Technician Pharmacy

Overview

Under the direct supervision and control of a Registered Pharmacist, the Pharmacy Technician performs packaging, manipulative, repetitive, or other non-discretionary tasks related to the processing of a prescription or medication order in a pharmacy.

The Pharmacy Technician does not perform duties restricted to a Registered Pharmacist.

This position requires the full understanding and active participation in fulfilling the Mission of San Gabriel Valley Medical Center.

It is expected that the employee will demonstrate behavior consistent with the Core Values. The employee shall support San Gabriel Valley Medical Center’s strategic plan and the goals and direction of the Performance Improvement Plan (PIP).

Responsibilities

• Maintains work area in a neat and orderly manner.
• Has a good understanding of policies / procedures, or knows where to find the appropriate policy / procedure.
• Participates in the inservicing and training of new associates.
• Performs mathematical calculations accurately, as demonstrated by successfully passing the IV quiz with at least 70% accuracy.
• Notes low inventory levels on storeroom requisition order.
• Records proper disposition of toxic wastes and hazardous chemicals.
• Notifies pharmacist of discrepancies.
• Initials labels of all extemporaneously prepared products (IVs, orals, irrigations) and records such preparations appropriately in the proper log.
• Fills physician orders accurately, appropriately and in a timely manner.
• Orders / maintains stock appropriately.
• Utilizes time efficiently and effectively.
• Performs floorstock inspections appropriately.
• Exchanges patient cassettes accurately and on time.
• Fills medication cassettes accurately and within the period of the work shift.
• Performs IVPB / LVP rounds diligently / completely / accurately.
• Prepares / labels IV fluids accurately and in a timely manner.
• Maintains a good working knowledge of the preparation of sterile products as it relates to proper aseptic technique, reconstitution, dilutents and volumes, expiration dates and compatibility’s.
• Minimizes wastage of IVs by recycling viable medications that are returned to Pharmacy; following up on discontinued IVs, discharges and expirations of patients;

and preparing medication accurately and properly the first time.

• Documents appropriately on medication fill lists.
• Records cleansing dates / times of laminar flow hoods.
• Discards wasted medications, glass items, needles and syringes appropriately.
• Adheres to the recommended safety and department policies / procedures when preparing chemotherapy.
• Prepares outpatient prescriptions for pharmacist checking.
• Establishes work priorities to ensure all assignments completed on time.
• Demonstrates a high degree of flexibility and cooperation in day to day operations.
• Inputs billing data of patients into computer accurately and in a timely manner (within 48 hours).
• Makes appropriate adjustments (., charges / credits) into the computer, when necessary.
• Bills physicians accurately and properly.
• File Controlled Substances Record Sheets properly and in a timely manner.
• Maintains work area in a neat and orderly manner.
• Asks questions about billing procedures when charging method is ambiguous or questionable.
• Notifies Director of Pharmacy of any problems / discrepancies relating to billing (., late charges, need for new charge codes, lack of patient information for billing, .
• Repackages and labels oral bulk products to unit dose in a timely and accurate manner and maintains appropriate documentation of such.
• Maintains adequate inventory levels for the departments for Pharmacy, Laboratory, Respiratory Care.
• Prevents stock-outs, particularly of commonly used items.
• Notifies Purchasing Coordinator of any items that are low in stock, or of and items that are overstocked.
• Checks for expiration dates on medications and removes out-of-date medications.
• Ensures that outdated and damaged drugs are disposed of appropriately.
• Ensures that all medications, chemicals, agents and supplies are stored properly.
• Receives supplies from vendors and assures that invoices / packing slips match supplies received.
• Performs other related duties as requested.

Qualifications

Education / Training / Experience

High school graduate or equivalent

Completion of a Pharmacy Technician training program required

Previous hospital pharmacy experience preferred

Able to perform basic mathematical calculations

Familiar with computers

Licenses / Certifications

Technician Registration required (California State Board of Pharmacy)

Technician certification preferred