Pharmacy Technician II

About the role

The Pharmacy Technician II works under the direct supervision of the pharmacist as stated by the Virginia Board of Pharmacy and reports to the Pharmacy Operations Supervisor. The technician assists the pharmacist and other health care professionals in the medication distribution system. In addition to the Pharmacy Technician I job functions, the Pharmacy Technician II is responsible for preparing new and refilled IV medication orders, compounding IV stock solutions, and compounding TPNs.

Responsibilities

• Uses computer and relevant programs to access patient records to charge/credit patients for medications, and to verify patient’s location.
• Organizes and prioritizes phone calls and window traffic, and keeps the pharmacist informed.
• Collects and organizes all pertinent information under the direction of the pharmacist.
• Recognizes and prioritizes stat and emergency medication orders.
• Appropriately uses and maintains all equipment ensuring it is clean and in working order.
• Performs stock rotation, ordering, and maintaining appropriate stock levels.
• Appropriately stores medications in their designated areas.
• Compounds and/or prepackages oral suspensions, ointments/creams, unit dose oral syringes, inhalants, and tablets.
• Accurately prepares patient-specific doses with correct medication, concentration/strength, and dose.
• Labels patient medications properly and applies auxiliary labels when necessary.
• Prepares medications for loading/refilling into automated dispensing devices, and to accurately place medications in the designated location.
• Demonstrates ability to deliver patient-specific medications to the correct patient drawer, and remove expired medications from patient drawers appropriately.
• Develops rapport with patient care units by being highly visible and available to serve their needs and address concerns as they arise.
• Accurately uses aseptic technique when preparing sterile preparations.
• Accurately prepares and compounds medications including IV fluids, parenteral nutrition, medicated drips, and sterile syringes.
• Accurately compounds bulk sterile stock solutions and assigns proper expiration dates based on hospital policy.
• Appropriately prepares medication orders, compounds stock solutions, and sorts products and doses using IV pharmacy workflow technology.
• Constructs TPN compounder and utilizes compounder to fill TPN and bulk fluid orders efficiently.
• Ensures equipment is clean and maintained in working order.
• Responsible for properly cleaning IV room laminar flow hoods in accordance with regulations and manufacturer guidelines (USP 797).
• Restocks IV clean room when supplies are low, and at the end of shift.
• Reviews stock for outdated medications.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Certified with the Virginia Board of Pharmacy as a Pharmacy Technician OR certification eligible with the Virginia Board of Pharmacy and certification obtained within 9 months of original hire date.
• Technicians must hold current certification from the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) or the Exam for the Certification of Pharmacy Technicians (ExCPT).
• Completion of a pharmacy technician training program approved by the Virginia Board of Pharmacy.
• Sterile Product Preparation Training & Certificate Program (required within 12 months of hire date).
• High school diploma or equivalent.
• At least 1 year of hospital pharmacy technician experience required.
• Sterile product preparation experience preferred.
• Must possess knowledge of pharmaceutical terminology and pharmacy process.
• Basic interpersonal skills necessary to deal effectively and courteously with a variety of departmental and hospital personnel.
• Basic computer keyboard skills are required.

Working Conditions

Pharmacy employees work in or near a clinical patient care environment with minimal exposure to hazards such as excess noise, dust, or extremes in temperature. Minimal or occasional exposure to communicable diseases, toxic substances, medicinal preparations, and other conditions common in a healthcare environment.