WVUHS Controlled Substance Pharmacy Specialist 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:

• For West Virginia Pharmacy Techs:
• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Technicians registered with the state after June 30, 2014 must be nationally certified within 15 months of hire by completing an approved national certification exam (PTCB or EXCPT).
• Must be registered with the state Board of Pharmacy as a Pharmacy Technician trainee upon hire (except Pennsylvania).
• For Maryland Pharmacy Techs:
• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Must be registered with the Maryland Board of Pharmacy as a Pharmacy Technician upon hire.
• May be enrolled in the GRMC Pharmacy Technician Training Program and must be registered with the Maryland Board of Pharmacy within 6 months of hire.

Preferred Qualifications

Education, Certification, and/or Licensure:

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

Experience:

• Six months of pharmacy technician experience.

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.

• Responsible for reading physicians' orders, preparing medications, delivering medications, and ordering and delivering drug supplies for various patient-care units.
• Reads physician's orders and prepares medication for dispensing, including unique dosage forms for all patient populations.
• Has an understanding of standard pharmaceutical/medical terms, abbreviations and symbols commonly used in the prescribing and dispensing of medications.
• Interprets lists and uses this information to replenish patient's medications and delivers contents to patient care areas according to schedule.
• Accurately prepares and delivers controlled substances to patients and maintains all necessary records.
• Takes inventory and analyzes medication supplies, replacing outdated or deteriorated medications; replaces depleted inventory.
• Labels products appropriately.
• Performs arithmetic calculations for usual dosage determinations required in medication and solution preparation.
• Performs initial check for prescribed doses for appropriateness based on weight and age.
• Performs in accordance with departmental standards established for speed and accuracy.
• Prepares and labels prepackaged medications after determining usage patterns and prepackaging requirements. Also maintains records related to this.
• Maintains inventory and supplies in assigned pharmacy service areas.
• Answers telephone and channels calls to appropriate individual.
• Ensures that the pharmacy service areas and drug storage areas in the institution are kept clean and orderly.
• 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.
• 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.
• Only pharmacists can consult with patients about prescribed medication use and other health issues.
• Only pharmacists can recommend over-the-counter medications.
• Assists in the preparation of sterile parenteral products under the supervision of a pharmacist.
• Accurately prepares intravenous admixtures, including dilutions for pediatric patients, other injectable preparations, and sterile irrigating solutions using aseptic technique.
• Accurately enters information related to parenteral admixtures and other injectable products in Pharmacy IV Computer Systems.
• 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.

• While performing the duties of this position, the employee is required to walk and stand or sit for long periods of time.
• Must be able to lift 30 pounds and must be able to push 50 pounds.
• 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:

This specialist technician will focus on system drug diversion prevention and investigation initiatives.

This position will allow for complete and detailed investigation of all events flagged for potential diversion along with auditing of official DEA documentation (including Forms 222, 41, 106).

Candidates must possess the following skills/abilities:

• Strong communication (both written and verbal)
• Ability to develop and maintain strong interprofessional relationships.
• Attention to detail
• Maintain confidentiality of sensitive patient and employee data

Please inquire regarding details for job profile and primary location information.