Medication Reconciliation Pharmacy Technician Mid shift

Northwestern Memorial Healthcare•Winfield, IL

4d•Onsite

About The Position

The Pharmacy Tech reflects the mission, vision, and values of NM, adheres to the organization’s Code of Ethics and Corporate Compliance Program, and complies with all relevant policies, procedures, guidelines, and all other regulatory and accreditation standards. This role acts as a member of the clinical team to obtain the most complete and accurate medication history possible for patients throughout the hospital and emergency department. The technician will interview patients, utilize all resources to obtain complete and accurate medication history, and clarify allergy information. They will also review secondary sources of information if unable to obtain directly from the patient or to verify accuracy. The role requires exceptional communication skills with the care team, public, patients, and representatives. The technician must ensure high-quality medication histories and communicate potential concerns to the clinical pharmacist to prevent medication errors. Documentation of medication histories and other pertinent information must be clear and concise. A dedication to improving patient safety and reducing medication errors at transitions in the continuum of care is essential. Attention to detail, confidentiality, and complete documentation are core responsibilities. Competency with electronic health record (EHR) documentation and medication knowledge is necessary. The role requires critical thinking skills, decisive judgment, and the ability to work with minimal supervision, as well as the ability to work in a stressful environment and take appropriate action. Additionally, the technician will identify and fill medications, surgical kits, medication carts, emergency crash carts, requisitions, and specialty items. They will prepare sterile compounds and IV admixtures, including hazardous medications, chemotherapy, and biologics. The technician will fill and label individual patient medications, package medications into a unit-of-use form, and maintain logs. They will deliver medications to nursing units and automated dispensing cabinets, retrieve discontinued medications, and maintain appropriate inventory of automated dispensing cabinets. The role involves assisting in ordering, receiving, unpacking, and storing pharmaceuticals and supplies, replacing returned medications, and controlling/checking medications outside the department. Handling controlled substances, including security, reconciliation, and accounting for transactions, is also a responsibility. Patient charges and credit information will be entered into the computer, and logs, records, and other required documentation will be maintained.

Requirements

High School Diploma or equivalent
Pharmacy Technician License (IDFPR)
Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT) certification through PTCB or NHA required for all licensed after 2008 (within 6 months of hire or sooner if required by IL pharmacy practice act)

Nice To Haves

One year or less of related work experience, demonstrating familiarity with routines and procedures customary to the position.

Responsibilities

Acts as a member of the clinical team to obtain the most complete and accurate medication history possible for patients throughout the hospital and emergency department
Obtains medication history in a timely manner to ensure efficient transitions in the continuum of care
Interviews patients, utilizing all resources to obtain complete and accurate medication history, along with obtaining and clarifying allergy information
Demonstrates exceptional communication skills with all members of the care team and the public, including patients and patients’ representatives
Reviews secondary sources of information to obtain medication histories if unable to obtain directly from patient, or to verify the accuracy of a patient-provided history
Ensures that all medication histories are of the highest quality, and communicates any potential concerns with the covering clinical pharmacist to prevent medication errors
Documents medication histories, and other pertinent information, in a clear and concise manner
Maintains a dedication to improving patient safety and reducing medication errors at transitions in the continuum of care
Attention to detail, confidentiality, and complete documentation are core responsibilities within this role
Demonstrates competency with electronic health record (EHR) documentation and medication knowledge necessary to complete the role
Requires critical thinking skills, decisive judgment and ability to work with minimal supervision. Must be able to work in a stressful environment and take appropriate action.
Identifies and fills medications, surgical kits, medication carts, emergency crash carts, requisitions and specialty items.
Prepares Sterile compounds and IV admixtures for injection and infusion including hazardous medications, chemotherapy, and biologics
Fills and labels individual patient medications according to a computer generated medication profile.
Packages medications into a unit-of-use form, labeling all medications and supplies with the required information; maintains a log of each preparation.
Delivers medications to nursing units to automated dispensing cabinets and retrieves discontinued medications
Maintains appropriate inventory of automated dispensing cabinets; rotates all floor stock and inventory to reduce outdated medications.
Assists in ordering, receiving, unpacking and storing pharmaceuticals and supplies in appropriate locations.
Replaces returned medications to appropriate locations, rotating the inventory and checking for expired medications.
Controls and checks medications outside of the department by performing unit inspections and emergency cart checks.
Appropriately handles controlled substances, including maintaining security, reconciling controlled substance dispenses and accounting for transactions of expired, waste and return.
Enters patient charges and credit information into the computer.
Maintains logs, records and other required documentation.