Acute Pharmacy Technician

Position Summary

This position will work under the supervision of the pharmacist performing routine duties in packaging, distribution, non-sterile compounding, and record-keeping of pharmaceutical supplies. Serves as a liaison between the customer and the pharmacist. Becomes proficient in preparing compounded intravenous medications, total parenteral nutrition products, and chemotherapeutic agents within compliance with USP regulations.

Core Functions

• Identifies medications and other items for reorder as necessary to maintain a continuous inventory of medications and supplies.
• Receives, checks-in, and restocks medications ordered through the wholesaler and other vendors verifying all quantities against invoices.
• Assesses practical ways to deal with shorted items and short-dated or unusable items.
• Manages users within the automated dispensing technology database as per policy.
• Investigates discrepancies and troubleshoots malfunctions in automated dispensing technology.
• Exhibits excellent interpersonal skills and is customer service oriented in all contacts with patients, visitors and staff.
• Responds to standard requests from internal customers. Interacts primarily with department personnel, cross-department personnel, internal customers, patients and physicians.
• May use automated dispensing technology or requisition to restock medications to nursing and ancillary areas after checking by a pharmacist.
• When allowed by law and policy, and upon completion of proper training/competency assessment, may restock automated dispensing technology using barcode scanning verification devices.
• Restocks medications to all areas outside automated dispensing technology which may include but not limited to trays, code carts and emergency boxes.
• Compounds non-sterile medication products.
• Understands and appropriately follows all product worksheets/recipes for documentation and check processes.
• Understands and adheres to all applicable USP compounding guidelines.
• Demonstrates knowledge of and consistently performs calibrations of equipment and accurately measures components for compounding.
• Repackages bulk medications into unit of use packaging.
• Completes accurate documentation of medications compounded and repackaged per policy.
• Maintains a safe and clean working environment by complying with all policies, laws, and regulations.
• Performs quality control activities such as monthly nursing unit inspections and pharmacy section checks in a timely manner.
• Completes documentation of refrigerator temperatures, and equipment maintenance activities as required.
• Handles narcotic medications following all federal and legal requirements as set through policy and procedure.
• Consistently adheres to all storage and inventory movement documentation requirements for controlled substances.
• Becomes proficient in performing compounding and labeling of intravenous non-hazardous compounds using proper sterile and aseptic technique as appropriate to the site of care.
• Completes all required environmental cleaning procedures.

Minimum Qualifications

• Requires Pharmacy Technician licensure and active Pharmacy Technician certification OR Pharmacy Intern licensure in the state of practice.
• Incumbents in Arizona are also required to provide the AZ Board of Pharmacy Wallet Card at time of hire.
• Ability to complete moderate to difficult mathematical calculations using a hand-held calculator is required.
• Strong customer service focus, exceptional communication skills, strong attention to detail, prioritization capabilities, superior problem-solving skills, and ability to multi-task.
• Must have knowledge of computer software, particularly medication management information system software, Microsoft applications and automated dispensing systems.
• Must demonstrate effective oral and written communication skills for interfacing with all levels of staff, physicians, patients, and other contacts.

Preferred Qualifications

• Additional related education and/or experience preferred.