Pharmaceutical Technologist

Role Overview

As a Pharmaceutical Technologist, you are the person patients meet at the counter when they come to collect their medicine, so your day revolves around turning prescriptions into safe, correctly labelled, correctly dosed supplies while keeping the dispensary's stock, records, and hygiene in order. You work alongside pharmacists, prescribers, and nurses to catch problems before they reach the patient, and you make sure the shelves hold what the community or ward actually needs. Done well, this role keeps treatment safe, keeps the dispensary running without stockouts or expired stock, and keeps the facility compliant with the standards set by the Pharmacy and Poisons Board.

Key Responsibilities

• Read, interpret, and dispense prescriptions, confirming the medicine, strength, dosage form, route, frequency, and quantity against the prescriber's instructions before anything is handed over.
• Screen incoming prescriptions for missing details, illegible handwriting, or dosages that look unsafe, and escalate concerns to the pharmacist or prescriber rather than guessing.
• Explain to patients how and when to take their medicines, what to do about missed doses, how to store them, and which side effects or interactions they should watch for.
• Compound, pack, label, and price medicines accurately, ensuring every container carries clear directions and any required warnings.
• Maintain dispensing records, controlled-substance registers, and other documentation to the standard required by the Pharmacy and Poisons Board.
• Monitor stock levels and expiry dates, carry out regular counts, and raise reorders early enough to prevent stockouts while avoiding over-ordering.
• Receive and store deliveries correctly, including cold-chain items, and quarantine damaged, recalled, or expired stock for proper disposal.
• Keep the dispensary clean, organised, and hygienic, and provide courteous, efficient service to patients and walk-in customers, including handling queries and complaints professionally.

Requirements & Qualifications

• Diploma in Pharmaceutical Technology from a recognised institution.
• At least one year of hands-on experience in a hospital or retail pharmacy setting.
• Valid registration and a current practising licence from the Pharmacy and Poisons Board (PPB).
• Comfortable using basic computer applications for record keeping, stock tracking, and day-to-day correspondence.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to give clear instructions to patients and coordinate smoothly with prescribers, nurses, and colleagues.
• Careful attention to detail and the discipline to follow dispensing and documentation procedures without shortcuts.
• Able to stay organised and calm when the counter is busy, prioritising queues and urgent requests sensibly.