Pharmacy Technician - Retail

Yale New Haven Health•New Haven, CT

About The Position

The Pharmacy Technician assists the pharmacist with prescription preparation and delivery, including data processing, inventory management, customer service, and department maintenance. The role supports patient-centered care and patient safety while following YNHHS Standards of Professional Behavior, CHAMP and STAR behaviors, HIPAA guidelines, and applicable pharmacy regulations. The technician processes prescription and refill requests, enters patient information and medication orders, performs calculations, assists with insurance adjudication and prescription cost options, and prepares medications for pharmacist verification. The role also supports long-term-care prescription packaging, including use of a blister packaging device. Additional duties include assisting patients and healthcare team members, maintaining the pharmacy work area and records, managing merchandise and medication inventory, and supporting pharmacy opening and closing procedures. Scheduling may include evening, holiday, and weekend shifts according to business needs. The role requires the ability to lift and transport boxes and totes weighing up to 20 pounds and to remain on one's feet and move around the pharmacy and hospital for most of the shift.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent, with additional broad training in a field such as medical office administration, pharmacy technician, or social services, generally obtained through an associate's degree program or pharmacy technician program.
At least 6 months of pharmacy technician or healthcare experience; successful completion of an academic or military pharmacy technician training program is considered equivalent to one year of pharmacy technician experience.
Current registration or licensure, or eligibility for registration before the start date, as a Pharmacy Technician in the state of employment.
Active Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) certification or equivalent by the date of hire or within 12 months of hire.
Excellent customer service and communication skills, including strong verbal and written communication.
Strong independent problem-solving skills.
Ability to prioritize and multitask, including changing tasks frequently and quickly.
Competence with Microsoft Office applications, including Excel.
Strong time-management and organizational skills.
Flexibility, eagerness to learn, and a proactive approach to the varying needs of the patient population.
Flexibility to work evening, holiday, and weekend shifts as business needs demand.
Ability to lift and transport light boxes and totes weighing up to 20 pounds.
Ability to remain on one's feet and move around the pharmacy and hospital for most of the shift.

Nice To Haves

Specialty or retail pharmacy experience preferred.

Responsibilities

Locate and enter patient demographic information accurately and efficiently in pharmacy computer systems.
Transcribe new medication orders and process refill requests accurately.
Perform mathematical calculations to ensure correct dosage, directions, and quantity.
Assist with third-party prescription adjudication and work with payers, medical providers, and patients to resolve issues.
Investigate prescription cost-management options, including copay assistance, discount cards, manufacturer coupons, and 340-B pricing.
Pick, prepare, package, and label prescription medications for pharmacist verification.
Assist with preparing and packaging long-term-care prescriptions in accordance with regulations and department policies, including use of a blister packaging device.
Assist patients with register transactions, telephone calls, and locating over-the-counter products in a timely and courteous manner.
Respond to nursing staff, providers, and other medical team members by telephone, in person, or electronically; manage, triage, and follow up on inquiries professionally and promptly.
Follow HIPAA guidelines in all forms of communication and uphold the department's stated service expectations.
Maintain a clean work environment and comply with regulatory requirements for record keeping and retention.
Maintain appropriate stock of pharmacy items and supplies needed for prescription preparation.
Assist with opening and closing pharmacy procedures.
Stock, price, order, face, and remove outdated over-the-counter merchandise.
Rotate medication stock based on expiration dates and usage patterns, and remove expired or soon-to-expire medications according to department guidelines.
Receive medications from the wholesaler and replenish pharmacy stock accurately.
Perform daily cycle counts as appropriate, identify items for reordering, and assist with placing daily wholesaler orders.