Inpatient Pharmacy Technician

Pharmacy Technician

Pharmacy technicians assist pharmacists in preparing and distributing medications, maintaining the drug inventory, and maintaining patient records. Pharmacy technicians work only under the supervision of a registered pharmacist. They do not perform duties that can legally be performed only by a registered pharmacist.

Qualifications:

• Medications
• Pharmacology
• Sterile Compounding
• Pharmaceutical Calculations

Essential Functions and Responsibilities:

• Collects data, conducts quality monitors, and completes documentation as assigned.
• Collects patient home medications per hospital process and enters into EMAR.
• Fills physician orders, medication surgical kits, medication carts, and stock requisitions accurately.
• Replenishes medications in emergency drug containers and floor stock areas accurately.
• Prepares intravenous admixtures and other sterile preparations (including chemotherapy and parenteral nutrition) safely and accurately using appropriate techniques.
• Delivers medications and supplies to patient care and ancillary areas accurately per established schedule.
• Assists in ordering, receiving, unpacking, and storing medications and supplies in appropriate locations.
• Rotates stock to ensure use before expiration date.
• Identifies and replaces outdated and unusable medications.
• Restocks medication and IV dispensing areas accurately within specified time periods.
• Repackages bulk medications in unit-dose packages safely and accurately per established procedures using appropriate techniques.
• Picks up orders, requisitions, and medications for return from patient care areas when on delivery rounds. Enters medication orders into pharmacy computer system accurately.
• Enters charges and credits for patient medications accurately.
• Generates reports, pick lists, and labels as required.
• Answers the telephone, identifying self and department; directs calls to appropriate personnel. Answers requests and makes stat deliveries to patient care and ancillary areas when requested.
• Organizes and prioritizes work assignments.
• Maintains logs, records, and other required documentation accurately; files documentation in appropriate locations.
• Demonstrates good oral and written communication.
• Keeps pharmacy areas clean, neat, and well-organized; keeps pharmacy equipment clean.
• Completes and documents all assigned medication storage area inspections at least monthly; identifies and replaces outdated and unusable medications.

Expected Behaviors:

• Maintains current technician certification, attends pharmacy staff meetings, participates in orientation, education, and training programs; reviews literature and other materials as assigned and completes all competence/skills assessment requirements.
• Is punctual and dependable; reports to work as scheduled; absenteeism and tardiness are within policy guidelines.
• Maintains a neat, professional, and well-groomed appearance; observes pharmacy dress code; wears identification badge at all times.
• Performs work within specified time frames; adapts positively to frequent interruptions and changes in workload and/or work schedule.
• Provides courteous, cooperative, and timely service to patients, visitors, and staff members; demonstrates good oral and written communication.
• Works cooperatively with all staff members; voices concerns and suggestions to appropriate persons in a positive manner.
• Demonstrates sound judgment consistent with training/academic background.
• Maintains strict confidentiality of patient, visitor, and employee information; complies with HIPAA Privacy Rule standards.
• Fosters a team environment by providing orientation and training to new team members; assists coworkers in tasks, as time permits.
• Adheres to health-system policies and procedures; complies with all requirements related to risk management, safety, medication-use safety, security, fire safety, and infection control; complies with all applicable federal/state/local laws, rules, and regulations; performs all duties under the direct supervision of a registered pharmacist.
• Performance demonstrates efforts to improve patient satisfaction, lower costs, improve quality, and promote safety.
• Understands and meets customers' needs and expectations; the patient and family members always come first.
• Demonstrates the ability to address problems in a group setting using tools and techniques for identification and resolution of problems.
• Demonstrates the values and behaviors of the organization.

Critical Demands:

Ability to perform work accurately with attention to detail within specified time periods; work cooperatively with health-system and pharmacy staff; handle frequent interruptions and adapt to changes in workload and work schedule; set priorities and solve problems; respond quickly to emergency requests; communicate effectively (orally and in writing), and assist in meeting the pharmaceutical care needs of the patient populations served by the organization.

Physical/Mental Demands: Repetitive use of hands and fingers (e.g., preparing IV admixtures, use of a computer keyboard); may require lifting and carrying light loads (up to 40 lbs.), including boxes, equipment, unit-dose cassettes, and IV solutions, and stooping or kneeling (e.g., to pick up items from the floor, to remove and replace items on lower shelves, and to file documents in lower file drawers); walking or standing for long periods of time (4–8 hours) is often necessary; must be able to physically operate the equipment used for the job.

Environmental Conditions: Requires alertness, awareness to details and accuracy to ensure performance of duties. Must be able to withstand stresses from frequent interruptions and confinements in physical environment. Requires the ability to adjust and prioritize workload in order to meet scheduled deadlines.

Certification/License: Currently licensed as a pharmacy technician in the state of Indiana.

Education and Experience Requirements: High school diploma or equivalent; college courses desirable but not required.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.