Pharmacy Technician III

About the Role

This position is responsible for assisting the Pharmacist in the provision of pharmaceutical care by performing technical and clerical duties associated with the operation of the Pharmacy, including the preparation of I.V. mixtures. This role is recognized as a leader among the technical staff, requiring complete knowledge of pharmacy operations and proficiency in the unit dose area, I.V. room, and/or PYXIS system. These technicians are instrumental in training new personnel, coordinating department performance improvement activities, and serving as recognized leaders in multiple facets of pharmacy operations.

Responsibilities

• Selects prescribed medications according to dosage and strength indicated on patient medication file or cart-fill list.
• Delivers medications to patient care areas.
• Stocks and monitors drug inventory levels, ensuring adequate and up-to-date supplies.
• Inspects and maintains emergency medication trays.
• Packages and labels unit dose oral liquids/tablets and maintains pre-pack records.
• Responds to requests for medications from nursing personnel and other departments.
• Posts and codes patient pharmaceutical charges and credits into automated system, and returns credited medication to inventory.
• Reviews patient billing records for accuracy.
• Prepares intravenous antimicrobials, large volume parenterals, adult and neonatal TPN solutions, epidurals, and intravenous antineoplastics.
• Documents Quality Improvement activities for the I.V. Room (e.g., hood cleaning, refrigeration temperature log, aseptic technique).
• Maintains primary accountability for operations within the department for performance improvement activities.
• Provides teaching, training, and orientation for staff.
• Maintains pharmacy system databases.
• Follows processes to ensure all medications are compliant with technology safety checks.
• Prepares sterile products in an accurate and aseptic manner when appropriate to designated duties.
• Acts as a liaison to customers and gathers medication history if applicable.
• Actively participates in Tech-Check-Tech initiatives as implemented at the facility.
• Properly manages pharmaceutical waste.
• Ensures safe care to patients, staff, and visitors by adhering to all Memorial Hermann policies, procedures, and standards within budgetary specifications, including time management, supply management, productivity, and quality of service.
• Promotes individual professional growth and development by meeting requirements for mandatory/continuing education and skills competency.
• Supports department-based goals contributing to the success of the organization; serves as preceptor, mentor, and resource to less experienced staff.
• Demonstrates commitment to caring for every member of the community by creating compassionate and personalized experiences.
• Models Memorial Hermann’s service standards by providing safe, caring, personalized, and efficient experiences to patients and colleagues.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Minimum of 18 years of age.
• High school diploma or GED required.
• Current Pharmacy Tech registration or Pharmacist intern registration with the Texas State Board of Pharmacy required.
• ACPE I.V. Certification with completion of a 40-hour course in I.V. admixture preferred.
• Pharmacy Sterile Product certification through an accredited program is required if incumbent compounds sterile products.
• Five (5) years of pharmacy experience required, preferably in a hospital pharmacy.
• Knowledge of medical terminology.
• Proficiency in the unit dose area of the pharmacy, sterile product preparation, PYXIS, and performance improvement activities within the department.
• Knowledge of personal computer operations (Word and Excel) preferred.

Skills

Pharmacy Technician III requires proficiency in a minimum of six (6) skills from List I, II, or III, or a minimum of one (1) skill from List III and is currently performing as the primary role of the job:

• List I: Distribution (Unit Dose/PYXIS), Inventory, Pre-Packaging, Satellite operation (e.g., O.R., Pediatrics).
• List II: Compounding, TPN, Billing, IV admixture.
• List III: Teaching/Training, PYXIS management, IDS, Narcotics Control, Unit tech (e.g., ICU, OR, pedi), Chemo.