Medication History Technician Specialist
About The Position
The Pharmacy Medication History Technician is an integral part of a pharmacy-managed medication reconciliation practice model. Reporting to the Pharmacy Manager and working under pharmacist supervision, the technician obtains and compiles accurate, detailed home medication histories and allergy information for patients being admitted to the hospital. The technician uses relevant sources—including patient and family interviews and contact with outpatient pharmacies, extended care facilities, and provider offices—and documents verified information in the electronic medical record (EMR). The role involves communicating medication-history discrepancies and unresolved issues to providers or pharmacists, referring suspected medication errors to a pharmacist, responding to requests from health care providers, and ensuring timely follow-up. The technician interacts compassionately with patients and families and professionally with multidisciplinary health care teams, and participates in quality assurance, improvement, and medication safety activities. The position is initially based in the Emergency Department or Admitting Department and rotates among applicable medication-history assignments and shifts.
Requirements
- High school graduation or equivalent.
- Current, unrestricted Rhode Island Pharmacy Technician licensure.
- At least one year of pharmacy technician experience in an outpatient pharmacy setting.
- Hold and maintain current National Pharmacy Technician Certification (CPhT), or, if not currently certified, sit for the CPhT exam within the first six months of hire and obtain and maintain certification within 12 months of hire.
- Strong customer-service presence and verbal and written communication skills for interacting with patients, families, physicians, LIPs, RNs, and ancillary support staff.
- Strong focused and active listening skills, including the ability to listen attentively despite distractions and identify key points.
- Solid computer skills, including Microsoft Office Suite, email, calendar applications, internet web applications, and multiple pharmacy and system-wide applications.
- Strong attention to detail and ability to remain focused when compiling and documenting medication lists and verifying allergies.
- Ability to multitask and reprioritize while maintaining high accuracy and customer-service standards.
- Ability to work in a fast-paced, changing environment and to stand and walk for extended periods.
- Visual acuity and manual dexterity sufficient to use a computer, keyboard, mouse, and monitor to enter data into the EMR.
- Successfully pass a drug screen in accordance with Rhode Island State Law.
Nice To Haves
- Completion of one to two years of college.
Responsibilities
- Obtain and compile current, detailed, and complete home medication histories, including medication name, dose and form, frequency, and route for prescription, over-the-counter, and complementary or alternative medications.
- Obtain and compile patient allergy information, including reactions, using relevant sources such as patient and family interviews and outreach to pharmacies, extended care facilities, and provider offices.
- Accurately document verified medication lists and allergy information, including relevant details, in the electronic medical record; update allergy information as needed.
- Communicate medication-history discrepancies to providers and/or pharmacists, hand off unresolved issues, and track follow-up through closure.
- Refer suspected actual, prevented, and near-miss medication errors to a pharmacist for follow-up and reporting.
- Serve as a resource to pharmacists regarding home medication histories and related information, and provide follow-up as directed.
- Compile histories, verify allergies, and document them efficiently and promptly while maintaining high accuracy.
- Respond to medication-history requests from providers, nurses, and others; manage and triage requests and ensure timely follow-up.
- Provide high-quality, compassionate customer service to patients and families, and direct inquiries outside the technician's scope to appropriate staff.
- Interact effectively and professionally with health care providers and support personnel at all levels.
- Participate in quality assurance, quality improvement, and medication safety activities related to the pharmacy-managed medication reconciliation practice model.
- Identify opportunities to improve quality, safety, regulatory, or financial outcomes.
- Rotate among applicable medication-history assignments and work shifts.
- Demonstrate professionalism and Brown University Health's stated values and core Success Factors.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Entry Level
Education Level
High school or GED
