Pharmacy Assistant

• 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 (i.e. labels, profiles).

• Generates and reviews selected non-patient specific reports (i.e. outpatient, inventory, statistical, narcotic, Pyxis). Reviews and adjusts reports and follows up with Pharmacist when necessary.

• Sorts and processes medications returned to pharmacy (i.e. return bin). Records, credits and returns medication to the stock location or discards medication.

• Assembles, files and maintains departmental records (i.e. prescriptions, patient profiles).

• Performs intermediate and/or final checks on prepared medications for accuracy as per departmental procedure (i.e. 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 (i.e. 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 (i.e. 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.

JOB INFORMATIONs