Job Specification and Terms and Conditions
Pharmaceutical Technician Staff Grade
Job Title and
Grade
Pharmaceutical Technician Staff Grade
(Grade:3212)
Competition
Reference
NRS1256
Closing Date
Tuesday 30th September 2014 @ 12 Noon
Proposed
Interview date(s)
Taking up
Appointment
Location of Post
Week commencing 13th October 2014
Organisational
Area
Details of Service
To be confirmed at job offer stage
Connolly Hospital, Blanchardstown
Naas General Hospital
Dublin North East
Dublin Mid Leinster
Connolly Hospital
 Provision of a pharmaceutical service in Connolly Hospital, especially
in relation to the supply function.
 The service is provided to inpatients and to certain outpatients.
 There is potential to expand the contribution of the technician to areas
not currently covered by a top-up service, to develop protocols on all
areas of practice and to expand the purchasing and procurement
function.
 Services are provided by a team of pharmacists and technicians (all
grades). There is currently a technician team of one senior and four
basic-grade technicians.
Naas General Hospital
 Provision of a pharmaceutical service in Naas General Hospital,
particularly in relation to supply of medications to inpatients and
provision of a top-up service to all wards
 To actively participate in the development of new innovations to
enhance the quality of the pharmacy service provided.
 There is potential to expand the technician service particularly in
relation to the wards based technician role and develop protocols in
all areas of practice
 Services are provided by a team of pharmacists and 5 senior
technicians
Reporting
Relationship
To the Chief Pharmacist or deputy but also on occasion to the Senior
Pharmaceutical Technician
Purpose of the
Post
Provision of a hospital pharmaceutical service
Principal Duties
and
Responsibilities







To carry out the assembly of requisitions for departments.
To carry out the assembly of prescriptions as may be appropriate.
To carry out the preparation of cardiac resuscitation boxes/trays.
To perform extemporaneous compounding as directed.
To perform the aseptic compounding of Total Parenteral Nutrition and I.V.
Admixtures including cytotoxic drugs if required
To carry out the pre-packaging of bulk preparations.
To carry out top-up medication distribution systems to wards and
1
NRS0867 Pharmaceutical Technician Staff V2














departments
To ensure the receipt, checking and storage of goods received
To be responsible for stock control including ward stocks
To ensure the maintenance of standards of clinical hygiene within the
pharmacy
To operate computers as required
To attend continuing education courses as deemed advisable/necessary by
the Chief Pharmacist or departmental head in consultation with the
Personnel Officer
To agree duty and annual leave rosters with Supervisor.
To be involved in checking processes in accordance with departmental
protocols and procedures
To assist in the training of new staff in accordance with departmental
procedures
To liaise with management and staff in matters of departmental procedure or
as when problems arise
To make recommendations to the Supervisor as to how methods and
procedures can be improved
To observe and report to the Supervisor any unusual situations,
occurrences, conditions or complaints including those related to drugs, drug
requests, drug usage or security within the pharmacy or hospital
To advise the Supervisor of malfunctioning or unsafe equipment in the
pharmacy
To ensure that work is carried out in a safe manner in accordance with the
provisions of the Health, Safety and Welfare at Work Act
To perform such other duties appropriate to the post as may be assigned
from time to time
Naas General Hospital:
 To carry out the assembly of requisitions for departments.
 To carry out assembly of Medication reconciliation lists on admission of
patients
 To carry out the assembly of prescriptions as may be appropriate.
 To process and communicate all queries or discrepancy issues with the
team pharmacists as appropriate
 To participate in departmental audits as required
 To carry out the preparation of cardiac resuscitation boxes/trays.
 To perform extemporaneous compounding as directed.
 To carry out the pre-packaging of bulk preparations.
 To carry out top-up medication distribution systems to wards and
departments
 To ensure the receipt, checking and storage of goods received
 To be responsible for stock control including ward stocks
 To ensure the maintenance of standards of clinical hygiene within the
pharmacy
 To operate computers as required
 To attend continuing education courses as deemed advisable/necessary by
the Chief Pharmacist or departmental head
 To agree duty and annual leave rosters with Supervisor.
