Registered Pharmacy Technician

Nova Scotia Health and IWK Health•Halifax, NS

7d•CA$31 - CA$36•Onsite

About The Position

IWK Health is a respected academic health sciences centre located in Halifax, Nova Scotia, providing tertiary and primary care for children, youth, adults and families across the Atlantic region. The Pharmacy Technician will work in collaboration with pharmacists and pharmacy practice assistants to ensure safe medication preparation and dispensing for all medications prepared and delivered by the pharmacy department. The Pharmacy Technician will be responsible for the technical check of prepared medications (unit dose, non-sterile and sterile compounds, exception: parenteral chemotherapy medications) prior to distribution to the patient care units, taking telephone medication order clarifications from physicians, narcotic destruction as mandated by Health Canada, precept pharmacy technician students who are pursuing their diploma and licensure, administer medications by injection (permit required) and provide technical education on the use of medication related devices. The pharmacy technician will also conduct best possible medication histories (BPMH). Finally, pharmacy technicians must follow all federal and provincial legislation and pharmacy professional practice standards (ie: NAPRA sterile and non-sterile compounding) pertaining to the preparation and distribution of prescription and non-prescription medications, and are professionally accountable and responsible for their activities.

Requirements

An accredited, by the Canadian Council for Accreditation of Pharmacy Programs (CCAPP), pharmacy technician training program; OR: An accredited (CCAPP) degree program in pharmacy, OR currently enrolled in a bridging program
Licensure as a Registered Pharmacy Technician with the Nova Scotia College of Pharmacist; plus; Annual maintenance of professional malpractice insurance per the NSCP guideline, OR eligible to be licensed
Practice within the legal requirements, demonstration professionalism and uphold professional standards of practice, code of ethics and policies
Participate in meeting the patient’s health and medication-related needs, through collaborations with the patient, the pharmacist and other health professionals, to achieve the patient’s health goals
Implement safe and effective product distribution to ensure the safety and accuracy of released products
Contribute to the management of the drug distribution system with the goal of ensuring safe, effective and efficient drug distribution
Collaborate in developing, implementing and evaluating policies, procedures and activities that promote quality and safety
Knowledge and demonstration of NAPRA Model Standards of Practice for Pharmacy Technicians
Ability to perform final technical check of prepared medications and identify and notify preparer when product was prepared incorrectly in a respectful manner
Knowledge using centralized and decentralized pharmacy automation/technology, including but not limited to inventory carousel, automated dispensing cabinets, anesthesia medication dispensing systems, unit dose packager, hospital pharmacy information system, gravimetric sterile compound preparation systems, laminar flow hoods
Knowledge of generic/chemical names of medications available on the Canadian market
Proficiency in sterile and non-sterile compounding for hazardous and non-hazardous compounds
Knowledge and application of federal Controlled Drugs & Substances Act, Food & Drugs Act and Schedules
Perform medication calculations accurately each time required
Demonstrated ability to communicate (verbal and written) effectively with patients, physicians, nurses, pharmacists and other allied health professionals
Commitment to continuous learning
Demonstrated ability to work in a fast-paced environment with distractions

Responsibilities

Ensure safe medication preparation and dispensing.
Perform technical check of prepared medications (unit dose, non-sterile and sterile compounds, exception: parenteral chemotherapy medications) prior to distribution.
Take telephone medication order clarifications from physicians.
Perform narcotic destruction as mandated by Health Canada.
Precept pharmacy technician students.
Administer medications by injection (permit required).
Provide technical education on the use of medication related devices.
Conduct best possible medication histories (BPMH).
Follow all federal and provincial legislation and pharmacy professional practice standards pertaining to medication preparation and distribution.
Be professionally accountable and responsible for activities.