Pharmacist Assistant -Qualified Post-Basic at Netcare

ROLE SUMMARY 

• The incumbent will be responsible for the provision of medication and supplementary services to patients and members of the healthcare team under the supervision of a registered Pharmacist.  The Pharmacist Assistant will also assume responsibility for meeting patients needs in a responsible, satisfactory and cost-effective manner.

KEY WORK OUTPUT AND ACCOUNTABILITIES

CONSISTENCY OF CARE
Customer service

• Be active in the monitoring and improving Internal Customer Service Survey
• Assist and offer advice on the usage, side effects, contra-indications, drug interaction and proper storage of medication to patients and other members of the healthcare team.
• Advise and provide information regarding general health matters, including the effective use of medicines, treatment for general diseases, primary health care, screening services, essential medication, mother and child healthcare services, family planning and immunisation
• Dispensing medication
• Dispensing of prescriptions (hospital and retail) under the supervision of a registered Pharmacist and capturing thereof.
• Assist with the sale of the schedule 1 and 2 medicines or scheduled substances
• Assist with the compounding, manipulation or preparation of a non-sterile or sterile medicine or scheduled substance according to a formula and standard operating procedures approved by the responsible pharmacist
• Assist with the manufacturing of a non-sterile or sterile medicine or scheduled substance according to a formula and standard operating procedures approved by the responsible pharmacist

Re-packing of medicine

• Distribution and control of stock of schedule 1 to 6 medicines or scheduled substances
• Ordering of medicine and scheduled substances up to and including schedule 6 according to an instruction of the person authorised in terms of the Medicines Act to purchase or obtain such medicine or scheduled substance
• Reading and preparation of a prescription, the selection, manipulation or compounding of the medicine, the labelling and supply of the medicine in an appropriate container following the interpretation and evaluation of the prescription by the pharmacist

Cost per event management

• Monitor and reduce Cost Per Event within the Hospital environment
• Ensure cost containment of drugs in example: special motivation drugs, duration of treatment and generic substitution
• Monitor Managed Healthcare Variances in per diem contracts.
• Increase generic usage of commonly used products (including antibiotics, CVS drugs etc) within the hospital
• Plan and implement Public Health awareness campaigns, such as Breast Awareness Week, Heart Week, and Pharmacy Week etc.
• Manage all Total Parenteral Nutrition queries and orders where and when required

Logistic functions

• Supervise and control the acquisition, storage, dispensing, handling and packaging of medicines to ensure safety, efficacy and quality thereof.
• Assist with all aspects of ethical stock control including: re-ordering of stock, unpacking of stock, maintaining dedicated stock areas for organisation and expiry dates.
• Conduct cyclical counts and full stock takes and preparation thereof
• Processing of stock for internal departments and inter-clinic sales
• Assist in the management of stock in accordance to Netcare Stock Management policy with special emphasis on designated stock areas
• Update doctors and wards with regards to out of stock situations and offer alternatives

Pharmaceutical evaluation

• Do monthly pharmaceutical audit in allocated wards

Research activities

• Ensure that appropriate advice (ranging from new products to updated regimens) is available timeously to meet the needs of healthcare professionals and patients
• Make use of Drug Information Centres (e.g. Medicine Information centre and Pharmnet Amayeza)
• Make use of Research websites (e.g. MEDLINE, EMBASE) / Medical Journals (e.g. PubMed, via Intranet) via Clinical Software
• Cater for the needs of the hospital staff and patients and the specialized scope of practice, e.g. oncology medication, renal transplant medication, emergency clinical pharmacy, etc.
• Document and complete all queries, whether received in writing or telephonically with minimal delay.
• Quality assurance and risk management
• Each individual is responsible for their own compliance to regulations as set out by the SA Pharmacy Council.

TRANSFORMATION OF OUR SOCIETY
Education and training facilitation

• Implement and maintain Antibiotic Stewardship Programme within the hospital environment
• Comply and participate with Best Care Always Programme and DVT & AMI Clinical Leadership Pathways, within the hospital environment
• Maintain liaison relationships with medical and nursing staff by providing timely information pertaining to pharmaceutical supplies, drug usage, compatibility etc.

Teamwork

• Actively participate as a member of a team to achieve goals
• Personal and professional development
• Active involvement in own professional development to maintain a satisfactory level of skill and knowledge
• Keep up to date with Netcare’s evolving policies and procedures
• Build and maintain stakeholder relationships
• Work effectively and co-operatively with others to establish and maintain good working relationships that are mutually beneficial.
• Create and maintain a positive environment where the differences of others are recognized, understood, and valued, so that all can reach their full potential and maximize their contributions.
• Develop collaborative relationships to help accomplish work goal.

SKILLS PROFILE
EDUCATION
Essential

• Registration with the South African Pharmacy Council as Post Basic Pharmacist Assistant
• A relevant post basic pharmaceutical qualification

Preferred

• Intermediate computer proficiency in the Microsoft Office Suite

KNOWLEDGE
Preferred

• Familiar with standard concepts, practices and procedures of Netcare