Pharmacy Quality Assurance Technician

UCSF•San Francisco, CA

6d•$33 - $71

About The Position

The Pharmacy Quality Assurance Technician conducts audits and inspections of UCSF inpatient and ambulatory care areas where medications are stored and used. The role documents, summarizes, and reports inspection findings to pharmacy and patient care area managers; supports compliance with applicable California Board of Pharmacy, The Joint Commission, and California Department of Health Services requirements concerning medication security and storage; and provides regular trend reports to the Pharmacy Department. The technician may participate in medical staff committees and works with the Medication Safety and Compliance team and pharmacy leadership on ambulatory and inpatient quality improvement initiatives. The position applies acquired skills and professional concepts to quality data analysis and improvement projects of small to medium size and intermediate scope and complexity. Key duties include monthly inspections of inpatient medication rooms, quarterly clinic inspections, maintaining inspection and clinic medication-handling procedures, advising care-area personnel on medication storage and handling, analyzing historical audit data, and coordinating inspection support and student precepting. The technician also contributes to interdisciplinary quality improvement, medication safety activities, reporting, dashboards, presentations, and corrective-action planning.

Requirements

Working knowledge of Quality Improvement standards, clinical chart review and abstraction, and regulatory requirements.
Working knowledge of quality improvement models, tools, and techniques, including data collection, aggregation, abstraction, analysis, and reporting.
Strong attention to detail and organizational skills, with the ability to complete projects and tasks in a timely manner.
Demonstrated problem-solving skills, including the ability to assess problems and develop options for effective, timely resolution.
Demonstrated interpersonal skills and ability to collaborate with clinical and technical staff and representatives of external regulatory agencies.
Ability to communicate complex clinical and technical information verbally and in writing, including preparing reports, presentations, and documentation.
Working knowledge of administrative and business software and specialized quality data management applications.
Strong analytical skills, scientific aptitude, and critical-thinking abilities, including the ability to recommend improvements to conventional practices.
Knowledge of relevant information systems or aptitude to learn new computer software applications.
At least two years of hospital experience.
Excellent proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
Ability to operate a motor vehicle and travel to locations throughout the greater San Francisco area.
Associate's degree in a healthcare profession, completion of a Board of Pharmacy-approved Pharmacy Technician Training Program, or equivalent experience.
Current California Board of Pharmacy Technician License, active and in good standing.

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of Pharmacy Department, medical center, and University of California policies and protocols, including medication storage, safety, patient privacy, and treatment.
In-depth knowledge of applicable federal and state pharmacy laws and regulations.
Experience or specialized training in medication safety projects and regulatory compliance activities.

Responsibilities

Conduct monthly inspections of inpatient care-area medication rooms and quarterly inspections of clinic units.
Revise and maintain inspection policies and procedures, including procedures for licensed clinics concerning medication storage, ordering, and destruction.
Review inspection reports with nursing and clinic management before leaving the care area; submit and review reports with pharmacy leadership.
Advise care-area personnel on best practices for medication storage and handling.
Trend and report historical audit data, and compile and analyze inspection data to recommend improvements.
Coordinate pharmacy staff assistance with unit inspections and precept pharmacy students during inspections.
Participate in collaborative interdisciplinary practice through active participation in hospital and ambulatory committees.
Coordinate interdepartmental and intradepartmental medication safety activities, including the Medication Error Reduction Plan as it relates to policies and procedures.
Assist in preparing patient-care and safety data reports for internal departments and external agencies.
Analyze and interpret moderately complex data, summarize statistical findings, and develop related reports, dashboards, and presentations.
Assist with developing action plans and contribute to moderately complex projects investigating problems and developing and monitoring corrective actions.
Coordinate management of data and documents between Quality and other departments under general supervision.
Research best practices and help develop proposals to improve data-collection processes.
Participate in policy development, deployment, education, and medication safety assessment and improvement.