 To assist in the training of new staff in accordance with departmental
procedures
 To liaise with management and staff in matters of departmental procedure or
as when problems arise
 To make recommendations to the Supervisor as to how methods and
procedures can be improved
 To observe and report to the Supervisor any unusual situations,
occurrences, conditions or complaints including those related to drugs, drug
requests, drug usage or security within the pharmacy or hospital
 To advise the Supervisor of malfunctioning or unsafe equipment in the
pharmacy
2
NRS0867 Pharmaceutical Technician Staff V2


To ensure that work is carried out in a safe manner in accordance with the
provisions of the Health, Safety and Welfare at Work Act
To perform such other duties appropriate to the post as may be assigned
from time to time
Eligibility Criteria
Candidates must on the latest date for receipt of completed application forms:
Qualifications
and/ or
experience
Applicants must possess:
(A) The Pharmaceutical Technicians Diploma awarded by the University of Dublin.
or
(B) a recognised qualification at least equivalent to (a) above
Health
A candidate for and any person holding the office must be fully competent and
capable of undertaking the duties attached to the office and be in a state of health
such as would indicate a reasonable prospect of ability to render regular and efficient
service.
Character
Each candidate for and any person holding the office must be of good character
Age
Age restrictions shall only apply to a candidate where he/she is not classified as a
new entrant (within the meaning of the Public Service Superannuation Act, 2004). A
candidate who is not classified as a new entrant must be under 65 years of age.
Post Specific
Requirements,
additional
qualifications
and/or experience
required
Skills,
competencies
and/or knowledge
Demonstrate depth and breadth of pre / post qualification hospital experience













Competition
Specific Selection
Process
Shortlisting /
Interview
Demonstrate experience in use of pharmacy equipment
Demonstrate evidence of up-to-date pharmaceutical knowledge in the field
Demonstrate patient centred focus
Demonstrate team working skills both within the Pharmacy and in a multi
disciplinary team
Demonstrate ability to communicate appropriately to clients, medical staff
nursing staff etc.
Demonstrate the ability to multi task, work flexibly and under pressure
Demonstrate the ability to work alone and to exercise initiative
Demonstrate evidence of computer skills including as part of the dispensing
process
Demonstrate awareness of the security considerations/confidentiality
involved in working in a hospital pharmacy
Demonstrate the ability to work in a changing environment
Demonstrate planning and organisational skills
Demonstrate fluency in both written and spoken English
Demonstrate a commitment to Continuing Professional Education
A ranking and or shortlisting exercise may be carried out on the basis of information
supplied in your application form. The criteria for ranking and or shortlisting are
based on the requirements of the post as outlined in the eligibility criteria and skills,
competencies and/or knowledge section of this job specification. Therefore it is very
important that you think about your experience in light of those requirements.
Failure to include information regarding these requirements may result in you not
3
NRS0867 Pharmaceutical Technician Staff V2
being called forward to the next stage of the selection process.
Those successful at the ranking stage of this process (where applied) will be placed
on an order of merit and will be called to interview in ‘bands’ depending on the
service needs of the organisation.
Code of Practice
The Health Service Executive will run this campaign in compliance with the Code of
Practice prepared by the Commission for Public Service Appointments (CPSA). The
Code of Practice sets out how the core principles of probity, merit, equity and
fairness might be applied on a principle basis. The Code also specifies the
responsibilities placed on candidates, feedback facilities for candidates on matters
relating to their application, when requested, and outlines procedures in relation to
requests for a review of the recruitment and selection process, and review in relation
to allegations of a breach of the Code of Practice. Additional information on the
HSE’s review process is available in the document posted with each vacancy entitled
“Code Of Practice, Information For Candidates”.
Codes of Practice are published by the CPSA and are available on
www.hse.ie/eng/staff/jobs in the document posted with each vacancy entitled “Code
of Practice, Information For Candidates” or on www.cpsa.ie.
The reform programme outlined for the Health Services may impact on this role and as structures change
the job description may be reviewed.
This job description is a guide to the general range of duties assigned to the post holder. It is intended to be
neither definitive nor restrictive and is subject to periodic review with the employee concerned.
