Pharmacy Technician

The Inpatient Pharmacy Technician I is responsible for providing pharmacy services which include, but are not limited to, preparing and distributing medications, operating and monitoring pharmacy automated technology systems, maintaining inventory, performing daily quality assurance audits, providing customer service, and maintaining pharmacy records. The Inpatient Pharmacy Technician I works under the direct supervision of a registered pharmacist as part of an interdisciplinary patient care team, to ensure delivery of high quality, patient focused pharmacy service. The Inpatient Pharmacy Technician I assists in training staff under the supervision and guidance of the Pharmacy Managers and Pharmacy Technician Supervisor. The Inpatient Pharmacy Technician I may perform other medication-related activities except those which must legally be performed by a registered pharmacist under federal and state rules and regulations.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES / DUTIES:
Under the supervision of a pharmacist, supports the department in the ethical practice of pharmacy on a daily basis by providing accurate, timely, and safe pharmacy services.

• Complies with all Federal, State and Local laws, regulations and rules, and all accreditation standards.
• Adheres to all policies and procedures of the organization and the department
• Processes prescription orders in a timely manner; retrieves, counts, measures and prepares medications safely and accurately as directed.
• Ensures all work is documented and checked by a pharmacist.
• Conducts interpersonal communications with patients, visitors, nurses, physicians, and fellow employees in a courteous and friendly manner. Answers telephones, identifying self and department, and directs calls to appropriate personnel.
• Informs pharmacists and/or pharmacy managers of real or potential problems with malfunctioning equipment, safety concerns, medication errors, or personnel issues in a timely manner. Initiates calls to technical support (BMC Help Desk, vendor support), or BMC Control Center/Facilities as needed.

Sustains the operational and distributive functions of the department. These responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Assistance with inventory control (receiving, stocking, replenishment)

o Receives product (e.g. from wholesalers, direct shipments, etc.), unpacks, scans, and stocks product in accordance with established procedures and standards for product storage.
o Checks all product to ensure it is in date and appropriate for use
o Maintains inventory levels by performing cycle counts, rotating stock, and removing outdated or recalled product
o Monitors and replenishes stock of medications and supplies, responds to stock-outs, and communicates ordering needs with pharmacists and/or purchasing team.
o Monitors and maintains product under proper storage conditions as required by policies, standards, and regulations.

• Medication Preparation

o Prepares product for use, including repackaging oral liquids, inhalants, and tablets, non-sterile compounding, preparing kits and code carts, labeling, barcoding, heat-sealing, and other procedures as required for safe medication use. Ensures work is checked by a pharmacist.
o Maintains proficiency with pharmacy automation technology, including but not limited to, automated dispensing systems (e.g. Pyxis, carousels, prepackers), robotics, barcoding systems, computer applications, and other pharmacy and general technology solutions necessary to perform pharmacy functions.

• Medication Distribution

o Utilizes carousel technology to pick medications for automated dispensing cabinet refills and patient-specific orders with accuracy and in a timely manner.
o Responds to nursing messages for medication replenishment in accordance with department standards for service-oriented communication and turn-around time.
o Handles controlled substances (refills, outdates, and returns) in accordance with state and federal rules and regulations and department policies to ensure proper accountability and prevent diversion. Immediately notifies pharmacist and supervisor upon discovery of discrepancy in counts or evidence of tampering with controlled substances.
o Generates and acts on all required reports on a timely basis. Adjusts par levels based on utilization reports or as directed.
o Loads, refills, outdates, destocks and unloads automated dispensing cabinets, checking for expiration dates, proper inventory count, and proper equipment function each time. Recovers or replaces failed pockets as needed.
o Delivers medications to appropriate areas in a timely manner so that patients receive the correct medication at the correct time. Retrieves discontinued medications from patient care areas. Makes appropriate charges and/or credits to patient’s account as required. Maintains drug security and patient confidentiality at all times.
o Ensures medications in the pharmacy and on patient care units are stored in clean, orderly, safe, and properly labeled areas in compliance with accreditation standards and hospital policy and procedures.

