Pharmacy Technician - Full Time - Southern Maryland Hospital

General Summary of Position
Under the direct supervision of a pharmacist, provides prescribed medications and other pharmaceuticals; compounds medications; and prepares intravenous solutions. Fills routine orders for unit doses and prepackaged pharmaceuticals.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

• Contributes to the achievement of established department goals and objectives and adheres to department policies, procedures, quality standards, and safety standards. Complies with governmental and accreditation regulations.
• PATIENT INFORMATION Assists pharmacists in obtaining patient specific information as appropriate for safe medication management. Under direct supervision, participates in the exchange of information with appropriate healthcare professionals and staff.
• SELECTION AND PROCUREMENT Ensures that medications are selected and procured based on departmental criteria.Demonstrates a working knowledge of the formulary list and the formulary process. Adheres to policies and procedures regarding the procurement of non-formulary medications. Adheres to policies and procedures that address medication shortages, outages, emergency and disaster situations.
• STORAGE Ensures that medications are properly and safely stored throughout the hospital. Stocks or stores only approved routine and emergency medications and adheres to appropriate par levels.

• Stores medications under conditions necessary to ensure stability. Secures medications in accordance with the hospital's policy and law and regulation. Stores controlled substances in such a manner to prevent diversion in accordance with state and federal laws and regulations.
• Appropriately labels all medications and chemicals used to prepare medications with contents, expiration dates and appropriated warnings. Abides by recommendations from regulatory and advisory groups regarding safe medication principles, including look alike, sound alike and high alert drugs. Routinely inspects all medication storage areas according to hospital's policy.
• PREPARATION Safely and accurately prepares sterile products using appropriate techniques. Employs appropriate precautions when preparing hazardous medications and Chemotherapy medications. Orders and stocks supplies necessary for the preparation of compounded sterile products (CSPs).

• Coordinates information between the nursing units and pharmacy necessary for the timely preparation and delivery of CSPs. Makes morning rounds when necessary. Performs daily cleaning and preparation of the IV Lab. Prints labels for CSPs using the pharmacy information system.

• Employs techniques to assure accurate medication preparation. Prepares medications in the most ready to administer form. Prepares emergency carts and boxes for closure by pharmacist. Fills stock exchange carts for OR, PACU, and IN & Out surgery. Labels medications according to hospital policy, applicable laws and regulations, and standards of practice to ensure safe, accurate administration.

• Labels medications for dispensing with the drug name, strength, amount expiration date, patient name, patient location, and directions for use. Assists in dispensing medications in a safe manner. Under supervision of pharmacist, prepares quantities that are minimally sufficient to treat patient's needs safely.
• DELIVERY OF MEDICATION Transports medication to patient units within established departmental standards for turnaround times. Assures accurate and timely delivery.

• Adheres to all laws, regulations, and hospital policies regarding the management of recalled, discontinued, unused, expired, or returned medications. Selects and fills medication to be dispensed by the automated distribution system. Removes discontinued medications from the units and ADMs.

• Inspects returned medications for integrity before returning to stock. Segregates outdated or recalled medications from pharmacy stock. Accounts for all unused, expired, or returned controlled medications according to the law. Checks pharmacy stock for expired medications.
• MONITORING Removes discontinued medications from the units and ADMs. Inspects returned medications for integrity before returning to stock. Segregates outdated or recalled medications from pharmacy stock.
• Accounts for all unused, expired, or returned controlled medications according to the law. Checks pharmacy stock for expired medications
• . Responds appropriately to medication occurrences. Understands and takes appropriate action when a medication occurrence is identified. Complies with internal reporting requirements for medication occurrences using the Medication Occurrence Reporting System.
• Participates in the evaluation of the hospital's medication management system for risk points and identifies areas to improve safety.
• Participates in multi-disciplinary quality and service improvement teams.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Education

• High School Diploma or GED required or
• equivalent required and
• Associate's degree preferred

Experience

• 1-2 years Minimum hospital pharmacy experience preferred

Licenses and Certifications

• PHRMTECH-R - Registered Pharmacy Technician Maryland State Registered Pharmacy Technician.
  required and
• PTCB - Pharmacy Technician Certification Board Certification through the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB); or obtained within six (6) months of hire within 180 Days required

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Ability to comprehend and follow the MedStar Southern Maryland Hospital Center Employee Handbook.
• Ability to comprehend and follow the policies and procedures for MedStar Southern Maryland Hospital Center.
• Ability to read, write and speak or communicate in English to successfully accomplish the essential duties of the position.
• Ability to demonstrate ethical behavior that supports the hospital's mission, values and commitment to compliance with all federal, state and regulatory laws.
• Inspires trust and exhibits honesty and integrity within the scope of daily activities.
• Exhibits professionalism, courtesy and excellent customer service, while interacting with patients, guests and coworkers.
• Ability to work effectively with people from a variety of culturally diverse backgrounds.
• Ability to maintain patient confidentiality, HIPAA Laws.
• Knowledge of brand and generic names of the most frequently prescribed medications.
• Ability to perform pharmaceutical calculations. Must understand the metric system of weights and measures.
• Knowledge of aseptic technique in the compounding of sterile products in laminar flow hoods.
• Knowledge of the general principles of USP 797 standards and their application in the maintenance of a sterile working environment.
• Knowledge of the various manipulations required for the compounding of sterile products. Must have familiarity with the materials used in the process such as needles, syringes, tubing, transfer devices, and containers.
• Knowledge of automation dispensing machines.
• Demonstrates ethical behavior that supports the Hospital's mission and values and commitment to compliance with all federal, state and regulatory laws; inspires trust and exhibits honesty and integrity within the scope of daily activities.
• Adheres to departmental and hospital policies to assure compliance.
• Ability to work days or evenings and alternate weekends as required.
• Ability to understand the importance of providing for the daily needs of the patient and hospital in relation to the pharmacy department.
• Knowledge, skill and ability to utilize the following equipment: computers, Laminar flow hood, Automated dispensing machines.
• Ability to fulfill scheduling requirements to meet the needs of the patient.

This position has a hiring range of $19.55 - $34.25