Use of Medicines
Pharmacists must have knowledge and techniques for the safe and rational use of medicines.
Pharmacists
Descriptions & Duties
- Pharmacists dispense prescription medications to patients following prescriptions issued by medical doctors. They offer expertise on the proper use and adverse effects of drugs and medicines. They are responsible for verifying instructions from doctors on the proper amount of medication prescribed to patients, checking whether the prescription will interact negatively with other drugs or any side effects, maintaining the medication records of patients and inventory records of controlled drugs and medicines, supervising the work of pharmacy technicians and pharmacists in training, storing and preserving vaccines, serums and other drugs subject to deterioration, ordering and purchasing pharmaceutical supplies and medical supplies.
Generic Competencies
Physical Abilities
Physical abilities
- Physical strength
- Eye hand coordination / precision / dexterity
Importance:1 (Max:5)
Skill is rarely required
Technology Skills
Technology skills
- Computer literacy
- Application of technology
Importance:4 (Max:5)
Skill is frequently required
Cognitive Abilities
Cognitive abilities
- Creativity
- Visualisation
- Logical thinking
Importance:3 (Max:5)
Skill is basically required
Comprehension And Expression
Comprehension and expression skills
- Reading comprehension
- Oral / written expression
Importance:4 (Max:5)
Skill is frequently required
Social Skills
Social skills
- Communication
- Negotiation
- Persuasion
Importance:4 (Max:5)
Skill is frequently required
Organisation And Execution Skills
Organisation and execution skills
- Planning
- Organising
- Judgement
- Decision making
Importance:4 (Max:5)
Skill is frequently required
Problem Solving Skills
Problem solving skills
- Ability to solve simple and complex problems effectively and efficiently
Importance:5 (Max:5)
Skill is required all the time
Management Skills
Management skills
- Leadership
- Management of finance / time / people / other resources
Importance:4 (Max:5)
Skill is frequently required
Trade Specific Competencies
General Requirements
Academic qualification
- A bachelor's degree in pharmacy.
Professional qualification
- Must be registered pharmacists under the Pharmacy and Poisons Ordinance and hold a valid practicing certificate issued by the Pharmacy and Poisons Board of Hong Kong
Career Path & Salary
Private Sector
Monthly Salary $30,000-$70,000
Monthly Salary $40,000-$90,000
Monthly Salary $50,000-$110,000
Government Sector
Monthly Salary Master Pay Scale Point 27-44B
Monthly Salary Master Pay Scale Point 45-49
Monthly Salary Directorate Pay Scale Point 1
*For more details on Civil Service Pay Scales, please visit website of the Civil Service Bureau.
http://www.csb.gov.hk/english/admin/pay/952.html
Work Environment
- Pharmacists generally work in pharmacies, including those in drug stores. They also work in hospitals and other healthcare facilities.
Tools
- Ampoule filling equipment
- Binocular light compound microscopes
- Calibration weights or weight sets - Metric weights
- Electronic blood pressure monitors
- Fume hoods or cupboards - Radiochemical fume hood and filter systems
- Glucose monitors or meters
- Hemacytometer sets
- Hypodermic needle
- Laboratory graduated cylinders - Metric graduates
- Medical radiation dosimeters - Radionucleide dose calibrators
- Medical radiological shielding freestanding or portable screens - Lead transport shields; Radiation shields for syringes and vials
- Medical syringe without needle
- Medication or pill dispensers or accessories - Medication pulling/ dispensing systems
- Manual blood pressure equipment
- Ostomy products
- Oxygen therapy delivery system products accessories or its supplies
- Sterile or aseptic processing or filling machines - Automated drug dispensing equipment