• Maintains all required records and documents. Enters accurate and updated information in the computer systems.
• Carries a pager at all times, as required by designated work shift, and responds to pages in a timely manner.
• Performs department-required quality assurance activities, including medication area inspections and temperature monitoring. Completes related administrative tasks: maintains weekly/monthly inspection or QA reports and delivers reports as assigned.
• Assists with orienting and training pharmacy staff under the direction and guidance of Pharmacy Managers and Pharmacy Technician Supervisor.

Maintains own professional and specialized competency, including the following:

• Assumes responsibility for participating in experiences necessary to ensure appropriate skill development and training.
• Maintains and displays appropriate knowledge of developments in the field through continuing education, reviewing pertinent literature, and/or by attending professional meetings.
• Attends and participates in department, hospital, and other training and development workshops.
• Attends and participates in all appropriate department staff meetings, inservices, and committees.
• Remains informed by regularly reading all department communications/email.
• Maintains a working knowledge of updated pharmacy protocols, policies and procedures, including adhering to the following:

o Maintains all designated medical information as confidential as per established protocols.
o Maintains work environment in a clean and orderly fashion.
o Conforms to hospital standards of performance and conduct, including those pertaining to patient rights, so that the best possible customer service and patient care may be provided.
o Utilizes hospital’s behavioral standards as the basis for decision making and to support the department and the hospital’s mission and goals.
o Follows established hospital infection control and safety procedures.

Participates in performance and/or quality improvement initiatives by actively sharing ideas and cooperating with the execution of initiatives to improve operations and quality

Participates in the creation and maintenance of a healthy work environment. A healthy work environment is one where people feel supported, held accountable, where standards are applied and expectations are clear. A healthy work environment is one where leadership supports and leads, models behavioral standards and sets the example for how to do all things right.
Critical responsibilities related to this:

• Adapt to changes in the departmental needs including but not limited to: offering assistance to other team members, floating, adjusting assignments, etc.
• Being engaged in the department, including owning team decisions, and supporting department and/or organizational initiatives.
• Hold self and others to the highest ethical standards, and act with honor above all.
• Help improve efficiency, safety or otherwise support department goals
• Help initiate and maintain controls, cost savings initiatives, systems and clinical programs to lower costs while maintaining the highest level of care.

Is fiscally responsible to the department

• Be productive and efficient within your shift, not using unnecessary overtime
• Use equipment and supplies with respect, finding ways to save everyday
• Be flexible in the work you do daily to allow the department to care for patients here in the safest, most efficient manner possible
• Demonstrate through consistent action a respect for the financial health of the department and the organization

OTHER DUTIES:
Performs other duties as needed

(The above statements in this job description are intended to depict the general nature and level of work assigned to the employee(s) in this job. The above is not intended to represent an exhaustive list of accountable duties and responsibilities required).

JOB REQUIREMENTS

EDUCATION:
Work requires a high school diploma or state accepted equivalency (GED).
College degree or pharmacy technician training school diploma preferred.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS REQUIRED:
Must be registered as a Pharmacy Technician or Pharmacy Intern with the Massachusetts Board of Pharmacy, and current pharmacy technician certification (CPhT) is required. Pharmacy Interns are not required to hold CPhT certification.

EXPERIENCE:
Work requires 1-2 years pharmacy technician experience.
Pharmacy students who have completed 2 years of education in an approved college/school of pharmacy are eligible for pharmacy internship and may be waived for the required experience.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:

• Work requires effective interpersonal skills to interact cooperatively with hospital staff, patients/families/visitors, and pharmacy colleagues.
• Ability to communicate effectively in English (both orally and in writing) including ability to interpret and follow complicated verbal and written instruction with precision, accuracy and dependability.
• Ability to multi-task, handle frequent interruptions and adapt to changes in workload and work schedule.
• Ability to prioritize essential tasks, solve problems and respond quickly to emergency requests.
• Ability to perform work accurately with attention to detail and within a specified time period in a fast-paced and high acuity environment
• Strong math skills required, including being able to perform basic mathematical functions (addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, ratios/proportions, percentages, metric conversions, etc).
• Basic computer proficiency including ability to access, enter, and interpret computerized data/information.
• Must maintain the required level of competency to perform the essential duties and responsibilities necessary to meet the pharmaceutical care needs of neonatal, pediatric, adolescent, adult, and geriatric patients.

Job Type: Full-time

License/Certification:

• Registered Pharmacy Technician (Required)

Work Location: One location