Pharmacy Tech

WhidbeyHealth • Coupeville, WA

6d

About The Position

The Pharmacy Technician assists pharmacists with daily pharmacy department processes, performing work under the direct supervision and control of a licensed pharmacist. The role includes medication preparation and distribution, sterile compounding, inventory management, billing, patient-information tasks, administrative support, and quality improvement. Technicians must follow applicable USP chapters <795/797/800> and complete required competency training. Shifts are 10 hours, scheduled either 0700–1730 or 0830–1900 depending on staffing needs.

The technician performs unit-dose packaging, medication reconstitution, preparation of take-home medication packs, and sterile IV and other parenteral preparations. Sterile compounding requires completion of hospital certifications and competency assessments, along with assigned training on equipment, cleaning, maintenance, and relevant laws and regulations. Chemotherapy admixtures may be prepared by technicians trained in safety and sterile preparation in compliance with USP chapter 797/800; those performing this work must complete annual competency and training for hazardous substances.

The role also involves ordering, receiving, stocking, inspecting, and returning medications and supplies; delivering medications and departmental requisitions; stocking automated dispensing machines; managing medication charges and credits; assisting with medication histories; responding to calls within the technician’s scope; maintaining records and work areas; participating in quality improvement and continuing education; and aiding in staff training. Other duties may be assigned within the applicable scope of practice and pharmacy technician utilization plan.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Completion of a Pharmacy Technician Training Program or equivalent Military Pharmacy Technician training.
• Washington State DOH Pharmacy Technician License.
• American Heart Association BLS HCP certification required within 90 days of hire.
• Ability to communicate effectively in writing and verbally.
• Ability to organize work effectively and perform basic math calculations.
• Demonstrated telephone etiquette.
• Physical capability to work shifts of eight, ten, or twelve hours involving prolonged standing and/or sitting, extensive walking, frequent lifting up to 25 pounds unaided, frequent pushing and pulling, stooping, bending, stretching, and prolonged viewing of a C.R.T.
• Technicians preparing chemotherapy admixtures must be trained by a pharmacist in safety and sterile preparation in compliance with USP chapter 797/800 and complete annual competency and hazardous-substance preparation training.

Nice To Haves

• One year of current hospital experience.
• Experience with IV admixture and chemotherapy preparation.
• ExCPT or PTCB certification.

Responsibilities

• Assist pharmacists with daily pharmacy department processes under the direct supervision and control of a licensed pharmacist.
• Package, repackage, and label unit-dose medications using appropriate equipment and established procedures.
• Reconstitute medications with the specified diluent and quantity, and prepare and log emergency department take-home packs.
• Prepare IV admixtures and other parenteral preparations under established procedures for pharmacist verification.
• Complete required sterile-compounding certification, training, and ongoing competency assessments.
• Complete ChemoPlus Pharmacy Training and Certification Kit under a registered pharmacist’s direct supervision.
• Check automated dispensing system alerts for critical lows, stock-outs, and discrepancies.
• Order, receive, stock, and return medications and supplies; inspect pharmacy and floor stock for recalls, accumulation, depleted stock, and outdated medications.
• Participate in the annual inventory of pharmacy drugs.
• Deliver medications to inpatient, emergency, and Medical Ambulatory Clinic locations, and deliver departmental requisitions as needed.
• Stock automated dispensing machines using barcode scanning and pharmacist-verified medication lists.
• Retrieve, count, refill, and bill medications removed from crash carts, trays, and kits, and return them to the appropriate unit.
• Charge and credit inpatient medications and assist with interdepartmental clinic-order bills.
• Review patient profiles as directed and assist with patient medication histories, including interviews and contact with pharmacies and prescriber offices and review of the electronic medical record.
• Screen telephone calls and respond to requests within scope; refer drug-therapy questions to a registered pharmacist.
• Prepare and review reports at the direction of the Director of Pharmacy and assist with 340B tasks and audits.
• Maintain accurate records of work and IV procedures, report defects or suspected failures in aseptic technique or IV accuracy, and keep assigned work areas and equipment clean and orderly.
• Participate in quality-improvement teams and collect and post quality-improvement data.
• Participate in continuing education to maintain technician licensure and develop knowledge relevant to department needs.
• Assist with training new pharmacist and technician staff.
• Perform other assigned duties within the constraints of applicable regulations and the pharmacy technician utilization plan.

Benefits

• Medical coverage, including HDHP with HSA and PPO options.
• Prescription drug coverage.
• Dental options, including PPO and managed-care plans.
• Vision benefits through VSP.
• Employer-paid life and AD&D insurance.
• Employer-paid long-term disability coverage.
• Health Savings Account for employees enrolled in HDHP.
• Dependent-care and healthcare Flexible Spending Accounts.
• Free, confidential Employee and Provider Assistance Programs.
• Voluntary employee-paid additional life and AD&D insurance.
• Voluntary employee-paid additional long-term disability coverage.

What This Job Offers

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