Pharmacy Technician

UPMC; Erie (Erie County); On-site; USD 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

$5,000 Sign-On Bonus available for two

Sign-On Bonus

Job summary

UPMC Hamot in Erie, PA is seeking a full-time Pharmacy Technician to support sterile and non-sterile medication preparation, distribution, and inventory management within a fast-paced acute-care environment.

Responsibilities include filling orders, preparing IV admixtures, and operating automation systems as part of a collaborative healthcare team, with adherence to Joint Commission, DoH, and State Board standards.

Qualifications

• Hospital or health-system pharmacy technician experience preferred.
• Experience with medication distribution and automated dispensing systems.
• Sterile compounding and IV preparation experience.
• Familiarity with hazardous drug handling procedures.
• Experience with pharmacy automation and management technology (Omnicell, AcuDose or similar).
• Knowledge of inventory management and pharmacy workflow processes.

Responsibilities

• Assist in filling medication orders with correct labeling, counting and stocking.
• Prepare sterile and non-sterile medications, including IV admixtures when required.
• Distribute medications and manage controlled substances according to policy.
• Assist in procurement, storage and distribution of investigational and study drugs.
• Maintain accurate documentation and ensure compliance with regulations (HIPAA, OSHA, Joint Commission).
• Support training of staff and ensure a clean, organized work environment.

Skills

Medication safety

Attention to detail

Communication skills

Teamwork

Tools

Omnicell

AcuDose

Job description

Full-Time Pharmacy Technician | UPMC Hamot

$5,000 Sign-On Bonus available for eligible candidates with a two-year work commitment.

The Pharmacy Technician provides pharmaceutical care to patients within the UPMC Health System by assisting with sterile and non-sterile medication preparation, medication filling, and medication distribution. Services are performed in compliance with Department of Health regulations, The Joint Commission standards, State Board of Pharmacy regulations, and UPMC policies and procedures.

Schedule & Shift Information

• Hours: Full-time, primarily 8-hour shifts.
• Shift: Primarily daylight hours; however, day/evening rotation is required based on departmental staffing and operational needs. Current technician schedules may include shifts such as 5:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m., 6:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., and 12:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
• Weekends: Required. Technicians work approximately 4 of every 8 weekends during each eight-week scheduling period.
• Holidays: Required. Technicians participate in the annual Technician Holiday Pick process.

What We're Looking For

We are seeking team-oriented individuals who are committed to medication safety, quality patient care, and operational excellence. Successful candidates will demonstrate strong communication skills, attention to detail, adaptability, and the ability to thrive in a fast-paced acute-care environment.

Preferred Experience

While not required, the following experience is highly desirable:

• Previous hospital or health-system pharmacy technician experience.
• Experience with medication distribution and automated dispensing systems.
• Sterile compounding and IV preparation experience.
• Familiarity with hazardous drug handling procedures.
• Experience working with pharmacy automation and medication management technology, including systems such as Omnicell, AcuDose, or similar automated dispensing platforms.
• Knowledge of inventory management and pharmacy workflow processes.

Why Join UPMC Hamot Pharmacy?

UPMC Hamot Pharmacy offers the opportunity to work in a dynamic acute-care hospital environment where pharmacy technicians play an essential role in supporting safe, timely, and effective patient care. Technicians gain exposure to a broad range of pharmacy services, including medication distribution, sterile and non-sterile compounding, pharmacy automation, and interdisciplinary collaboration with pharmacists, nurses, and other healthcare professionals.

About UPMC Hamot Pharmacy

UPMC Hamot Pharmacy supports medication preparation and distribution, sterile and non-sterile compounding, IV preparation, automated medication distribution systems, inventory management, and medication-use processes throughout the hospital. Pharmacy technicians are integral members of the healthcare team and contribute to the safe delivery of medication therapy across a variety of patient care settings.

Title and salary will be determined based upon education and experience.

Responsibilities:

• Filling:
  • Assist in filling medication orders through correct labeling, counting and stocking practices.
  • Initial and date products as required.
  • Assist in the preparation of the proper oral and injectable medications (including intravenous admixtures and TPN (Total Parenteral Nutrition)) for the correct patient for administration at the appropriate time. Use proper technique in the preparation of medications.
  • Consistently has the ability to work in the Sterile Product area preparing cytotoxic and hazardous drugs (e.g. chemotherapy) using proper aseptic technique.
• Distribution:
  • Participate in the distribution of medication including medication cassettes, emergency medication carts and the delivery of controlled substances per department policy and state and federal requirements.
  • Retrieve medications that have been discontinued and return (and credits if necessary) them to the appropriate pharmacy area.
  • Develop and maintain positive and productive service relationships during medication distribution process.
• Investigational:
  • Assist in the procurement, accountability, storage, preparation and distribution of investigational and study drugs.
• General:
  • Provide and received information (via telephone, person-to-person, or written) to hospital personnel, patients and visitors.
  • Refer all drug information questions to Staff Pharmacists.
  • Ensure that all medications in all areas have been safely and securely stored according to Department of Health, The Joint Commission, and State Board of Pharmacy regulations.
  • Develop and maintain a clean, organized, and adequately stocked work environment.
  • Practice appropriate hand hygiene both in the pharmacy and in the units.
  • Use computer skills to process and maintain all patient information and records.
  • Maintain all pertinent documentation as required.
  • This includes eye wash logs, refrigerator logs, perpetual inventory logs etc.
  • Finalize sales using cash register, follow proper cash handling policies and procedures
  • Comply with Federal and State laws such as HIPAA, regulations such as OSHA, and PBM contracting requirements such as FWA and CMS.
  • Maintain all patient information and records.
  • Maintain the pharmacy computer system as required
  • Procure and maintain adequate inventory levels on daily basis in applicable areas such pharmacy medication stock rooms, automated medication carousels, and automated dispensing machines.
  • Maintain and update automated med stations, unit and department stock, emergency boxes, and crash carts.
  • Assist in the training of pharmacy personnel and students.
  • Demonstrate a high level of accuracy and skill in maintaining controlled substance records and the distribution process for controlled substances.
  • Audit and maintain accurate records for controlled substances.
  • Assure that all such drugs are stored and dispensed in compliance with Federal, State, and Department Regulations.
  • Participate in departmental quality improvement activities in order to continually improve and evaluate pharmaceutical care as reflected by operational and patient care indicators.
  • Note: The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned this job. They are not exhaustive lists of all duties, responsibilities, knowledge, skills, abilities and working conditions associated with the job.