Pharmacy Assistant - Retail

Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 30,610 - 43,573; Full time

Job summary

Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center in Seattle seeks a Pharmacy Assistant to perform a range of technical pharmaceutical tasks under pharmacist supervision. Responsibilities include processing refills, returns, and point-of-sale transactions, with opportunities to advance into the Pharmacy Technician Training program starting Fall 2027.

The role is temporary full-time with varied shifts on weekdays at the South Lake Union Campus and requires a WA Pharmacy Assistant license and high school diploma.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or equivalent.
• State of Washington Pharmacy Assistant License.
• Clear verbal communication in person, on the phone, and in writing.
• Ability to use pharmacy point of sale systems in an accurate and efficient manner.

Responsibilities

• Provide good customer service to patients by being attentive and quick to respond at the pharmacy window and follow through on problems.
• Review and monitor patient tickets in the pharmacy’s virtual waiting list responding to messages from patients and updating the prescription status in the pharmacy dispensing application.
• Dispense prescriptions and over the counter medications via point of sale to patients, appropriately referring those that require counseling to a pharmacist for dispensing.
• Process credit cards, handle cash and check payments.
• Complete return to stock of prescriptions. Return medications back on the shelf.
• Assist patients with online processing of prescription refills including billing appropriately and accurately.

Skills

Verbal communication

Pharmacy experience

Education

High School Diploma or equivalent

Washington Pharmacy Assistant License

Tools

Pharmacy POS systems

Job description

Overview

Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center is an independent, nonprofit organization providing adult cancer treatment and groundbreaking research focused on cancer and infectious diseases. Based in Seattle, Fred Hutch is the only National Cancer Institute-designated cancer center in Washington.

With a track record of global leadership in bone marrow transplantation, HIV/AIDS prevention, immunotherapy and COVID-19 vaccines, Fred Hutch has earned a reputation as one of the world’s leading cancer, infectious disease and biomedical research centers. Fred Hutch operates eight clinical care sites that provide medical oncology, infusion, radiation, proton therapy and related services, and network affiliations with hospitals in five states. Together, our fully integrated research and clinical care teams seek to discover new cures to the world’s deadliest diseases and make life beyond cancer a reality.

At Fred Hutch we value collaboration, compassion, determination, excellence, innovation, integrity and respect. Our mission is directly tied to the humanity, dignity and inherent value of each employee, patient, community member and supporter. Our commitment to learning across our differences and similarities make us stronger. We seek employees who bring different and innovative ways of seeing the world and solving problems.

Working under the immediate supervision of a pharmacist, the Pharmacy Assistant role interacts with patients and health care providers to perform a variety of technical pharmaceutical tasks including processing refills, return to stocks, and performing point of sale activities.

This position has the potential for advancement into our Pharmacy Technician Training program which they would become eligible to start in Fall 2027 and be a licensed pharmacy technician by Spring 2028.

This is a temporary full time role working Monday thru Friday; rotating 7:45 to 4:15pm, 8:30 to 5pm, and 10:30-7pm at our South Lake Union Campus.

Responsibilities

• Provide good customer service to patients by being attentive and quick to respond at the pharmacy window and follows through on problems.
• Review and monitor patient tickets in the pharmacy’s virtual waiting list responding to messages from patients and updating the prescription status in the pharmacy dispensing application.
• Dispense prescriptions and over the counter medications via point of sale to patients, appropriately referring those thatrequire counseling to a pharmacist for dispensing.
• Process credit cards, handle cash and check payments.
• Complete return to stock of prescriptions. Return medications back on the shelf.
• Assist patients with online processing of prescription refills including billing appropriately and accurately.
• Triage incoming phone calls relating to medications.
• Interact with professional and technical staff in a courteous manner.
• Respond to patient inquiries including requesting new prescriptions from care teams and connecting with appropriate billing team for insurance issues.
• Coordinate dispensing of medications related to a research study with Investigation Drug Services Pharmacy.
• Call interpreters by phone or electronic tablet.
• Clean and restock pharmacy areas.
• Follow inventory control processes for expiration dates and remove outdates.
• Direct clinical inquiries requiring a pharmacist's professional judgment to a pharmacist.
• Answer inquiries not requiring a pharmacist's professional judgment.
• Assist in the training of pharmacy technicians, apprentices, and interns.
• Complete other pharmacy related duties in accordance with regulations under Washington State Pharmacy Quality Assurance Commission
• Know and follow all Pharmacy Department and Fred Hutch policies and procedures, as well as all applicable state and federal laws.

Qualifications

Required:

• High School Diploma or equivalent
• State of Washington Pharmacy Assistant License
• Ability to communicate verbally in person, on the phone, and in writing in a clear, concise, and professional manner.
• Ability to use pharmacy point of sale systems in an accurate and efficient manner.

Preferred:

• Previous experience in a pharmacy setting

PreEmployment Drug Screening:

As a condition of employment Fred Hutch conducts pre-employment drug testing for this pharmacy role. All offers of employment in the pharmacy department are conditional on the applicant successfully completing and passing a drug test in accordance with the Fred Hutch policy.

The hourly pay range for this position is from $22.22 to $31.63 and pay offered will be based on experience and qualifications.

This is a temporary full time role working Monday thru Friday; rotating 7:45 to 4:15pm, 8:30 to 5pm, and 10:30-7pm at our South Lake Union Campus.

Although Fred Hutch is not sponsoring most H‑1B visas at this time, candidates who already hold an H‑1B sponsored by another organization and are currently in the U.S. may be eligible for this position. Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center offers employees access to a retirement savings plan, an employee assistance program, paid sick leave (1 hour for every 30 hours worked), and prorated paid holidays (up to 11 days per year).

Additional Information

We are proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) and Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA) Employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, ancestry, national origin, sex, age, disability (physical or mental), marital or veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, political ideology, or membership in any other legally protected class. We desire priority referrals of protected veterans. If due to a disability you need assistance/and or a reasonable accommodation during the application or recruiting process, please send a request to Human Resources at [e-mail] or by calling 206-667-4700.