Pharmacy Technician Specialist-Central Region Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute, Full-time Day Shift

Job Description

The Pharmacy Technician Specialist reflects the mission, vision, and values of NM, adheres to the organization’s Code of Ethics and Corporate Compliance Program, and complies with all relevant policies, procedures, guidelines and all other regulatory and accreditation standards.

Under the direction of a licensed pharmacist, performs all technical duties associated with the operations of the dispensing areas.

Additionally, maintains stock levels of medications, intravenous solutions, and supplies; monitors expiration dates of medications;

and prepares appropriate reports on areas of responsibility.

Responsibilities :

• Supports the Northwestern Medicine Ambulatory Pharmacy team to enhance workflow for clinical pharmacy services throughout the network.
• Responsible for providing access to medications for patients by completing Prior Authorization Requests, Co-pay Assistance Programs, Medication Assistance Programs, and benefits investigation.
• Coordinates with third-party insurance, clinical staff, and patients to effectively process prior authorization requests for medications within the prescribed timelines.
• Directly enrolls eligible patients into manufacturer patient assistance and co-pay programs.
• Provide support in medication adherence opportunities as well as other pharmacy related programming, including patient outreach, data / metric tracking, trending, and reporting.
• Interacts with all levels of medical staff to discuss relevant patient information as warranted.
• Conducts chart review and patient interviews to identify patient specific reasons for poor medication adherence; resolves identified problem or escalates to clinical pharmacist.
• Gathers data and generates reports to improve clinical pharmacy quality metrics.
• Reviews medication adherence reports to remove patients who do not meet criteria for intervention
• Within scope of job, requires critical thinking skills, decisive judgement and the ability to work with minimal supervision.

Must be able to work in a fast-paced environment and take appropriate action.

• Performs all Pharmacy Technician III responsibilities.
• Maintains appropriate inventory par levels, processes expired medications and removes them from the area.
• Anticipates medication needs of satellite and orders appropriately. Communicates any inventory problems to pharmacist staff, practice coordinator, and to manager.
• Evaluates monthly cost transfer reports for correctness.
• Resolves ordering discrepancies and maintains excellent communication with the storeroom.
• Performs pharmacy satellite inspections monthly and documents expired medications or any problems.
• Responds to recall notices in a timely and efficient way; communicates key information to the staff.
• Identifies areas of improvement in the work flow or inventory control and communicates to the practice coordinator or manager.
• Maintains emergency boxes and cart medication supplies.
• Ensures compliance with pharmaceutical waste collection and disposal requirements.
• Maintains documentation of completion for media fill and fingertip testing.
• Assists in the development and training of new technicians.
• Assists in the controlled substance audits to ensure accurate record keeping.
• Returns outdated or unused controlled substances to the pharmacy storeroom.
• Ensures on-time deliveries within department standards.
• Maintains adequate inventory and accurate records for all drug studies.
• Removes expired products promptly from the active inventory, places it in a separate area, and makes the appropriate record adjustments.

Documents removal of expired product for accurate inventory management.

• Ensures that all products are stored under appropriate storage conditions.
• Assists in maintaining accurate inventory and inventory records to meet regulations for controlled substances and tax-free alcohol.
• Verifies that recalled or outdated drugs are isolated and that the proper records and reports are prepared.
• Assures that formulas are compounded correctly and made available for checking by a pharmacist.
• Performs other tasks as assigned.

Quality Management :

• Maintains Patient’s First standards always.
• Maintains the work area in a safe manner, ensuring compliance with hazardous waste management standards.
• Ensures that product preparation and computer order entry is accurate and consistent with the physician order.

Qualifications

Required :

• Licensed Illinois Pharmacy Technician (IDFPR)
• Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT) certification through PTCB or ExCPT
• High School Diploma
• Previous experience as a Pharmacy Technician

Preferred :

• 1 - 2 years of college
• Completion of a pharmacy technician training program

Additional Information

Northwestern Medicine is an affirmative action / equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of age, sex, race, color, religion, national origin, gender identity, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation or any other protected status.