Inpatient Pharmacy Technician, Academy Trainee

Cape Cod Healthcare•Hyannis, MA

14h

About The Position

The Inpatient Pharmacy Technician supports pharmacy operations by reviewing and processing departmental order requests, preparing and distributing medications to patient care units, maintaining medication inventory, processing returns, and performing billing and other duties that do not require a pharmacist. The role also maintains records and regulatory documentation; repackages and labels bulk medications into unit-dose containers; directs telephone calls and refers medication or clinical inquiries to a pharmacist; and maintains department cleanliness and compliance with established policies, quality assurance, safety, environmental, and infection-control standards. The technician participates in required educational programs, in-services, and meetings, provides service excellence to patients, families, visitors, volunteers, and coworkers, and performs other assigned work-related duties. During the Academy Trainee program, duties include timely issuance and delivery of non-controlled medications and accurately processing sales through the Community Pharmacy point-of-sale device using cash, credit cards, and checks. Additional inpatient technician duties include ordering medications from suppliers, preparing parenteral products, training and orienting new pharmacy support personnel, and timely issuance and delivery of Schedule II–V medications to an Automated Dispensing Cabinet. Nationally certified technicians also obtain patient medication orders for medication reconciliation entry into the MAR, prepare chemotherapy, and perform dosage calculation checks. The role progresses through trainee, state-licensed, and nationally certified levels. Trainees must attempt the CCHC Pharmacy Tech Trainee exam after at least 500 hours worked and pass it by 700 hours. After obtaining Massachusetts Pharmacy Technician state licensure, the incumbent transfers to the State Licensed role. PTCB certification or equivalent must be obtained within one year of hire for the State Licensed level; upon certification, the incumbent transfers to the Nationally Certified role.

Requirements

Massachusetts state registration as a Pharmacy Technician Trainee for the Academy Trainee level; Massachusetts state registration as a Pharmacy Technician for the licensed and nationally certified levels.
High school diploma or GED.
Mathematical skills at the level of a high school graduate or equivalent, demonstrated by successful completion of a timed CCHC Pharmacy math test.
Ability to read, write, and communicate in English.
Ability to multitask in a fast-paced environment.
Ability to work independently.
Basic computer and keyboarding skills to operate multiple pharmacy-specific applications and communicate efficiently through the messaging system.
Attempt the CCHC Pharmacy Tech Trainee exam after a minimum of 500 hours worked and pass it by 700 hours worked.
For the State Licensed level, obtain PTCB certification or equivalent within one year of hire.
For the Nationally Certified level, hold PTCB certification or equivalent certification.
For the Nationally Certified level, have one year of recent experience as a Pharmacy Technician within the past three years, or PTCB certification or equivalent certification as an Inpatient Pharmacy Technician Trainee.
Very good verbal communication and interpersonal skills are required for the State Licensed and Nationally Certified levels.

Nice To Haves

Three years of recent experience as a Pharmacy Technician is preferred for the Nationally Certified level.

Responsibilities

Review and process departmental order requests.
Prepare medications for distribution to patient care units and distribute them to those units.
Maintain medication inventory, place orders in stock, check expiration dates, and process returns as needed.
Perform billing and other pharmacy duties that do not require a pharmacist.
Maintain appropriate records and regulatory documentation.
Pre-package and label bulk medications into unit-dose containers or packaging.
Answer telephone calls, direct them appropriately, and refer medication or clinical inquiries to a pharmacist.
Maintain department cleanliness and follow established policies, procedures, quality assurance, safety, environmental, and infection-control standards.
Participate in educational programs, in-services, and meetings as required.
Provide service excellence to patients, family members, visitors, volunteers, and coworkers.
Perform other work-related duties as assigned.
During the Academy Trainee program, issue and deliver non-controlled medications in a timely manner.
During the Academy Trainee program, process sales accurately through the Community Pharmacy point-of-sale device using cash, credit cards, and checks.
Order medications from various suppliers.
Prepare parenteral products.
Train and orient new pharmacy support personnel.
Issue and deliver Schedule II–V medications to an Automated Dispensing Cabinet in a timely manner.
For nationally certified technicians, obtain patient medication orders for medication reconciliation entry into the MAR.
For nationally certified technicians, prepare chemotherapy and perform dosage calculation checks.