Pharmacy Technician Specialist

Summary: Reports to the Director Medication Safety Quality and Pharmacy Information Technology. Under the supervision of the Pharmacy Clinical Informatics Coordinator the Pharmacy Informatics Technician Specialist is responsible for activities that ensure appropriate oversight integrity and optimization of the software applications and computer systems that support pharmacy operations and services. Responsible for performance of key system maintenance activities in the Lifespan electronic health record (EHR) and associated systems including updating medication records monthly system updates fulfilling system access requests and user pool updates monitoring and resolving pharmacy billing work queue issues drug shortage updates automation implementation and optimization system testing tasks to confirm changes before moving to production and triage and management of customer requests and communication.  Responsibilities: Under the supervision of a pharmacist performs activities related to pharmacy informatics including: Performs maintenance and updates to medication lists and user pools in LifeChart. Assists with management of system changes required in response to drug shortages including drug shortage list updates and maintenance. Maintains National Drug Codes (NDC) and corresponding cost updates for medication records Omnicell items (IID) in collaboration with the pharmacy automation team. Updates Epics URL links as applicable. Reviews pharmacy billing work queues and takes appropriate follow up actions as needed. Performs barcode management updates including monitoring of medication messages from nursing to optimize changes to support patient safety related to medication administration. Assists with monthly First Data Bank (FDB) update sand the resulting review of refresh errors cost table edits and quarterly 340B pricing changes. Participates in LifeChart system testing tasks prior to moving new pharmacy builds or revisions to existing builds into production. Provides support for automated dispensing cabinets (ADCs) and carousels including resolution of identified problems and optimization of pharmacy department staff efforts. Manages system access requests (e.g. PharmNotes) for end users. Assists with monitoring of Power BI reports such as the non-formulary dashboard and split medication review; participates in departmental performance improvement activities. Helps with managing requests/customer service and communication including triaging of emails medication messages and Microsoft Teams channels. Reviews and assists in investigation of informatics related safety events reported in coordination with the Medication Safety and Quality team. Participates in meetings related to pharmacy informatics activities as needed. Other information: BASIC KNOWLEDGE : High school graduate or equivalent required. Completion of one to two years of college preferred. Holds and maintains current unrestricted Rhode Island Pharmacy Technician II licensure. Holds and maintains current National Pharmacy Technician Certification (CPhT). Advanced certification in Pharmacy Informatics is preferred. EXPERIENCE : Minimum 2 years progressively more responsible work experience as a pharmacy technician preferably gained within Lifespan or a similarly diverse and operationally complex health care environment. Experience and proficiency with EPIC Beacon and Willow or similar electronic medical record systems and automated dispensing technology and their interoperability. Experience with Microsoft Office Suite. Proactive critical thinking and effective problem-solving skills. Ability to communicate and present information effectively in both oral and written form with all levels of hospital personnel. Strong customer service presence. WORK ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS : Work may require extended periods of time spent sitting and utilizing a computer. Requires the visual acuity and manual dexterity necessary to operate a computer and use a typical keyboard and computer mouse to navigate screens on a multiple computer monitors. Occasional travel between hospital sites as required. INDEPENDENT ACTION : Performs independently within department policies and practices. Refers specific complex problems to Informatics Coordinator or Director where clarification of departmental policies and procedures may be required. SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY : None.