Lead Pharmacy Technician

Full-Time Lead Pharmacy Technician | UPMC Hamot

$5,000 Sign-On Bonus available for eligible candidates with a two-year work commitment.

The Lead Pharmacy Technician provides pharmaceutical care to patients within the UPMC Health System by demonstrating advanced knowledge, technical expertise, and leadership within designated areas of pharmacy operations. Areas of responsibility may include sterile compounding, RobotRX operations, general pharmacy operations, operating room pharmacy services, non-sterile product packaging, controlled substance management, and other specialized pharmacy functions.

This role serves as a key operational resource within the Pharmacy Department, coordinating daily activities with pharmacists and pharmacy leadership, mentoring and instructing technicians, supporting workflow standardization, and driving process improvement initiatives that enhance patient care and pharmacy services. All responsibilities are performed in compliance with state and federal regulations, The Joint Commission standards, and the mission, values, and policies of UPMC and the Pharmacy Department.

Schedule & Shift Information

• Hours: Full-Time, Night Shift (11:00 PM - 6:30 AM)
• Shift: Primarily night shift with flexibility to support operational needs and occasional coverage on other shifts as needed.
• Weekends: As assigned.
• Holidays: As assigned.

What We're Looking For

We are seeking an experienced pharmacy technician who has demonstrated strong operational expertise and leadership potential. The ideal candidate will be a respected technical resource who can coordinate workflow, support departmental initiatives, mentor team members, and contribute to the continued success of a high-performing acute-care pharmacy operation.

Successful candidates will demonstrate:

• Strong pharmacy operations knowledge and technical expertise.
• Leadership ability and a team-oriented approach.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Strong organizational and prioritization abilities.
• Accountability, professionalism, and attention to detail.
• Critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
• The ability to coordinate workflow and support daily departmental operations.
• A commitment to training, mentoring, and developing fellow technicians.

Preferred Experience

While not required, the following experience would be beneficial:

• Acute-care hospital pharmacy experience.
• Sterile compounding and IV preparation.
• Controlled substance management processes.
• Pharmacy automation and medication distribution technology.
• Inventory management and purchasing processes.
• Technician orientation, training, and competency development.
• Process improvement and workflow optimization initiatives.
• Regulatory and compliance-related responsibilities.

What Makes Someone Successful in This Role?

Successful Lead Pharmacy Technicians are dependable, proactive, organized, approachable, and adaptable. They serve as technical leaders within the department, helping coordinate daily activities, developing workflow improvements, supporting technician education, and ensuring operational consistency across pharmacy services.

They are comfortable taking ownership of challenges, collaborating with pharmacists and leadership, coaching peers, and leading by example while remaining actively engaged in frontline pharmacy technician responsibilities.

Growth & Development Opportunities

This position offers a leadership-track opportunity within a large acute-care pharmacy environment, providing exposure to medication safety, pharmacy automation, inventory management, regulatory compliance, staff development, workflow design, and operational improvement initiatives.

The Lead Pharmacy Technician role is designed for experienced technicians who are ready to take on greater responsibility for workflow leadership, technician development, standardization efforts, and process improvement without formal people-management responsibilities. It serves as an excellent developmental step for future pharmacy leadership opportunities and is a key component of the Pharmacy Technician career ladder.

About UPMC Hamot Pharmacy

UPMC Hamot Pharmacy supports medication preparation and distribution, sterile and non-sterile compounding, automated medication distribution systems, controlled substance operations, inventory management, and medication-use processes throughout a complex acute-care hospital environment.

Lead Pharmacy Technicians play an important role in coordinating daily operations, standardizing workflows, mentoring staff, supporting quality and safety in