PHARMACY TECHNICIAN

Independence Health System; Greensburg (Westmoreland County); On-site; USD 42,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

Independence Health System in Greensburg, PA, is seeking a Pharmacy Technician to assist under supervision of the Pharmacist in the medication distribution system.

You will fill orders, prepare doses, restock cabinets, operate Cerner, robot systems, and support IV room activities, including prep of IV meds per USP guidelines. Strong organizational skills and accuracy are essential; travel between Independence Health locations may occur.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Current registration to function as a pharmacy technician with the Pennsylvania State Board of Pharmacy (SBOP) or as a pharmacy technician trainee (not to exceed 2 years).
• Proof of renewal every 6 months if registered as a trainee (not to exceed 2 years).
• Strong organizational skills, independent and critical thinking, sound judgment, and knowledge of liability of nursing practice.

Responsibilities

• Fill new medication orders and cassettes for pharmacist review.
• Deliver and retrieve medications to patient care areas and nursing units.
• Maintain inventory and restock automated dispensing cabinets.
• Prepare IV medications per USP 797/800 guidelines and label for pharmacist review.
• Operate and troubleshoot Cerner, Acudose, and robot systems.
• Complete charging and crediting functions and assist with pre-packaging and batching of medications.
• Communicate effectively with pharmacy staff and other departments.

Skills

Strong organizational skills

Independent thinking

Critical thinking

Effective communication

Attention to detail

Legal liability awareness

Education

High School Diploma

PA SBOP Pharmacy Technician registration

Tools

Cerner

Acudose

Robot cart-fill system

Packaging machines (APS Overwrap, Bulk Packager)

Job description

The Pharmacy Technician, under the Pharmacist's supervision and according to established policies and procedures, assists with the medication distribution system.

Essential Job Functions

• Fill new medication orders and cassettes and prepare for Pharmacist's review.
• Assist in reconciliation of missing orders and doses and complete required documentation.
• Deliver and retrieve medications to and from patient care areas.
• Deliver medications to appropriate storage area on the nursing unit, including patients rooms,
• Retrieve discontinued and discharged patient's medication from nursing unit and return to Rx.
• Deliver stock medications and place in appropriate storage location.
• Maintain patient transfers, discharges, and medication returns to their proper locations.
• Complete all assigned charging and crediting functions, including from miscellaneous sources.
• Prepackage medications, such as oral liquids, simple batch compounding, and starter doses for review.
• Restock automated dispensing cabinets, such as Acudose machines.
• Utilize Pharmacy operating system, such as Cerner.
• Operate and maintain robot for first doses and cart-fill process.
• Use tube system, secure transaction function, and do not tube list.
• Stock medications to their appropriate locations, rotate stock as necessary and check outdates, and assist in maintaining adequate stock levels.
• Maintain assigned inspection section and check outdates monthly.
• Fill emergency trays, anesthesia trays, ancillary dept. stock requests, and various medication boxes.
• Facilitate communication within the Pharmacy.
• Answer telephone and triage calls to appropriate person.
• Monitor Pharmacy Window and assist customers according to their need.
• Staff the IV Room when necessary.
• Prior completion of department IV training and competency
• Prepare IV medications and parenteral nutrition (TPN) utilizing USP 797 and 800 guidelines for review.
• Label pre-mixed IV meds and batch prep mini bag plus IV meds for pharmacist’s review.
• Manage adequate inventory levels.
• Maintain Clean Room environment per policy and procedure as well as USP 797 and 800 guidelines.
• Follow Quality Assurance protocols, such as temp/humidity monitoring, hood cleaning, hand washing, and proper garb for clean room.
• Demonstrate skill and proficiency to be scheduled IV shift on weekend/holiday.
• Thoroughly trained in all aspects of the basic tech functions/duties.
• Robot: thoroughly understand cart-fill process including updates and patient transfers/discharges; troubleshoot problems/issues.
• Acudose machines: Manage return bin function and be able to troubleshoot problems/issues.
• Assist Pharmacist in filling outpatient prescriptions as necessary.
• Operate packaging machines, which requires knowledge of machine set-up, reports, and trouble-shooting.
• The APS Overwrap Packager Machine, which packages vials/injectable and unit dose bigger items.
• The Bulk Packager machines, which include the Euclid Cadet that packages bulk meds in unit-dose strips for manual pick stations and Euclid Punch Cadet that packages bulk meds into unit-dose robot ready form.
• Enter appropriate information-such as NDC, manufacturer, bar-code, lot #, expiration date-for each medication being packaged.
• Complete average daily production of at least 2,000 to 3,000 doses from all 3 machines.
• Anticipate ups and downs of “Robot Ready” stock inventory and prepare accordingly.
• Restock robot daily using restocking report.
• Interact with buyers from other campuses and coordinate pre-packaging for their needs.
• Maintain bulk supply inventory by placing daily drug order using Repackaging Report and Wholesaler Reordering Report.
• Run packaging log detail report for each machine, print daily and keep for recommended length of time.
• Maintain utilization and efficiency of robot.
• Use cell map adjustment report twice monthly, remove and/or add meds, rearrange rods as necessary, and ensure packaging is checked and verified by a Pharmacist.
• Other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• High School Diploma, GED, or Higher Level of Education
• Current registration to function as a pharmacy technician with the Pennsylvania State Board of Pharmacy (SBOP) or current registration to function as a pharmacy technician trainee (not to exceed 2 years cumulative as a pharmacy technician trainee)
• If registered as a pharmacy technician trainee, proof of renewal of registration every 6 months (not to exceed 2 years cumulative as a pharmacy technician trainee).
• Strong organizational skills, independent and critical thinking skills, sound judgment, and knowledge of legal aspects and liability of nursing practice.
• Strong ability to communicate complex and/or controversial topics and concepts to a wide and diverse audience.

