Pharmacy Technician Outpatient (Retail)

Advocate Health Care; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 25,000 - 33,000; Full time

Job summary

Advocate Health Care is seeking a Pharmacy Technician to support licensed pharmacists in the preparation and distribution of medications in a fast-paced hospital setting. You will accurately select, label, and prepare medications, assist with inventory, and handle phone screens while maintaining compliance with USP standards and patient safety policies.

The role requires strong communication, attention to detail, and ability to work across departments.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED required.
• Certification as Pharmacy Technician (CPhT) within 18 months if not already certified.
• No prior work experience required.
• Excellent verbal and written communication and ability to collaborate with multiple departments.

Responsibilities

• Assist licensed pharmacists with preparation and distribution of medications.
• Select, prepare, and label medications for patients, including hazardous drugs and controlled substances.
• Assist with medication distribution tasks and inventory control.

Skills

Verbal communication

Written communication

Interdepartmental collaboration

Organizational skills

Critical thinking

Problem solving

Customer service

Education

High School Diploma or GED

CPhT certification (within 18 months)

Job description

Minimum Job Requirements

• High School Diploma or GED equivalent

Major Responsibilities

• Assists licensed pharmacist in technical duties related to preparation and distribution of medications
• Accurately selects, prepares, and labels medications for patients including hazardous drugs and controlled substances
• Assists with medication distribution tasks
• Screens phone calls and routes as needed using proper telephone and voicemail etiquette
• Assists in daily pharmacy procurement, inventory control, and outdate checking
• Complete documentation required for removing, stocking, and wasting controlled substances, where applicable
• Perform nonsterile compounding following proper USP standards, where applicable
• Perform sterile IV admixture, as defined at the entity level, using proper aseptic technique, where applicable
• Inspects all assigned medication storage areas for adherence to storage policies
• Completes and documents medication admission histories, as applicable at the facility level
• Seeks additional duties when required work is done and accepts other duties as assigned
• May participate in quality improvement initiatives to assure the excellence of departmental services
• May assist in training pharmacy technicians and extenders in orientation to the policies, procedures, and workflows involved in pharmacy operations as applicable at entity level
• Abides by all organization policies and procedures and complies with all legal, regulatory, and accreditation standards
• Supports area leaders regarding goals and work assignments
• Obtaining and recording initial patient demographic and other required information, data entry of required information into the pharmacy system for record keeping, insurance verification and label generation purposes, and cashiering
• Develop competence in third-party billing functions
• Must be able to demonstrate knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age of the patients served.
• May obtain immunization certification and perform immunizations for patients under the supervision of a registered pharmacist, where applicable
• Responsible for operating an Advocate Health-owned motor vehicle to deliver medications and other essential medical supplies as required by the designated department

Education

• High School Diploma or GED equivalent

Certification / Registration / License

• Registration or licensure with state board of pharmacy per state of employment requirements
• Must receive certification through Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (CPhT) or National Healthcareer Association (ExCPT) within 18 months from start date, or sooner if in more stringent in state

Experience

• No work experience required

Knowledge / Skills / Abilities

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Proven skills in working effectively with multiple departments and matrix organizational structures.
• Strong ability to influence and develop others to move toward common goals and outcomes.
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to work effectively with moderate guidance or direction.
• Effective critical thinking, creativity, problem solving, and decision-making skills.
• Expert knowledge of metrics utilized to measure revenue cycle quality and processes.
• Ability to lead a diverse group of teams.

Physical Requirements And Working Conditions

• Must be able to sit, stand, walk, lift, bend, kneel, climb, twist, crawl and reach above shoulders
• Requires considerable walking, standing, pushing mobile cart of approximately 50 pounds and lifting 35 pounds of material
• Must have functional vision, touch and hearing
• Must be able to speak and be understood by others to communicate effectively
• May be exposed to chemical and hazardous waste as well as blood and body fluids and communicable disease for which appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) is utilized to minimize exposure
• Frequent fine motor motion of hands and wrists to perform manipulative skills such as writing, typing, data entry into the computer, and preparation of medications, including use of syringes
• Takes necessary precautions to avoid inadvertent needle sticks, minor cuts or bruises. Exposed to various conditions throughout the workday such as walking on hard surfaces, climbing stairs and changes in temperature and humidity.
• Operates all equipment necessary to perform the job
• Flexibility to travel between pharmacy locations
• This job description indicates the general nature and level of work expected of the incumbent. It is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of physical requirements and working conditions.

This job description indicates the general nature and level of work expected of the incumbent. It is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities required of the incumbent. Incumbent may be required to perform other related duties.