Pharmacy Technician - Per Diem

Summary of Position:

  The pharmacy technician assists in the preparation and distribution of medications, maintaining the drug inventory, and patient and pharmacy records in a manner consistent with all federal, state, and local laws and regulations. Duties include compounding sterile solutions, delivering medications, restocking automated dispensing systems (ADS), mixing orally administered medications, and unit dosing medications from their bulk packaging. The Pharmacy Technician is under the supervision of the Pharmacy Operations Supervisor and reports to the Pharmacy Director.

Qualifications

Education:

• Completion of an accredited Pharmacy Technician program or equivalent education/ experience.

Experience:

• Prefer 1 year experience as a pharmacy technician in an acute care setting

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:

• Sufficient computer skills to maintain medication profiles, navigate wholesaler websites and utilize pharmacy specific automation systems.

• Knowledge of USP <797> and ability to perform aseptic compounding preferred.

Certifications/Licensure:

• Current California pharmacy technician license

Physical Demands

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 job, the employee is frequently required to walk, stand, sit, and talk or hear. 

• The employee is occasionally required to use hands to finger, handle, feel or operate objects, tools, or controls; and reach with hands and arms.

• The employee is occasionally required to climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.

• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, and the ability to adjust focus.

• The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.

Working Conditions 

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.

• Normal office environment. The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet to moderate while in the office.

• Exposed to hazardous medications

• Occasional travel to various health system locations. 

Essential Functions

1. Provides consistently exceptional care at all times.

2. Prepares medication orders for both inpatients and outpatients.

3. Uses the computer system to assist in all dispensing and inquiry functions.

4. Picks up orders and delivers medications to nursing units.

5. Answers the telephone according to hospital policy. Screens the call to determine if the call should be handled by a pharmacist or a technician.

6. Enters new drug orders and renewal/refill information into the computerized patient medication profile.

7. Uses the computer system to assist in all dispensing and inquiry functions.

8. Compares the patient medication bin with the pharmacy and nursing record. Returns unnecessary and/or outdated medication to the pharmacy. Reconciles use records and reports any discrepancies to a pharmacist.

9. Receives, prepares, and distributes floor stock requisitions and requisitions for other clinical locations.

10. Compounds dosage forms needed for dispensing to patients.

11. Assists in maintaining adequate inventory levels in the dispensing areas.

12. Packages extemporaneous and STAT single doses of medications under the supervision of a pharmacist.

13. Prepares and maintains the emergency medication systems.

14. Prepares sterile products for administration to patients. Selects proper diluents and vehicles and determines the appropriate stability.

15. Prepares cytotoxic agents for administration employing hospital and department aseptic and protective procedures.

16. Plans and performs the daily tasks required to provide department services under the direction of a pharmacist.

17. Prepares and delivers narcotics and narcotic admixtures. Conducts narcotic perpetual inventories as directed.

18. Meets quality and quantity requirements for new orders, unit doses, and IV admixtures.

19. Ensures compliance with hazardous waste collection and disposal procedures.

20. Completes hazardous medication training and competencies.

21. Completes aseptic technique training and competencies.

22. This position assists in maintaining emergency carts, inventory, and controlled substances records. Accurate completion of responsibilities is essential to an efficient, error free drug distribution system

23. Responds to the needs of the department by performing other duties, as necessary.