Technician (RPhT) in good standing with the Ontario College of Pharmacists (OCP)
• Proof of continuing education participation, or demonstrate professional development
• Proof of active malpractice insurance

Qualifications

• 2 or more years of Hospital Pharmacy or relevant experience an asset

• Sterile or Non-sterile compounding experience and unit dose dispensing an asset- Familiarity with using computers and common software applications (i.e. email, Microsoft 365, MS Office etc.)

• Work experience in electronic health record environments and/or automated dispensing cabinets an asset (i.e. Cerner Oracle, Omnicell)

Other qualifications:

• Ability to maintain professionalism and composure under stress
• Ability to lift light to moderate loads
• Must be bondable
• Superior interpersonal, communication and organizational skills that can be applied to

interacting with patients, providers, and other members of the healthcare team

• Excellent work and attendance record required
• Membership with a professional pharmacy association is an asset.
• All employees of Michael Garron Hospital (MGH), a division of Toronto East Health Network (TEHN) [formerly Toronto East General Hospital (TEGH)] agree to work within the legislated practices of the Occupational Health and Safety Act of Ontario.
• All employees of MGH are responsible to contribute to a transparent culture of patient and staff safety by adhering to and abiding by patient and staff safety policies and procedures set by MGH.
• All employees are accountable for protecting the psychological health and safety of themselves and their co-workers through adherence to MGH's policies and practices.