Pharmacy Tech I

POSITION SUMMARY: The pharmacy technician I is a specialist in automation, purchasing, and training. Is fully trained and can complete all job duties of a technician I. Is experienced in all aspects of automated drug distribution in a hospital setting to ensure inventory management, regulatory compliance, user education, vendor interaction and coordination, product installation, implementation and troubleshooting. Is experienced in procurement, distribution, and maintenance of accounts, inventory management, and receiving from pharmacy wholesaler, direct manufacturer purchases and pharmacy related supplies. Assists the Director of Pharmacy and/or staff pharmacist with regulatory compliance, narcotic audit, data entry into MIDAS, and in all aspects of the pharmacy. Key figures with experiential training they are responsible for training new technicians or interns.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

1. Fills morning medications including Pyxis stock-outs as early as possible. Accurately refills the Pyxis and patient cassettes. Ensures appropriate labeling and reconciliation of patient cassettes.
2. Performs daily visual audit of medication storage areas to ensure compliance is met within the unit. This includes but is not limited to the Pyxis machines, crash cards, refrigerators and any area where medications are maintains by the pharmacy department.
3. Appropriate and timely unit dosing of medications. Checks and resolves refrigerator temperature as required. Refills crash cart trays when notified by Central Supply; documents in appropriate log.
4. Cleans the IV and Chemotherapy preparation areas and performs quality assessment including cultures as assigned. Prepares IV and Chemotherapy admixtures utilizing Dose Edge to ensure batch preparations are prepared while ensuring STAT orders are prioritized. Performs the IV and Chemotherapy admixture inventory and assists buyer with ordering inventory including cleaning supplies as needed.
5. Actively participates in the pharmacy department staff meetings and demonstrates the ability to look for information presented at the staff meetings. Regularly accesses the hospital email to keep updated on pharmacy and PMH notices. Demonstrates ability to communicate effectively with pharmacy and hospital staff.
6. Represents pharmacy department at nursing department meetings to ensure quality service and improve communication between pharmacy and nursing staff.
7. Capable of meeting timelines to ensure medication safety and patient care throughout the hospital. Utilizes organizational skills, group dynamic skills and interpersonal skills to effectively communicate with pharmacy and hospital staff appropriately.
8. Capable of interdisciplinary communication and adopting all California State Board of Pharmacy, DNV, DHS, and other patient safety and quality culture.

1. Reports to department as scheduled. Provides requests for time off within a reasonable time. Maintains reasonable availability to assist the department when required. Ensures competencies are met in a timely manner including the maintenance of state licensure and certifications as required for PMH employment.
2. Ability to function in all areas of the pharmacy including proficiency in at least one area of specification including but not limited to Pyxis System, Purchasing/Buying, 340B system maintenance, Dose Edge and MILT. Demonstrates desire and ability to develop new systems for the pharmacy department and train users. Flexibility and willingness to learn and train others are essential to this position.
3. Maintains access to all Pharmacy related systems, and is capable of utilizing those systems to assist a pharmacist as required in the daily performance of his or her pharmacy related duties.

OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Attends and participates in other programs, committees and other functions as required by the Director of Pharmacy.
2. Helps other pharmacy personnel when needed and work together as a team.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

No supervisory duties, but there experiential training must lend to others in terms of training and mentorship.

EDUCATION, KNOWLEDGE, ABILITIES, SKILLS, EXPERIENCE:

1. Previous Pharmacy Technician Experience

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS: 

1. Must have current California Pharmacy Technician License.
2. Must have current CPR certification.
3. Prefer Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT) certification as provided by Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB)

AGE OF THE POPULATION SERVED:

Newborn Infant/Pediatric Adolescent Adult Geriatric All No Patient Care 

PHYSICAL AND MENTAL REQUIREMENTS:

1. Occasional prolonged standing or walking. Lifting of supplies and equipment is frequently necessary.
2. Repetitive use of hands and fingers.
3. Regularly works with confidential information. Confidentiality of patient information is to be maintained.
4. A high degree of accuracy is expected.
5. The ability to handle a heavy volume of work is expected.