Inpatient Pharmacy Technician Pharmacy General

Job summary

Dispense and prepare medications, including intravenous antibiotics and controlled drugs, while following safety, security, and documentation procedures. Manage medication inventory, ward stock, purchasing, expiry monitoring, and pharmacy distribution equipment, and contribute to quality improvement activities.

Job details

Unity Health Toronto, comprised of Providence Healthcare, St. Joseph¿s Health Centre and St. Michael¿s Hospital, works to advance the health of everyone in our urban communities and beyond. Our health network serves patients, residents and clients across the full spectrum of care, spanning primary care, secondary community care, tertiary and quaternary care services to post-acute through rehabilitation, palliative care and long-term care, while investing in world-class research and education. Join our team in our mission to continue to put patients and families at the centre of everything we do, in the role of Pharmacy Technician. Position Summary To provide technical support services relative to the needs of the clinical area; to provide medication distribution services in a unit dose distribution system with automation technology; to provide material management services (acquisition, storage, expiry date monitoring and accounts payable activities) consistent with the medication distribution system; to provide workload and quality data related to all functions; to support continuous quality improvement activities. Major Responsibilities Dispense medication orders for patients in the hospital including Leave of Absence (LOA) medications consistent with established procedures, good practice standards and safety requirements; Check medications independently as registered Pharmacy Technician without pharmacist supervision as per departmental policies and procedures; Operate machinery used in the distribution process in a safe, effective, and efficient manner (e.g. Unit Dose Auto-Packager ATP(R), Unit Dose Table-top Packager, Narcotic Heat Seal Machine, Electronic Balance, Topical Ointment Mixer, Laminar Air Flow Cabinet); Issue narcotic and controlled drugs consistent with standards for security including Federal and Provincial legislations; Maintain a perpetual inventory record and deliver to the patient care units as needed; Conduct daily narcotic counts in teams of two and document actual count in the narcotic binder. Report any narcotic discrepancy immediately to Director, Pharmacy or delegate. Use appropriate aseptic technique, prepare intravenous antibiotics and subcutaneous narcotic medication device for standard hospital infusion pumps and other specialized products; Provide ward stock to patient care areas as per departmental policy. Ensure appropriate documentation for purposes of charging issues, crediting returns, and monitor expiry dates, stock levels, etc.; Monitor expiry dates and remove expired products for disposal, destruction or return to manufacturer consistent with facility policies and manufacturers¿ protocols; Process expired narcotics and controlled drug to obtain approval for proper disposal; Pre-package medication in unit dose or other formats; Assess acceptable suppliers based on the Ontario Drug Benefit Formulary, HealthPRO contracts, departmental contracts and/or facility policies; Determine appropriate quantity to purchase consistent with good inventory control principles and physical space for storage; Using the Meditech Materials Management module (MM PHA), place orders maintaining appropriate documentation, e.g., packing slip, purchase order copy, receiving report, invoice copy and other relevant documentation; Order vaccines from the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care for the Hospital as needed. Qualifications/Skills Required Graduated from a recognized Community College; Registered with the Ontario College of Pharmacists as Registered Pharmacy Technician; A minimum 6 month working experience (including practicum training) in a pharmacy setting, experience in a hospital pharmacy is preferred; Good verbal and written communication skills; proficiency with Microsoft Office software; Familiarity with aseptic techniques; strong knowledge of basic pharmacology and proper handling techniques for Pharmaceuticals; Familiarity with Pharmacy computer software; strong skills in pharmaceutical calculations; knowledge of pharmacy automation technology, computerized materiel management and inventory control procedures an asset; Familiarity with basic medication safety principles; Familiarity with equipment including electronic balances, calculator, facsimile machine, photocopier, keyboard and computer terminal; Very good attendance record; Good performance record. Unity Health Toronto is committed to creating an accessible and inclusive organization. We strive to provide a recruitment process that is barrier-free and in compliance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) and the Ontario Human Rights Code. We understand that you may require an accommodation at any stage of the recruitment process. When you are contacted, please inform the Talent Acquisition Specialist and we will work with you to meet your accommodation needs. We want to emphasize that all accommodation requests are handled with the utmost confidentiality, respecting your privacy and dignity.

What you’ll do

Dispense and prepare medications, including intravenous antibiotics and controlled drugs, while following safety, security, and documentation procedures. Manage medication inventory, ward stock, purchasing, expiry monitoring, and pharmacy distribution equipment, and contribute to quality improvement activities.

Requirements

Graduation from a recognized community college and registration as a Registered Pharmacy Technician with the Ontario College of Pharmacists are required. At least six months of pharmacy experience, including practicum training, is required; hospital pharmacy experience is preferred, along with communication skills, pharmaceutical calculation ability, and familiarity with aseptic techniques and pharmacy software.

Listed skills

• Inventory Control · Preferred
• Communication · Preferred
• Microsoft Office · Preferred
• Medication Safety · Preferred
• Medication Dispensing · Preferred

Other relevant skills

Identified from the job description. Confirm important requirements above.

• Medication Dispensing
• Independent Medication Checking
• Aseptic Technique
• Intravenous Medication Preparation
• Narcotic and Controlled Drug Handling
• Inventory Control
• Expiry Date Monitoring
• Pharmaceutical Calculations
• Basic Pharmacology
• Medication Safety
• Pharmacy Automation
• Materials Management
• Microsoft Office
• Pharmacy Software
• Communication

Job areas

• Healthcare