Retail Pharmacy Technician - Part Time

St. Luke’s University Health Network•Bethlehem, PA

About The Position

St. Luke's is proud of the skills, experience and compassion of its employees. The employees of St. Luke's are our most valuable asset! Individually and together, our employees are dedicated to satisfying the mission of our organization which is an unwavering commitment to excellence as we care for the sick and injured; educate physicians, nurses and other health care providers; and improve access to care in the communities we serve, regardless of a patient's ability to pay for health care. The Pharmacy Technician, under the supervision of a licensed pharmacist, assist in the various activities of the pharmacy department not requiring the professional judgment of the pharmacist. Pharmacy technicians will function in strict accordance with standard, written procedures and guidelines. Under the direction of a pharmacist the pharmacy technician delivers medications, performs unit dose activities, including filling patient medication orders and automated dispensing cabinets, admission discharge transfer updates, floor stock orders, performs routine medication area inspections, maintains records for controlled substances, and utilizes the pharmacy computer system. The pharmacy technician also assumes IV/Admixture responsibilities including labeling pre-mixed solutions, restocking and ordering solutions and supplies, preparing large and small volume parenteral, parenteral nutrition solutions, irrigations, anti-neoplastic solutions and extemporaneous compounds. The pharmacy technician performs administratively assigned duties.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
All pharmacy technicians must possess certain demonstrated abilities and a thorough knowledge base, understanding, and level of proficiency to assure adherence to the procedures and objectives of pharmacy services. These abilities and knowledge include general basic chemistry, arithmetic, basic algebra, reading, and writing.
Requires successful completion of on-the-job training in each area of the department within the first six months of employment.
Must demonstrate understanding of pharmaceutical and medical terminology, pharmaceutical calculations and general pharmacy procedures within the first six months of employment.

Responsibilities

Obtains and maintains appropriate knowledge and understanding of the St. Luke’s University Health Network and the Department of Pharmacy. This knowledge will include an overview of the department, the content of the department's training program, and other topics as determined by the supervisor.
Accurately and timely fills medications and IV orders from computer generated labels, fills and updates.
Delivers medications to and picks up medications from patient care areas and automated dispensing cabinets or uses the pneumatic tube to deliver medications when appropriate.
Accurately credits returned patient medications.
Demonstrates ability to answer telephone/window and deal with visitors to pharmacy appropriately.
Demonstrates ability to involve other pharmacy staff when appropriate including directing all drug information questions to a pharmacist.
Prepares prepackaged medications under pharmacist supervision using proper technique, maintains appropriate log books and completes work within shift.
Prepares parenteral, admixture, anti-neoplastic and Home IV Therapy orders, extemporaneously compounds under pharmacist supervision using proper aseptic technique, maintains appropriate log books and completes work within shift.
Keeps work area clean and neat and free of excess items, maintains adequate par levels of medications within shift and removes all outdated drugs.
Reviews, fills, delivers nursing floor stock and controlled substances; performs medication area inspections for all areas with medications; prepares outpatient prescriptions in accordance with federal and state pharmacy laws.
Delivers or retrieves medications when the supervising pharmacist views the situation as necessary.
Completes and maintains IV/Admixtures lab and departmental competencies.
Performs floor inspections for all areas with medications as assigned.
Maintains a working knowledge of the general chemical and physical properties of drugs handled in the pharmacy department. This includes, but is not limited to, identifying medications that are light sensitive, requires refrigeration, are caustic, or poisonous. Is able to use reference books and website references for stability information or material safety data sheets.
Carries out the calculations required for the usual dosage determinations and solutions preparation, using weight and volume equivalents in the metric systems.
Performs the essential functions relating to drug purchasing and inventory control.
Utilizes effective interpersonal communication skills while maintaining confidentiality of hospital information and addressing co-workers, nurses and others in a pleasant and cooperative manner.
Performs routine activities with minimal supervision, offering to provide additional help when needed, participates in training of new employees.
Maintains safe working habits, does not create hazardous conditions within the work environment.
Utilizes effective interpersonal communication skills while maintaining confidentiality of hospital information and addressing co-workers, nurses and others in a pleasant and cooperative manner.