Pharmacy Technician-Casual

Independence Health System Careers•Greensburg, PA

About The Position

The Pharmacy Technician works under a Pharmacist’s supervision and follows established policies and procedures to support the medication distribution system. The role fills and prepares medication orders for Pharmacist review, delivers and retrieves medications, maintains medication stock and storage locations, processes returns and transfers, and completes related charging, crediting, and documentation tasks. The technician uses pharmacy operating systems and automated dispensing and packaging equipment, supports cart-fill and first-dose processes, and assists with inventory, packaging production, and communication within the Pharmacy. When trained and needed, the technician staffs the IV Room, prepares IV medications and parenteral nutrition for Pharmacist review, labels premixed medications, and follows USP 797 and 800 requirements and departmental clean-room and quality-assurance procedures. The role may also assist with outpatient prescriptions, emergency and anesthesia trays, ancillary department stock requests, and other assigned duties. Scheduling is based on operational needs and may include rotating shifts, standby, or on-call work. Local travel between Independence Health locations may be expected. The position has no direct supervisory responsibilities but may coach and mentor other department positions.

Requirements

High school diploma, GED, or higher level of education.
Current registration to function as a pharmacy technician with the Pennsylvania State Board of Pharmacy, or current registration as a pharmacy technician trainee, which may not exceed two cumulative years.
For pharmacy technician trainees, proof of registration renewal every six months, not exceeding two cumulative years as a trainee.
Strong organizational skills, independent and critical-thinking skills, sound judgment, and knowledge of legal aspects and liability of nursing practice.
Strong ability to communicate complex and/or controversial topics and concepts to a wide and diverse audience.
Act 34 Pennsylvania Criminal Record Check from the Pennsylvania State Police system.
For IV Room duties, prior completion of department IV training and competency.

Nice To Haves

One year of prior hospital pharmacy technician experience.

Responsibilities

Fill new medication orders and cassettes and prepare them for Pharmacist review.
Assist with reconciling missing orders and doses and complete required documentation.
Deliver medications to patient-care areas and appropriate nursing-unit storage locations, including patient rooms; retrieve discontinued and discharged patients’ medications and return them to the Pharmacy.
Deliver stock medications and place them in appropriate storage locations; maintain transfers, discharges, and medication returns in their proper locations.
Exchange medication cassettes daily.
Complete assigned charging and crediting functions, including those from miscellaneous sources.
Prepackage medications, including oral liquids, simple batch compounding, and starter doses, for review.
Restock automated dispensing cabinets, including Acudose machines.
Use the Pharmacy operating system, such as Cerner.
Operate and maintain the robot used for first doses and cart-fill; understand cart-fill updates and patient transfers and discharges, and troubleshoot issues.
Use the tube system, secure transaction function, and do-not-tube list.
Stock medications in appropriate locations, rotate stock, check expiration dates, and help maintain adequate inventory.
Maintain an assigned inspection section and check expiration dates monthly.
Fill emergency trays, anesthesia trays, ancillary department stock requests, and medication boxes.
Facilitate communication within the Pharmacy, answer and triage telephone calls, and monitor the Pharmacy Window to assist customers.
Staff the IV Room when necessary, subject to completion of department IV training and competency.
Prepare IV medications and parenteral nutrition (TPN) for review in accordance with USP 797 and 800 guidelines; label premixed IV medications and batch-prepare mini-bag-plus IV medications for Pharmacist review.
Maintain adequate inventory and the clean-room environment in accordance with policies, procedures, and USP 797 and 800 guidelines.
Follow clean-room quality-assurance procedures, including temperature and humidity monitoring, hood cleaning, hand washing, and proper garb.
Demonstrate proficiency to be scheduled for IV shifts on weekends or holidays.
Become thoroughly trained in basic technician functions and duties.
Manage the Acudose return-bin function and troubleshoot issues.
Assist the Pharmacist with outpatient prescriptions as needed.
Operate packaging machines, including machine setup, reports, and troubleshooting.
Use the APS Overwrap Packager Machine for vials, injectables, and larger unit-dose items; use the Euclid Cadet and Euclid Punch Cadet bulk packagers for their specified unit-dose packaging processes.
Enter medication packaging information, including NDC, manufacturer, barcode, lot number, and expiration date.
Complete average daily production of at least 2,000 to 3,000 doses across the three packaging machines.
Anticipate changes in Robot Ready stock and prepare accordingly; restock the robot daily using the restocking report.
Coordinate prepackaging needs with buyers from other campuses.
Maintain bulk supply inventory by placing daily drug orders using the Repackaging Report and Wholesaler Reordering Report.
Run and retain daily packaging log detail reports for each machine for the recommended period.
Maintain robot utilization and efficiency; use the cell map adjustment report twice monthly to remove or add medications and rearrange rods as needed, and ensure packaging is checked and verified by a Pharmacist.
Perform other duties as assigned.