Medication History Technician

Vanderbilt University Medical Center; United States; On-site; USD 42,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

Vanderbilt University Medical Center is hiring a Medication History Technician to support inpatient pharmacy services. You will obtain and verify prior-to-admission medication histories, review drug histories, and coordinate with physicians and nurses to ensure accurate medication records throughout hospitalization.

This role emphasizes patient safety, accurate medication reconciliation, and collaborative care within a busy hospital environment.

Qualifications

• Must be a Certified Pharmacy Technician through either PTCB or NHA in order to be considered.
• Hospital and/or retail pharmacy experience preferred.
• Experience in Oncology, Long-Term Care, Specialty Pharmacy, Ambulatory Care or other pharmacy practice settings is a plus.
• Strong attention to detail and effective communication skills are critical.

Responsibilities

• Obtain and verify complete prior-to-admission medication histories for admitted patients.
• Review medication fill histories through various pharmacy and healthcare databases.
• Contact physician offices, clinics, treatment centers, pharmacies, and other healthcare entities as needed to verify medication information.
• Interview patients and caregivers to gather medication related information and assess medication adherence.
• Document and reconcile medication information accurately.
• Collaborate with pharmacists, physicians, nurses, and other healthcare professionals to ensure accurate medication management during hospitalization.
• Support safe medication ordering and transitions of care by providing a thorough and reliable medication history.

Skills

Attention to detail

Communication skills

Certified Pharmacy Technician

Education

Certified Pharmacy Technician credential

Job description

Discover Vanderbilt University Medical Center: Located in Nashville, Tennessee, and operating at a global crossroads of teaching, discovery, and patient care, VUMC is a community of individuals who come to work each day with the simple aim of changing the world. It is a place where your expertise will be valued, your knowledge expanded, and your abilities challenged. Vanderbilt Health is committed to an environment where everyone has the chance to thrive and where your uniqueness is sought and celebrated. It is a place where employees know they are part of something that is bigger than themselves, take exceptional pride in their work and never settle for what was good enough yesterday. Vanderbilt’s mission is to advance health and wellness through preeminent programs in patient care, education, and research.

Organization

Medication History Technicians

Job Summary

Performs tasks within the pharmacy in direct support of the ongoing duties and responsibilities of a pharmacist with occasional guidance. Tasks performed contribute directly to the preparation and/or dispensing of a final dosage form for administration to a patient and are directly supervised by a pharmacist. Provides customer service by answering phone requests and triaging calls to the appropriate person if they cannot answer the requested information. Applies departmental processes regarding inventory control.

The Medication History Technician is an integral member of the Vanderbilt Health Inpatient Pharmacy Services team. This role focuses on obtaining and verifying comprehensive prior-to-admission medication histories for hospitalized patients to support safe and effective medication management throughout their hospital stay.

Medication History Technicians

Collaborate with patients, caregivers, healthcare providers, and external healthcare organizations to ensure medication records are accurate and complete. The information gathered plays a critical role in medication reconciliation, patient safety, clinical decision making, and continuity of care at discharge.

Key Responsibilities

• Obtain and verify complete prior-to-admission medication histories for admitted patients.
• Review medication fill histories through various pharmacy and healthcare databases.
• Contact physician offices, clinics, treatment centers, pharmacies, and other healthcare entities as needed to verify medication information.
• Interview patients and caregivers to gather medication related information and assess medication adherence.
• Document and reconcile medication information accurately.
• Collaborate with pharmacists, physicians, nurses, and other healthcare professionals to ensure accurate medication management during hospitalization.
• Support safe medication ordering and transitions of care by providing a thorough and reliable medication history.

Qualifications

• Must be a Certified Pharmacy Technician through either PTCB or NHA in order to be considered.
• Hospital and/or retail pharmacy experience preferred.
• Experience in additional pharmacy practice areas is a plus, including Oncology, Long-Term Care, Specialty Pharmacy, Ambulatory Care, or other pharmacy practice settings.
• Strong attention to detail and effective communication skills are critical.

Hours

• This day-shift position will be scheduled for (5) 8-hour shifts Monday - Friday between the hours of 7:00am – 7:30pm.
• Every 3rd weekend rotation working both Saturday and Sunday.

