Pharmacy Tech, Outpatient, Per Diem

Baystate Health; Springfield (MA); On-site; USD 29,000 - 41,000; Full time

Job summary

Baystate Health seeks a Pharmacy Technician to support inpatient pharmacy services under licensed pharmacist supervision. You will assist with drug distribution, aseptic compounding, and inventory control in a hospital setting.

Requirements include strong communication, attention to detail, and proficiency with MS Office; experience with Pyxis and automated dispensing systems is advantageous. The role emphasizes patient-centered care and adherence to BH policies.

Qualifications

• Possesses good interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills
• Understands the principles of staff engagement
• Proficient in computer skills (MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint) preferred
• Ability to work independently
• Demonstrated math skills

Responsibilities

• Demonstrates a thorough knowledge and understanding of the duties and responsibilities of the position to which he/she is assigned and performs various functions associated with the institutional drug distribution system and in accordance with regulatory and compliance standards included in functions 2-6.
• Accurately compounds, pre-packages, and re-packages medications, including labeling for bulk solid /liquid dosage forms according to department policy/procedure. Accurately prepares and distributes controlled substances according to department policy/procedure.
• Performs aseptic compounding of parenteral admixtures and other sterile dosage forms, including aseptic technique and quality control documentation.
• Maintains a working knowledge of the general chemical and physical properties of drugs and uses reference books for stability information/MSDS.
• Operates automated technology (Pyxis, compounders, computers) according to policy and BH procedures.
• Performs essential functions relating to drug purchasing and inventory control as needed.
• Dedication to Quality Improvement Initiatives: refills, checks, locks, and stickers code carts; participates in training/orientation; maintains knowledge of medication safety and high-risk meds; understands population-specific preparation procedures.
• Customer Service & Teamwork: interacts with department and health care teams; protects patient rights and confidentiality; triages orders and notifies pharmacists; handles department calls and window.
• Attendance: follows BH attendance policy.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Verbal communication

Written communication

Staff engagement

Independent work

Math skills

Tools

MS Word

Excel

PowerPoint

Job description

Summary:

Pharmacy technicians, under the supervision of a licensed pharmacist, assist in various activities of the pharmacy department. Through the leadership of the Pharmacy Technician Supervisor and Assistant Director of Inpatient Pharmacy Services, the pharmacy technician is responsible for the essential functions and responsibilities outlined in this document, noting every employee is expected to perform other similar and related duties as assigned. Leadership has the right to change or add to the job responsibilities based on changes in workflows or processes as necessary.

Employee is expected to: Obtain and maintain appropriate knowledge and understanding of Baystate Medical Center/Baystate Health (BH) Pharmacy Services. This knowledge includes the values, policies, and procedures of BMC/BH and BH Pharmacy Services.

Understand major job responsibilities and performance factors that help meet the responsibilities which include: Drug Distribution; Dedication to Quality Improvement Initiatives; Customer Service & Teamwork; Attendance.

Demonstrate commitment and dedication to patient-centered delivery of care

Job Responsibilities:

• 1) Demonstrates a thorough knowledge and understanding of the duties and responsibilities of the position to which he/she is assigned and performs various functions associated with the institutional drug distribution system and in accordance with regulatory and compliance standards included in functions 2-6.
• 2) Accurately compounds, pre-packages, and re-packages medications, including labeling for bulk solid /liquid dosage forms according to department policy/procedure. Accurately prepares and distributes controlled substances according to department policy/procedure.
• 3) Performs aseptic compounding of parenteral admixtures and other sterile dosage forms. This includes the practice of aseptic technique, proper procedures for preparing all types of parenteral admixtures (including chemotherapy or other specialty solutions), preparation of the label and any control records, the proper technique for visual inspection of parenteral solutions, and the documentation of quality control. Employee must also be capable of performing the calculations required for the usual dosage determinations and solutions preparation using weight and volume equivalents in both the metric and apothecary systems.
• 4) Maintains a working knowledge of the general chemical and physical properties of drugs handled in the pharmacy department. This includes identifying medications that are light sensitive, requires refrigeration, are caustic, or poisonous. Employee is also able to use reference books to locate stability information or material safety data sheets.
• 5) Operates automated technology (Pyxis, compounders, computers, etc.) in accordance to policy, procedures and manufacturing instructions.Appropriately utilizes the automated dispensing machines to facilitate medication dispensing in accordance with BH policy and procedure.
• 6) Performs the essential functions relating to drug purchasing and inventory control as needed.
• 7) Dedication to Quality Improvement Initiatives:
  Accurately refills, checks, locks and stickers code carts according to policy/procedure. Functions in accordance to the operational procedures specific to the various satellites and shifts and is familiar with the various specialty areas and procedures (Chemotherapy, ORs, IDS, BOSC, NICU, etc; Participates in the training and/or orientation of new pharmacy employees. Participates in the BH staff development program - Performance Evaluation (PE) and works to meet departmental, professional, and personal goals. Maintains a working knowledge of medication error prevention methods and handling/preparation techniques for high-risk or high-alert medications, including LASA medications. Understands population-specific preparation procedures (geriatric, adult, pediatric, and neonatal dosage forms and products)
• 8) Customer Service & Teamwork:
  Interacts effectively with other members of the department and health care team on a regular basis. Maintains attentiveness to the rights of patients. Maintains confidentiality of patient information. Triages orders, determines priorities, processes orders and notifies the pharmacist as appropriate. Receives and refers incoming calls for the department, handles pharmacy window.
• 9) Attendance:
  Employee is aware of and follows BH attendance policy

Required Work Experience:

None Required

Preferred Work Experience:

Previous Pharmacy Technician experience preferred

Skills and Competencies:

• Possesses good interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills
• Understands the principles of staff engagement
• Proficient in computer skills (MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint) preferred
• Ability to work independently
• Demonstrated math skills

Note: The compensation range(s) in the table below represent the base salaries for all positions at a given grade across the health system. Typically, a new hire can expect a starting salary somewhere in the lower part of the range. Actual salaries may vary by position and will be determined based on the candidate's relevant experience. No employee will be paid below the minimum of the range. Pay ranges are listed as hourly for non-exempt employees and based on assumed full time commitment for exempt employees.

Minimum - Midpoint - Maximum

$20.79 - $24.34 - $29.82

Baystate Health is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, national origin, ancestry, age, genetic information, disability, or protected veteran status.