Pharmacy Tech Outpatient

Medication History Technician

The Medication History Technician is responsible for gathering, verifying, and documenting patients' home medication regimens. S/he conducts interviews with patients and families in a professional, thorough and timely manner. S/he networks with retail pharmacies, care givers, assisted living facilities, and other related establishments; gathers the most comprehensive list of home medications for physician reconciliation; is responsible for allergy documentation, last dose verification, and compliance status. S/he identifies discrepancies within medication profiles including indications, dosages, and frequencies.

Responsibilities

Patient Care
* For Emergency Department patients who will be admitted: interviews patients based on acuity level to gather patients' home medication regimens ensuring continuum of care.
* Researches to validate medication history by using various electronic resources and/or by direct contacts to retail pharmacies, care givers, assisted living facilities and other establishments affiliated with the patient.
* Enters comprehensive med list with all pertinent information into the medical record in a timely manner.
* Communicates with nurses, physicians, and pharmacists as needed.
* Assists other Medication History Technicians as workflow demands.
* Assists inpatient Pharmacy Technicians and staff when needed with tasks in which they have been trained and demonstrated competency.
* For direct admits to the hospital: conducts the med history interview within 15 minutes of patient arrival to the unit.
* For pre-surgical patients: conducts medication history interview by phone prior to their arrival for surgery. Reviews cases for the following day to ensure complete and accurate medication lists.

Continuum of Care
Provides complete, detailed, easy-to-read medication list with explanation to patients who have been determined to have possible difficulty with adherence or remembering the meds they are taking after they leave the hospital. Provides medication list to providers for follow up appointments to assist in continuum of medication as necessary.
Provides medication history information to other facilities caring for mutual patients as requested.

Administrative
Performs monthly audit of automated dispensing machines and outdates expiring medications.
Assists Emergency Department staff by acting as liaison to the main pharmacy as necessary during acute care situations.
Demonstrates leadership skills in ability to delegate tasks to appropriate personnel, educate staff within and outside of the department, identify and solve potential problems.
Performs all administrative functions expected of a Pharmacy Technician 2 with advanced experience and knowledge in these areas.

Compliance/Safety
Responsible for reporting any safety-related incident in a timely fashion through the Midas/RDE tool; attends all safety-related training programs; performs work in a safe manner; monitors work environment for possible safety issues and ensures others are also performing work in a safe manner.
Stays current and complies with state and federal regulations/statutes and company policies that impact the employee's area of responsibility.
If required for the position, ensures all certifications and/or licenses are up-to-date and valid prior to expiration dates.
Completes all company mandatory modules and required job-specific training in the specified time frame.
Adheres to regulatory and organizational standards affecting patient care and safety as well as all hospital and departmental policies and procedures. Practices in a safe and cost effective manner.
Completes assigned station checks thoroughly each month as needed.
Demonstrates initiative to maintain and enhance knowledge and skills required for the unit.
Demonstrates working knowledge of pharmacy law pertaining to the control, monitoring, and distribution of medications including controlled substances.

Qualifications

Education
High School Diploma or GED- Required
Certification & Licensures
Licensed with State Board of Pharmacy- Required
Experience
5+ years retail based pharmacy experience- Preferred
Previous medication history responsibilities- Preferred
Healthcare is a rapidly changing environment and technology is integrated into almost all aspects of patient care. Computers and other electronic devices are utilized across the organization and throughout each department. Colleagues must have an understanding of computers, and competence in using computers and basic software programs.