Inpatient Pharmacy Technician

Pharmacy Technician

We are so glad you are interested in joining Sutter Health!

Organization: ABSMC-Summit Campus

Position Overview: The pharmacy technician works under general and direct supervision of the staff pharmacists found within an outpatient pharmacy to ensure that the distribution and provision of ethical, professional, and patient care oriented pharmaceutical services are provided in accordance with state and federal law and regulations, and within standards of The Joint Commission and state Pharmacy Board. This position will include correctly preparing, processing, and other specific technician duties as required by the outpatient pharmacy setting. Technicians will work with customers and outpatients, and may be required to supervise other pharmacy personnel when necessary to provide excellent customer service. This position reports to the Assistant Director of Pharmacy or his or her appointee.

Job Description:

Job Accountabilities:

• Staff Technician-Pharmacy: To provide smooth and efficient pharmaceutical care to patients receiving pharmaceutical care.
• To promote cost-effective utilization of medications.
• Attends service counter and telephones, obtaining accurate and complete information for relaying messages.
• Enters charges and prescriptions completely and accurately into computer.
• Prepares and dispenses prescriptions as directed by the Pharmacist.
• Prepares and dispenses medications at any station in the pharmacy including the mediset area. Follows all procedures identified to properly dispense medications depending on the station with the pharmacy.
• Assists in assuring that all needed medications and supplies are ordered, received and put away each day and counters and pharmacy areas are tidy and clean.
• Posts receivings into computer, including price changes.
• Returns stock to shelf, Participates in drug recall procedure and assists in removing outdated pharmaceuticals and other inventory procedures.
• When at the counter area, follow all AIDET functions, including asking if a consultation from the pharmacist is needed. Read all notes on prescription bags and make sure to check patient identifiers prior to starting the transaction.
• Follow all instructions correctly for processing deliveries each day.
• Distribution Services-Outpatient Pharmacy:
• Organizes, plans, and prioritizes daily workflow within the shift. Maintains routine workflow, integrating non-routine work and relays information as necessary to the oncoming shift.
• Self-checks all technical duties for accuracy, quality, and timeliness, including computer profile order verification / order entry, prescription processing, billing and all drug-handling procedures prior to having pharmacists check your work.
• Participates in the instruction and supervision of other pharmacy personnel when requested, technician externs and pharmacist interns.
• Technical Services and Special Competencies/ Clinical Writing:
• Participates in interactions with nursing, providers and interdepartmental team members to provide complete services to the patients and customers of the outpatient pharmacy site.
• Participates in the training and orientation of new employees.
• Medisets require specific training and the competency is repeated yearly within the outpatient settings where appropriate.
• Health Streams must be followed and maintained along with other methods of learning at use in the outpatient setting.
• Indirect Clinical Services:
• Technicians receive training in the electronic medical records as required to perform their daily workflow. Refills are checked in the electronic record of both the patient chart and the pharmacy computer section as directed by the supervising pharmacist of the area you are working in each day.
• Participates in department projects, meetings, and inservices.
• Assumes personal responsibility for maintaining a current pharmaceutical knowledge base by attending relevant and high quality continuing education programs. Maintaining licensure.
• Participates in hospital committees as assigned.
• Miscellaneous/Administrative & Other duties as assigned:
• Actively participates in departmental improvement functions and provides feedback on changes to improve the quality of patient care services.
• Actively works in support of regulatory compliance assuring that ABSMC maintains full accreditation and compliance with state and federal regulations. Understands specific responsibilities for regulatory compliance in the home department and ensures daily requirements for compliance are met. Assists with site responsibility for assigned pharmacy. Accountable for compliance with state and federal laws and regulations, and applicable licensing standards.

Education:

• Equivalent experience will be accepted in lieu of the required degree or diploma.
• HS Diploma or GED certificate

Certification & Licensure:

• PHARMT-Pharmacy Technician

Preferred Experience as Typically Acquired in:

• One year of professional experience as a pharmacy technician beyond the externship and preferably in an outpatient care setting.
• Prior supervisory experience preferred.
• Systems experience with unit dosing such as mediset system and/or electronic health record a plus.
• Experience with medical payment and reimbursement programs or willingness to learn is a plus.

Skills and Knowledge:

• Knowledge of procurement, storage, and preparation for dispensing of medications.
• Knowledge of TJC, Title 22, State and federal laws and regulations pertaining to the legal operation of a pharmacy and understanding of practices and rules regarding patient confidentiality and HIPAA.
• Knowledge of medical recordkeeping requirements and procedures.
• Knowledge of the use and dispensing of narcotics and poisons.
• Knowledge of basics of medications used within the scope of pharmacy.
• Knowledge of word processing and spreadsheet applications, preferably Word and Excel.
• Knowledge of automation such as, but not limited to, automated dispensing machines, medisets and look up status of the Electronic Health Record.
• Demonstrates ability to resolve drug distribution system issues.
• Strong oral and written communication and interpersonal skills.
• Strong analytical and organizational skills.
• Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from other employees, Physicians and patients.
• Proactive Team Player.
• Excellent Time Management Skills to meet schedule and report deadlines.
• Recertification of operational and clinical competencies.
• Responsible for accurate processing, filling and properly documenting all prescriptions and must be able to fill at any station within the outpatient pharmacy as required for daily functions.

Job Shift: Varied

Schedule: Per Diem/Casual

Shift Hours: 8

Days of the Week: Variable

Weekend Requirements: Occasionally, Rotating Weekends

Benefits: No

Unions: Yes

Position Status: Non-Exempt

Weekly Hours: 0

Employee Status: Per Diem/Casual

Employees of Sutter Health and its entities may handle hazardous drugs in the course of their work, including patient care, which requires them to manage, store, prepare, receive, unpack, transport, dispose of, or administer drugs identified as hazardous or potentially hazardous by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) and in accordance with the USP 800 guidelines.

Sutter Health is an equal opportunity employer EOE/M/F/Disability/Veterans.