Position overview

The Trainee Pharmacy Technician role is an introductory role to becoming a hospital pharmacy technician. This is a full-time working role where you will be provided support and relevant work experience required to attain a Certificate III in Hospital-Health Services Pharmacy Support. This role is suitable for community pharmacy dispensary technicians looking to expand their scope into hospital pharmacy.

The Trainee Pharmacy Technician role is to participate as an active member of the pharmacy team to promote and provide exceptional patient care by ensuring the safe, efficient, and cost-effective distribution of medicines while working alongside and under the supervision of a registered pharmacist. This includes dispensary and inventory services, aseptic manufacturing service, and multi-dose and unit-dose repackaging.

Key Responsibilities

Under limited direction of the Deputy Director of Pharmacy (Operations) you will perform duties under the supervision of a registered pharmacist or their delegate when appropriate. It is expected that validation will be completed in all duties in line with the certificate III training. You will:

1. Dispensing medication orders in accordance with pharmacy department procedures. This includes familiarity with Commonwealth and ACT legislative requirements and knowledge of PBS Highly Specialised Drugs.
2. Communicate effectively with colleagues and patients in the health care setting. This includes answering the telephone and triaging appropriately; serving customers (patients, health care professionals).
3. Assist in inventory management and distribution of pharmaceuticals in accordance with pharmacy department procedures. This includes but not limited to: unpacking and the receipt of orders; maintaining imprest supply and crediting returned stock in patient care areas.
4. Pre-package and repackage pharmaceuticals in accordance with Pharmacy department procedures and legislated requirements.
5. Compounding of non-sterile pharmaceuticals under direct supervision of a registered pharmacist in accordance with the Pharmacy Board of guidelines on compounding medications, ensuring appropriate personal protective equipment is worn.
6. Actively contribute to own and departmental continuing professional development by undertaking Certificate III in Hospital-Health Services Pharmacy Support; ensuring all mandatory training requirements are up to date; maintain a portfolio of validations and training requirements; participating in continuing education activities.
7. Comply with WHS standards and policies, including infection control principles.
8. Undertake other duties appropriate to this level of classification which contribute to the operation of the organisation.

Competencies

Competencies described in relevant competency standards including:

• Cultural inclusion and diversity: including awareness of and respect for cultural differences and their effect on healthcare, treating all with kindness and respect.
• Professionalism and ethics: including Strong organisational skills with a high degree of personal drive, upholding the professional role as a pharmacy technician, accepting accountability and responsibility or own actions, practicing legally and ethically.
• Communication and collaboration: including communicating in a style appropriate to the setting, managing conflict in a professional way, engaging in effective and collaborative working relationships, and utilising technology for safe and effective communication.
• Medication management and patient care: including obtaining and providing information to facilitate safe and high-quality health care for patients, safely and effectively prepare medications for supply, undertake product inventory management, support the safe and quality use of medicines.
• Leadership and management: including leadership of self, self-reflection, self-motivation, acting as a positive role model for others, effective planning and prioritisation of own mental, physical and social wellbeing, and leadership of others.
• Education and Research: including understanding the educational requirements of the role and actively participating in all required training.

Qualifications and Experience

Specific responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following.

Essential

• Applicants must enrol in the Certificate III in Hospital–Health Services Pharmacy Support within 60 days of commencing employment and complete the qualification within the 18‑month traineeship period.
• Have an understanding of how the National Safety and Quality Health Service (NSQHS) indicators align with this role.

Desirable

• Previous experience working in a hospital or community pharmacy is highly desirable.

Prior to commencement

Appointment to this position is conditional on being granted and retaining appropriate clearances:

• Pre-employment National Police Check.
• Comply with Canberra Health Services Occupational Assessment, Screening and Vaccination policy.

Important information

All employees are required to:

• Adhere to the Canberra Health Services Values and the ACT Public Service Code of Conduct.
• Act in accordance and comply with all relevant Safety and Quality policies and procedures.
• Comply with all relevant clinical and/or competency standards.
• Be available for weekend work, shift work, and after-hours work.

CHS is leading the drive to digitally transform health service delivery in Australia through the implementation of a territory wide Digital Health Record. Computer literacy skills are required which are relevant to this role as you will be responsible for completing required documentation and becoming a proficient user of the Digital Health Record and/or other Information Technology systems; once proficient, you will need to remain current with changes, updates, and contingencies.

What you Require (Key Selection Criteria)

These are the key selection criteria for how you will be assessed in conjunction with your resumé and experience.

1. Proven commitment to the provision of patient-centered care including high level of customer service.
2. Demonstrated intermediate level of interpersonal and communication skills, and computer literacy and mathematical skills applicable to the pharmacy setting.
3. Demonstrated commitment to building and maintaining effective working relationships, and the maintenance of a supportive work environment.
4. Demonstrated ability to work independently and under direct and indirect supervision with the ability to show attention to detail.
5. Demonstrates understanding of, and adherence to, safety and quality standards, Work Health and Safety and the positive patient experience. Displays behaviour consistent with CHS’s values of reliable, progressive, respectful, and kind.

Work environment description

The following work environment description outlines the inherent requirements of the role and indicates how frequently each of these requirements would need to be performed. Please note that the ACT Public Service is committed to providing reasonable adjustments and ensuring all individuals have equal opportunities in the workplace.