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ESCO occupation

pharmacy assistant

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Pharmacy assistants perform general duties, such as stock management, serving at the cash desk, or performing administrative duties. They deal with the inventory within the pharmacy under the supervision of a pharmacist.

3213.1 ISCO 3213 ESCO source
Competences
51
Groups
4
Essential
41
Optional
10

Competences and skills

51 ESCO relations
Essential knowledge 3 competences

Occupation specific

0 competences

No competences in this bucket.

Sector-specific

1 competence
medicines for self-medication

Medication which can be self-administered by individuals for psychological or physical problems. This type is sold in supermarkets and drugstores and does not require a doctors prescription. This medication mostly treats common health issues.

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Cross-sector

2 competences
hygiene in a health care setting

The procedures related to maintaining a hygienic environment within a health care setting such as hospitals and clinics. It can range from hand washing to cleaning and disinfection of medical equipment used and infection control methods.

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medicines

The medicines, their nomenclature and the substances used in the manufacture of medicines.

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Essential skills and competences 38 competences

Occupation specific

0 competences

No competences in this bucket.

Sector-specific

14 competences
accept own accountability

Accept accountability for one`s own professional activities and recognise the limits of one`s own scope of practice and competencies.

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advise on healthcare users' informed consent

Ensure patients/clients are fully informed about the risks and benefits of proposed treatments so they can give informed consent, engaging patients/clients in the process of their care and treatment.

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check for medication expiry terms

Regularly check medication in pharmacy, wards and units, for expiry dates, replacing the expired drugs according to standard procedures.

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check information on prescriptions

Verify the information on prescriptions from patients or from the doctor`s office ensuring that it is complete and accurate.

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comply with quality standards related to healthcare practice

Apply quality standards related to risk management, safety procedures, patients feedback, screening and medical devices in daily practice, as they are recognized by the national professional associations and authorities.

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contribute to continuity of health care

Contribute to the delivery of coordinated and continuous healthcare.

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ensure safety of healthcare users

Make sure that healthcare users are being treated professionally, effectively and safe from harm, adapting techniques and procedures according to the person's needs, abilities or the prevailing conditions.

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follow procedures to control substances hazardous to health

Adhere to the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) procedures for activities that involve hazardous substances, such as bacteria, allergens, waste oil, paint or brake fluids that result in illness or injury.

green
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handle the logistics of medicinal products

Store, preserve and distribute medicinal products at the wholesale stage.

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maintain pharmaceutical records

Maintain accuracy of prescription records and inventories of medications and pharmaceutical products.

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obtain healthcare user's medical status information

Gather healthcare user information through various sources such as questioning the healthcare user, caregiver, or healthcare professional to obtain information on the patient`s health and social status, and interpreting records made by other health care professionals when appropriate.

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take pharmaceutical inventory

Take stock of medications, chemicals, and supplies, entering the inventory data into a computer, receiving and storing incoming supplies, verifying the supplied quantities against invoices, and informing supervisors of stock needs and possible shortages.

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use e-health and mobile health technologies

Use mobile health technologies and e-health (online applications and services) in order to enhance the provided healthcare.

digital
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work in multidisciplinary health teams

Participate in the delivery of multidisciplinary health care, and understand the rules and competences of other healthcare related professions.

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Cross-sector

24 competences
adhere to organisational guidelines

Adhere to organisational or department specific standards and guidelines. Understand the motives of the organisation and the common agreements and act accordingly.

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apply organisational techniques

Employ a set of organisational techniques and procedures which facilitate the achievement of the set goals set such as detailed planning of personnel's schedules. Use these resources efficiently and sustainably, and show flexibility when required.

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communicate by telephone

Liaise via telephone by making and answering calls in a timely, professional and polite manner.

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communicate in healthcare

Communicate effectively with patients, families and other caregivers, health care professionals, and community partners.

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communicate with customers

Respond to and communicate with customers in the most efficient and appropriate manner to enable them to access the desired products or services, or any other help they may require.

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comply with legislation related to health care

Comply with the regional and national health legislation which regulates relations between suppliers, payers, vendors of the healthcare industry and patients, and the delivery of healthcare services.

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deal with emergency care situations

Assess the signs and be well-prepared for a situation that poses an immediate threat to a person's health, security, property or environment.  

