Retail Pharmacy Technician - Full Time

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

7d•Onsite

About The Position

Under the direction of a pharmacist, this role involves delivering medications, filling patient medication orders for outpatient prescriptions, operating the cash register, assisting customers with insurance-related questions, serving customers, answering phones, and utilizing the pharmacy computer system. The position also includes performing administrative duties as assigned. The ideal candidate will effectively follow workflow procedures, understand each workstation, and demonstrate compassion by proactively identifying and resolving potential problems to ensure customers receive their medications on time. This involves collaboration with pharmacy teams, medical staff, insurance companies, and customers to resolve issues, ensure accuracy, and address medication or insurance concerns. Responsibilities include filling medications from computer-generated labels, handling telephone and window inquiries appropriately, involving other pharmacy staff when necessary, directing drug information questions to a pharmacist, and communicating courteously and professionally. The role assists the Pharmacist in filling prescription items as permitted by the State Board of Pharmacy, labels products appropriately, takes inventory, places orders, checks in drugs and supplies, stocks shelves, and removes outdated items. Patient data and medication orders are input into a computer system, and medications are prepared, including emulsions, liquids, powders, and ointments. Medications are packaged for dispensing and delivery, and return-to-stock medications are processed. Maintaining a clean work area, ensuring adequate par levels, and removing outdated drugs are key tasks. Medications are delivered or retrieved as necessary under the supervising pharmacist's direction. Effective interpersonal communication skills, maintaining patient confidentiality, and addressing co-workers and customers pleasantly and cooperatively are essential. Communication with hospital staff, physician office personnel, and other caregivers is conducted in a pleasant and professional manner. Communication with insurance carriers is required to obtain payment for prescription claims. At the point of sale, the customer's correct prescription(s) are verified. Refill authorization is obtained by communicating with prescribers and their agents. Routine activities are performed with minimal supervision, with an offer to provide additional help when needed, and participation in training new employees is expected. Confidentiality of all materials handled within the Network/Entity and proper release of information are maintained. Compliance with Network and departmental policies regarding employee, patient, and environmental safety, and appropriate reporting requirements are mandatory. The role demonstrates the Network’s Service Excellence Standards of Performance, Performance Improvement in clinical care, customer service, operational systems, and safety. Financial responsibility and accountability are demonstrated through effective and efficient resource use. Compliance with Network and departmental policies regarding attendance and dress code is required. Competency in assessment, range of treatment, knowledge of growth and development, and communication appropriate to the age of the patient treated is demonstrated.

Requirements

PA Pharmacy Technician Licensure required
Ability to respect confidentiality of patient data
Strong communication skills
Strong knowledge of pharmacy insurance plans and plan rules
Courteous attitude
Understanding of medical terminology and calculations
Ability to type at least 35 words per minute
Knowledge of computer operations
Knowledge of medication brand and generic names
Knowledge of insurance and third-party payment systems
Requires successful completion of on-the-job training in each area of the department within the first six months of employment.

Nice To Haves

National certification preferred
3-5 Years Retail Pharmacy experience preferred
Knowledge of Data Entry experience is a plus

Responsibilities

Effectively follows workflow procedures with an in-depth understanding of each workstation (i.e., Pick-Up, Drop-Off, Production) for day-to-day processing of patient medication orders.
Demonstrates compassion and care by proactively identifying and resolving potential problems to ensure customers have their medications when needed; collaborations with immediate and extended pharmacy teams, medical staff, insurance companies, and customers alike to resolve issues, ensure accuracy, and deliver timely resolution of any medication or insurance related concerns.
Fills medications from computer-generated labels.
Answers telephone/window and deals with visitors to pharmacy appropriately.
Involves other pharmacy staff when appropriate.
Directs all drug information questions to a pharmacist, communicates in a courteous and professional manner utilizing proper etiquette, and communicates all pertinent information to the technician on the next shift.
Assists the Pharmacist in filling prescription items, as permitted by the State Board of Pharmacy.
Labels products appropriately, including cautionary or auxiliary labels.
Takes inventory, places orders, checks in drugs and supplies, stocks shelves and removes out-of-date items from the inventory.
Inputs patient data medication orders into a computer system.
Prepares medications including emulsions, liquids, powders, and ointments.
Packages medications for dispensing for delivery.
Processes return to stock medications.
Keeps work area clean, neat, and free of excess items, maintains adequate par levels of medications within shift and removes all outdated drugs.
Delivers or retrieves medications when the supervising pharmacist views the situation as necessary.
Utilizes effective interpersonal communication skills while maintaining confidentiality of patient information and addresses co-workers and customers in a pleasant and cooperative manner.
Communicate with hospital staff, physician office personnel and other caregivers in a pleasant and professional manner.
Communicate with insurance carriers to obtain payment for prescription claims.
At point of sale, verify that customer receives the correct prescription(s).
Communicate with prescribers and their agents to obtain refill authorization.
Performs routine activities with minimal supervision, offering to provide additional help when needed, and participates in training of new employees.
Maintains confidentiality of all materials handled within the Network/ Entity as well as the proper release of information.
Complies with Network and departmental policies regarding issues of employee, patient and environmental safety and follows appropriate reporting requirements.
Demonstrates/models the Network’s Service Excellence Standards of Performance in interactions with all customers (internal and external).
Demonstrates Performance Improvement in the following areas as appropriate: Clinical Care/Outcomes, Customer/Service Improvement, Operational System/Process, and Safety.
Demonstrates financial responsibility and accountability through the effective and efficient use of resources in daily procedures, processes and practices.
Complies with Network and departmental policies regarding attendance and dress code.
Demonstrates competency in the assessment, range of treatment, knowledge of growth and development and communication appropriate to the age of the patient treated.