Retail Pharmacy Technician

Overview

Under the supervision of a physician or pharmacist, the Physician Dispensing Assistant/MID Tech I provides in-office dispensing of oral drugs to oncology patients. This includes technical aspects of oral medication dispensing, delivery, record-keeping, and inventory control, as well as assisting with patient financial assistance and monitoring.


Responsibilities

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Maintain accurate patient records, including demographics, current medication list, disease states list, allergy list, insurance information, and prescription information. Utilize pharmacy management system to screen for drug interactions.
• Perform data entry, order processing, billing, and fulfillment within the pharmacy management system for prescriptions issued by oncology practice providers.
• Submit prior authorizations and manage them, coordinating closely with clinical staff to ensure quick turnaround times and approval.
• Troubleshoot Medicare Part B verification requirements.
• Research and obtain copay assistance to minimize or eliminate patients' out-of-pocket prescription costs. Assist with applying for patient financial assistance through manufacturer or foundation programs for high-cost oral drugs.
• Communicate directly with providers and nursing staff to clarify unclear prescription details. Act as a resource for other staff on dispensing oral drugs.
• Manage dispensary inventory, including medication ordering, receipt of orders, organizing invoices, and reporting to wholesalers when medications are not received. Ensure that the most cost-effective drugs are ordered from vendors.
• Assist with drug recalls and expired or non-utilized drug returns.
• Prepare and label prescriptions and ensure they are checked for accuracy by a physician or pharmacist. Ensure prescriptions and paperwork are signed off by a physician or pharmacist.
• Obtain patient or patient representative signatures on all medications being dispensed.
• Maintain and file daily reports. Manage daily and monthly reporting within the pharmacy management system.
• Document all patient interactions in the EHR.
• Maintain prescription records and proactively self-audit to identify potential errors and reduce PBM audit risk.
• Assist with patient monitoring activities, including prescription refills, prescription adherence, and prescription persistence.
• Interact with patients regarding prescription dispensing, financial assistance, and patient follow-up.
• Maintain the safety of the MID by adhering to infection-control procedures, policies, and regulations.
• Other Duties as Assigned.

Qualifications

• High School diploma or equivalent.
• Entry-level position with experience in a retail pharmacy setting preferred.
• Certified Pharmacy Technician certificate recommended unless required by state law.

Competencies:

• Technical and Functional Experience: Possesses up-to-date knowledge of the profession and industry; regarded as an expert in the technical/functional area; accesses and uses other expert resources when appropriate. Commitment to continuing education.
• Adaptability: Handles day-to-day work challenges confidently; willing and able to adjust to multiple demands, shifting priorities, ambiguity, and rapid change; shows resilience in the face of constraints, frustrations, or adversity; demonstrates flexibility.
• Sound Judgment: Makes timely, cost-effective, and sound decisions; makes decisions under conditions of uncertainty.
• Quality Commitment: Emphasizes the need to deliver quality services; defines standards for quality and evaluates products, processes, and services against those standards; manages quality and improves efficiencies.
• Customer Service: Possesses strong customer service, communication, and organizational skills; is detail-oriented and has the ability to problem-solve and troubleshoot.

Physical Demands: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations will be offered to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Physical demands of this job typically require a full range of body motion, including manual finger dexterity and eye-hand coordination, and the ability to read and note appropriate measurements. Requires sitting/standing for extensive periods. Occasionally lifts and carries items weighing up to 40 lbs. Requires corrected vision and hearing to normal range.

Work Environment: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential job functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations will be offered to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the job duties, the employee is regularly exposed to direct contact with patients with potential for exposure to toxic substances and chemotherapeutic agents.

Reporting Structure: Typically reports to a physician or a registered pharmacist. May report to another role depending on the practice's organizational structure.

Accreditation Standards:

• Ensure adherence to all relevant accreditation standards for pharmacy services.
• Maintain proper documentation and records in compliance with accreditation requirements.
• Participate in accreditation processes and continuous quality improvement activities.

Pay Scale: The general pay scale for this position at BRCC is $11.84 - $18.21. The actual hiring rate is dependent on many factors, including but not limited to prior work experience, education, job/position responsibilities, location, work performance, etc.