Pharmacy Technician Trainee

RIH Rhode Island Hospital; Rhode Island; On-site; USD 51,577,000 - 77,738,000; Full time

Job summary

Brown University Health is seeking a Pharmacy Technician Trainee at Rhode Island Hospital to support pharmacists in preparing and delivering medications under supervision. The program ensures didactic and hands-on training, with rigorous coursework and exams to qualify for National Pharmacy Technician Certification (CPhT).

The role emphasizes inventory control, repackaging, operating room stocking, and customer service as part of the Pharmacy Team.

Qualifications

• High-school graduate or equivalent;18+ years old; onboarding reading comprehension and math assessment.
• Experience in customer service, healthcare, or other fast-paced service industry preferred.
• Technician trainees transferred to permanent job code with commensurate pay after training.

Responsibilities

• Participates in the RI BOP-approved Pharmacy Technician Training Program; completes coursework, exams, and training on time.
• Under pharmacist supervision, handles tasks for inventory control and distribution to ADCs.
• Assists in maintaining operating room medication inventory and RFID-enabled inventory solutions.
• Supports delivery of medications to patient care areas and departments due for pharmacist review.
• Aids in repackaging and relabeling bulk medications into unit-dose packaging.
• Answers calls and triages; demonstrates strong customer service and communication.

Skills

Customer service

Reading comprehension

Math aptitude

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Job description

SUMMARY

Reports to Manager, Inpatient Pharmacy Operations. Under the supervision of a pharmacist and direction of a technician supervisor or designee, the Pharmacy Technician Trainee hereafter referred to as trainee, will undergo comprehensive training to perform a variety of technical and supportive tasks. The trainee functions as a member of the Pharmacy Team to assist pharmacists in preparing and delivering medications and pharmaceutical supplies in accordance with established policies, procedures, and federal and state regulations. All duties are supervised prior to delivery of medication to patients. Brown University Health employees are expected to successfully role model the organization's values of Compassion, Accountability, Respect, and Excellence as these values guide our everyday actions with patients, customers and one another. In addition to our values, all employees are expected to demonstrate the core Success Factors which tell us how we work together and how we get things done. The core Success Factors include: Instill Trust and Value Differences Patient and Community Focus and Collaborate

RESPONSIBILITIES

Participates in the Rhode Island Board of Pharmacy (RI BOP) approved Brown University Health Pharmacy Technician Training Program designed to provide theoretical knowledge and practical instruction needed to prepare participants for National Pharmacy Technician Certification (CPhT). Completes all required coursework, exams, and training on time as assigned, while maintaining a passing score. Coursework and training include a minimum of:

• Didactic coursework 118 hours
• Simulation training 50 hours
• Hands‑on training 232 hours

Completes didactic coursework and progresses to simulations, allowing trainees to practice concepts in a non‑patient care setting. Upon successful completion of simulations, trainees will demonstrate hands‑on application under the supervision of a pharmacist. Performs only those tasks for which he/she has been trained and in which they have demonstrated proficiency.

Under the supervision of a pharmacist the technician trainee:

• Performs general operations related to utilization of the central pharmacy manager (e.g., carousel) for inventory control and distribution of pharmaceuticals and related supplies to automated dispensing cabinets (ADCs) (e.g., Omnicell).
• Participation includes maintenance, generating and interpreting reports to perform assigning, refilling, and removing medications.
• Assists in maintaining operating room medication inventory.
• Observes and develops an understanding of electronic radio frequency identification (RFID)-enabled inventory management solutions (e.g., Kitcheck).
• Observes controlled substances inventory management process in the Pharmacy and throughout the hospital.
• Participates in the delivery of medications to patient care areas, clinics, procedural and treatment areas, and operating rooms.
• Assists with repackaging and relabeling bulk medications into unit‑dose packaging for distribution once approved by a pharmacist, in accordance with existing policies and procedures, and completes accurate documentation for Packaging and Labeling Records.
• Aids in the refilling of emergency medication kits for pharmacist review and verification.
• Engages in the routine receipt of medications and other pharmaceutical supplies.
• Aids in the processing of medication requisitions from departments and laboratories for pharmacist review and verification.
• Observes and develops skills to execute the process for reconciliation of patient and department medication charges.
• Contributes to routine preventive maintenance to equipment, according to standards for same.
• Assists in maintaining the Pharmacy and medication supply areas in a neat and orderly fashion ensuring medications are stored under proper conditions for light, temperature, sanitation, and segregation.
• Understands the value of reporting actual, prevented, and near miss medication errors.
• Answers the telephone and triages, as appropriate.
• Demonstrates a strong customer service presence and verbal and written communication skills necessary to effectively interact with internal and external customers.
• Demonstrates awareness of United States Pharmacopoeia (USP) Chapter <797> Sterile Compounding Guidelines, USP <795> Pharmaceutical Compounding – Nonsterile Preparations, and USP <800> Hazardous Drugs – Handling in Healthcare Settings and National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) guidelines and Brown University Heath policies and standard operating procedures.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

BASIC KNOWLEDGE: High‑school graduate or the equivalent or currently enrolled in a high school or vocational training program that awards such diploma or certificate. Must be eighteen (18) years of age or older. Strong reading comprehension and math aptitude. As part of the interview process, candidates will be required to complete a reading comprehension and math assessment to establish eligibility for onboarding into the training program.

EXPERIENCE

Experience in customer service, healthcare, or other fast‑paced service industry setting preferred. Technician trainees who have successfully completed training shall be transferred to their permanent job code and receive commensurate pay.

WORK ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Must have the physical ability to lift, carry, and maneuver medication delivery equipment and pharmaceutical related inventories, requiring the ability to grasp instruments and use finger dexterity. Work may require extended periods of work time spent standing and walking. Work requires the visual and manual dexterity necessary to operate a computer to accurately input data into various applications and systems, and to navigate screens on computer monitors.

INDEPENDENT ACTION

All duties are supervised. Seeks out supervisor whenever questions arise and/or whenever clarification is needed.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY

None.

Pay Range: $18.00-$27.13

EEO Statement: Brown University Health is committed to providing equal employment opportunities and maintaining a work environment free from all forms of unlawful discrimination and harassment.

Location: Rhode Island Hospital - 593 Eddy Street Providence, Rhode Island 02903

Work Type: Day and evening shifts. Includes weekdays, weekends, holidays.

Work Shift: Variable Daily Hours: 8 hours Driving Required: No

As Rhode Island's largest health system and private employer, Brown University Health is the state's premier provider of health services and includes the only Level I Trauma Center for southeastern New England. Today, more than 20,000 people work at Brown University Health and bring their unique skills, experiences, and compassion to their jobs every day.

Formed in 1994, Brown University Health is a not‑for‑profit health system based in Providence, RI comprising three teaching hospitals of The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University: Rhode Island Hospital and its Hasbro Children's; The Miriam Hospital; and Bradley Hospital, the nation’s first psychiatric hospital for children; Newport Hospital, Saint Anne's Hospital and Morton Hospital, community hospitals offering a broad range of health services; Gateway Healthcare, the state’s largest provider of community behavioral health care; and Brown Health Medical Group, the largest multi‑specialty practice in Rhode Island.

Brown University Health is an equal opportunity employer that values diversity of cultural background, race, gender, age, religion, identity, ability, and perspectives - we are actively committed to a diverse workforce that represents the patients and community that we serve.

We are invested in creating a respectful, inclusive, and equitable environment that supports the holistic well‑being of our employees and their families.

Join us and help build a healthier future for our patients – and for yourself.

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