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empathise with the healthcare user

Understand the background of clients` and patients’ symptoms, difficulties and behaviour. Be empathetic about their issues; showing respect and reinforcing their autonomy, self-esteem and independence. Demonstrate a concern for their welfare and handle according to the personal boundaries, sensitivities, cultural differences and preferences of the client and patient in mind.

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ensure quality assurance for pharmaceutical products

Take the necessary steps to guarantee the quality of pharmaceutical products ensuring that the refrigerators/freezers are at the correct temperature and complete the appropriate documentation.

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ensure the appropriate supply in pharmacy

Guarantee the correct distribution of the pharamacy products.

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follow clinical guidelines

Follow agreed protocols and guidelines in support of healthcare practice which are provided by healthcare institutions, professional associations, or authorities and also scientific organisations.

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handle petty cash

Handle petty cash for minor expenses and transactions required for the daily running of a business.

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inform policy makers on health-related challenges

Provide useful information related to health care professions to ensure policy decisions are made in the benefit of communities.

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interact with healthcare users

Communicate with clients and their carer’s, with the patient’s permission, to keep them informed about the clients’ and patients’ progress and safeguarding confidentiality.

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listen actively

Give attention to what other people say, patiently understand points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times; able to listen carefully the needs of customers, clients, passengers, service users or others, and provide solutions accordingly.

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maintain adequate medication storage conditions

Maintain proper storage and security conditions for medication. Comply with standards and regulations.

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manage healthcare users' data

Keep accurate client records which also satisfy legal and professional standards and ethical obligations in order to facilitate client management, ensuring that all clients' data (including verbal, written and electronic) are treated confidentially.

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prepare prescription labels

Prepare prescription labels, select the type of prescription container and attach the prescription labels to the container.

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process medical insurance claims

Contact the patient`s health insurance company and submit the appropriate forms with information on the patient and treatment.

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promote inclusion

Promote and respect diversity, and advocate for equal treatment of genders, ethnicities and minority groups in organisations in order to prevent discrimination and ensure inclusion and a positive environment.

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provide health education

Provide evidence based strategies to promote healthy living, disease prevention and management.

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respond to changing situations in health care

Cope with pressure and respond appropriately and in time to unexpected and rapidly changing situations in healthcare.

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transfer medication

Transfer medication from vials to sterile, disposable syringes using aseptic techniques.

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work in a multicultural environment in health care

Interact, relate and communicate with individuals from a variety of different cultures, when working in a healthcare environment.

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Optional knowledge 4 competences

Occupation specific

0 competences

No competences in this bucket.

Sector-specific

1 competence
phytotherapy

The characteristics, the effects and the use of herbal medicines.

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Cross-sector

3 competences
homeopathy

The alternative medicine whereby pills or liquid mixtures containing only a little of an active ingredient (usually a plant or mineral) can treat a disease.

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pharmaceutical chemistry

The chemical aspects of identification and synthetic alteration of chemical entities as they relate to therapeutic use. The way various chemicals affect biological systems and how they can be integrated in drug development.

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pharmacokinetics

The body interaction with a specific drug after administration, the mechanisms of absorption and distribution and the substance chemical changes in the body.

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Optional skills and competences 6 competences

Occupation specific

0 competences

No competences in this bucket.

Sector-specific

3 competences
apply context specific clinical competences

Apply professional and evidence based assessment, goal setting, delivery of intervention and evaluation of clients, taking into account the developmental and contextual history of the clients, within one`s own scope of practice.

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operate cash register

Register and handle cash transactions by using point of sale register.

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provide pharmaceutical advice

Provide information and advice on medicinal products such as the appropriate use, the adverse reactions and the interactions with other medications.

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Cross-sector

3 competences
communicate in foreign languages with health service providers

Apply foreign languages in communicating with health service providers such as doctors and nurses.

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develop a collaborative therapeutic relationship

Develop a mutually collaborative therapeutic relationship during treatment, fostering and gaining healthcare users' trust and cooperation.

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educate on the prevention of illness

Offer evidence-based advice on how to avoid ill health, educate and advise individuals and their carers on how to prevent ill health and/or be able to advise how to improve their environment and health conditions. Provide advice on the identification of risks leading to ill health and help to increase the patients' resilience by targeting prevention and early intervention strategies.

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