Pharmacy Technician - Central Operations

Yale New Haven Health•New Haven, CT

About The Position

Performs technical duties associated with pharmaceutical services, including medication distribution, inventory management, cross-functional pharmacy operations, and technical support, within the scope of practice and according to departmental needs. Employees are expected to support YNHHS’s vision, mission, and values, prioritize patient safety, follow CHAMP and STAR behaviors and professional standards, and provide patient-centered care with fiscal responsibility. The role includes preparing and delivering medications to patient-care areas; maintaining medication inventory and storage; supporting pharmacists; using pharmacy technology; communicating with clinical staff; and maintaining required records. Depending on assignment, the technician may also perform specialized pharmacy functions such as compounding, packaging, purchasing, operating-room support, or medication-history work. The employee may work on-call shifts across day, evening, and overnight coverage and is expected to work when scheduled during inclement weather. The role involves walking, sitting, standing, crouching, lifting and moving items, and occasional exposure to mechanical parts, airborne particles, fumes, and toxic or caustic chemicals.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
At least 6 months of pharmacy technician or healthcare experience; successful completion of an academic or military pharmacy technician training program may count as one year of pharmacy technician experience.
Current state pharmacy technician registration or licensure, or eligibility to obtain it before the start date, as required by the relevant state regulatory agency.
Active Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) certification or equivalent on or within 12 months of hire.
Excellent customer-service and communication skills.
Proficiency in mathematical calculations.
Ability to work effectively with computers and technology equipment, including basic troubleshooting.
Ability to meet the role’s physical demands, including lifting and moving items up to 50 pounds occasionally.
Ability to work on-call shifts and scheduled coverage across day, evening, and overnight shifts, including during inclement weather.

Nice To Haves

College degree.
Successful completion of an academic or military hospital pharmacy technician training course.
Hospital experience.

Responsibilities

Accurately pick, prepare, package, label, and deliver medications to appropriate patient-care storage areas, including automated dispensing cabinets and medication refrigerators.
Use appropriate packaging for each medication product.
Fulfill, sort, and deliver medication orders, including stat orders, new orders, refills, stock-outs, transfers, and recalls, in a timely manner.
Maintain safe medication storage, appropriate par levels, storage conditions, cleanliness, and stock rotation based on expiration dates.
Assist pharmacists in providing pharmaceutical care and replenish medications for emergency trays.
Handle and dispose of hazardous and non-hazardous waste appropriately; maintain a clean, stocked work area and complete pharmacy services within established timeframes.
Identify and escalate concerns related to pharmacy care and medication distribution.
Maintain adequate inventory, rotate stock based on expiration dates and usage, and remove expired or soon-to-expire medications from distribution.
Receive medications from wholesalers and accurately replenish pharmacy stock.
Use a handheld tablet with barcode-scanning functionality consistently.
Demonstrate proficiency in medication distribution and automation/technology processes and in at least one designated specialty area.
Perform mathematical calculations and product manipulation, dilution, or compounding to prepare and label medications according to policy and regulatory standards, as applicable to the assigned area.
Prepare hazardous-category products in accordance with departmental safety guidelines, OSHA regulations, and industry standards, as applicable.
Document manufactured medications, controlled-substance movement, packaged medications, and investigational drugs according to policy and regulatory standards.
Follow aseptic technique, infection-control procedures, and universal precautions as instructed for the work area.
Use pharmacy technology and independently troubleshoot technology issues, assisting with resolution.
Respond to inquiries from nursing, providers, and ancillary staff by phone, in person, or electronically; triage and follow up appropriately and promptly.
Follow HIPAA guidelines in all communications and maintain records for compounding, packaging, and controlled-substance distribution.
Support departmental goals aligned with YNHHS strategic goals.
Work on-call shifts as expected, cover day, evening, and overnight shifts, and work scheduled shifts during inclement weather.
Walk, sit, stand, and crouch; regularly lift or move up to 10 pounds, frequently up to 25 pounds, and occasionally up to 50 pounds.