Pharmacy Technician, Certified or Trainee, Ambulatory Care, Urbandale Clinic 90%

UIOWA•Iowa City, IA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The University of Iowa Health Care Department of Pharmaceutical Care is seeking a Pharmacy Technician, either Certified or Trainee, for its Urbandale Clinic. Under general pharmacist supervision, the technician coordinates and performs technical activities in dispensing areas, including prescription-related and sterile-product functions. The role prepares, packages, and safely compounds medications, including hazardous substances, and collaborates with departmental and other staff. Under the general supervision of the pharmacist-in-charge, the technician also supports the development, coordination, and training of assigned areas. The position is 90% time, with a schedule of 36 hours per week primarily Monday through Friday and one day off every two weeks. Travel and assistance at Waukee or other nearby locations may be required. The department will hire at the Certified or Trainee classification according to the successful candidate’s qualifications. Trainees must become certified within one year of registering with the Iowa Board of Pharmacy, unless the Board extends their trainee registration; failure to meet the certification requirement may result in termination. Responsibilities include processing prescriptions; checking coverage, quantities, and day supplies; preparing prescriptions for pickup or delivery; documenting in Willow Ambulatory and/or Epic; filling, labeling, and packaging medications; communicating with patients, the public, and healthcare personnel; receiving and screening prescriptions; collecting patient profile information; triaging workflow and calls; preparing and labeling chemotherapy, biologic therapy, and supportive-care medications; maintaining cleanrooms and equipment; stocking supplies; maintaining inventory; conducting audits and counts; assisting with technician training; and supporting medication security and controlled-substance surveillance. Applicants must submit a resume and mark it as a “Relevant File” in the application. Candidates will be asked to self-disclose conviction history and will undergo criminal background and credential/education verification. Up to five professional references may be requested later in the recruitment process. Job openings are posted for at least 10 calendar days and may be removed and filled after that period.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
Registered with the Iowa Board of Pharmacy at the time of hire.
Certified Technician: National certification through the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) or the National Healthcareer Association (NHA), with ongoing education requirements met and certification maintained.
Trainee Technician: Must obtain certification within one year of employment unless trainee registration is extended by the Iowa Board of Pharmacy; extended trainee work must follow Board guidelines and Iowa Code.
Any combination of two years of post-high-school experience and/or education in the natural sciences, or satisfactory completion of an accredited pharmacy technician training program.
Ability to meet recurring aseptic compliance requirements and pass the associated didactic test.

Nice To Haves

Ability to perform ratio/proportion equations.
Experience with inventory maintenance activities.
Experience working in a team environment.
Experience in a detail-oriented work environment.
Knowledge of Windows-based computer programs.
Experience working in an environment requiring accuracy.
Healthcare experience involving one-on-one patient interaction and experience handling challenging interactions in a work environment.

Responsibilities

Coordinate and perform technical activities in dispensing areas, including prescription-related and sterile-product functions.
Prepare, package, and safely compound medications, including hazardous substances.
Enter and verify patient coverage and third-party information; verify medication quantity and day supply; prepare prescriptions for pickup or delivery according to established procedures.
Document relevant notes in Willow Ambulatory and/or Epic.
Read labels for accuracy, make corrections as needed, label and package the correct medication, and maintain records related to prescription dispensing.
Communicate with the public, patients, and other healthcare personnel according to established guidelines.
Receive and screen prescriptions for completeness and readiness; interview patients or representatives and collect and record profile information, including demographics, coverage, pediatric weight, allergies, medical conditions, and current medications.
Determine waiting or pickup times, prioritize work, recognize workflow patterns, and triage prescriptions effectively.
Answer telephone lines and triage calls according to policies and procedures.
Complete recurring aseptic compliance requirements and pass the required didactic test.
Mix and label chemotherapy, biologic therapy, and supportive-care medications appropriately.
Perform cleanroom maintenance, assist with cleaning and decontamination of PEC and SEC, maintain equipment, and keep records.
Unpack supply orders, verify their correctness, deliver them to the appropriate stock locations, and stock mixing rooms, patient rooms, and other areas.
Perform inventory maintenance, review the Ready to Dispense queue and follow up on uncollected medications, and assist with daily and monthly drug inventory counts.
Conduct assigned audits in patient-care clinic areas (Certified Technicians only).
Assist with training new technicians and student technicians.
Maintain area orderliness and cleanliness; audit medication security, dosage-form segregation, expiration dates, approved samples, Emergency Medication Tray expiration dates, and appropriate drug storage.
Conduct weekly and monthly counts of narcotics and controlled substances as instructed, and assist with drug-diversion surveillance by auditing related dispensing records.