My client in the retail independent pharmacy industry is looking for a highly effective Responsible Pharmacist (RP).

The RP must have appropriate qualifications and experience in the services being rendered by the registered pharmacy and has a legal responsibility to secure the safe and effective workings in the pharmacy when it is operational.   

The RP must ensure that persons employed in the pharmacy and who provide services, form part of the scope of practice of a pharmacist/pharmacist assistant/pharmacist intern, and that all persons are appropriately registered with the South African Pharmacy Council (SAPC). As a RP, the incumbent shall be responsible to the SAPC for complying with all the provisions of the Pharmacy Act, 53 of 1974, and other legislation applicable to services pertaining to the scope of practice of a pharmacist as well as the legislation applicable to the registered pharmacy that is under his/her personal supervision.

The role shall entail a high level of responsibility and knowledge, and the RP shall be responsible to continuously supervise the pharmacy in which he/she has been appointed.

The responsibilities shall include, but not to be treated as an exhaustive list, namely:

• Understand, interpret and apply relevant legislation according to Good Pharmacy Practice (GPP) in the pharmacy environment as it applies to the RP.
• Prepare and execute inspections from the SAPC and respond to any shortcomings identified during inspections.
• Complete a self-inspection questionnaire online by 01 March every year.
• Submit the required number of annual CPD activities via the SAPC’s online platform.
• Establish policies and procedures for the employees of the pharmacy with regard to the acts performed and services provided in the pharmacy and ensure regular updates of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
• Work effectively within a multidisciplinary team as a pharmacist, together with other health professionals and medical schemes.
• Managing all departments in the entire pharmacy (dispensary, front shop, etc.) and all support personnel.
• Automated Dispensing Unit (ADU) in dispensary: know how to operate and trouble shoot and have contingency plans to ensure continuous supply of medicines and medical devices in an event of power or system failure.
• Management all aspects of STOCK, namely ordering, receiving, following up on Rep orders, dispensing errors, identifying and rectifying stock level variables/discrepancies, IBT book, identifying capturing errors, etc.
• Partake in all pharmacy “Stock Take” events throughout the year.
• Meeting with Reps from pharmaceutical companies to discuss business reviews and/or schedule training.
• Ensure the safe and effective storage and keeping of medicine and/or scheduled substances in the pharmacy under his/her direct personal supervision.
• Ensure correct and effective record keeping of the purchase, sale, possession, storage, safekeeping and return of medicines or scheduled substances.
• Schedule 6 substances: ensure correct handling, dispensing, storing, balancing and destruction.
• Ensure safe and effective preparing and dispensing of various scheduled/non-scheduled medications according to protocol requirements, the Pharmacy Act, the Medicines and Related Substances Act and Good Pharmacy Practice (GPP).
• Verifying the authenticity of all prescriptions from registered physicians.
• Continuous supervision, signing off and checking accuracy of all scripts prepared by interns and assistants before dispensing to clients.
• Tutor for the applicable pharmacist intern: register as such annually at SAPC and support with all duties relevant to the pharmacist intern.
• Ensure appropriate counselling of patients by dispensing staff.
• Co-ordinate any Adverse Drug Reaction reporting service.
• Take appropriate steps if there is disruption in the cold chain.
• Monitoring and maintaining optimum temperature in the entire pharmacy and report inconsistencies.
• Control access to pharmacy premises.
• Understand and adhere to all management Standard Operating Procedures (SOP’s), and/or guidelines, etc. and keep relevant files updated.
• Respond to and file important & relevant notices/letters from suppliers or companies (discontinued items, notices of price reductions, etc.)
• Respond to client queries/complaints.
• Manage staff leave (annual / sick) and keep SAGE updated.
• Set-up monthly staff shift roster and inform all staff of changes.
• Manage scheduling of locums and send hours to office at end of each month.
• Be involved in weekly ordering of consumables for the pharmacy.
• Do weekly safe counts with colleague from office.
• Ticket kiosk and tablets in dispensary: understand / manage / trouble shoot associated issues together with IT support.
• Report any IT/technical related issues immediately and to the relevant persons.
• Occupational Health and Safety: understand and comply with all safety policies, practices, and procedures according to prescribed procedures and legislation and attend monthly meetings when needed, and ensure all staff is informed of relevant safety procedures (fire drill etc.)
• Assist in information needed for marketing events organised by the marketing department.
• Assist in supplying information needed from creditors/debtor’s department.
• Participate in proactive team efforts to achieve Company related objectives.