Pharmacy Technician Specialist-Old Irving Park Ambulatory Oncology and Infusion Services, Full-time Rotating

About the role

The Pharmacy Technician Specialist reflects the mission, vision, and values of Northwestern Medicine, 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, this role performs all technical duties associated with the daily operation of the dispensing areas, including prescription-related, unit dose-related, and sterile product-related functions, as well as documented manufacturing procedures.

Responsibilities

• Runs ambulatory and cancer center schedules to verify medications are ordered
• Follows the process of receiving, verifying, and stocking drugs, controlled substances, and supplies
• Generates reports for cycle counting the stockroom and refrigerators, printing expiration reports
• Oversees the expiring medication process
• Collaborates with Procurement/Supply Chain to maintain appropriate inventory par levels and drug inventories; communicates inventory problems to leadership/Procurement
• Receives invoices into the automated dispensing cabinet (ADC) CPM and verifies product and quantity match
• Rectifies issues with receipt of orders, back orders, shipping errors, and incorrect pricing
• Maintains sources and mechanisms to obtain drug supplies on an emergency basis, interacting with local hospitals, pharmacies, and alternative vendors
• Takes appropriate and timely action on drug recalls; communicates key information to leadership
• Performs monthly pharmacy unit inspections
• Processes inter-department billing
• Coordinates and effectively communicates with management, co-workers, customers, and other healthcare professionals regarding workflow changes, updates, backorders, and new drug information
• Audits controlled substance compliance and investigates discrepancies; prepares summaries of findings
• Evaluates monthly cost transfer reports for accuracy
• Maintains purchasing records including invoices, purchase orders, catalogs, and historical records
• Replenishes all hazardous drug (HD) supplies and tools
• Confirms accurate doses and calculations prior to compounding
• Trains new HD compounding technicians under the direction of the Pharmacy Technician Coordinator
• Attends daily and weekly cancer center infusion meetings with nursing and pharmacists (inventory and therapy-related)
• Serves as the main contact for nursing regarding automated dispensing cabinet (ADC) and supply needs
• Ensures compliance with all Simplifi 797 and 800 requirements
• Completes all daily, weekly, and monthly HD cleans within the department
• Serves as the primary Cancer Center compounding technician
• Performs the duties and responsibilities of a Pharmacy Technician at an advanced level
• Leads performance improvement initiatives
• Acts as a liaison between pharmacy and other departments
• Assists with and coordinates the pharmacy technician schedule, services, prioritizing assignments, and workflow
• Fosters a team environment by providing education and training
• Maintains documentation of completion for media fill and fingertip testing
• Participates in site meetings (e.g., Drug Shortage, huddles, staff meetings)
• Handles controlled substance receiving, reconciliation, discrepancy tracking, and investigations
• Performs minor repairs of automated dispensing systems (ADS) machines
• Participates in projects as assigned by the manager
• Handles recalls, crash cart monitoring, and kit check ordering
• Troubleshoots and restocks supplies
• Performs Tech-Check-Tech duties (e.g., automated dispensing cabinet (ADC) runs, controlled substances in ADC, barcode-scanned pills, pre-mixed IV bags)
• Other duties as assigned

Requirements

• Active Illinois Pharmacy Technician License (IDFPR)
• Pharmacy Technician licenses issued after 12/31/07 must have either CERTIFIED or STUDENT designation by their second license renewal in accordance with Section 9 of the Illinois Pharmacy Practice Act
• Licensed Technicians prior to 1/1/2008 must meet department skill level
• High School diploma or GED equivalent
• 1-2 years’ technician experience
• Previous experience as a Pharmacy Technician in a hospital or outpatient setting
• Excellent critical thinking skills, decisive judgment, and the ability to work with minimal supervision
• For Specialty Pharmacy: Certified Pharmacy Technician through PTCB or ExCPT through NHA

Preferred Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years’ technician experience

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, loan forgiveness, 401(k) matching, and lifecycle benefits.