Pharmacy Technician, Certified - Part Time

Guthrie County Hospital; Guthrie Center (IA); On-site; USD 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

Guthrie County Hospital is seeking a Pharmacy Technician to support the pharmacy team in dispensing, inventory management, and documentation. The role includes unit dose distribution, handling recalls, and coordinating with suppliers for drug availability.

The technician will ensure HIPAA compliance, aid with invoicing and charge entry, and assist with 340B inventory as needed in a busy hospital environment.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• National pharmacy technician certification (PTCB or ExCPT) upon hire or within 12 months after hire.
• Eligibility for registration as a pharmacy technician with the Iowa Board of Pharmacy.

Responsibilities

• Prepare medications for pharmacist review and dispensing.
• Inpatient unit dose distribution and extemporaneous compounding.
• Inventory management and supplier coordination.
• Handle drug recalls and returns; verify invoices.
• Enter drug charges and track interdepartmental charges.
• Maintain HIPAA compliance and patient safety.

Skills

Pharmacy terminology

Inventory control

Billing and invoicing

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

National pharmacy technician certification (PTCB or ExCPT)

Iowa Board of Pharmacy registration eligibility

Tools

Pharmacy information system

Automated dispensing system (Pyxis)

Job description

JOB SUMMARY: Perform drug distribution, drug storage, inventory control, billing and clerical functions associated with the provision of pharmacy services under the supervision of a pharmacist.

ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Prepare medications for a pharmacist to check prior to dispensing/distribution/delivery to the hospital and its partners according to safe medication practices and pharmacy policies and procedures.
• Inpatient unit dose drug distribution system including, but not limited to, fill automated dispensing machine, packaging medications into unit dose packaging, and extemporaneous (non-sterile) compounding.
• Perform functions related to inventory management.
• Serve as a contact person with drug wholesalers and other suppliers with regard to drug returns, discrepancies, and questions about invoices.
• Review drug recall notices, check inventory for recalled drugs, and return recalled drugs per instructions provided.
• Prepare shipments of outdated and inappropriately stored mediations to the reverse pharmaceutical distributor and track credits for drugs returned.
• Track 340B drug utilization from 340B-eligible areas of the hospital and assist with procurement of 340B-eligible drug inventory.
• Arrange for courier services as needed for drug transportation; use hospital transportation to obtain medications purchased or borrowed from other pharmacies when the courier service is unavailable.
• Ensure drugs are stored and secured appropriately and that drug storage areas clean and organized.
• Check and document temperatures of all refrigerators and freezers within the hospital designated for drug storage.
• Perform drug storage area inspections monthly in the hospital, each GCH clinic every other month, and EMS squads every six months; complete and submit inspection reports to the Director of Pharmacy.
• Keep pharmacy clean and organized, including cleaning dispensing and other work surfaces, computers and Pyxis surfaces and keyboards, and shelves.
• File all pharmacy records, including controlled substance records, per legal requirements and pharmacy policy and procedures.
• Assist Accounts Payable and Director of Pharmacy with invoices as needed.
• Enter drug charges electronically.
• Track and submit interdepartmental and EMS charges and submit to accounting monthly.
• Assist patients with Medicare Part D out-of-pharmacy network applications as requested.
• Performs and maintains documentation related to quality assurance of sterile compounding operations.
• Clean sterile compounding rooms per policy and document.
• Monitor and document pressure differential.
• Maintain drug database information in the pharmacy information system and automated dispensing system as assigned and instructed by the Pharmacy Director.
• Submit PMP Aware Info for controlled substances sent as take homes form the ER.
• Promote and ensures patient and staff safety in all aspects of responsibilities.
• Remains current with medication safety alerts, suggests changes to processes to improve medication safety, and assists with implementation of medication safety initiatives.
• Adhere to infection control policies as appropriate including isolation precautions, hand washing, and use of PPE.
• Follow hospital policies and procedures for disposal of sharps, biohazardous waste, and hazardous drugs.
• Follow HIPAA regulations and ensure that the confidentiality of patients' medical, personal, and financial records; employee records; and organizational records is maintained.
• Comply with federal and state regulatory requirements related to the performance of GCH operations and requirements of the GCH compliance program.
• Present self in a professional manner. Enhance professional growth and development through educational opportunities relevant to the job, as well as reading and/or contributing to current literature.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent
• National pharmacy technician certification (PTCB or ExCPT) upon hire or achieved no longer than one year after hire
• Eligibility for registration as a pharmacy technician with the Iowa Board of Pharmacy
• Hospital pharmacy experience and training in medical/pharmacy terminology preferred