Technician-Pharmacy System PRN-C

Northeast Georgia Health System•Gainesville, GA

4d•Onsite

About The Position

Under the direct supervision of a Staff Pharmacist, the Pharmacy System Technician processes and fills physician orders and provides medication-related support for patients of all ages. The role follows population-specific guidelines and the policies and procedures of regulatory agencies. With a valid intern license, the technician may also perform pharmacy intern duties permitted by the Georgia State Board of Pharmacy. The technician serves as a liaison between pharmacy and nursing to help medications reach patients within required time frames and performs medication-related duties on nursing units. The position supports pharmacy automation and medication distribution, including robotic and high-speed packaging equipment, automated dispensing cabinets, medication inventory, IV medication processing, nursing-unit deliveries, and medication returns. Duties vary by assigned area, which may include MedCarousel, nursing-unit support, AcuDose, or Robot Inventory. The role also supports quality assurance, regulatory compliance, controlled-substance security, equipment troubleshooting, staff training, and effective department operations.

Requirements

Current registration with the Georgia Board of Pharmacy.
Complete the first attempt of the certification exam within six months of hire; obtain certification by the third attempt or within 12 months of hire.
High school diploma or GED.
Ability to perform entry-level pharmacy technician functions efficiently and proficiently.
Basic math aptitude and the ability to measure accurately, interpret instructions, and carry them out.
Good computer skills.
Ability to organize workload, interpret priorities, and attend to detail.
Ability to follow good compounding practices, protocols, and USP 797 procedures.
Ability to follow instructions from pharmacists, pharmacy leadership, and management.
Ability to communicate effectively with pharmacy leadership, management, colleagues, and other hospital personnel.

Nice To Haves

At least one year of hospital experience; pharmacy technician school or pharmacy retail experience may be considered in lieu of hospital experience.

Responsibilities

Process and fill physician medication orders under the direct supervision of a Staff Pharmacist.
Use robot software to evaluate medication processing, print manual pick lists, stock the robot, and package medications for automated dispensing machines.
Monitor Pacmed production and maintain medication inventory for automated packaging systems, including MedCarousel and the robot.
Perform quality assurance checks to ensure medications are prepared, packaged, stored, labeled, and checked in accordance with department guidelines and regulatory requirements.
Inspect assigned areas for expired medications, conduct scheduled inventory counts and monthly inspections, and arrange for expired or returned medications to be credited, reused, or destroyed as appropriate.
Troubleshoot pharmacy automation and equipment issues and coordinate with vendors, pharmacy staff, and the Automation Coordinator to resolve problems.
Coordinate with nursing to help ensure timely medication delivery; communicate professionally with physicians, nursing staff, pharmacy personnel, and other hospital staff.
Process and label IV medications and distribute them to the correct locations within established time frames.
Process medication credits and returns, refill crash carts and open heart trays, and handle medication deliveries through pneumatic tubes and to nursing units or automated dispensing cabinets.
Process and fulfill automated dispensing cabinet requests, prepare manual picks, deliver cabinet fills, use barcode scanning to ensure accurate placement, and verify controlled-substance quantities.
Handle and maintain the security of controlled substances according to regulatory requirements and department policies.
Receive, price, stock, and order medications and supplies; maintain appropriate inventory levels and communicate supply needs to pharmacy buyers.
Answer appropriate nursing questions using pharmacy systems and established policies; refer clinical or patient-care questions to a pharmacist.
Obtain and process non-formulary medications and follow department procedures to minimize and detect medication discrepancies.
Document required duties, including temperature checks and cleaning tasks, report variances to a pharmacist, and complete risk-management documentation.
On nursing units, retrieve and deliver routine, refrigerated, STAT, and NOW medications to the appropriate locations; resolve and document missing medications and support patient transfers.
Support medication reconciliation as assigned, including obtaining home medication lists and updating patient medication information under the direct supervision of a licensed healthcare professional.
Support the prescription discharge program by identifying and interviewing patients, coordinating prescription and insurance information, delivering prescriptions, and collecting payment.
Assist with the installation and implementation of automated dispensing cabinets and perform audits required by regulatory agencies.
Maintain, clean, and perform manufacturer-recommended maintenance on robot and packaging equipment; promptly report malfunctions and participate in their resolution.
Package medication doses within established time frames, complete packaging batches, maintain appropriate canister mixes, and ensure packaged products are labeled and checked by a pharmacist before entering active inventory.
Keep work and packaging areas clean, organized, and stocked; review department communications at least once per shift and comply with NGMC and pharmacy policies.
Train pharmacy personnel and provide constructive performance feedback to the appropriate supervisor or manager.
Assist during staffing emergencies and perform special projects and other assigned duties.