Pharmacy Tech

Pharmacy Tech

The pharmacy technician assists pharmacists in preparing and distributing medications, maintaining drug inventory, and maintaining patient records. They provide age and developmentally appropriate in-direct patient care to adult and geriatric patients. Pharmacy technician does not perform duties that may be legally performed only by a registered pharmacist. Pharmacy technicians work only under the supervision of a registered pharmacist and reports to the Pharmacy Manager and Director of Pharmacy Services.

Principal duties and responsibilities include:

1. Adheres to the standard of care, standards of practice, policies and procedures of RML Specialty Hospital.
2. Supports the Mission and Vision of RML Specialty Hospital by demonstrating RML's core values "Service, Teamwork, Accountability, Integrity, Respect and Stewardship" (STAIRS) in all actions.
3. Exemplifies a service excellence culture in all interactions with patients, families and co-workers. Creates a positive environment by promoting teamwork and demonstrating an optimistic and encouraging attitude. Intervenes as necessary to correct inappropriate staff behavior.
4. Provides medication preparation and delivery:

• Aseptically performs IV preparation adhering to the USP Chapter 797 guidelines.
• Prepares hazardous medications according to the NIOSH recommendations and USP Chapter 800 standards, not limited to:
• Compounding hazardous drug stock bottle suspension
• Prime IV tubing
• Performs non-sterile compounding according to USP Chapter 795 standards.
• Able to perform calculations required for sterile and non-sterile drug compounding.
• Fills new medication orders, unit-dose medication for med carts, automated drug dispensing machine re-stock lists, and replenish crash cart medications.
• Delivers controlled substances.
• Serves as a courier for accurate deliveries and pickups per established schedule and as requested.
• Performs inspections for patient care areas, pharmacy, drug night cabinets, automated drug dispensing machines, crash carts, and ancillary departments.
• Adheres to federal, state laws and regulations, and RML hospital policy and Standards of Practice on IV room cleaning standards.
• Adheres to financial compliance, appropriately processes patient charges and credits.
• Able to perform computer-based tasks: billing, reports, labels, and others as requested.
• Prepack bulk medication in unit-dose packages and maintains prepackaging records.
• Contributes to the management of the department budget, which includes appropriated purchasing through the drug wholesaler and decreased wastage.
• Participates in inventory control.
• Monitors stock levels in the dispensing and IV rooms.
• Checks and unpacks the IV and drug deliveries from vendors.
• Use the wholesaler's web site to order and return medication.
• Procures medications not available through the drug wholesaler
• Maintains proper storage and security measures for the drugs in the main pharmacy and in patient care areas.
• Contributes to the prevention of drug diversion.
• Complies with the pharmacy and hospital compliance programs.
• Knowledgeable in the proper disposal of pharmaceutical waste.
• Ensures that the pharmacy passes surveys and inspections by accrediting and regulatory agencies with no deficiencies or recommendations, not limited to: Illinois state inspections, Joint Commission, DEA, Illinois Department of Public Health, and CMS.
• Maintains strict confidentiality of patient, visitor, and employee information. Complies with HIPAA and hospital policies regarding confidentiality of the patient's medical information, verbally, on-line, and in print. Complies with all hospital policies related to computer use and system security. Intervenes to prevent inappropriate communications among staff, especially in public places.
• Participates in departmental quality improvement and performance improvement activities, especially including opportunities to promote patient safety. Notes areas for improvement in day-to-day departmental operations and brings to the attention of the Pharmacy Manager or Director of Pharmacy Services.
• Fosters a team environment by providing orientation and training to new employees. Assists coworkers in tasks, as time permits.
• Actively participates in staff meetings, safety huddles, educational in-services, committees or task forces, and attends meetings as may be assigned. Provides information and feedback to other staff members on related clinical and professional topics.
• Meets all annual and ongoing employee requirements, such as annual review, influenza vaccination. Completes all competency/skill requirements.
• Adheres to departmental standards:
• Punctual, dependable; reports to work as scheduled.
• Maintains a neat, professional, well-groomed appearance.
• Wears hospital ID at all times.
• Responds quickly to emergency requests
• Provides professional, courteous, cooperative, and timely service to patients, visitors, and staff.
• Organizes and prioritizes work assignments.
• Works overtime when required.
• Responds to stressful situations in a calm, rational manner.
• Responds to conflict discreetly and appropriately.
• Keeps pharmacy areas and equipment clean, neat, and well organized
• Responsible for supporting a safe work environment for self and others by reporting unsafe conditions to the Pharmacy Manager or Director of Pharmacy Services.
• Demonstrates effective oral and written communication skills.
• Demonstrates knowledge of and consistently adheres to standard precautions for infection control
• Performs other duties as assigned by the pharmacist, Pharmacy Manager or Director of Pharmacy Services.

Job requirements and characteristics include:

Minimum - preferred:

Skills & Abilities

Knowledge & Experience - High school graduate or equivalent. Eighteen (18) years of age or older. Knowledge of regulations and laws related to the practice of pharmacy. One-year experience in a hospital pharmacy.

License & Certifications - Current licensure for Pharmacy Technicians by the Illinois Department of Professional Regulation. Certified Pharmacy Technician

Working Conditions - Occasional travel/work between hospital campuses maybe required. Repetitive use of hands, e.g., preparing IV admixtures, use of computer keyboard. May require lifting and carrying light loads (up to 40 lbs.) including boxes, equipment, unit-dose cassettes, and IV solutions. Stooping or kneeling to pick items up from the floor, e.g., to remove and replace items on lower shelves and to file documents in lower file drawers. Sitting, walking, or standing for long periods of time (4-8 hours) are often necessary. Must be able to physically operate the equipment used for the job.

Occupational Hazards Potential for exposure to infectious patients and materials. Potential for exposure to hazardous and toxic substances, which may include cytotoxic drugs and cleaning solutions. Potential for sticks or cuts by needles and other sharp items. Potential for musculoskeletal injuries if proper lifting and carrying techniques are not used.