Pharmacy Technician

Join to apply for the Pharmacy Technician role at Michael Garron Hospital

Overview

The Pharmacy Technician is responsible for carrying out functions of a technical and clerical nature complemented by their therapeutic knowledge in Hospital Pharmacy Practice. These functions include drug distribution, inventory control, intravenous admixture preparation, non‑sterile compounding and other components of pharmacy technician practice. The practice standards are outlined by the National Association of Pharmacy Regulatory Authorities (NAPRA) and the Ontario College of Pharmacists when applicable, including the Code of Ethics and Code of Conduct. The Pharmacy Technician collaborates with pharmacists and other health‑care professionals to provide and support patient care, demonstrating commitment to quality and safety of the health‑care system, maintaining competence in drug distribution systems, and exhibiting professional and ethical conduct. The role adheres to all legislated and regulatory requirements and may involve work at multiple sites as assigned.
This position will primarily support the oncology clinic; the technician will be trained and expected to maintain knowledge and competency in the preparation of hazardous drugs, including IV chemotherapy. The Pharmacy Technician may also be assigned to support other areas as indicated below.

Primary Responsibilities

• Work collaboratively with the Pharmacists and other healthcare professionals in the practice of pharmacy, following standards of practice outlined by NAPRA and/or the Ontario College of Pharmacists.
• Adhere to Pharmacy Technician requirements and best practices set by the Ontario College of Pharmacists, including the Codes of Ethics and Conduct.
• Comply with departmental policies and procedures.
• Maintain a clean and orderly workplace.
• Observe departmental and hospital policies and requirements, including occupational health and safety, and participate in occupational health and safety inspections.
• Participate in hospital quality assurance and risk‑management programmes.
• Assist in the orientation of new staff, community‑college pharmacy technicians or pharmacists.
• Participate on departmental committees and continuing education programmes.
• Be available to work days, evenings, overnight and weekend shifts according to operating hours.
• Carry out other cross‑functional duties as assigned by the pharmacy manager or designate.
• Actively participate in supporting staff and patient safety initiatives and alert pharmacists to adverse events or incidents, including corrective and preventative action (CAPA).

Drug Operations and Distribution

• Independently perform all technical aspects of the drug distribution system, including repackaging, interim dose fill and delivery, unit‑dose cart fill/exchange, sterile compounding (including TPN and chemotherapy), ward‑stock replenishment, narcotic distribution/destruction, purchasing and inventory rotation, non‑sterile compounding, inventory maintenance, and independent double checks.
• Receive, review, process, prepare, verify, and release drugs and product orders/prescriptions following written protocols and college standards.
• Respond to telephone inquiries and requests for missing doses or refills.
• Compound extemporaneous and stock products, and prepare sterile products by aseptic technique under supervision following written protocols.
• Fill narcotic/controlled drug ward‑stock and maintain perpetual inventory records as required by federal and provincial statutes.
• Deliver and address returns of narcotics and controlled drugs to/from nursing units.
• Competently operate all equipment in pharmacy operations as per policies and procedures.

Inventory Management

• Narcotics and controlled drugs: account for routine inventory per assignment.
• Oversee ordering, receiving, repackaging to unit dose, distribution in central operations, and disposal of narcotics and controlled drugs.
• Perform quality‑assurance audits on completed narcotic and controlled drug inventory administration sheets.
• Kits: check and restock emergency drug trays, crash carts, code kits, and other specialty kits.
• Ward‑stock: manage and replenish units on established lists and quotas.
• Dispensing cabinet (ADC): manage and replenish inventory according to set par levels.
• Update quota replenishment sheets on supervisor or pharmacist advice.
• Operate and maintain competency in unit‑dose dispensing equipment, automated dispensing cabinets, and other applicable technology that supports pharmacy practice.
• Participate in routine inspection visits of nursing units for expired stock.
• Maintain adequate drug and supply inventory in the dispensary.
• Assist in inventory control by reporting stock shortages to purchasing personnel.
• Receive purchased stock into inventory, including barcoding activities, and alert the purchaser if discrepancies are detected.
• Process drug returns for credit from patient‑care areas.
• Identify expired items and remove outdated stock from inventory.

Admixture Preparation

• Prepare IV admixtures, TPN solutions, IV chemotherapy drugs (with specialized training), and other sterile products.
• Deliver and allocate IV admixtures to designated nursing units.
• Retrieve discontinued IV medications.

Others

• Maintain records of workload measurement and statistics.
• Perform and comply with quality‑assurance audits for product preparation and distribution processes.
• As assigned, undertake various unique rotations/skills, including but not limited to:
• Purchaser: maintain knowledge and competency in inventory management, ordering, sourcing, identifying back‑orders, and working with external vendors under supervision.
• Oncology: maintain knowledge and competency in aseptic preparation of hazardous drugs.
• Handle, administer, and troubleshoot specific pharmacy equipment.
• IV trainer: train others in aseptic technique and related activities.
• Medication reconciliation: obtain and document best‑possible medication histories.
• Other duties as assigned.

Education

• Completion of a recognized CCAPP‑accredited Canadian pharmacy technician education program or equivalent.
• Current and actively maintained licensure and registration as a PART A Registered Pharmacy Technician (RPhT) in good standing with the Ontario College of Pharmacists (OCP).
• Proof of continuing education participation or demonstration of professional development.
• Proof of active malpractice insurance.

Qualifications

• Two or more years of hospital pharmacy or relevant experience (an asset).
• Sterile or non‑sterile compounding experience and unit‑dose dispensing (an asset).
• Familiarity with using computers and common software applications (e.g., email, MS Office).
• Work experience in electronic health record environments (e.g., Cerner) (an asset).

Other Qualifications

• Ability to maintain professionalism and composure under stress.
• Ability to lift light to moderate loads.
• Must be bondable.
• Superior interpersonal, communication, and organizational skills applicable to interacting with patients, providers, and other team members.
• Excellent work and attendance record required.
• Membership with a professional pharmacy association is an asset.
• All employees of Michael Garron Hospital (MGH), a division of Toronto East Health Network (TEHN), agree to work within the legislated practices of the Occupational Health and Safety Act of Ontario.
• All employees of MGH are responsible for contributing to a transparent culture of patient and staff safety by adhering to and abiding by MGH’s patient and staff safety policies and procedures.
• All employees are accountable for protecting the psychological health and safety of themselves and their co‑workers through adherence to MGH’s policies and practices.

Seniority level

• Entry level

Employment type

• Full‑time

Job function

• Health Care Provider

Industries

• Hospitals and Health Care