Pharmacy Assistant 

Job Description

Basic Purpose of the role

The Pharmacy assistant is responsible for  proactively assisting in technical support and assisting pharmacist by preparing and filling prescriptions.

Key responsibilities of the role

Consistently complies with REEM policies, procedures, and practices
Prepares and fits medications accurately prior to pharmacist final check
Performs double checks on the pharmacist’s order entry for all orders/prescriptions
Calculates accurate quantities of medication for und dose cassettes, prepacking and prescriptions
Calculates and compounds ingredients required to prepare extemporaneous preparations 
Keeps accurate record of ward stock issues to all 
departments/patient care areas/clinics.
Participates in rolling inventory counts.
Participates in annual pharmacy inventory counts
Monitors medication expiry dates, flags early expiries with labels and rotates inventory accordingly. 
Removes and replaces expired medication
Performs patient care areas/clinic ward stock Inspections
Maintains professional knowledge by attending lectures, seminars, on-line education units.
Prints computer fill lists, reports, labels as needed to prepare medication dispensing
Accesses patient profiles to fill missing doses/refill medications.
Performs tasks related to health insurance and billing (as required).
Participation in the organization’s quality improvement and safety activities

Other responsibilities

Compliance guidelines

Complying with Policies, Procedures and Practices of Al Reem Integrated Healthcare Center Facilities and other Regulatory Requirements
Participates in the formulation of Quality Assurance programs in line with strategic direction.
Participates on relevant committees and on special projects as required.

Maintaining Confidentiality
Maintains confidentiality regarding patient/staff information.
Ensures all allied health staff maintains confidentiality regarding patient/staff information.

Promoting Customer Service Standards
Functions as a clinical resource to all Staff and acts as liaison with other disciplines and departments.
Promotes positive public relations with patients, peers, medical staff and members of the general public.
Collaborates with personnel from non-clinical department/disciplines regarding issues that may negatively impact patient care; facilitate solutions as needed.

Adhering to the Occupational Health and Safety, Materials Management and Maintenance Standards
Maintain a positive work environment for staff and promote team efforts, promote, and maintain effective working relationships with all levels of staff.
Adheres to the policies of Occupational Health and Safety and Infection Control Guidelines in all work practices.
The position does have heavy exposure to malodorous, infectious body fluids from patients and some minimal exposure to noxious smells from cleansing agents.
The position requires high exposure to infectious wastes such as blood and body fluids that mandate the wearing of gloves, masks and goggles for every actual or potential exposure.

Ensuring Personal Effectiveness
Emotionally self-aware, practice self-control, able to empathetically interact and understand the team and their needs and demonstrates effective management of relations to ensure team success and better patient care outcome.
Acts as a role model for all staff.
Maintains a personal record of continuing education attendances, (direct or indirect). 
Demonstrates evidence of ongoing professional development in leadership and management.
Actively participates in the annual system of performance evaluation.

Qualifications, Certifications and Experience

• Bachelors degree in Pharmacy
• Not less than 2 years as a Pharmacy Assistant within hospital
• Knowledge of UAE Health Regulations
• International accreditation experience
• The ability to influence and implement change
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
• Able to work independently and collaboratively with others
• Organized and able to work methodically
• Able to relate to people from different cultural backgrounds
• Fluent in both written and spoken English

Physical requirements

The position requires a considerable amount of physical work. The individual must be able to quickly manoeuvre throughout halls, stairways and patient rooms in response to hospital emergencies. The following denote the key physical requirements for the job which may require: Standing, Simple Grasping, Fine Manipulation, Operation Machinery / Equipment, Lifting / overhead reaching, Twisting, Climbing / Balancing, Crouching / Squatting and Reaching.

In addition the position requires office work involving extensive use of the computer and interdepartmental coordination. Typical physical demands include: a high degree of manual dexterity to sufficiently perform computer functions on a keyboard, produce materials on a PC and operate basic office equipment, normal or corrected vision and hearing, extensive sitting and walking, mobility sufficient to visit with departments or employees throughout the facility and lift up to 13 kgs.