Preferred Qualifications

• One (1) year prior Hospital Pharmacy Technician experience

License, Certification & Clearances

• Act 34-PA Criminal Record Check from the PA State Police system.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• This position has no direct supervisory responsibilities, but does serve as a coach and mentor for other positions in the department.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work

• Incumbents will be scheduled based on operational need (rotate shifts, standby, on-call, etc.).
• Travel may be expected locally between Independence Health locations.

Independence Health and its affiliated companies are Equal Opportunity Employers. It is their policy to prohibit discrimination of any type and to afford equal employment opportunities to employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, marital status, disability, veteran status, or genetic information, or any other classification protected by law. Independence Health and its affiliated companies will comply with all applicable laws and regulations.

Disclaimer

This job description is not designed to contain a comprehensive listing of all activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Moreover, duties, responsibilities and activities may change, or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice.

When lift requirement is in excess of 50#, lift assistance (2 person) and/or transfer device is required.

Essential – Absolute Necessity.

Marginal – Minimal Necessity.

Constantly – 5.5 to 8 hours or more or 200 reps/shift.

Frequently – 2.5 to 5.5 hours or more or 32-200 reps/shift.

Occasionally – 0.25 to 2.5 hours or 2-32 reps/shift.

Rarely – Less than 0.25 hours or less than 2 reps/shift.

Physical Condition

Marginal

Constantly

Frequently

Occasionally

Rarely

Never

Extreme Heat

x

Extreme Cold

x

Heights

X

Confined Spaces

x

x

Mechanical Hazards

X

Use of Vibrating Tools

X

Operates Vehicle

X

X

Use of Lifting/Transfer Devices

X

Rotates All Shifts

x

X

X

x

x

X

On-Call

X

Overtime(+8/hrs/shift; 40/hr/wk)

x

X

x

X

x

Respirator Protective Equipment

x

X

Eye Protection

x

X

X

Hearing Protection

X

Hand Protection

x

X

Feet, Toe Protection

x

X

Body Protection

x

X

Latex Exposure

x

X

Solvent Exposure

x

X

Paint (direct use) Exposure

X

Dust (sanding) Exposure

X

X

Cytotoxic (Chemo) Exposure

x

X

x

X

x

X

Mist Exposure

X

X

X

X

Laser Exposure

X

Physical Demands

When lift requirement is in excess of 50#, lift assistance (2 person) and/or transfer device is required.

Essential – Absolute Necessity.

Marginal – Minimal Necessity.

Constantly – 5.5 to 8 hours or more or 200 reps/shift.

Frequently – 2.5 to 5.5 hours or more or 32-200 reps/shift.

Occasionally – 0.25 to 2.5 hours or 2-32 reps/shift.

Rarely – Less than 0.25 hours or less than 2 reps/shift.

Physical Condition

Marginal

Constantly

Frequently

Occasionally

Rarely

Never

Walking

x

x

x

x

Climbing Ladders

x

X

Standing

x

x

Kneeling

x

x

Squatting (Crouching)

x

x

Twisting/Turning

x

x

Keyboard/Computer Operation

x

x

Gross Grasp

x

x

x

x

Hand/Arm Coordination

x

x

Pushing/Pulling(lbs. of force)

x

10#

Carry

x

x

Transfer/Push/Pull Patients

X

Seeing Near w/Acuity

x

X

Feeling (Sensation)

x

x

x

Hearing Clearly

x

X

Pulling/Pushing Objects Overhead

x

X

Reaching Above Shoulder Level

x

x

Reaching Forward

x

Lifting Floor to Knuckle

###

25#

Lifting Seat Pan to Knuckle

###

25#

Lifting Knuckle to Shoulder

###

15#

Lifting Shoulder to Overhead

###

10#

When lift requirement is in excess of 50#, lift assistance (2 person) and/or transfer device is required

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.