In every profession and industry, there are rules or guidelines that regulate the behaviours, attitudes, and methods of professionals in the industry. These rules are known as ethics, and they are indispensable for an industry such as pharmaceuticals, which may be both health and profit-oriented.Â
Pharmacy Assistants and everyone else in a healthcare team owe a duty of care to the consumer, the business, and other members of the healthcare team. These duties have been spelled out in the profession’s code of ethics.Â
If you’re considering Pharmacy Assistant training, you’ll need to learn these ethics as they’ll serve as guidelines for your future actions and activities as a practitioner in the industry. In case you are wondering what these ethics are, we’ve highlighted them here.Â
Your Ethical Duties to Clients After Pharmacy Assistant TrainingÂ
The role of a Pharmacy Assistant is a very client-facing one. You’ll often be the first contact that clients have with the pharmacy. Your demeanour during interactions with them can colour their impressions of you and the pharmacy one way or the other. As such, you’ll need to carry out your duties in a way that demonstrates respect for their dignity.
Remember that people place a high level of trust in your abilities to correctly fill their prescriptions and effectively handle various other tasks that your Pharmacy Assistant training has prepared you for, including packing and labelling products, maintaining prescription records, and more. It is that trust that makes them seek out your services. Bearing this in mind, always strive to carry out your duties and responsibilities appropriately and professionally. In every instance, set clients at ease, demonstrate concern for their well-being and try as much as you can to be helpful.
Your Ethical Responsibilities to the BusinessÂ
As much as your focus is on the health and well-being of clients, you also need to keep an eye on the pharmacy’s bottom line. The pharmacy can only continue to help people fulfill their medications if it doesn’t drown in its operational costs.Â
Since you’ll be handling sales transactions, you’ll be nominally responsible for the business’s finances. One way to ensure that clients seek out your pharmacy first is by delivering excellent customer service every time. Be meticulous about maintaining prescription records and inventories of medication, and handle orders with speed and courtesy. Also, keep track of inventory to ensure that the pharmacy doesn’t run out of essential medicines.
Commitment to Competence and Continuous Self-developmentÂ
Your training is not expected to stop at the end of your qualification courses. Even after your training ends, you’re expected to keep up-to-date with current industry standards and best practices. One way to do this is by dedicating yourself to lifelong learning and self-development.
To execute your duties optimally, you must ensure that you are competent by completing your Pharmacy Assistant courses. Continuous training as a Pharmacy Assistant will ensure you are better equipped to use health resources responsibly and execute your duties in a way that would benefit you, your customers, and the pharmacy.Â
Are you interested in earning your Pharmacy Assistant Diploma in Ontario?
Contact Medix College to learn how you can get started.