Job Description

Coffee Regional Medical Center

Pharmacy Tech Registered

POSITION SUMMARY

•

• Under the direct supervision of a registered pharmacist, supervisor, and/or director of pharmacy services, performs a variety of technical and clerical duties for the hospital-wide unit dose drug distribution system and intravenous admixture program.

• Responsible to maintain confidential reports, enter and retrieve data utilizing the computer system, prepare intravenous medication, including but not limitied to, chemotherapeutic preparations, hyper-alimentations and antibiotics, fill automated medications dispensing system with a supply of unit dose medications, procure, and fill requests for pharmaceutical supplies and deliver supplies to nursing units.

OVERVIEW

• The evaluation is to assure individual performance, departmental goals and organizational goals are aligned. It is designed to support communication between the manager and the employee. Employee perception of their own performance is very important. To maximize the benefit of this process, both the manager and the employee participate in the evaluation process.

QUALIFICATIONS

A. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Excellent customer service skills.

• Reads and understands the English language.

• Ability to think critically and analytically with little or no supervision

• Ability to work effectively in situations of high stress and conflict and communicate goals and outcomes.

• Ability to process information and prioritize

• Possesses exceptional verbal and written communication skills

• Possesses independent work habits, is self-reliant and self-directed

• Ability to learn, adapt, and change as required by the job functions

• Ability to maintain absolute confidentiality of material and information accessed and reviewed

• Basic computer literacy

• Ability to move freely, reach, bend, and complete light lifting

• Ability to use good body mechanics while performing daily job functions and ability to follow specific OSHA guidelines

• Ability to maintain attendance to meet standard job practices

B. Education

• High School diploma or GED

C. Licensure

• Pharmacy Technician Certifications preferred.

D. Experience

• Six (6) to Twelve (12) months of pharmacy experience preferred.

E. Interpersonal skills

F. Essential technical/motor skills

G. Essential physical requirements

• Light: Exert up to 20 lb. of force occasionally and/or up to 10 lb. of force frequently - greater than 75%

H. Essential mental requirements

I. Essential sensory requirements

J. Other

• Basic typing and/or computer skills.

• Preference given for one-year experience in a hospital pharmacy, including unit dose drug distribution and intravenous admixture.

• Requires knowledge of drug names, pharmacy math and sterile technique. Requires good English communication skills.

• Must be willing to work a flexible work schedule including evening shifts, weekends, and holidays.

K. Equipment used

OTHER QUALIFICATIONS

A. Exposure to hazards (body fluid exposure level)

• Level I

B. Age of Patient Populations Served

• Neonates 1 - 30 days

• Infants 30 days - 1 year

• Children 1 - 12 years

• Adolescents 13 - 18 years

• Adults 19 - 70 years

• Geriatrics - 70+ years

JOB SPECIFIC DUTIES AND PERFORMANCE STANDARDS

• Below are those tasks, duties, and responsibilities that comprise the means of accomplishing the position’s purpose and objectives. These are critical or fundamental to the performance of the position. They are the major functions for which the person in the position is held accountable. Following are the essential functions of the position, along with the corresponding performance standards.

• Pharmacy Technician Duties and Responsibilities

o With the use of an automated dispensing system printout, fills each MedStation with a 24-hour supply of medications.

o Verifies the contents of automated dispensing system stock by checking stock filled by another technician.

o Delivers checked medications to the nursing units. Refills automated dispensing system MedStations to prescribed par levels. Reports unusual occurrences to the pharmacists.

o Maintains and restocks individual filling stations and work areas, including all satellites while contributing to the maintenance of a fixed, minimal level of pharmacy inventory.

o Reorders pharmacy supplies from the hospital warehouse.

o Bills/credits patient medications by use of the computer charging system or the remote charging system.

o Maintains clean and sterile environment within the intravenous admixture area, including clean room. Routinely washes with appropriate germicidal solutions all hoods, counters, carts, and all other equipment that will be used within the work area.

o Prepares all chemotherapy and IV additive medications using sterile technique as directed by the pharmacist and according to the policies and procedures set by the pharmacy department.

o Responsible for safe and careful handling of chemotherapeutic medications.

o Responsible for the proper disposal of all materials used in the preparation of chemotherapy and IV additive medications.

o Generates reports and labels to compile and arranges a work list for the preparation of an adequate number of IV admixtures to cover a 24-hour period.

o Assembles materials for the preparation of the daily supply of IVs including medication labels, medications, solutions, syringes, needles, and administration sets and other equipment necessary.