Why This Role Matters

The work of the Medication History Technician directly contributes to patient safety by helping ensure physicians and clinical teams have an accurate understanding of each patient's medication regimen. This information supports appropriate inpatient medication ordering, reduces medication errors, facilitates successful transitions of care, and promotes effective discharge planning.

Technical Capabilities

• Pharmaceutical Computer Literacy (Fundamental Awareness): Has demonstrated a basic understanding of computers or has successfully completed training for applications that are used to support medication use processes.
• Pharmaceutical Drug Preparation, Dispensing & Distribution (Novice): Possesses sufficient fundamental proficiency to successfully review, prepare, dispense and distribute prescribed medications. Where applicable, this includes being proficient in the general principles and techniques of asepsis utilized to compound sterile preparations (CSPs) to minimize the risk of contamination.
• Pharmaceutical Quality Assurance & Compliance (Novice): Demonstrates working knowledge of the appropriate rules and regulations as they apply to the department and work areas. Maintains current understanding of rules and regulations and facilitates processes that support the application of various rules and regulations. Demonstrates knowledge of process improvement, quality assurance and/or programs. Understands the principles upon which the rules and regulations are based. Demonstrates a commitment to continuous quality improvement and supports compliance with a federal, state and local regulations as well as organizational policies and procedures.
• Drug Inventory & Records Management (Novice): Possesses fundamental proficiency working with drug inventory and records management. Demonstrates ability to maintain appropriate inventory levels of medications. Able to collect, organize and/or maintain evaluations of pharmacy or patient related information.
• Must complete all required training and maintain competency while in a certified technician role as determined by area leadership

Core Accountabilities

• Organizational Impact: Performs tasks that are typically routine that may impact team's performance with occasional guidance. * Problem Solving/ Complexity of work: Utilizes some discretion and research to solve routine problems. * Breadth of Knowledge: Applies knowledge of standards, established processes and procedure that apply to your own job. * Team Interaction: Provides guidance to entry level co-workers.

Core Capabilities

Supporting Colleagues : Develops Self and Others: Continuously improves own skills by identifying development opportunities.- Builds and Maintains Relationships: Seeks to understand colleagues' priorities, working styles and develops relationships across areas.- Communicates Effectively: Openly shares information with others and communicates in a clear and courteous manner. Delivering Excellent Services: - Serves Others with Compassion: Invests time to understand the problems, needs of others and how to provide excellent service.- Solves Complex Problems: Seeks to understand issues, solves routine problems, and raises proper concerns in a timely manner. - Offers Meaningful Advice and Support: Listens carefully to understand the issues and provides accurate information and support. Ensuring High Quality: - Performs Excellent Work: Checks work quality before delivery and asks relevant questions to meet quality standards. - Fulfills Safety and Regulatory Requirements: Demonstrates basic knowledge of conditions that affect safety and reports unsafe conditions to the appropriate person or department. Managing Resources Effectively : - Demonstrates Accountability: Takes responsibility for completing assigned activities and thinks beyond standard approaches to provide high-quality work/service. - Stewards Organizational Resources: Displays understanding how personal actions will impact departmental resources. - Makes Data Driven Decisions: Uses accurate information and good decision making to consistently achieve results on time and without error. Fostering Innovation : - Generates New Ideas: Willingly proposes/accepts ideas or initiatives that will impact day-to-day operations by offering suggestions to enhance them. - Applies Technology: Absorbs new technology quickly; understands when to utilize the appropriate tools and procedures to ensure proper course of action. - Adapts to Change: Embraces changes by keeping an open mind to changing plans and incorporates change instructions into own area of work.

Position Qualifications

Certified Pharmacy Technician - National Healthcareer Association - National HealthCareer Association, Certified Pharmacy Technician - Pharmacy Technician Certification Board - Pharmacy Technician Certification Board, LIC-Pharmacy Technician - Tennessee

Work Experience

Relevant Work Experience

Experience Level

Less than 1 year

Education

Graduate of an approved discipline specific program

This role offers the opportunity to make a meaningful impact within Vanderbilt Health, supported by a comprehensive benefits package which may include health, disability, retirement and/or wellness offerings to enhance your well-being and professional growth.

Vanderbilt Health is committed to fostering an environment where everyone has the chance to thrive and is committed to the principles of equal opportunity. EOE/Vets/Disabled.