PHARMACY TECHNICIANS

To represent your professional interests we need your support.  Please click HERE to download a PSNZ Application form. 

Complete this and send in to Wayne Wood, PO Box 11640, Manners Street, Wellington 6142 or fax it to the Society at 04 382 9297.

To be eligible for Technician membership of the Society

You must hold of one of the following qualifications:

• a Dispensary Assistant Certificate issued by the Society prior to 1990
• a Pharmacy Technicians Certificate issued by the Society between 1990 and 1998
• a National Certificate in Pharmacy (Technician) issued by NZQA since 1998, or be in current training as a technician.

You can also join the PSNZ Professional Network for Technicians

In November 2010, the Society set up a Pharmacy Technician's Advisory Group (PTAG). The PSNZ Pharmacy Technicians Advisory Group is a committee looking to establish a network which will connect pharmacy technicians from all over New Zealand with each other.  Our Pharmacy Technicians Advisory Group committee members are; Hospital-based pharmacist technicians; Annie Thorne and Christina Dukeson and Community-based pharmacy technicians; Steph McGaffin, Deirdre McClintock, Kirsty Pratt, Amanda Burke, Molly Perkins and Kathryn Ferguson.

This committee recently sent out flyers to technicians inviting them to join the Technician Network and also to indicate their interest in joining the Society.  If you are already associated with the Technician Advisory Committee or are a member of the Society please click here to read the PTAG's latest flyer.  If you are considering joining the Pharmacy Technicians' Network and are also interested in joining the Society - please click here to read the relevant flyer.

The Society has been working with its technician members for sometime and a survey of their views on their own profession, was conducted in 2008.  While serving on the National Executive, Dai Drumm summarised the findings in a report to the Executive which can be read here - "Click here to read the PSNZ Technicians Survey”.  Similar observations came up at the PTAG meeting and it is their hope that they will now provide pharmacy technicians with a forum to work collegially within the profession but also to provide a voice for technicians across the country to help promote change from within the industry.  It is also a wish to improve and expand on training and ongoing education for technicians. The Society's National Executive member responsible for the National Executive's Workforce Portfolio is currently Ann Privett who is a community pharmacist practising in Miramar, Wellington.  Ann's current profile can be viewed on the website home page.

General Information on Pharmacy Technicians

If you are interested in training as a technician please contact the Programme Coordinator at the Pharmacy Industry Training Organisation

Phone 04 382 8058, Fax 04 385 8668 or email to info@pito.org.nz. for further information.  You can also visit their website at www.pito.org.nz

What is a Pharmacy Technician?

Most pharmacists employ pharmacy technicians to assist them with the dispensing of prescription medicines. Pharmacy technicians always work under the supervision of a pharmacist. A pharmacy technician includes people who hold a recognised certificate as a pharmacy technician or are enrolled in a training programme leading to this certificate. By law only pharmacists and pharmacy technicians, can dispense prescription medicines in a pharmacy.

Pharmacy technicians work in community pharmacies and pharmacy departments in hospitals. They are also employed in the national prescription payment office, pharmaceutical companies and pharmaceutical wholesalers. Pharmacy technicians need to be honest, motivated and well organised, able to pay attention to detail, enjoy working as part of a team and be interested in people.

What does a Pharmacy Technician do?

Pharmacy technicians assist the pharmacist in the preparation of prescriptions. This includes entering prescription details in the computer, preparing labels and dispensing the medicine.   They are also involved in the processing of prescriptions and patient records, including preparing prescription batches for payment.  Pharmacy technicians are also responsible for maintaining the dispensary, including fixtures and fittings, packaging and dispensing equipment. They are also responsible for checking stock levels of medicines and preparing and placing orders for new stock.  Pharmacy technicians help in the general running of the pharmacy by preparing invoices, receipts, letters, memos and general filing, answering the pharmacy phone and receiving and sending electronic communications. In community pharmacies, pharmacy technicians may also work in the shop; advising customers on non-prescription medicines and on photographic and cosmetic supplies. In hospital pharmacy departments, pharmacy technicians are involved in dispensing out-patients' and in-patients' medicines, supplying wards with medicines, monitoring ward stock cupboards and emergency supplies and manufacturing medicines for patient's particular needs. Senior pharmacy technicians are responsible for other technicians and pharmacy assistants.

What qualifications are needed to be a Pharmacy Technician?

Pharmacy technicians must hold a certificate recognised by the Pharmaceutical Society of New Zealand. The current certificate is the National Certificate in Pharmacy (Technician) which is a registered qualification of the New ZealandQualifications Authority.

What training is required to achieve a National Certificate in Pharmacy (Technician)?

The qualification is based on the competencies required by a pharmacy technician. These competencies define the knowledge, skills and attitudes required to practise as a pharmacy technician. Entry to the training programme is open i.e. there are no formal educational qualifications required although a sound understanding of maths, English and science will help. The training programme is designed for people who are working in community or hospital pharmacies.

Where is this training available?

You can either study part time whilst working in a pharmacy or complete a full time course.

Part time study allows the technician to study at their own pace whilst learning on the job. The length of time to complete the training depends on each individual. The Open Polytechnic of New Zealand (TOPNZ) provides self study units so that the student can study at home in their own time and own way. On the job training is provided in most pharmacy workplaces and the pharmacist plays a major role in this training. The pharmacist acts as a mentor for practical training whilst the theory training and assessment of competence is provided by TOPNZ.

Full time training courses are available at the Auckland University of Technology (AUT). The course is one year in length and includes on the job work experience. The Bay of Plenty Polytechnic will also be offering full time courses from the end of 2002, available for holders of the National Certificate in Pharmacy (assistant) qualification.

For further information contact the providers direct.

What does the training programme consist of?

The training programme is based on a set of competency standards of the New Zealand Qualifications Framework. The training is organised as a set of eight modules covering pharmacy specific standards as well as generic work place skills. The pharmacy technician is also required to possess a first aid certificate. Some courses have other courses as a prerequisite for entry. Full details of these requirements are provided with the course application forms.

The general workplace skills are available through the National Certificate providers or may be available through a local Polytechnic. For further information contact the providers direct.

• The Open Polytechnic of NZ
• Academy New Zealand (Auckland Campus only).

What career prospects are open to Pharmacy Technicians?

With the changes in the health system in New Zealand pharmacists are spending more time counselling patients on their medicines and many pharmacists are delegating more responsibility for preparing the prescriptions to the pharmacy technician. As well as working in community and hospital pharmacies in New Zealand pharmacy technicians are involved in other areas related to pharmacy. Pharmacy technicians work as sales representatives for pharmaceutical companies or in wholesaling and manufacturing companies. Other pharmacy technicians work at the national prescription pricing centre.