Medication History Technician Specialist

Pharmacy Medication History Technician

Reports to Manager, Pharmacy Operations, under the supervision of a Pharmacist and direction of the Medication History Pharmacy Technician Group Leader (RIH, TMH only), the Pharmacy Medication History Technician serves as a key and integral part of the progressive pharmacy-managed medication reconciliation practice model. Has primary responsibility to accurately obtain and compile current, detailed, and complete home medication history lists and allergies for patients to be admitted to the hospital. Uses all relevant sources to obtain the most current required information including, but not limited to, patient and family interviews, direct contact with outpatient pharmacies, extended care facilities, and provider offices. Accurately documents detailed and verified current home medication list, including relevant related information, in the electronic medical record (EMR). Reviews patient allergy information in EMR, updates as needed. Interacts effectively and compassionately with patients and families in manner. Interacts effectively and professionally with other health care providers at all levels including, but not limited to, providers, nurses, and ancillary support personnel. Participates in continuous quality improvement activities and functions in a manner that contributes to a highly effective multidisciplinary work group. Brown University Health employees are expected to successfully role model the organization's values of Compassion, Accountability, Respect, and Excellence as these values guide our everyday actions with patients, customers and one another. In addition to our values, all employees are expected to demonstrate the core Success Factors which tell us how we work together and how we get things done. The core Success Factors include: Instill Trust and Value Differences Patient and Community Focus and Collaborate

Principal Duties and Responsibilities:

• Obtains and compiles current, detailed, and complete home medication history list.
• Medication history list shall include drug name, dose and dose form, frequency, and route of administration for prescription medications, over the counter drugs, and complementary and alternative medications currently taken by the patient.
• Obtains and compiles patient allergy information including reaction experienced by the patient.
• Uses all relevant sources to obtain the most current home medication history list and allergy information including, but not limited to, patient and family interviews, direct contact with patients' outpatient pharmacies, extended care facilities, and provider offices.
• Communicates home medication list discrepancies identified via the medication history process with the provider and/or pharmacist; hands off unresolvable medication history related issues; tracks follow-up to ensure closure.
• Refers suspected actual, prevented, and near miss medication errors to a pharmacist for appropriate follow-up and reporting.
• Serves as a resource to the pharmacist regarding home medication histories and other related information, provides follow-up as deemed appropriate by the pharmacist.
• Documents detailed and verified current home medication list accurately, including relevant related information, if any, in the electronic medical record (EMR).
• Ensures patient allergy information, including relevant related information, if any, is correctly documented in EMR, updates if needed.
• Compiles medication history lists, verifies allergies, and documents in EMR in an efficient and timely manner with the highest level of accuracy.
• Responds appropriately to providers, nurses and others who request a medication history.
• Manages, triages, and ensures follow-up in a timely manner.
• Ensures high quality customer service is provided and displayed at each patient, family, outreach, and team interaction.
• Exhibits a friendly, pleasant, compassionate and helpful nature demonstrating a strong customer service orientation when interacting with patients and their families.
• Directs, triages, or communicates, to the appropriate provider or staff member, questions or inquiries received from the patient and their family which are outside the scope of the medication history technician.
• Interacts effectively and professionally with other health care providers at all levels including, but not limited to, providers, nurses, and support personnel.
• Participates in quality assurance activities for the pharmacy-managed medication reconciliation practice model.
• Participates in quality assessment and improvement activities and medication safety initiatives as they relate to the pharmacy-managed medication reconciliation practice model.
• Utilizes experience-based knowledge to identify opportunities for improvement related to quality, safety, regulatory, or financial outcomes.
• Rotates to all applicable medication history work assignments and work shifts.
• Acknowledges and demonstrates professionalism for self and others.

Minimum Qualifications:

Experience & Basic Knowledge:

• High school graduate or equivalent degree.
• Completion of one to two years of college preferred.
• Maintains current unrestricted Rhode Island Pharmacy Technician licensure.
• Holds and maintains current National Pharmacy Technician Certification (CPhT) or has a minimum of one-year licensed pharmacy technician work experience in an outpatient pharmacy setting, sits for National Pharmacy Technician Certification (CPhT) exam within first 6 months of hire, and achieves and maintains National Pharmacy Technician Certification (CPhT) within 12 months of hire.
• Minimum one-year pharmacy technician experience in an outpatient pharmacy setting.
• Strong customer service presence and verbal and written communication skills necessary to interact with patients, families, physicians, LIPs, RNs and ancillary support staff.
• Strong focused and active listening skills including ability to listen attentively while blocking out distractions and to identify key points and ideas.
• Must possess solid computer skills including Microsoft Office Suite, as well as email and calendar applications. Must be comfortable in using internet web applications and multiple pharmacy and system-wide applications.
• Work is exact and requires the ability to pay attention to detail and to stay focused to avoid serious error in compiling and documenting home medication lists and verifying allergies.
• Must be able to multi-task and reprioritize as needed, while maintaining the highest-level accuracy and customer service standards.

Work Environment and Physical Requirements:

Medication history technician will be based in the Emergency Department or Admitting Department initially. Work requires ability to stay focused in a fast paced ever changing environment. Work may require extended periods of time spent standing and walking. Work requires the visual acuity and manual dexterity necessary to operate a personal computer and input data into EMR using a typical keyboard and computer mouse to navigate screens on a computer monitor. New hires into this position must successfully pass a drug screen in conformance with Rhode Island State Law.

Independent Action:

Performs independently within department policies and practices. Refers specific complex problems to supervisor where clarification of departmental policies and procedures may be required. Supervisory Responsibility: None.