Medication History Specialist- Per Diem

Penn Medicine, University of Pennsylvania Health System; West Chester (Chester County); On-site; USD 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive health coverage

Prepaid tuition assistance

Programs supporting employee well-being

Job summary

Penn Medicine, University of Pennsylvania Health System is seeking a Medication History Specialist to obtain accurate medication histories for patients admitted to the hospital. This role requires conducting interviews with patients and caregivers, documenting the information in the electronic health record (EHR), and collaborating closely with healthcare teams to ensure medication safety.

The ideal candidate will have a high school diploma and be a Certified Pharmacy Technician, preferably with experience in hospital or retail pharmacy settings. We offer a comprehensive benefits program including health coverage and tuition assistance.

Qualifications

• Must be a Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT).
• Prior experience in a hospital or pharmacy setting preferred.
• At least 1 year in a retail pharmacy setting strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Conduct structured patient interviews to obtain comprehensive medication history.
• Document medication names, doses, and frequencies in the EHR.
• Verify medication information from multiple sources.
• Collaborate with a multidisciplinary team for medication reconciliation.
• Maintain compliance with hospital policies and HIPAA regulations.

Skills

Interviewing skills

Attention to detail

Active listening

Communication skills

Critical thinking

Education

H.S. Diploma/GED

Tools

Electronic Health Record (EHR) systems

Basic computer applications

Job description

Penn Medicine is dedicated to providing the highest level of care to patients, conducting innovative research, and educating future leaders in medicine. Working for this leading academic medical center means collaborating with top clinical, technical, and business professionals across all disciplines.

Summary

Under the supervision of a licensed pharmacist, the Medication History Specialist is responsible for obtaining and documenting accurate and complete medication histories for patients admitted to the hospital. This role involves interviewing patients, families, and caregivers, verifying information with external sources as needed, and entering the reconciled medication list into the electronic health record (EHR). The specialist works closely with pharmacists, providers, and nursing staff to support safe and effective medication use across the continuum of care.

Responsibilities

• Conduct structured patient and/or caregiver interviews to obtain a comprehensive medication history, including prescription, over-the-counter (OTC), herbal, and dietary supplement use.
• Accurately document medication names, doses, routes, frequencies, and last doses taken in the EHR.
• Verify and reconcile medication information from multiple sources (e.g., pharmacies, outpatient providers, previous medical records).
• Identify discrepancies, potential safety issues, or incomplete information, and elevate to the pharmacist or provider as appropriate.
• Collaborate with pharmacists, nurses, and physicians to ensure accurate admission medication reconciliation.
• Maintain compliance with hospital policies, procedures, and all applicable regulations, including HIPAA.
• Provide excellent customer service, demonstrating empathy, respect, and professionalism in all patient and staff interactions.
• Prioritize and complete assignments efficiently in a fast‑paced hospital environment.
• Restock automated dispensing machines.
• Understand common prescription, over-the-counter (OTC), and herbal medications.
• Be familiar with medication formulations, strengths, routes, and dosing schedules.
• Have a basic understanding of medical terminology and disease states relevant to medication use.
• Know drug classes, therapeutic uses, and common look-alike/sound-alike medications.
• Have strong interviewing, active listening, and communication skills to elicit accurate patient information.
• Ensure clear, concise, and professional verbal communication.
• Maintain high attention to detail and accuracy in documentation.
• Utilize critical thinking skills to identify discrepancies or risks in medication histories.
• Work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Be proficient with electronic health record (EHR) systems and basic computer applications.
• Flag discrepancies or potential safety issues for pharmacist/clinician review.
• Maintain patient confidentiality (HIPAA compliance).
• Display time management and ability to prioritize patient interviews efficiently.
• Adapt to fast‑paced hospital settings.

Credentials

• CPhT- Certified Pharmacy Technician

Education or Equivalent Experience

• H.S. Diploma/GED (Required)
• Prior experience in a hospital, pharmacy, or healthcare setting preferred.
• At least 1 year of experience in a retail pharmacy setting strongly preferred.

Benefits

We offer a comprehensive compensation and benefits program that includes extensive health coverage, prepaid tuition assistance, and programs to support employee well‑being.

We are an Equal Opportunity employer. Candidates are considered for employment without regard to race, ethnicity, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, marital status, familial status, genetic information, domestic or sexual violence victim status, citizenship status, military status, status as a protected veteran, or any other status protected by applicable law.