Pharmacy Medication History Technician
About The Position
Under the supervision of the Director of Pharmacy, the Pharmacy Medication History Technician collects accurate medication and allergy histories for admitted patients in the Emergency Department. The technician obtains information through interviews with patients and family members, contacts with retail pharmacies and provider offices, nursing home documentation or staff, and available online resources. Complete home medication lists are documented in the electronic medical record for physicians and other healthcare providers to use when determining medication orders during admission and at discharge. The technician primarily works in the Emergency Department and may also assist on inpatient nursing units. The role includes medication-history duties as well as pharmacy support, medication handling, inventory, documentation, and quality-improvement activities. The technician performs other duties as assigned by pharmacy leadership.
Requirements
- High school diploma or equivalent.
- More than two years of experience as a Pharmacy Technician, with retail pharmacy experience and/or hospital experience.
- Licensed with the Virginia Board of Pharmacy as a Pharmacy Technician or Pharmacy Intern.
- Acquire and maintain National Pharmacy Technician certification within one year of hire.
- Ability to perform the essential duties satisfactorily; reasonable accommodations may be made for individuals with disabilities.
Nice To Haves
- Graduation from a two-year college or technical/vocational school.
- Retail experience involving patient interaction.
Responsibilities
- Maintain open communication and timely follow-up with nurses, practitioners, pharmacists, technicians, and other personnel.
- Use two patient identifiers when interviewing patients in accordance with established Red Rules.
- Obtain accurate home medication histories through chart review, patient interviews, online resources, and calls to retail pharmacies and physician offices.
- Identify medication names and doses, including prescription medications, over-the-counter drugs, and herbal supplements.
- Document complete and accurate medication histories in the electronic medical record using medication reconciliation functions, progress notes, and i-vents.
- Review and update patient allergies and reactions, and discuss discrepancies with the patient's nurse and/or pharmacist.
- Review and update patients' pharmacy preferences.
- Refer questions outside the scope of medication-history taking to appropriate caregivers or staff.
- Communicate with pharmacists about medications requiring clarification with physicians or other healthcare providers.
- Hand off pertinent issues to the oncoming shift.
- Demonstrate knowledge of high-alert medications and use pharmacy references such as Micromedex and Lexicomp.
- Identify and participate in quality-improvement processes for medication reconciliation; ensure applicable documentation is accurate.
- Attend pharmacy meetings, read departmental communications, and complete required competencies and skills assessments.
- Assist nursing with pharmacy-related issues, including obtaining medications and resolving automated dispensing device issues.
- Complete Emergency Department unit inspections according to departmental policy and resolve applicable controlled-substance discrepancies by the end of the shift.
- Identify and report potential errors or adverse drug events to the pharmacist and collaborate to prevent medication errors.
- Assist with medication delivery to patient-care areas and exchange and restock EMS drug and IV boxes as needed.
- Prepare medications for distribution under pharmacist supervision and follow procedures for packaging, labeling, storage, preparation, and disposal of hazardous and non-hazardous medications.
- Operate automated dispensing devices and carousels, including assigning, loading, unloading, destocking, refilling, outdating, removing, restocking, and replenishing medications.
- Follow procedures for receiving, storing, and dispensing controlled substances and removing them from inventory.
- Remove expired, recalled, or discontinued pharmaceuticals from inventory according to established procedures.
- Assist with monitoring medication refrigerator temperatures and record them in software.
- Communicate inventory needs to the pharmacy buyer.
- Mentor and assist in training new employees.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Stand Out From the Crowd
Upload your resume and get instant feedback on how well it matches this job.
What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Mid Level
Education Level
High school or GED
