Pharmacy Assistant

POSITION SUMMARY

The Pharmacy Assistant shall be accountable to the location manager and is responsible for performing the technical functions necessary for the general day-to-day operation of the department; replenishing Pyxis medstations (where applicable), filling prescriptions, checking prepared medications for accuracy, entering patient information, running reports, maintaining records, sterile and non-sterile compounding, providing technical assistance in stock-flow control, training new pharmacy staff and performing other related duties as assigned.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Overview :

General

Enters patient information into the applicable computer system for profile updates, label generation and charging purposes. Examples of information entered are: inpatient and outpatient refills, chemotherapy orders and leave of absence orders. Generates patient specific reports ( labels, profiles). Generates and reviews selected non-patient specific reports ( outpatient, inventory, statistical, narcotic, Pyxis). Reviews and adjusts reports and follows up with Pharmacist when necessary. Sorts and processes medications returned to pharmacy ( return bin). Records, credits and returns medication to the stock location or discards medication. Assembles, files and maintains departmental records ( prescriptions, patient profiles). Performs intermediate and/or final checks on prepared medications for accuracy as per departmental procedure ( strip packaged medications). Directs inquiries from phone calls and visitors as applicable. Performs inspections of medication storage areas in pharmacy and on the nursing units for appropriate storage, cleanliness and expiry dates. Trains new pharmacy Assistants. Delivers medications to appropriate nursing units. Accumulates data and maintains records for departmental statistics ( workload). Handles cytotoxic and biological products. Orders stationary supplies. Monitors expiry of medications.

Inpatient Dispensing Fills prescriptions by selecting the medication, placing it into an appropriate container and affixing the label to the container. Performs extemporaneous compounding as required and maintains manufacturing records. Prepares medications for delivery or shipping as required. Stores and maintains records of patients’ medications from home. Counts and records quantity of narcotics on hand. Fills stock medication requisitions. Assists the Pharmacist in dispensing prescriptions. Issues and delivers controlled drugs and maintains records to non-Pyxis areas. Participates in inventory reconciliation.

PYXIS (where applicable) Runs Pyxis reports daily at the Pyxis console and assigns new patient specific medications to Pyxis medstations as required. Selects medications from stock for refill and loads Pyxis medstations. Loads assigned medications, refills standard medications and unloads medications without orders at Pyxis medstations. Responds to stock out bulletins, stock critical low bulletins, picks medication and refills the medication at Pyxis medstations. Checks and replenishes ward stock at each nursing unit. Maintains adequate supply of strip packaged medications for ward replenishment. Assists in maintaining appropriate medications and inventory in the Pyxis medstations. Empties Pyxis and non-Pyxis return bins and returns inventory. Checks expiry dates, inspects drug storage areas, maintains ward stock lists and organizes and labels cupboards.

Sterile Services Assembles medications and supplies required for patient specific and bulk sterile compounding. Assists in the preparation of sterile products, using aseptic technique, in the Horizontal Laminar Flow Hood, and Biological Safety Cabinets. Performs batch and patient specific sterile compounding ( adult Total Parenteral Nutrition (TPN), pediatric TPN, large and small volume parenterals, chemotherapy, epidurals). Prepares sterile compounds. Stocks sterile room with supplies.

Inventory Maintains adequate inventory levels. Receives and verifies incoming drug shipments. Reconciles invoices and credits. Orders non-stock supplies. Fills order request from non-contract purchasers. Maintains pertinent inventory records. Processes month-end and year-end. Sends expired goods to vendors for credit. Reconciles inventory issues.

Database Management Enters medication and financial information into the Pyxis, BDM and Logibec databases. Monitors and tests pharmacy interface systems. Reviews, updates and maintains the formulary in response to the Pharmacy and Therapeutics recommendations upon Regional Medical Advisory Committee (RMAC) approval. Analyzes system reports and staff feedback to determine inventory levels. Oversees the building of Pyxis medstations. Resolves system issues.

Secondary Hospital Site & Remote Locations Fills and sends orders to facilities. Receives expired stock from contract facilities, sorts and catalogues the stock according to manufacturer/wholesaler then records which facility the stock belongs to and ships expired goods to the appropriate vendor. Divides credit invoice amounts and provides an itemized list along with a credit total to each facility. Prepares and updates ward stock sheet lists. Heat seals (blister packs) controlled drug stock for use at the facilities. Checks controlled drug sheets for error/omissions and makes arrangements to have them completed/corrected. Files and stores sheets as required by the College of Pharmacists. Checks expiry dates of products. Other duties as assigned.

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