Job Specification

Purpose of Position :

To provide technical pharmacy assistance and support in an Ontario's correctional facility, housing inmates with diverse needs and security requirements
To provide safe and effective drug distribution services to the institution as well as related administrative duties.

Duties / Responsibilities :

The incumbent is responsible for:
1. Providing technical assistance and support to the Pharmacist by: receiving, processing and filling prescriptions; reviewing drug alerts and taking appropriate action, preparing bulk solutions; pre-packaging and labelling medications/prescriptions; monitoring the quantity of supplies and expiry dates; reviewing returned prescriptions for medication discrepancies; responding to inquiries from patients, health care professionals and pharmaceutical representatives, e.g. explaining side effects, verifying drugs dispensed, making referrals.
2. Maintaining a variety of records and statistics (e.g. inventory, month end reports, usage, and drug distribution), preparing related reports and updating patient medication profile using a computerized drug distribution system.
3. Maintaining inventory levels for the pharmacy, i.e. replenishing night cupboards, re-ordering pharmaceuticals to maintain minimum quantities, ensuring outdated and expired stock is removed from circulation. Follow-up on unexpected returned doses. Ensures medication storage areas are clean and in good order.
4. Consultation with the multi-disciplinary team of health care professionals as required.
5. Documenting in patient health care records according to relevant Ontario College of Pharmacists Professional Standards and Ministry policy. Completing reports/documents (Occurrence reports, administrative summaries, court letters, Accident and Injury reports, etc.) and updating OTIS alerts as required.
6. Maintaining confidentiality in accordance with the Personal Health Information Protection Act (PHIPA) of patient health information.
7. Ensuring pharmacy practices are in line with the security of the Institution, ensuring safety and security of the pharmacy area, equipment, and pharmaceuticals.
8. Assisting in the orientation of new employees, including mentoring, coaching and training of job specific duties.
9. Maintains competence to practice as a Registered Pharmacy Technician in Ontario.

Staffing and Licensing :

Registered Pharmacy Technician with the Ontario College of Pharmacists.

Knowledge :

Job requires knowledge of drug theory, evidence based pharmaceutical practice, current treatment modalities, community pharmacy resources and Ontario College of Pharmacists Professional Standards to provide pharmacy services through the filling of prescriptions, reviewing drug alerts and taking appropriate action, compounding, packaging and related record-keeping; knowledge of controlled drug designations and related record maintenance procedures to ensure proper, accurate record-keeping for these drugs; knowledge of metrology and arithmetic and the use of the system of weights and measures to fill prescription requests accurately; knowledge of department's inventory control and requisition procedures consistent with Ministry and government procedures on supply and purchase, inventory control to maintain stock levels and reorder, when necessary. Knowledge of institutional and health care policies and procedures to ensure safety of patients, security of health care areas and equipment/supplies/pharmaceuticals.
Knowledge of relevant legislation (e.g. Regulated Health Care Professions Act, Health Care Consent Act, Mental Health Act) to ensure that health care services are provided within legislation. Knowledge of and experience with computerized order entry, and manual pharmacy record keeping systems to track and order drugs, to collect statistics, and to enter prescription orders. Working knowledge of personal computers and associated software packages (e.g. word processing, e-mail, spreadsheets).

Skills :

Analytical, critical thinking and problem solving skills when processing medication orders ensuring that prescription parameters are within therapeutic guidelines and comply with the Ministry of Solicitor General's Corrections Formulary.
The ability to recognize and note any unusual statistics such as usage which indicates drug usage trends, and to respond to patients and staff members' inquiries regarding drugs, i.e. identifying unusual/complex situations which require the attention of the Pharmacist or other medical professionals.
Demonstrated effective communication skills to order supplies discuss discrepancies in products supplied and report to the supervisor on situations requiring his/her attention; provide clear technical explanations to patients on the use of pharmaceutical supplies and side-effects of medication. Strong written communication skills to prepare reports on drug usage, other data and correspondence. Sensitivity when communicating with employees, patients and their and families, about medications and side-effects, and to address problems with suppliers.

Freedom of Action :

Job requires working under the supervision of a licensed Pharmacist in accordance with well defined instructions, practices and procedures in preparing medication, repackaging and carrying out clerical tasks. Requires checking drug orders, filling approved drug orders and providing information toinstitutional staff and patients where accuracy is extremely important. Dispensing drugs in accordance with a physician's or nurse practitioner's direction. Ensuring proper storage of pharmacy items and report production is carried out in compliance with pharmacy department procedures, or which require the Pharmacists' approval or attention, e.g. changes in drug orders unusual staff statistics, discrepancies in drug returned, technical inquiries requiring the Pharmacist's expertise. Well-developed organizational and prioritization skills, along with attention to detail to ensure accuracy.