Job Description

Pharmacy Technician

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

Under the direct supervision of a Registered Pharmacist, the Pharmacy Technician is registered with the Board as a Pharmacy Technician and helps the pharmacists provide medication and other health care products to patients. Responsibilities include counting tablets and labeling bottles, receiving and stocking medication machines and areas, verifying stock counts and maintaining inventory records. Stock and enters data in the computer to maintain inventory records. The Pharmacy Technician must have a complete understanding and appreciation for the use and side effects of prescription and nonprescription drugs used to treat common disease states. The most important characteristic of these Pharmacy Technician duties is the need for absolute accuracy and precision in both the technical and clerical aspects of the job to ensure patient health and safety. Pharmacy Technicians will also assist in projects related to medications such as the electronic medical record, medication reconciliation processes, and screening patients for pharmacist consult.

Projects a professional demeanor and appearance while maintaining the confidentiality of patients, coworkers, and facility information and adhering to the HIPAA policy. Reports, in good faith, any known or suspected activity that appears to violate laws, rules, regulations or the SP Code of Conduct. Fulfills annual Healthstream continuing education requirements.

Personal attributes include the ability to be self-directed; demonstrates accountability, professionalism, and receptiveness to change; seeks guidance, direction, and assistance when needed. Works under stress and in situations that demand patience, stamina, endurance, and tact while providing impeccable service. Fosters an attitude of teamwork and willingness to assist others and does not refuse performing other job duties as requested. Sets priorities, responds timely to issues, which require a decision, and ensure desired results are achieved by means of consistent follow through.

Patient Population:

The patient population served by South Texas Spine & Surgical Hospital is a minimum of 12 years and/or of adult stature to geriatric patients requiring or seeking pain and/or surgical intervention.

Physical Requirements:

May be expected to lift up to 40 pounds occasionally. Work is of light demand; walking, standing and sitting most of the time while on duty. Visual and auditory acuity and manual dexterity essential to performing designated duties required. Optimal auditory acuity required. Manual dexterity involving the handling of office equipment is essential to performing assigned duties. Physical conditions are clean, neat and well lit. Climate control and ambient temperature variances may be experienced. Hours of duty may be irregular or unexpectedly extended due to the requirements of the job.

OSHA Exposure Classification:

Job Category III. Task/activities do not entail predictable or unpredictable exposure to blood or other body fluids to which universal precautions apply.

Qualifications:

• Demonstrates eligibility for employment in the U.S.
• High school diploma or its equivalent required.
• Certification of Pharmacy Technical Training Program accredited by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) as a Pharmacy Technician preferred.
• Registered by the Texas State Board of Pharmacy mandatory.
• 2 - 4 years of experience in the field or in a related area.
• Strong organizational, prioritization, communications and mathematical skills.
• Knowledge of commonly used concepts, practices, and procedures within a particular field regarding medication brand and generic names and understanding of medical terminology and calculations.
• Knowledge of state, federal and accrediting body regulations and standards related to healthcare.
• Ability to read, write and communicate effectively in English, with additional languages preferred.
• Demonstrates ability to comprehend written and oral instructions.
• Willingness to participate in goal-setting and educational activities for his/her own professional advancement and that of others.
• Must be computer literate with basic fundamental computer skills that are required to perform essential job related duties.

Duties and Responsibilities:

PEOPLE

1. Complies with the philosophy and mission standards of the hospital.
2. Understands the importance of and respects the confidentiality of patient information.
3. Adheres to staffing schedules, attendance policy, and cooperates with daily assignments as requested.
4. Demonstrates skills as a team player.
5. Participates in orientation of new staff and peer evaluations, ensures facility morale exemplifies the mission and values of the center.
6. Demonstrates ability to solve problems timely and constructively; maintains focus on improving the situation.
7. Willingness to teach others and participate in competency programs.
8. Completes Healthstreams in a timely manner annually.
9. Participates in all staff meetings for department and facility for informative and educational purposes.

SERVICE

1. Prepare medications and supplies for dispensing, including pre-packing bulk medications.
2. Pull and deliver medications to nursing unit dispensing machines. Reconcile discrepancies, pull out of date medications as needed. Handle equipment issues with dispensing machines and interface with outside technical support as needed.
3. Complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws, rules, and regulations, as well as, all applicable hospital pharmacy policies and procedures.
4. Restock OR/Anesthesia/Pain drug trays and maintains records as required by law and pharmacy policies and procedures.
5. Assists with reading and interpreting physicians' orders received in pharmacy and transcribe onto pharmacy computer medication profile. Requires experience with unit dose process and necessary documentation; work verified by licensed pharmacist.

QUALITY

1. Maintains a clean pharmacy area. Files papers, records, and reports.
2. Performs monthly nursing unit inspections to include the pharmacy, all nursing units, crash carts, fluids room, various boxes in the ER and OR, anesthesia workroom and various remote location stock within the hospital.
3. Assists the pharmacist in monitoring patient drug therapy regimens for contraindications, drug-drug interactions, drug-food interactions, allergies and appropriateness of drug and dose.
4. Under the direction of a Pharmacist, perform pharmacy-related functions, in compliance with department policies and procedures, which provide optimal pharmaceutical care.
5. Control and audit narcotics/stock substance. Reconcile narcotics usage reports as needed.
6. Check and remove outdated medications on a routine basis to ensure that no deteriorated meds are in stock. Keep appropriate records.
7. Assist Pharmacist in gathering data for various quality improvement projects.

FINANCE

1. Responsible for maintaining appropriate inventory levels, order drugs from wholesale distributor in a timely manner and constant monitoring of drug costs.
2. Responsible for timely processing of pharmacy charges for patient billing.
3. Maintain and order all office supplies for the pharmacy paying close attention to cost issues.
4. Liaison between pharmacy and business office personnel with regard to any issues and/or concerns with pharmacy charges that pertain to patient billing.

GROWTH

1. Attends pharmacy department meetings and other programs, committees, meetings, and functions required by the hospital or pharmacy.
2. Maintain National Pharmacy Technician Certification
3. Maintain State Pharmacy Technician Registration

OTHER DUTIES

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice