Certified Pharmacy Technician

POSITION SUMMARY:

Under direction of the Pharmacy Technician Team Lead and supervision of a clinical pharmacist, follows established pharmacy and institutional policies and procedures pertaining to the routine support tasks integral to pharmacy operations. This will include medication preparation and delivery, filling of outpatient prescriptions, and handling of controlled substances. Certified pharmacy technicians are responsible for picking, delivering, and refilling Schedule II through VI medication for the automated dispensing machines located throughout the institution. Prepares and repackages unit dose medication, prepares sterile and non-sterile compounded preparations following established protocols and guidelines. Provides clerical support to customers outside of the pharmacy department, including nurses, physicians, inpatients, and outpatients. Responsible for the accurate transfer of inventory items from pharmacy to specified inventory locations.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

1. Monitors and maintains adequate medication levels in medication storage areas located in patient care areas

2. United doses and labels medications using repackaging software.

3. Performs routine rounds to patient care floors to deliver medication and miscellaneous supplies.

4. Fills medication requisitions for outpatient care areas and research laboratories (Schedule VI only).

5. Assesses assigned medication storage areas for outdated medication, cleanliness, and appropriate stocking.

6. Fills automated dispensing machines using barcode technology.

7. Demonstrates knowledge and skills necessary to support the pharmacist in service of the needs of institutional patients.

8. Assist in all areas of the Pharmacy Department as time permits from scheduled assignments.

9. Performs required pharmaceutical dosage calculations necessary to prepare sterile and non-sterile preparations.

10. Under direction of a pharmacist, compounds sterile preparations in accordance with USP Chapter <797> and established policies and procedures.

11. Replenishes stock in compounding areas (medication, needles, syringes, IV fluids) per procedure.

12. Identifies and disposes of outdated medications and patient specific compounded preparations.

13. Triages phone calls to the appropriate individual within the pharmacy department when answering the phone.

14. Provides outstanding customer service to external customers including nurses, physicians, and patients.

15. Anticipates and determines compounding needs for batch preparations.

16. Preparing, repackaging, and labeling sterile and non-sterile preparations according to the specific compounding records.

17. Submits appropriate samples of special preparations to bacteriology for sterility testing.

18. Assists Inventory Coordinator in receiving all orders from outside manufacturers and wholesalers. Placing received pharmacy stock on appropriate shelves in a neat and orderly fashion. Receiving items into EPIC Willow Inventory

19. Maintains inventory items in organized and orderly fashion

20. Maintains electronic pharmacy inventory quantity. Accurately transfers, expenses, and credits medication.

21. Records inventory status for re-ordering purposes.

22. Provides support for outpatient pharmacy.

23. Fills prescriptions under the direction of a registered pharmacist.

24. Maintain prescription records, patient profiles, and fiscal records.

25. Must complete annual Continuing Education credits as required by the certifying body to maintain certification.

26. Carries out other duties and responsibilities as required by Technician Team Lead, pharmacists, or pharmacy management.

Organizational Requirements:

1. Communicates appropriately using good interpersonal skills.

2. Serves, manages, and supports internal and external customers.

3. Participates in performance improvement activities.

4. Participates as a team member and is accountable for own work responsibilities.

5. Perform job duties in a professional and courteous manner and maintain working relationships with physicians, nurses, pharmacists, and other health care professionals.

Regulatory Compliance

1. Complies with all State and Federal rules, regulations and laws which govern the practice of pharmacy.

2. Charge and credit all medications appropriately, as per departmental and institutional policies.

3. Completes annual MEE regulatory compliance training

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

1. High school diploma or equivalent

2. Must be at least 18 years of age

3. Must successfully complete a Board-approved pharmacy technician certification program (PTCB)

4. Current Massachusetts Pharmacy Technician Registration in good standing

WORKING CONDITIONS:

1. Works within the Pharmacy Department but will routinely visit patient care and surgical areas

2. May be exposed to infectious diseases, carcinogenic, mutagenic and sensitizing medications and chemicals

3. Works under constant time constraints and deadlines.

4. Distinguish routine functions from those requiring a pharmacist's professional judgment.

5. Must possess time management and organizational skills to handle multiple tasks under time constraints.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

1. Ability to walk and stand 90% of the day and to occasionally lift up to 30 pounds

2. Work requires regularly reaching and grasping below, at, and above shoulder level.

3. Work requires regularly pushing and/or pulling non-motorized equipment (e.g. carts, IV rolling rack, and medication rolling racks, etc.) weighing 40 to 60 pounds.

4. Work requires regularly grasping and fine manipulation with hands.

5. Work requires reading automated dispensing reports regularly.