Technician-Pharmacy - 12p-10:30p- 7on/7off

Pharmacy Technician

Northeast Georgia Health System is rooted in a foundation of improving the health of our communities.

About the Role:

Under the direct supervision of a Staff Pharmacist, processes and fills physician orders. The employee is able to take care of patients in all age ranges. Employee performs duties in accordance with population specific guidelines and adheres policy and procedures of regulatory agencies. With a valid intern license, may also perform duties of a pharmacy intern as allowed by the Georgia State Board of Pharmacy. Serves as a liaison between pharmacy and nursing to foster medication reaching the patient in the required time frame. Also performs medication related duties on the nursing unit to meet the needs of nursing unit, the pharmacy and regulatory agencies.

Minimum Job Qualifications

• Licensure or other certifications: Current registration with the Georgia Board of Pharmacy. First attempt of certification exam should be completed within six months of hire. Certification must be obtained by the third attempt or at 12 months of hire.
• Educational Requirements: High School Diploma or GED
• Minimum Experience:
• Other:

Preferred Job Qualifications

• Preferred Licensure or other certifications:
• Preferred Educational Requirements:
• Preferred Experience: Hospital experience of at least one (1) year. In lieu of hospital experience, pharmacy tech school or pharmacy retail experience may be considered.
• Other:

Job Specific and Unique Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Must be able to perform Entry Level pharmacy technician functions efficiently and proficiently
• Basic math aptitude, ability to measure accurately, interpret instructions and carry them out
• Good computer skills
• Ability to organize workload and interpret priorities, attention to detail
• Ability to follow good compounding practices and protocol and USP 797 procedures
• Able to follow instructions from pharmacists, pharmacy leadership and management
• Ability to effectively communicate with pharmacy leadership, management and colleagues

Essential Tasks and Responsibilities

• Utilize Robot software to evaluate medication processing. Print Manual Pick lists with each batch of medications processed through the Robot. Stock robot with medications and supplies to maintain efficient work flow. Package medications according to guidelines for use in automated dispensing machines.
• Maintain/Monitor Pacmed production during batch.
• Perform quality assurance methods to ensure medications are prepared, packaged, and stored under guidelines provided by pharmacy department and regulatory agencies. Check Robot area for expired medications and store them for credit or destruction.
• Take ownership of problems by reporting and troubleshooting issues with vendors, hospital pharmacy staff, or other personnel to achieve desired outcomes.
• Work to ensure medication reaches the patient in the required time frame, often serving as a liaison between pharmacy and nursing.
• Follow department policies and procedures to minimize and detect any medication discrepancies.
• Follow phone etiquette to ensure effective communication.
• Process credits upon return to pharmacy.
• Utilize computer system to answer nursing questions about medication orders as appropriate.
• Tube medications to correct units while adhering to departmental procedures. Retrieve credit medications from tube and process before the end of each shift.
• Refill crash carts and open heart trays per departmental procedures for pharmacist to check.
• Adhere to established procedures for receiving, pricing, and stocking wholesale orders.
• Document required tasks per department procedures (i.e. temperature checks, cleaning tasks, etc.) as appropriate.
• Handle and maintain security of controlled substances as specified by regulatory agencies and NGMC pharmacy department policies.
• Process and label IV medications. Distributes IV medications to correct area within established time frame without error.
• Communicate effectively with physicians, nursing staff, pharmacy personnel, and other hospital staff.
• Obtain and process non-formulary medications per NGMC pharmacy department policies.
• Check assigned areas for expired medications and conduct monthly inspections for accrediting body readiness.
• Fill dispensing cabinet requests in an accurate and timely manner. Process automated dispensing cabinet fills for nursing areas utilizing robotic automation. Deliver cabinet fills in automation software. Prepare and sort automated dispensing cabinet manual picks to enable pharmacist to check efficiently. Deliver medications to automated dispensing cabinets in a timely manner. Utilize barcode scanning technology to eliminate inaccurate placement in cabinet. Ensure narcotic envelope contains the correct quantity before addition to cabinet inventory to prevent future discrepancies. Process medication returns from nursing units.
• Assist Automation Coordinator with trouble shooting and customer service issues concerning automated dispensing cabinets.
• Report automated dispensing cabinet issues to vendor, assist with trouble shooting and repair of automated dispensing cabinets when needed.
• Refer clinical, patient-care related questions to a pharmacist.
• Utilize knowledge of pharmacy policy and procedures to effectively answer questions.
• Perform all other special projects and duties as assigned.
• Volunteer and assist as needed during staffing emergencies and other occurrences that may create unusual staffing needs.
• Report all variances to the pharmacist and document in risk management reporting software.
• Contribute to the productive and effective operation of the department.
• Perform other duties and functions as assigned.
• Train pharmacy personnel. Provide constructive feedback to appropriate supervisor or manager on employee performance.
• Keep work space cleaned and organized.
• Responsible for fully reading and complying with department email(s) (i.e.: communication) upon receipt of such communication. Review email at a minimum of once per shift.
• Complies with NGMC and pharmacy policies and procedures.
• Receive and respond to direction from members of leadership.

Physical Demands

• Weight Lifted: Up to 50 lbs, Frequently 31-65% of time
• Weight Carried: Up to 20 lbs, Frequently 31-65% of time
• Vision: Heavy, Constantly 66-100% of time
• Kneeling/Stooping/Bending: Frequently 31-65%
• Standing/Walking: Constantly 66-100%
• Pushing/Pulling: Frequently 31-65%
• Intensity of Work: Frequently 31-65%
• Job Requires: Reading, Writing, Reasoning, Talking, Keyboarding

Working at NGHS means being part of something special: a team invested in you as a person, an employee, and in helping you reach your goals.

NGHS: Opportunities start here.

Northeast Georgia Health System is an Equal Opportunity Employer and will not tolerate discrimination in employment on the basis of race, color, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religion, disability, ethnicity, national origin, marital status, protected veteran status, genetic information, or any other legally protected classification or status.