o Labels a 24-hour supply of IV bags and syringes with the computer generated patient name and drug/dose label. Ensures that all IVs are properly labeled with the information deemed necessary by Intravenous Admixture Guidelines.

o Checks finished solutions for clarity and particulate matter and places IVs in proper storage area after the final check by the pharmacist.

o Prepares bulk manufactured IV syringes as per par levels.

o Maintains workload records and statistics as required.

o Routinely checks expiration dates of IV medication in the pharmacy department and on the nursing units. Rotates and recycles stock when needed.

o Answers the telephone and directs calls to appropriate pharmacy staff.

o Assists in the performance of ongoing quality assurance to assess the operations of the department.

o Assists in monthly inspections of medication storage areas at each nursing unit and ancillary departments.

o May be required to receive drug orders, verify contents of orders against packing slips and purchase orders.

o Unpacks merchandise and restocks shelves.

o Notifies the inventory clerk or pharmacist of problems

o Contributes to the enhancement of pharmacy services through suggestions for improvements in unit dose drug distribution systems.

o Deviates from daily routine when necessary to prepare and process any new medication orders.

o Contributes to the enhancement of pharmacy services through suggestions for improvements in IV admixture programs.

• Fills patient medication orders with the correct medication from computer labels prior to each hourly run.

o Medications are delivered to the proper nursing units, ancillary departments, and pharmacy satellites.

o Hourly runs are prepared 15 minutes in advance of delivery time.

o Medications gathered for the run are correct drug/strength. dosage form/quantity.

• Fills and delivers narcotic orders to nursing units and ancillary departments according to policy and procedure.

o Additions/deletions of controlled substance medications are documented in the appropriate section of the controlled substance record or in automated system on the nursing unit with appropriate signatures.

o The running balance of controlled substance medications are correctly totaled and documented upon addition or deletion of controlled substance medications to/from nursing unit stock.

o Controlled substances returned from nursing units are logged into the proper pharmacy records and returned to stock and placed with DEA returns.

• Restocks nursing units, operating room, recovery room, and ancillary departments with a limited supply of floor stock medications and supplies.

o Floor stock and internal requisitions are filled with the correct medications/strength/dosage form.

o Quantities do not exceed established par levels.

o Floor stock and internal requisitions are delivered to nursing units and ancillary departments on the same shift they are received.

• Prepackages and labels medications into unit doses from bulk supply.

o Records required information in the bulk medication pre-pack log.

o Prepares accurate labels utilizing the proper labeling format.

o Any remaining labels are destroyed upon completion of packaging medications.

o Unit dose packaged medications are properly sealed.

o Unit dose packaged medications are placed in the proper location upon being checked by a pharmacist.

• Maintains pharmacy in a clean and organized fashion.

o Discontinued medications are put away in the proper location.

o Work area is free of clutter.

• Assists individuals at the pharmacy window.

o Under the direction of a pharmacist, obtains medications requested (via internal requisitions or direct doctor's order).

• Assists in inventory control and maintains adequate supplies necessary for the daily operation of the department.

o Records items in short supply in order book.

o Informs inventory control clerk when medication usage is greater than normal.

• Follows the hospital exposure control plans/blood borne and airborne pathogens as evidenced by:

o Demonstrates knowledge of techniques, procedures, and correct use of protective barrier equipment.

o Attends annual education programs.

o Wears and/or uses appropriate safety equipment.

• Demonstrates respect and regard for the dignity of all patients, families, visitors, and fellow employees to ensure a professional, responsible, and courteous environment as evidenced by:

o Interacts with all of the above in a considerate, helpful, and courteous manner as observed by nurse manager and peers.

o Fosters mature professional relationships with fellow employees in a courteous, friendly manner as measured by management observation and peer input.

o Maintains professional composure and confidence during stressful situations.

o Maintains open communication using appropriate chain of command regarding issues.

o Conducts all work activities with respect for rights and wishes of patients, visitors, families, and fellow employees.

o Maintains confidentiality of all hospital and patient information at all times.

o Presents neat appearance in proper attire and identification as required by hospital policy.

o Displays a positive attitude that contributes to the overall customer service program in place at the hospital.

o Attends all required safety training programs and can describe his/her responsibilities related to general safety, department/service safety, and specific job related hazards.

o Meets clinical competencies for age-specific competencies as evidenced during skill competency check-offs.

o Assumes all other duties and responsibilities as necessary.