4
NRS0867 Pharmaceutical Technician Staff V2
HEALTH SERVICES EXECUTIVE
Terms and Conditions of Employment
Pharmaceutical Technician Staff Grade
Tenure
One initial vacancy is permanent and whole time, and the other two are
full-time Specified Purpose contracts. These posts are pensionable. A
panel will be formed from this recruitment campaign and future permanent
or specified purpose vacancies will be filled from this panel. The tenure of
these posts will be indicated at "expression of interest" stage
Appointment as an employee of the Health Service Executive is governed by
the Health Act 2004 and the Public Service Management (Recruitment and
Appointment) Act 2004.
Remuneration
The Salary scale for the post is:
€31, 292 - €41,204 01/11/2013
Working Week
The standard working week applying to the post is to be confirmed at Job
Offer stage.
HSE Circular 003-2009 “Matching Working Patterns to Service Needs
(Extended Working Day / Week Arrangements); Framework for
Implementation of Clause 30.4 of Towards 2016” applies. Under the terms
of this circular, all new entrants and staff appointed to promotional posts
from Dec 16th 2008 will be required to work agreed roster / on call
arrangements as advised by their line manager. Contracted hours of work
are liable to change between the hours of 8am-8pm over seven days to
meet the requirements for extended day services in accordance with the
terms of the Framework Agreement (Implementation of Clause 30.4 of
Towards 2016).
Annual Leave
The annual leave associated with the post will be confirmed at job offer
stage.
Superannuation
This is a pensionable position within the HSE. The successful candidate
will upon appointment become a member of the appropriate pension
scheme. Please be advised that pension scheme membership will be
notified within the contract of employment.
Members of pre-existing pension schemes who transferred to the HSE on
1st January 2005 pursuant to Section 60 of the Health Act 2004 are
entitled to superannuation benefit terms under the HSE Scheme which are
no less favourable to those to which they were entitled at 31st December
2004.
Membership of the HSE Employee Superannuation Scheme applies to this
appointment.
Probation
Every appointment of a person who is not already a permanent officer of the
Health Service Executive or of a Local Authority shall be subject to a
probationary period of 12 months as stipulated in the Department of Health
5
NRS0867 Pharmaceutical Technician Staff V2
Circular No.10/71
Protection
of
Persons
Reporting Child Abuse Act
1998
Infection Control
Ethics in Public Office 1995
and 2001
Positions remunerated at
or above the minimum
point of the Grade VIII
salary scale (€ 64,812 as at
01.01.10)
As this post is one of those designated under the Protection of Persons
Reporting Child Abuse Act 1998, appointment to this post appoints one as
a designated officer in accordance with Section 2 of the Act. You will
remain a designated officer for the duration of your appointment to your
current post or for the duration of your appointment to such other post as is
included in the categories specified in the Ministerial Direction. You will
receive full information on your responsibilities under the Act on
appointment.
Have a working knowledge of Health Information and Quality Authority
(HIQA) Standards as they apply to the role for example, Standards for
Healthcare, National Standards for the Prevention and Control of
Healthcare Associated Infections, Hygiene Standards etc.
Positions remunerated at or above the minimum point of the Grade VIII
salary scale (€ 64,812 as at 01.01.2010) are designated positions under
Section 18 of the Ethics in Public Office Act 1995. Any person appointed
to a designated position must comply with the requirements of the Ethics in
Public Office Acts 1995 and 2001 as outlined below;
A) In accordance with Section 18 of the Ethics in Public Office Act 1995, a
person holding such a post is required to prepare and furnish an annual
statement of any interests which could materially influence the
performance of the official functions of the post. This annual statement of
interest should be submitted to the Chief Executive Officer not later than
31st January in the following year.
B) In addition to the annual statement, a person holding such a post is required,
whenever they are performing a function as an employee of the HSE and have
actual knowledge, or a connected person, has a material interest in a matter to
which the function relates, provide at the time a statement of the facts of that
interest. A person holding such a post should provide such statement to the Chief
Executive Officer. The function in question cannot be performed unless there are
compelling reasons to do so and, if this is the case, those compelling reasons must
be stated in writing and must be provided to the Chief Executive Officer.
C) A person holding such a post is required under the Ethics in Public
Office Acts 1995 and 2001 to act in accordance with any guidelines or
advice published or given by the Standards in Public Office Commission.
Guidelines for public servants on compliance with the provisions of the
Ethics in Public Office Acts 1995 and 2001 are available on the Standards
Commission’s website http://www.sipo.gov.ie/
6
NRS0867 Pharmaceutical Technician Staff V2