Inpatient Pharmacy Technician

Job Summary:
Under direction of a licensed pharmacist, prepares, dispenses and distributes medications, pharmaceutical products, and intravenous admixtures, including hazardous drugs. Maintains pharmacy inventory and equipment. Assists other healthcare professionals by taking initiative and troubleshooting problems, review and obtain medication lists, making telephone outreach to patients and other healthcare providers, mailing letters, and other duties required by the department/clinic. Essential Responsibilities:

• Drug Procurement & Storage
• Maintains and reviews appropriateness of pharmacy inventory in designated areas; reviews pharmacy inventory for medications to be returned (i.e., recalled products, expired products, deteriorated products, illegible labels, etc.), following policies and procedures.
• Assists or performs the duties of the inventory control assistant/stock clerk to prioritize and maintain maximum work flow in the pharmacy.
• Has awareness of Safety Data Sheets and disposes of waste in the appropriate waste stream according to policies and procedures: PHI documents, pharmaceuticals, sharps, hazardous and non-hazardous medications and RCRA waste.
• Assists in non-hospital inventory stocking-to-standards by organizing, replenishing stock, and preparing monthly recharges and credits.
• Applies general knowledge of formulary to support cost control.
• Drug Preparation/Dispensing
• Alerts pharmacist when prescribed medications may be contraindicated due to drug allergies, duplicate therapies, sensitivities, or interactions as indicated by information systems.
• Fills unit dose patient-specific medication supplies from patient medication administration records by dispensing the appropriate supply through calculations based on dosage, strength and frequency of administration; packages and seals emergency medication supplies; uses metric system conversions; performs substitution of drug equivalents through knowledge of generic, trade, chemical drug names and approved therapeutic equivalents; reviews Medication Administration Record for appropriateness (i.e., drug entry, dosing frequency and documentation of administration) and advises appropriate licensed personnel of discrepancies.
• Checks the work of other pharmacy technicians in connection with the filling of floor and ward stock and unit dose distribution systems for patients admitted to the hospital whose orders have previously been reviewed and approved by a licensed pharmacist, according to an approved hospital policy.
• Selects and prepares medications and pharmaceutical products by name and dosage listed on physicians order, through an understanding of physical characteristics of medications, which require special packaging or handling.
• Places product in proper container with correct label, makes required notations and initials physicians orders.
• Reviews physician orders for completeness; transcribes appropriate information through computer order entry to generate patient medication profile by using pharmaceutical/medical terminology, symbols and abbreviations.
• Obtains accurate patient medication profiles under the indirect supervision of a pharmacist.
• Prepares nonhazardous and hazardous sterile compounded preparations following aseptic technique and in compliance with policies, standard operating procedures, USP 797 and 800 standards
• Prepares nonhazardous and hazardous nonsterile compounded preparations in compliance with policies, standard operating procedures and USP standards
• Demonstrates competency and knowledge of policies and standard operating procedures related to maintaining environmental conditions to minimize microbial contamination of compounded preparations. This includes but is not limited to cleaning, disinfection, decontamination, donning, hand hygiene, doffing, environmental monitoring and remediation, and use of primary and secondary engineering controls
• Demonstrates competency and knowledge of policies and standard operating procedures related to nonhazardous and hazardous medication receiving, handling, storage, labeling, packaging, transport and disposal.
• Complies with documentation requirements as outlined in policy, standard operating procedures and regulations.
• Automated Systems & Equipment
• Operates and maintains specialized pharmacy equipment such as automated dispensing devices, I.V. compounding pumps, radio-frequency identification systems, repackaging and preparation machines, unit dosing machines, and other equipment used in the pharmacy cleaning, and performing periodic checks and adjustments.
• Operates electronic devices and computers.
• Regulatory
• Upholds Kaiser Permanentes Policies and Procedures, Principles of Responsibilities and applicable state, federal and local laws.
• Demonstrates a working knowledge, of and adheres to Federal and State Laws, standards, rules, regulations (e.g., USP standards, Board of Pharmacy regulations), regional, hospital and departmental policies and procedures that govern the practice of pharmacy.
• Demonstrates knowledge of the preparation, distribution, record-keeping, security and classes of controlled substances, i.e., narcotics, hypnotics, barbiturates, etc. (Class II, III, IV, V), governed by Federal and State law.
• General Work Expectations
• Participates in quality assurance and performance improvement processes in a dynamic environment.
• Displays the ability to communicate and interact effectively with patients and co-workers in a professional and collaborative manner.
• Participates in assigned education and training programs as required
• Maintains a clean, safe, secure and efficient work environment.
• Ensures that required documentation is completed.
• Answers and makes telephone calls, consistent with assigned duties and in accordance with telephone protocols.
• Exemplifies Pharmacys Mission and the organizations Vision by contributing to the health and satisfaction of members by providing appropriate medications, information, and professional services in a helpful, caring, courteous, and efficient manner.
• Performs duties as assigned and scheduled; and other duties as required. Specific duties may vary depending on Pharmacy location. Assume other activities and responsibilities from time to time as directed.