PHARMACY ASSISTANT, PHARMACY

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

The Pharmacy Technician is responsible for assisting pharmacists in dispensing, compounding, inventory control, and daily operational functions to ensure safe, efficient, and ethical pharmaceutical service delivery. The incumbent executes technical and administrative duties, maintains accurate records, supports stock management, and contributes to quality improvement while upholding the hospital’s standards and patient care objectives.

JOB DESCRIPTION

Main Responsibilities:

• Screen, check, analyze, and process incoming prescriptions (inpatient, outpatient, and discharge) for completeness, legality, and accuracy prior to dispensing.

• Execute, process, and operate prescription filling and dispensing procedures in accordance with approved pharmacy protocols and policies.

• Check, prepare, and countercheck prepared medications against original prescriptions to ensure accuracy, completeness, and patient safety.

• Dispense, provide, and distribute medications to patients with appropriate usage instructions, escalating complex queries to the Pharmacist.

• Produce, compound, execute, and process pharmaceutical preparations ( mixtures, dilutions) for stock or extemporaneous use under pharmacist supervision.

• Repack, label, check, and implement proper packaging standards for bulk medications to ensure traceability and regulatory compliance.

• Implement, execute, and maintain the “5 Rights” of medication safety throughout dispensing and distribution processes.

• Gather, collate, analyze, and monitor stock and usage data to ensure adequate supply levels and prevent shortages or overstocking.

• Prepare Indents for floor medications in accordance with inventory procedures.

• Check, analyze, rotate, and monitor slow-moving and short-expiry medications, and submit discrepancy reports to the Pharmacist.

• Unpack, check, process, collate, and record ward-returned medications accurately in line with hospital policy.

• Operate, implement, and analyze inventory and stock control systems to ensure real-time tracking, reconciliation, and reporting.

• Participate, assist, collate, and submit pharmacy and hospital stock-taking data, variance reports, and reconciliation findings.

• Compile, collate, analyze, and submit daily and monthly pharmacy statistics in line with quality indicators and reporting requirements.

• Implement, operate, check, and process discharge billing reconciliation and finalization accurately using electronic billing systems.

• Install, operate, and implement electronic pharmacy systems for prescription entry, inventory management, and billing functions.

• Liaise, communicate, and collaborate effectively with pharmacists, doctors, and nursing staff to support patient care and workflow efficiency.

• Guide, assist, provide, and support new pharmacy assistants and trainees in daily operational activities.

• Analyze, provide feedback, and propose workflow and process improvements to enhance service coordination and efficiency.

• Identify and submit reports on medication errors, incidents, and near misses promptly to the Pharmacist or Chief Pharmacist.

• Implement, execute, and maintain safe handling, labeling, and storage procedures for all medications in accordance with policy.

Other Duties and Responsibilities 

• Perform any other responsibilities as assigned by immediate superior or hospital management.

JOB REQUIREMENT

• Diploma in Pharmacy

• Should demonstrate evidence of training in hospital setting during his/her undergraduate Diploma.

• Able to communicate fluently and write in English language and Bahasa Malaysia.

• Proficient in common computer applications

• Ability to check and detect errors during dispensing of medications.

• Has good communication, counseling and interpersonal skills

• Reliable, dependable, enthusiastic and self-motivated.

• Demonstrate ability to work independently with minimum supervision as well as in a team.

• Ability to work flexibly and weekends and/ or public holiday.

• Contribute to team leader where appropriate and ability to work on own initiative.