Lead Production Technician

Job Description

Job Description

As we continue to grow, we are seeking a Lead Production Technician to join our award-winning specialty pharmacy team. 

At Ardon, we are passionate about our mission to inspire people and improve lives through the delivery of high-quality, compassionate healthcare services. Our innovative work environment in Portland, Oregon, centers around uplifting collaboration with our employees as we care for patients. Our commitment to cultivating talent and fostering growth within our organization keeps Ardon ranked among the top 100 companies to work for in Oregon.
*Recognized as a Top Workplace by the Oregonian in 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024*

Our state-of-the-art specialty pharmacy provides medications that are often used to treat complex or rare conditions. We deliver services to enhance the patient experience within the comfort of their home. We remove barriers to care and provide patients with the education, clinical care and supportive services they need on their treatment journey. We work to build trusted relationships and to be a resource where patients can turn for help.

Our progressive work environment embodies the notion that life is meant to be shared and lived well, through hard work, compassion, and camaraderie. Together, we enjoy team meals and celebrate events and company milestones. Employees like to relax in our lounge equipped with amenities that promote wellness and fun. We volunteer to support patient advocacy organizations within our community. Our employee-run DEI Group is dedicated to diversity and inclusion.
To learn more about our team and what we do, watch our video at .

Do you want a dynamic career opportunity where you can make a difference? Explore the potential of your pharmacy experience in an elevated role.

The Lead Production Technician guides and participates in the production team’s day-to-day operations to ensure daily needs are met, under the supervision, direction, and control of a pharmacist. The Lead serves as a resource for the team to troubleshoot issues and maintain effective workflow.
This position is proficient in medication dispensing, shipping, and procedures to ensure compliance. The Lead supports team training, scheduling, and meetings as requested. This role also supports departmental quality initiatives to ensure continued high-quality patient care.

Job type: Full-time

• Competitive pay
• Flexible PTO and paid company holidays
• Medical, dental, vision, disability and life insurance 
• 401(k) match

Position specifications:

1.        Education and experience

a.    Required:

i.        High School diploma or GED

ii.        Active Oregon Pharmacy Technician License or Certified Oregon Pharmacy Technician License.  

b.    Preferred:

i.        Two or more years’ leadership experience

ii.        Five or more years’ pharmacy experience, specialty pharmacy preferred

iii.        Demonstrates a high degree of responsibility and accountability

iv.        Strong communication and interpersonal skills

v.        Experience in successfully supporting projects and administrative duties.

2.        Physical and mental functions and activities

a.    Must have excellent organizational, time management, and leadership skills with problem-solving ability.

b.    Must be able to work in a fast-paced environment.

c.    Must be able to work independently and as part of a team.

d.    Must be able to express oneself, detect, perceive, observe, and assess information exchanged in a variety of communication methods.

e.    Must be able to demonstrate proficiency with computer applications.

f.     Must have excellent verbal, written and interpersonal communication skills and the ability to interact professionally with all employee levels and clients.

3.        Working conditions

a.    Work is performed in a pharmacy environment, with extensive keyboard and computer work.  Work also involves frequent moving of packaging, boxes, and items from different areas within the warehouse.  Packaging supplies weighing 40 pounds are regularly moved from the freezer to workstations.

b.    Business needs may occasionally require work in excess of 40 hours per week, including work outside of standard work week. 

4.        Contact with others:

a.    Internally with Ardon employees across multiple departments.

b.    Externally with clients and vendors

Essential functions and activities:

1.    Performs all activities under the ultimate supervision, direction, and control of a pharmacist.

2.    Responsible for overseeing and ensuring completion of pharmacy processes and fulfillment of orders according to established timelines and standards.

3.    Supports the day-to-day direction of pharmacy production staff to maintain highly efficient workflow.

4.    Is proficient in medication dispensing, shipping, and ancillary processes, and directly supports these tasks alongside the team. Maintains a high level of accuracy and follows best practices. Leads by example.

5.    Effectively troubleshoots issues and resolves escalations. Escalates judgment calls, events, and unfamiliar circumstances to a licensed pharmacist.

6.    Inspires and motivates staff to work together to achieve goals.

7.    Tracks departmental quality events and participates in quality improvement discussions.

8.    Participates in thermal packaging system processes to ensure compliance and facilitate continuous improvement.

9.    Conducts team quality audits to ensure continued high-quality care.

10.  Prepares and delivers team communications as requested, such as team huddles, one-on-one meetings, and updates.

11.  Supports creation and monitoring of employee and department performance metrics.

12.  Conducts effective training in medication dispensing and shipping processes. Maintains complete documentation.

13.  Supports medication receiving processes as requested.

14.  Maintains open and effective communication channels within the department and across operations to provide and receive feedback.

15.  Maintains up to date knowledge of accreditation and regulatory department requirements. Supports processes management to ensure complete adherence to standards.

16.  Supports security of the pharmacy production area and informs the pharmacist on duty and Pharmacist-In-Charge of any concerns or opportunities identified.

17.  Maintains active Oregon license. Informs supervisor within 1 business day (and Oregon Board of Pharmacy within 10 days) of any arrests, convictions, suspected or known violations of law, or any other conduct that might affect or has affected license status. Reports to Oregon Board of Pharmacy within 15 days any changes to name, residence address, or mailing address, email, phone, or employment.

18.  Adheres to regular attendance in conformance with the standards, which may be revised from time to time, which is essential to the successful performance of this position.

19.  Actively participates and provides support as needed to fellow leadership and quality program staff to ensure activities related to the company’s quality management program and quality improvement activities maintain priority focus and are effectively executed. This may include but is not limited to activities that promote objective and systematic measurement, monitoring, and evaluation of services and defined Quality Improvement Projects (QIPs) that may result from such efforts.

20.  Complies with the company’s Human Resources policies, Employee Handbook, Code of Conduct, and all department policies and procedures, including protecting confidential company, employee, and customer information; attending work punctually and regularly; and adhering to good safety practices in all activities.

21.  Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Additional/non-essential functions and activities

• Performs or supports administrative tasks as needed.

Our ideal candidate has:

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to effectively collaborate in a team setting.
• Proficiency in standard workplace software and/or information management applications.
• Prior experience working in a pharmacy or healthcare setting.
• Ability to navigate computer applications.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment.
• Knowledge of pharmacy benefit investigation, prior authorization support, and patient financial assistance connection.
• Prior experience working with physicians, nurses, or other healthcare professionals.

Ardon Health seeks to allow equal employment opportunities for all qualified persons without regard to race, religion, color, age, sex, sexual identification or orientation, national origin, marital status, disability, veteran status or any other status protected by law.