Licensed Pharmacy Technician

Under the immediate supervision of a pharmacist and Pharmacy Department leadership, provides daily pharmaceutical supportive services for the Department of Pharmacy according to established procedures and in compliance with pharmacy laws, other regulatory agencies and other members of the multi-disciplinary team.  Responds to routine and emergency requests in a prompt and efficient manner, requiring a relatively high degree of independent judgement.  Participates in departmental education activities and competency assessment.  Actively supports and participates in the department's continuous quality improvement initiatives; promotes the organizational commitment to customer service.

Education:

• High School Graduate or GED equivalent.
• Completion of a formal Pharmacy Technician educational program and/or completion of an Associate's Degree is preferred.

Licensure / Certification:

• Current licensure by the State of Michigan as Pharmacy Technician
• Certification by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) is preferred.

Special Skill / Aptitudes:

• Essential mathematics skills to be able to add, subtract, multiply and divide in all units of measure.
• Possesses effective computer and keyboarding skills; ability to work with Pharmacy Information Systems and automation used in the medication use process.
• Able to use email to communicate with other members of the department including pharmacy management.
• Excellent critical thinking skills and ability to make decisions in a fast-paced work environment.
• A team oriented colleague that is detail oriented and passionate about medication and patient safety as well as
• quality initiatives.
• Excellent customer service orientation skills necessary in order to deal effectively with various levels of hospital personnel, outside customers and community groups.

Experience:

• Previous pharmacy experience, hospital-based pharmacy experience preferred.
  • Formal Pharmacy Technician program experiential education may be considered in lieu of work experience.

Duties / Responsibilities:

• Reads and interprets physician's medication orders, assists with filling, processing and dispensing of medications, re-packages and labels medication, including bulk supplies, with final check performed by a pharmacist.
• Maintains cleanliness and aseptic technique while following established departmental compounding practices and procedures when mixing intravenous admixtures including IVPBs, large volume parenterals, and total parenteral nutrition, if necessary.  Drug preparation necessitates working aseptically in a horizontal or vertical laminar (biological safety cabinet) flow hood using aseptic technique.  Adheres to USP 797/USP 800 Guidelines.
• Delivers controlled substances and other medications to nursing units' automated medication dispensing cabinets (ADC).  Delivers other medication, IV solutions and all necessary forms throughout the hospital on a regularly scheduled basis to patient care areas.
• Prepares medications and subsequently loads and unloads medication into ADC with appropriate bar code scanning. Fills inventory needs for nursing unit ADCs, non-cabinet stock, and fills unit dose drawers by placing the proper drugs in the bins according to the computerized patient profile.
• Supports the drug inventory process including rotation and restocking of drug dispensing areas with drugs and supplies needed to process patient medication orders.  Ensures the maintenance of a clean and orderly work area.
• Answers phones according to established phone etiquette and directs calls to the proper personnel. 
• Determines when phone calls or emergency situations need to be referred to a pharmacist.
• Completes nursing unit inspections, as assigned. Restocks crash cart trays and OCMCA boxes etc., as required in a timely manner.  Alerts the pharmacists or pharmacy management of any discrepancies.
• Fills controlled substance orders and reconciles all discrepancies on a daily basis. Reports any discrepancies to the pharmacist or pharmacy management as appropriate.  Monitors any unusual activity for potential drug diversion.
• Prepares and packages chemotherapy medications and other medications requiring special handling for subsequent administration to patients under the supervision of the pharmacist.  This includes verifying drug doses and preparing preliminary drug profiles for patients on established chemotherapy protocols.  Safely handles and manipulates cytotoxic and other special drugs and incidental equipment used in drug preparation while working aseptically in a vertical flow hood or biological safety cabinet.  Adheres to all safety measures for handling chemotherapy/hazardous materials.
• Maintains all necessary paperwork, legal documents, and records for all medications, including chemotherapy prepared for administration.  Utilizing the pharmacy computer system, bills and/or credits  patients for medication used.  Maintains investigational drug research records and validates doses ordered using investigational drug protocols.
• Obtains medications accurately from the department's automated medication supplier (i.e., BoxPicker). Loads and removes medications from this unit using bar code scanning of medication and patient labels.  Prepares and labels doses removed for pharmacist final check.
• Operates the unit dose packaging machine in an accurate and efficient manner. This includes restocking medications and replacing supplies, monitoring machine alarms, and ensuring doses are correctly labeled and prepared for pharmacist check.
• Utilizes the MedBoard software system and bar code scanning to track the delivery of medications to the nursing units.
• Assumes responsibility for performance of job duties in the safest possible manner, to ensure personal safety and that of coworkers, and to report all preventable hazards and unsafe practices immediately to management.
• Maintains good rapport and cooperative relationships. Approaches conflict in a constructive manner. Helps to identify problems, offer solutions, and participate in their resolution.
• Must be able to set and organize own work priorities, and adapt to them as they change frequently.  Must be able to work concurrently on a variety of tasks/projects in an environment that may be stressful due to time constraints.
• Maintains the confidentiality of information acquired pertaining to patient, physicians, colleagues, and visitors to St. Joseph Mercy Oakland.  Discusses patient and hospital information only among appropriate personnel in appropriately private places.  Accesses protected health information (PHI) only as necessary and according to hospital and HIPAA guidelines.
• Meets SJMHS Guiding Behaviors and Caring Standards including interpersonal communication and professional conduct expectations.  Knows, understands, incorporates and demonstrates the Trinity Health Mission, Vision and Values in behavior, practices and decisions.
• To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform the competencies/essential functions satisfactorily with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Disclaimer:  The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being assigned to this job.  They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of individuals in the job.
• Demonstrates and actively promotes an understanding and commitment to the mission of St. Joseph Mercy Oakland through performing behaviors consistent with the Trinity Health Values.
• Maintains a working knowledge of applicable Federal, State, and Local laws and regulations, the Trinity Health Organizational Integrity Program, including the Standards of Conduct, Code of Ethics, as well as other policies and procedures in order to ensure adherence in a manner that reflects honest, ethical and professional behaviors.
• Supports and conducts one's self in a manner consistent with customer service expectations.
• In accordance with unit or departmental practice, determines that appropriate charges have been entered for the correct patient, encounter, date/time of service, with any required modifiers.  Make corrections as needed per charge capture policy/practice.
• In accordance with unit or departmental practice, actively participates in on-going education and communication regarding revenue management.
• In accordance with unit or departmental practice, assists with tracking and monitoring of equipment assigned to the unit.  Requests services for maintaining equipment as needed.
• In accordance with unit or departmental practice, proficient with the electronic health records for documentation, assessment, and care management, performing these activities concurrently with provision of care throughout the shift.

Our Commitment

Rooted in our Mission and Core Values, we honor the dignity of every person and recognize the unique perspectives, experiences, and talents each colleague brings. By finding common ground and embracing our differences, we grow stronger together and deliver more compassionate, person-centered care. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other status protected by federal, state, or local law.