CERTIFIED PHARMACY TECHNICIAN

Alamo Navajo School Board, Inc. – 12-month full-time, non-exempt position funded by IHS.

Qualifications

• Must be 18 years of age.
• Speaks both Navajo and English fluently and translates between languages in a medical/pharmacy setting.
• High School diploma or GED.
• Education to meet certification, license, or registration requirement.
• Writes and reads English.
• Two years of work experience (applicable experience in health care).
• Working knowledge of a pharmacy computer system.
• Knowledge of drug and medication brand names, generic/chemical names, general and specific storage requirements, expiration date requirements, manufacturer/distributor sources, dosage forms, systems of weights and measures, and medical terminology to interpret physician’s orders and verify correct drug, dosage form, strength, and dose are prepared and dispensed.
• Knowledge of Federal & State laws, regulations, policy, and procedures of pharmacy practice.
• Knowledge of the quality improvement (QI) process and skills to participate in the process to improve patient care.
• Regular and recurring physical exertion, including standing for long periods, lifting/carrying pharmaceutical supplies up to 40 pounds, and bending/stooping.

Preferential consideration for employment will be given to persons of documented Navajo, American Indian, or Alaska Native Tribal membership who meet the qualifications above.

Responsibilities

• Performs technical processes in dispensing prescriptions, including reviewing charts for appropriate patient and medication details, entering data into the computer for accurate prescription labels, assembling labels and dosage forms for pharmacist review, and identifying medication allergies.
• Acts as a translator for Navajo patients with limited English skills, providing information about drug therapy and disease conditions. After consulting with the pharmacist, delivers detailed patient education in Navajo.
• Manages third-party billing, including setting up contracts with new insurance groups, correcting prescription-related insurance errors, resolving issues with Pharmacy Benefits Managers, communicating billing requirements to staff, and monitoring reimbursement rates.
• Oversees pharmacy inventory management, ensuring compliance with contract purchases, securing the best available prices for pharmaceuticals, and monitoring inventory accuracy. Places and checks in orders with McKesson and adjusts inventory as needed.
• Manages the pharmacy INNOVATION robotics equipment, including daily maintenance (calibration and cleaning), refilling cassettes, ordering backup stock, and maintaining the PharmASSIST computer system.
• Participates in the pharmacy department’s quality improvement program, including P&T meetings, staff meetings, and continuing education programs.
• Conducts independent monthly inspections of all drug storage areas, including the PharmASSIST robot, to verify adequate stock, proper storage conditions, and expiration dates, correcting any issues found.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Special Conditions

• This is a child-sensitive position subject to fingerprinting and a criminal/character background investigation.
• Authorized to provide services to non-Indians within or near the Alamo Navajo community on a fee-for-service or third-party payment basis, provided it does not interfere with obligations to eligible Indian beneficiaries.
• Considered a federal employee for Federal Tort Claims Act coverage while performing work under the Board’s Indian Self-Determination Agreement. Any tort claims must be reported immediately to the Executive Director.
• All health center documents and patient information are confidential and protected by federal and state privacy laws; dissemination or duplication is strictly prohibited.

Pay

General Salary Scale, Range I. Placement on Salary Range F prior to formal certification.

Schedule

• Monday – Wednesday: 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
• Thursday: 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM
• Friday: 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM