Automated Dispensing Unit (ADU) and Narcotics Specialist

at  Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre

Job Description:

POSITION SUMMARY

• The ADU Specialist is a member of the pharmacy team and acts as an expert resource on the implementation, integration, management, maintenance, and continuous improvement of automated dispensing units within the organization.
• The ADU Specialist is responsible for safe, quality patient care and medication practices related to the use of the automated dispensing units. This includes the development and monitoring of reports required to meet regulatory standards.
• The ADU Specialist works collaboratively with other members of the pharmacy team to ensure seamless integration of the ADUs and workflow with other technology and automation within the department.
• The ADU Specialist works collaboratively with interdisciplinary teams throughout the organization to respond to requests related to the ADUs, as required.
• The ADU Specialis reflects the mission, vision and values of RVH, adheres to the organization’s Code of Ethics and Corporate Compliance Program and complies with all relevant policies, procedures, guidelines and all other regulatory and accreditation standards.
• The ADU and Narcotic Specialist supports safe opioid stewardship across the organization by implementing policies and workflows associated with safe packaging, distribution, inventory management and auditing.
• The ADU and Narcotic Specialist reports to Health Canada all incidents of lost or missing narcotics and is a member of the Drug Diversion Committee and Investigation Team to follow up on all narcotic incidents.
• The ADU and Narcotic Specialist runs team huddles to continuously improve processes and workflows.

EDUCATION AND LICENSING

• Registered Pharmacy Technician, in good standing with the Ontario College of Pharmacists
• Graduate of an Accredited Pharmacy Technician College

EXPERIENCE:

• Minimum of two (2) years recent practical experience in a hospital pharmacy setting as a Pharmacy Technician.

• Provide initial and ongoing education to pharmacy technicians, relating to ADUs and the medication management system, including:
• functionality of systems and related processes, as appropriate
• downtime procedures
• Maintain a record of all orientation provided to pharmacy staff
• Act as a resource to pharmacy users (pharmacists and technicians) regarding functionality and procedures as they relate to the ADUs.
• Act as a resource to nurse users regarding functionality and procedures as they relate to the ADUs.
• Maintain user database by:
• assigning new user access
• modifying user access as required
• deleting user access
• maintaining a record of all modifications to the user database
• reconciling temporary patients with actual account numbers
• Set up and maintenance of ADU’s and Controlled Substance Management (CSM) with respect to dictionaries, cost reports, kits, temperature monitoring, bar code database, safety stock, dispensing alerts, restock lists and narcotic reports.
• Implement reports on Controlled Substances and any high alert medications that fall within the requirements to audit as per regulatory standards.
• Compile relevant data from ADU reports and provide to pharmacy team in a suitable format, including drug utilization, inventory management, medication incidents, and productivity/workload.
• Generate and analyze reports as required for quality assurance and investigation purposes, including medication incidents, suspected diversions, and discrepancies.
• Participate in the development and revision of policies and procedures related to ADU management.
• Facilitate and participate in interface testing and management for ADU management technology.
• Act as secondary point of contact during scheduled downtime and unscheduled downtime.
• Maintain an issues log for all components of the ADU management system:
• equipment repairs and annual maintenance
• resolution of logged issues
• Act as primary contact person for vendor support, including:
• new features and products
• problem resolution
• service issues
• upgrades
• Coordinate scheduled maintenance and repairs with vendor in collaboration with the Manager, Pharmacy Operations.
• Review transactions rejected by interfaces. When possible, edit/correct the transactions and/or affected databases to facilitate completion of the transaction.
• Participate in the testing and implementation of enhancements and upgrades to new and existing technology.
• Follow up on controlled medication discrepancies with pharmacy staff, nursing staff and managers.
• Support unit moves and bed surges as they related to medication distribution systems.
• Audit controlled medication use and reconciliation for anesthesia
• Audit night cupboard transactions
• Audit Daily High Alert Usage medications as set out in regulatory standards
• Actively participate in relevant committees.
• Other duties, as required.
• Exhibits the core values of Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre.