Pharmacy Technician III Hazardous Compounding-Inpatient Oncology, Full-time Rotating Shifts

Northwestern Memorial Healthcare • Chicago, IL

2d • Onsite

About The Position

The Pharmacy Technician III - Hazardous Compounding supports the mission, vision, and values of Northwestern Medicine and follows its Code of Ethics, Corporate Compliance Program, policies, procedures, and applicable regulatory and accreditation standards. Under a registered pharmacist’s direction, the technician performs technical duties in dispensing areas, including prescription, unit-dose, and sterile-product work, as well as documented manufacturing procedures. The role handles advanced and complex pharmacy technician work and performs other Pharmacy Technician III duties as needed.

This is a full-time position scheduled for 40 hours per week, with rotating AM and PM shifts that may change based on departmental or patient-care needs. The role includes an every-other-weekend commitment and one winter and one summer holiday. The primary location is the Prentice 15th-floor pharmacy, with potential rotation to other pharmacies based on work-group needs. At least 50% of the role involves manipulating and/or compounding hazardous medications, including chemotherapy and other high-risk compounds such as desensitization compounds.

Requirements

• High school diploma.
• Illinois Pharmacy Technician License (IDFPR).
• For individuals licensed after 2008, Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT) certification through PTCB or ExCPT certification through NHA.
• Complete an NM-approved training program in compounded sterile preparations within 180 days of the start date.

Nice To Haves

• Completion of a technician training program.
• Previous experience as a pharmacy technician.
• Certified Compounded Sterile Preparation Technician (CSPT) certification through PTCB.

Responsibilities

• Prepare medication orders for inpatients and outpatients, including outpatient prescriptions.
• Pick up orders and deliver medications to nursing units.
• Schedule intravenous admixture solutions according to patient medical records and report variances to a pharmacist.
• Answer telephone calls according to hospital policy and determine whether calls should be handled by a pharmacist or technician.
• Enter new drug orders and renewal or refill information into computerized patient medication profiles.
• Use the computer system for dispensing and inquiry functions.
• Compare patient medication bins with pharmacy and nursing records; return unnecessary or outdated medications to the pharmacy.
• Reconcile use records and report discrepancies to a pharmacist.
• Receive, prepare, and distribute floor-stock requisitions and requisitions for other clinical locations.
• Compound dosage forms for dispensing to patients.
• Help maintain adequate inventory levels in dispensing areas.
• Package extemporaneous and STAT single doses under pharmacist supervision.
• Prepare and maintain emergency medication systems and emergency carts.
• Prepare sterile products for administration to patients, selecting appropriate diluents and vehicles and determining stability.
• Prepare cytotoxic agents for administration using hospital and department aseptic and protective procedures.
• Plan and perform daily department-service tasks under pharmacist direction.
• Prepare and deliver narcotics and narcotic admixtures, and conduct narcotic perpetual inventories as directed.
• Meet quality and quantity requirements for new orders, unit doses, and IV admixtures.
• Follow hazardous-waste collection and disposal procedures.
• Complete hazardous-medication training and competencies.
• Maintain inventory and controlled-substance records and contribute to an efficient, error-free drug distribution system.

Benefits

• Tuition reimbursement
• Loan forgiveness
• 401(k) matching
• A wide range of benefits intended to support employees’ physical, emotional, and financial well-being and provide protection for unexpected life events

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: High school or GED