Specialist Pharmacy Technician

Pharmacy Technician

Assists in most aspects of drug distribution that do not require the professional judgment of a pharmacist. Technicians may prepare sterile products and chemotherapy, be responsible for controlled substance distribution, or other specialized duties within the pharmacy. Technicians function in accordance with standard, written procedures and guidelines under the supervision of a pharmacist.

Minimum Qualifications:

Education, Certification, and/or Licensure:

1. High school diploma or equivalent.

2. Must possess current licensure as required by state board where services will be provided:

MD: Pharmacy Technician Student Permit or Pharmacy Technician License through Maryland Board of Pharmacy

OH: Pharmacy Technician Trainee License or Certified or Registered Pharmacy Technician License through Ohio Board of Pharmacy

PA: Pharmacy Technician Trainee or Pharmacy Technician License through the Pennsylvania Board of Pharmacy

WV: Pharmacy Technician Trainee or Pharmacy Technician License through West Virginia Board of Pharmacy

3. Nationally Certified Pharmacy Technician through Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) or National Healthcareer Association (NHA) OR If applicant has two (2) or more years of pharmacy specific experience, must be obtained within 15 months of hire.

Preferred Qualifications:

Education, Certification, and/or Licensure:

1. Associates degree OR Post high school education in a science field of study OR graduate of a pharmacy technician training program.

2. Nationally Certified Pharmacy Technician through Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) or National Healthcareer Association (NHA) upon hire.

Core Duties and Responsibilities:

The statements described here are intended to describe the general nature of work being performed by people assigned to this position. They are not intended to be constructed as an all-inclusive list of all responsibilities and duties. Other duties may be assigned.

1. Responsible for reading physicians' orders, preparing medications, delivering medications, and ordering and delivering drug supplies for various patient-care units.

2. Reads physician's orders and prepares medication for dispensing, including unique dosage forms for all patient populations.

3. Has an understanding of standard pharmaceutical/medical terms, abbreviations and symbols commonly used in the prescribing and dispensing of medications.

4. Interprets lists and uses this information to replenish patient's medications and delivers contents to patient care areas according to schedule.

5. Accurately prepares and delivers controlled substances to patients and maintains all necessary records.

6. Takes inventory and analyzes medication supplies, replacing outdated or deteriorated medications; replaces depleted inventory.

7. Labels products appropriately.

8. Performs arithmetic calculations for usual dosage determinations required in medication and solution preparation.

9. Performs initial check for prescribed doses for appropriateness based on weight and age.

10. Performs in accordance with departmental standards established for speed and accuracy.

11. Prepares and labels prepackaged medications after determining usage patterns and prepackaging requirements. Also maintains records related to this.

12. Maintains inventory and supplies in assigned pharmacy service areas.

13. Answers telephone and channels calls to appropriate individual.

14. Ensures that the pharmacy service areas and drug storage areas in the institution are kept clean and orderly.

15. Assists in the training of pharmacy technicians.

16. Certain duties cannot be assigned to Pharmacy Technicians because these duties can only be performed by pharmacists. These restrictions are regulated at state and federal levels and must be followed closely:

· Only pharmacists can receive oral prescriptions from prescribers or prescribers' authorized designees. (This refers primarily to new telephone prescriptions).

· Only pharmacists can consult with prescribers or prescribers' designees about patients' prescriptions.

· Only pharmacists can provide confidential patient information to other health professionals or insurance companies.

· Only pharmacists can check medications before dispensing them to patients. (In states where technicians can prepare or package prescriptions, they do so under the direct supervision of a pharmacist.)

· Only pharmacists can consult with patients about prescribed medication use and other health issues.

· Only pharmacist can recommend over-the-counter medications.

17. Assists with sterile preparation of IV room medications and general maintenance and cleaning of IV room.

18. Accurately prepares intravenous admixtures, including dilutions for pediatric patients, other injectable preparations, and sterile irrigating solutions using aseptic technique.

19. Accurately enters information related to parenteral admixtures and other injectable products in Pharmacy IV Computer Systems.

20. Manages controlled substances for the health-system.

Physical Requirements:

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 may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

1. While performing the duties of this position, the employee is required to walk and stand or sit for long periods of time.

2. Must be able to lift 30 pounds and must be able to push 50 pounds.

3. Dexterity required to finger, handle, and reach.

Working Environment:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Skills and Abilities:

Additional Job Description:

Scheduled Weekly Hours: 36

Shift: Day (United States of America)

Exempt/Non-Exempt: United States America (Non-Exempt)

Company: WVUH West Virginia University Hospitals

Cost Center: 4230 WVUH CH Pediatrics Pharmacy

Address: 1 Medical Center Drive Morgantown West Virginia

Equal Opportunity Employer

West Virginia University Health System and its subsidiaries (collectively "WVUHS") is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local fair employment practices laws. WVUHS strictly prohibits and does not tolerate discrimination against employees, applicants, or any other covered persons because of race, color, religion, creed, national origin or ancestry, ethnicity, sex (including gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity), age, physical or mental disability, citizenship, past, current, or prospective service in the uniformed services, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local law. All WVUHS employees, other workers, and representatives are prohibited from engaging in unlawful discrimination. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including, but not limited to, hiring, training, promotion, discipline, compensation, benefits, and termination of employment.