Pharmacy Technician 3

About the Role

This position provides technical support to pharmacists through preparation of unit doses, data entry, delivery of medications, and cartfill exchange. The person working this shift is responsible for ensuring accountability and accuracy of standard operating procedures in these areas. The role works under the direct supervision of a Pharmacist who oversees the safe and proper distribution and use of drugs for inpatients and outpatients, including neonates, infants, children, adolescents, adults, and the elderly.

Responsibilities

• Prepare, mix, and compound sterile medications, including chemotherapy.
• Adhere to aseptic procedures when preparing, mixing, and compounding sterile hazardous and non-hazardous medications.
• Perform pharmaceutical calculations to verify dosages for medications.
• Clean and maintain primary and secondary engineering controls (e.g., vertical and laminar flow hoods) and equipment used in compounding sterile medications (e.g., repeater pump, work surfaces). Discard non-preserved and/or non-labeled solutions to keep the work area clean and orderly.
• Assist pharmacists with technical support activities, including:
  • Computer order entry of inpatient and outpatient orders.
  • Filling unit dose medication orders.
  • Selecting ordered medications from inventory for new orders or 24-hour medication distribution.
  • Answering telephones, filing, billing/crediting, and maintaining medication profiles.
  • Loading and refilling medications into automated dispensing cabinet stations.
• Maintain manufacturing logs and documentation to ensure compliance with regulatory agencies.
• Prioritize labels from new orders to ensure delivery to label locations at least one hour before the due time.
• Organize and restock work areas during and prior to the end of the shift, and remove expired medications.
• Perform other technician duties as assigned based on operational needs.
• Understand the difference between non-hazardous and hazardous medications; safely handle hazardous medications per regulatory guidelines.

Requirements

• High School Diploma.
• Active State of Oregon Pharmacy Technician License.
• Two years of pharmacy work experience, or equivalent additional education.
• Certification from the national Pharmacy Technician Certification Board or National Healthcareer Association. Certification must be maintained.

Skills

• Ability to read and understand medical-related terms.
• Proficiency in basic pharmaceutical mathematics calculations.
• Skill at manipulating small objects, e.g., needles, syringes, ampules.
• Ability to use mechanical systems for the transfer of fluids.
• Knowledge of and skill in applying aseptic techniques.
• Ability to establish priorities in workflow.
• Good interpersonal communication skills.
• Ability to work under the supervision of diverse Pharmacists.

Preferred Qualifications

• Completion of a formal pharmacy technician training program.
• Inpatient and outpatient hospital pharmacy experience.
• Familiarity with medical and scientific nomenclature.

Additional Details

• Possible exposure to hazardous chemicals and noise.
• Flexibility in scheduling shift times.
• Accountability for accuracy in performing duties.