Pharmacy Assistant

Non patient facing role, mostly packaging and sorting prescriptions. Must be able to stand/walk up to 8 hours and occasionally lift up to 50lbs

Job Summary

Pharmacy assistants provide support to the pharmacists and technicians by stocking, counting and other non-technical duties. May also dispense safe, effective medications to patients, prescription packaging and parcel management. Duties are performed under the direct supervision of a licensed pharmacist.

Essential Responsibilities

• Performs functions that support the pharmacists and technicians in the daily workflow of the pharmacy including prepackaging and labeling medications; stocking shelves; counting and pouring medications from stock bottles that have been pulled by licensed or certified staff; filing prescriptions; inventory functions; releasing refill medications and OTC products to patients; processing requests for refills when no changes are needed; handling non-professional phone calls including refill requests from patients; calling prescribers to obtain refill authorization, and prescription packaging and parcel management.
• Ensures patient safety by identifying opportunities to prevent unusual occurrences; consistently performing safety checks when dispensing medications; and taking appropriate steps to resolve and report unusual occurrences.
• Demonstrates dedication to evidence-based medicine by staying current on clinical initiatives and priorities.
• Supports and enhances Patient-centered Care efforts by facilitating patient-focused care through a collaborative team approach with patients, pharmacy staff, and other health care professionals.

Basic Qualifications

Experience

• N/A.

Education

• High School Diploma or General Education Development (GED) required.

License, Certification, Registration

• Pharmacy Assistant License (Washington) required at hire

Additional Requirements

• Ability to use available resources and tools efficiently and effectively.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to identify specified issues and bring to attention of pharmacists.
• Ability to work effectively as a member of a team.
• May be required to travel to other Kaiser Foundation Health Plan of Washington locations as needed.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in a pharmacy environment.
• Knowledge of managed care health systems and evidence-based medicine theories.
• One (1) year of experience working in a customer service environment.
• Some college coursework.