Pharmacy Technician

Position Overview:

Reporting directly to the Pharmacy Manager, this role is responsible for the technical aspects of dispensing prescription medications for patients and healthcare professionals. The Pharmacy Technician performs duties related to medication preparation, inventory management, purchasing, automated dispensing systems, controlled substances, and quality assurance to support the safe and efficient operation of the pharmacy at Schroeder Ambulatory Centre.

Key Duties & Responsibilities:

Medication Dispensing:

• Maintain appropriate levels of prepacked medication inventory to supply automated dispensing cabinets.
• Perform pharmaceutical calculations accurately as required.
• Perform dispensing, stock issues, and replenishment using the pharmacy computer system.
• Maintain tidy medication storage areas in the pharmacy and on units.
• Maintain and replenish crash trays, OR trays, and other medication trays, using technology to manage lot-number and expiry tracing.
• Replenish medications in all automated dispensing cabinets throughout the organization as scheduled.
• Perform discrepancy resolution in the automated dispensing system, including narcotic discrepancies.
• Generate reports from the automated dispensing system as scheduled.
• Use available systems and inventory controls to minimize stock-out situations on patient care units.

Narcotic and Controlled Substances:

• Maintain required documentation for narcotic actions and transactions.
• Investigate and resolve narcotic discrepancies in accordance with policy and escalation requirements.
• Maintain narcotics in automated dispensing cabinets, including replenishment, daily drug-audit reconciliation, usage-record review, and inventory counts.
• Perform narcotic prepacking.
• Prepare and organize expired narcotic inventories for the Pharmacy Manager and secure products for disposal in accordance with applicable legislation, regulations, and organizational procedures.

Inventory Management and Purchasing:

• Maintain pharmacy inventory by ordering, receiving, and stocking medications and supplies, and ensure proper storage.
• Monitor and maintain medication and supply inventory levels required for optimal operations at Schroeder Ambulatory Centre.
• Verify supplies received against purchase orders and packing slips, and resolve discrepancies with vendors as required.
• Prepare invoices, packing slips, and purchase-order documentation for submission to Accounting.
• Restock medications and supplies once received, rotate stock, monitor expiry dates, and maintain a retrieval process for outdated products.
• Maintain accurate and current inventory and purchasing records, including invoices, packing slips, and purchase-order documentation for submission to Accounting.
• Monitor pharmaceutical contract pricing, including new and revised contracts, update relevant databases, and initiate reimbursement or credit processes where applicable.
• Maintain medication pricing and product information in the pharmacy software system.
• Manage drug shortages and backorders, identify suitable supply alternatives within the technician scope, and escalate clinical substitution decisions to the pharmacist.
• Prepare monthly purchasing and expenditure reports for analysis.
• Monitor new and revised contract pricing and update relevant databases.
• Participate in Group Purchasing Organization meetings and internal meetings as required.

Quality Assurance:

• Perform routine checks on medications, inventory records, storage conditions, and equipment to support compliance with pharmacy standards. Report discrepancies or concerns to the pharmacist or Pharmacy Manager.

Adherence to Regulations:

• Follow all applicable provincial and federal legislation, Ontario College of Pharmacists standards, NAPRA standards, Accreditation Canada requirements, and Schroeder Ambulatory Centre policies and procedures.
• Perform additional duties and undertake special projects as assigned.

Financial & Budgetary Accountability:

• Make responsible, cost-conscious purchases for pharmacy and supported departments, in accordance with approved budgets, procurement policies, contractual arrangements, and delegated signing authority.
• Use approved vendors and contracted products, and identify opportunities to avoid waste or unnecessary expenditure.
• Promptly escalate material price variances, supply risks, non-contract purchases, or anticipated budget pressures to the Pharmacy Manager.

Education, Skills & Qualifications:

• Completion of a recognized pharmacy technician training program at the community college level or equivalent education, and registration as a Registered Pharmacy Technician (RPhT) with the Ontario College of Pharmacists in good standing.
• Minimum 3 to 5 years of related hospital pharmacy experience.
• Experience with Group Purchasing Organization (GPO) contracts, contract pricing, pharmaceutical wholesalers, vendor purchasing systems, purchase orders, invoice reconciliation, medication backorders, and other procurement-related functions within a hospital or healthcare pharmacy setting is considered an asset.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to follow established templates and guidelines and communicate information clearly.
• Strong organizational skills, including the ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines.
• Superior interpersonal skills and the ability to work effectively in a team environment.
• Demonstrated ability to make independent decisions on moderately complex technical and operational issues within scope and escalate appropriately.
• Ability to work independently on moderately complex assignments with minimal supervision.
• Ability to exercise discretion and maintain confidentiality when handling sensitive information.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, including the ability to identify issues, develop practical solutions, and implement approved changes.
• Computer proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook; Meditech experience is an asset.
• Satisfactory criminal record and vulnerable sector check.
• Proof of immunization and tuberculosis screening records as required.

Join Our Team:

Schroeder Ambulatory Centre is a non-profit medical facility dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for Ontarians through accessible, outpatient healthcare. The Centre will offer a comprehensive range of clinical, diagnostic, and surgical services in alignment with its mission to reduce pain, improve mobility, and streamline healthcare delivery.

In collaboration with hospital and academic partners, Schroeder Ambulatory Centre aims to strengthen public health capacity and drive innovation in care, ensuring a more efficient and compassionate healthcare experience for the community.

At Schroeder Ambulatory Centre, we are committed to fostering an inclusive and accessible recruitment experience for all candidates. If you require accommodations at any stage of the hiring process due to a disability or medical condition, please let us know. We will work with you to ensure your needs are met in a respectful and confidential manner.

We appreciate all applications; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

This Posting is for a current vacancy