Pharmacy Technician III Hazardous Compounding-Inpatient Oncology, Full-time Rotating Shifts

At Northwestern Medicine, every patient interaction makes a difference in cultivating a positive workplace. This patient-first approach is what sets us apart as a leader in the healthcare industry. As an integral part of our team, you'll have the opportunity to join our quest for better health care, no matter where you work within the Northwestern Medicine system.

About the role

This position reflects the mission, vision, and values of NM, adheres to the organization’s Code of Ethics and Corporate Compliance Program, and complies with all relevant policies, procedures, guidelines, and regulatory and accreditation standards. Under the direction of a registered pharmacist, the Pharmacy Technician III - Hazardous Compounding performs all technical duties associated with the daily operation of the dispensing areas; performs prescription related, unit dose related, and sterile product related functions; and performs manufacturing procedures documented in Department records. Primarily responsible for the more advanced and complex work performed by pharmacy technicians.

Responsibilities

• Prepares medication orders for inpatients and outpatients.
• Prepares prescriptions for outpatients.
• Picks up orders and delivers medications to nursing units.
• Schedules intravenous admixture solutions according to the patient’s medical record and reports any variance to a pharmacist.
• Answers the telephone according to hospital policy and screens calls to determine if they should be handled by a pharmacist or technician.
• Enters new drug orders and renewal/refill information into the computerized patient medication profile.
• Uses the computer system to assist in all dispensing and inquiry functions.
• Compares the patient medication bin with the pharmacy and nursing record.
• Returns unnecessary and/or outdated medication to the pharmacy and reconciles use records, reporting discrepancies to a pharmacist.
• Receives, prepares, and distributes floor stock requisitions and requisitions for other clinical locations.
• Compounds dosage forms needed for dispensing to patients.
• Assists in maintaining adequate inventory levels in the dispensing areas.
• Packages extemporaneous and STAT single doses of medications under the supervision of a pharmacist.
• Prepares and maintains the emergency medication systems.
• Prepares sterile products for administration to patients, selecting proper diluents and vehicles and determining appropriate stability.
• Prepares cytotoxic agents for administration employing hospital and department aseptic and protective procedures.
• Plans and performs daily tasks required to provide department services under the direction of a pharmacist.
• Prepares and delivers narcotics and narcotic admixtures.
• Conducts narcotic perpetual inventories as directed.
• Meets quality and quantity requirements for new orders, unit doses, and IV admixtures.
• Ensures compliance with hazardous waste collection and disposal procedures.
• Spends 50% or more of the time manipulating and/or compounding hazardous medications, including chemotherapy and other high-risk compounds such as desensitization compounds.
• Completes hazardous medication training and competencies.
• Assists in maintaining emergency carts, inventory, and controlled substances records.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma.
• Illinois Pharmacy Technician License (IDFPR).
• Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT) through PTCB or ExCPT through NHA required for all those licensed after 2008.
• Completion of NM approved training program in compounded sterile preparations within 180 days of start date.

Preferred Qualifications

• Completion of a Technician Training Program.
• Previous experience as a Pharmacy Technician.
• Certified Compounded Sterile Preparation Technician (CSPT) certification through PTCB.

Schedule

• Full-time, 40 hours weekly.
• Shift times are subject to change based on departmental/patient care needs; currently anticipated to work rotating AM and PM shifts.
• Weekend commitment: every other weekend (Saturday and Sunday).
• Holiday commitment: 1 winter and 1 summer holiday.

Location

The primary work location for this position is the Prentice 15th floor pharmacy. However, this position could rotate to other pharmacies, subject to the needs of the work group.

Benefits

We offer a wide range of benefits that provide employees with tools and resources to improve their physical, emotional, and financial well-being while providing protection for unexpected life events. Benefits include:

• Tuition reimbursement and loan forgiveness.
• 401(k) matching.
• Lifecycle benefits.