DEPARTMENT SUMMARY:

The St. Charles Health System Pharmacy provides a broad range of inpatient and outpatient pharmaceutical care services to ensure safe and effective medication use.

POSITION OVERVIEW:

The Pharmacy Technician, under the direct supervision of a pharmacist, assists in providing pharmaceutical care to the patient by preparing, storing, ordering, billing, labeling, and distributing IV and other medications in a safe, accurate and timely manner in accordance with St. Charles Health System policies and procedures, and state and federal law. Pharmacy Technicians also perform other technical and clerical duties as necessary for the daily operation of the Pharmacy department. This position does not directly manage any other caregivers.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND DUTIES:

• Maintains stock supplies in the pharmacy and packages medications as necessary under the supervision of a pharmacist.
• Prepares IV or other medications using aseptic technique for administration by the nursing staff. Maintains accurate documentation and proper billing, labeling, compounding, and packaging. Obtains pharmacist verification, and delivers medications in an accurate, safe, and timely manner.
• Prepares chemotherapy and handles blood products in a safe manner utilizing appropriate safety equipment to assure environmental safety of self and others.
• Maintains and cleans the equipment necessary to perform duties, reporting any failures or need for repair to immediate supervisor or Pharmacy Manager immediately.
• Prepares and delivers a 24-hour supply of medication to patients daily, checking for and collecting each discharged patient’s medications for crediting.
• Maintains, prepares, and delivers the floor stock medications by nursing units to replenish their stock per department policy and procedure.
• Follows all policies and procedures for the automated dispensing cabinets.
• Accurately places daily order for medications and supplies with wholesaler, vendors, purchasing department, and other pharmacies, communicating potential supply issues to immediate supervisor in a timely manner.
• Verifies inventory received against the invoice noting any exceptions and communicates these to immediate supervisor or pharmacy inventory coordinator.
• Stocks shelves, rotating stock appropriately.
• Withdraws and prepares controlled substances for delivery following the policies and procedures for the pharmacy-controlled substance vault. Reports any discrepancies immediately.
• Accurately bills and credits medication charges as necessary.
• Makes recommendations for changes to the policies and procedures to the Pharmacy Manager, or other appropriate hospital manager.
• Supports the vision, mission and values of the organization in all respects.
• Supports Lean principles of continuous improvement with energy and enthusiasm, functioning as a champion of change.
• Provides and maintains a safe environment for caregivers, patients and guests.
• Conducts all activities with the highest standards of professionalism and confidentiality. Complies with all applicable laws, regulations, policies and procedures, supporting the organization’s corporate integrity efforts by acting in an ethical and appropriate manner, reporting known or suspected violation of applicable rules, and cooperating fully with all organizational investigations and proceedings.
• Delivers customer service and/or patient care in a manner that promotes goodwill, is timely, efficient and accurate.
• May perform additional duties of similar complexity within the organization, as required or assigned.

EDUCATION:

Required:

• High school diploma or GED.            

Preferred:

• N/A

LICENSURE/CERTIFICATION/REGISTRATION:

Required:

• Pharmacy Technician license through the Oregon Board of Pharmacy.

Preferred:

• Certified Pharmacy Technician license (CPhT) through the Oregon Board of Pharmacy. National certification through the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) or National Healthcareer Association (NHA).

EXPERIENCE:

Required:

• N/A

Preferred:

• Six (6) months or more hospital pharmacy experience, or related field with experience in medications, sterile technique experience, and computer skills.

PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT:

Must be able to wear appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) required to perform the job safely.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Continually (75% or more): Standing, walking, lifting/carrying/pushing/pulling 1-10 pounds, grasping/squeezing
• Frequently (50%): Sitting, stooping/kneeling/crouching, climbing stairs, lifting/carrying/pushing/pulling 11-25 pounds.
• Occasionally (25%): Climbing ladder/step stool, reaching overhead, Lifting/carrying/pushing/pulling 25-50 pounds, Operation of Motor Vehicle, Use of clear and audible speaking voice and the ability to hear normal speech level.
• Rarely (10%): Keyboard Operation
• Never (0%): Whispered speech level

Exposure to Elemental Factors

• Occasionally (25%): Heat, cold, wet/slippery area, noise, dust, vibration, chemical solution, uneven surface

Blood-Borne Pathogen (BBP) Exposure Category

• Risk for Exposure to BBP