Pharmacy Technician Specialist

About the role

The Pharmacy Technician Specialist position at Houston Methodist serves in an expanded role and is responsible for performing advanced level work including medication reconciliation and histories, order verification, dose verification, support of medication acquisition programs, and assisting with data collection for productivity and quality assessment. This position also participates in staff development by training new employees, residents, and interns; providing feedback on technician's performance; and leading the coordination of the day-to-day workflow and activities of assigned pharmacy technicians.

Responsibilities

• Promotes a positive work environment and contributes to a dynamic, team-focused work unit that actively helps one another to achieve optimal department results.
• Guides and mentors Pharmacy Technicians, Senior Pharmacy Technicians, and students to help build confidence in skills, knowledge, and abilities.
• Provides management feedback on technician's performance.
• Leads workgroups and committees as well as develops and implements education activities for technical staff.
• Assists with optimizing the safety and efficiency of pharmacy operations and supporting the workflow needs of the pharmacy department.
• Contributes in department efforts to resolve drug-related problems and maximize patient care.
• Supports the workflow, coordinates medication distribution and acquisition in assigned areas under the supervision of the pharmacist, and reports problems to the appropriate parties.
• Accurately documents and completes paperwork in assigned role/functions.
• Performs advanced activities to ensure efficient and safe medication distribution including, but not limited to, Tech-Check-Tech, medication reconciliations, medication histories, advanced sterile compounding, troubleshooting automation, and patient interactions.
• Reports "near misses" and inputs errors promptly to improve processes and identify trends. Contributes to identification of corrective actions and improvement activities and contributes to meeting departmental and hospital targets for quality and safety.
• Leads other technicians in the collection and reporting of data related to quality improvement and productivity projects to optimize patient safety.

Qualifications

• High School diploma or equivalent education (examples include: GED, verification of homeschool equivalency, partial or full completion of post-secondary education, etc.)
• Two years of college preferred
• Four years of Pharmacy Technician experience applicable to the specific work setting (e.g., hospital, specialty pharmacy); may consider a HM Senior Pharmacy Technician with one year less experience
• Cross trained in three pharmacy work areas - examples include but are not limited to medication histories, advanced sterile compounding, Tech-Check-Tech, Pyxis coordinator, etc.; OR serves as a subject matter expert (SME) for a pharmacy work area in which 50 percent or more of work time is conducted and demonstrated by completion of an approved certificate program such as Accreditation Council of Pharmacy Education (ACPE), Board of Pharmacy Technician Specialties (BPTS), American Society of Health System Pharmacists (ASHP), Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) Texas Society of Health System Pharmacist (TSHP), etc.

Skills and Abilities

• Demonstrates the skills and competencies necessary to safely perform the assigned job, determined through on-going skills, competency assessments, and performance evaluations
• Sufficient proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing the English language necessary to perform the essential functions of this job, especially with regard to activities impacting patient or employee safety or security
• Ability to effectively communicate with patients, physicians, family members and co-workers in a manner consistent with a customer service focus and application of positive language principles
• Proficient in performing accurate calculations required for usual dosage determinations
• Possesses proficient computer knowledge; operates multiple computer systems to include, hospital/pharmacy related software, drug preparation pumps/devices, packaging and labeling machines, automated drug dispensing equipment, prescription balances, and portable data processing units
• Exhibits strong interpersonal and team player skills with all levels of the healthcare team and assures delivery of excellent customer service to all patients, visitors, physicians and co-workers
• Capable of assuming responsibility for coordinating the activities of other technicians
• Adapts to multiple ongoing priorities with minimal supervision including organizing work flow and actively participating in problem-solving
• Maintains active credentialing for Tech-Check-Tech, if performing those duties