Pharmacy Technician Specialist

Full job description Everyone who works with Mercy Health is united under one purpose: to help our patients be well in mind, body and spirit. This drive, along with our history of faith, is a powerful combination. It gives us a shared calling to work toward every day. Join our exceptional team and help us continue to provide the highest quality of health care possible to our communities. About Us As a faith-based and patient-focused organization, Mercy Health exists to enhance the health and well-being of all people in mind, body and spirit through exceptional patient care. Success in this goal requires a culture of compassion, collaboration, excellence and respect. Mercy Health seeks people that are committed to our values of compassion, human dignity, integrity, service and stewardship to create an environment where associates want to work and help communities thrive.
Summary of Primary Function/General Purpose of Position
Under general supervision, assist the pharmacist in processing of medication orders by selecting, assembling, and preparing medications to be dispensed for inpatient (acute care; hospital) and/or outpatient (ambulatory; retail; home infusion) services. A Certified Pharmacy Technician Specialist will also spend a majority of their time on leading a specialized activity within the department which may include, but are not limited to some of the following specialist job functions: Patient Medication History Technician Specialist, Patient Medication Assistance Technician Specialist, Chemotherapy Intravenous (IV) Compounding Technician Specialist, Sterile IV Preparation Oversight Specialist, Research Technician Specialist, Surgery Technician Specialist, Pharmacy Inventory Specialist. Technicians of this level should have at least 2 years of experience working in a pharmacy and complete all necessary training and competencies to work in the defined specialized activity.
Essential Functions Assists the pharmacist in preparation of medications for patients within an inpatient (acute care; hospital) and/or outpatient (ambulatory; retail; home infusion) service area. Functions may include, accepting new written, faxed, or electronic prescription orders from a prescriber or a prescriber's agent; Performing sterile and/or non-sterile compounding, where appropriate, in compliance with guidelines published by United States Pharmacopeia.
Examples of Technician Specialist Roles (this list with description is not all-inclusive of the types of specialists that may meet the needs of the facility/pharmacy department): Patient Medication History Technician Specialist: interview patients to obtain accurate home medication list & enter medications into electronic health record.
Patient Medication Assistance Technician Specialist: Identify and enroll patients in medication assistance programs to decrease patient financial burden, provide mechanisms to access free/low cost medications, or help facilitate medication prior authorizations.
Chemotherapy IV Compounding Technician Specialist: Assist the pharmacist in the preparation and handling of IV chemotherapy by preparing , ordering supplies, managing hazardous waste, & record keeping. Assist in maintaining sterile compounding policies and procedures. Facilitate improvements and compliance of IV sterile preparation area of hospital or home infusion service area.
Sterile IV Preparation Oversight Specialist: Ensure United States Pharmacopeia, State Board of Pharmacy, and other regulatory body compliance by means of maintaining oversight of training and annual aseptic technique testing for certification of all staff members. Assist in maintaining sterile compounding policies and procedures. Facilitate improvements and compliance of IV sterile preparation area of hospital or home infusion service area.
Surgery Technician Specialist: Assist the pharmacist in the preparation and handling of research medications by preparing, ordering supplies, and record keeping. Maintain established regulatory body standards and policies.
Pharmacy Operations Specialist: Maximize efficiency and processing of pharmacy dispensing, maintaining and optimizing central pharmacy automation, and ensuring compliance of new staff training.
Pharmacy Inventory/Charge Specialist: Responsible for receiving all inventory, drugs, and IV solutions and distributes newly received stock to proper location. ensure patient safety regarding medication storage requirements and reconcile charging issues within the department for appropriate billing of patients. May also be involved in ordering of medications.
Pharmacy Automation System Administrator: Maximize efficiency and processing of automated pharmacy dispensing practices by maintaining and optimizing central pharmacy automation and ensuring compliance of new staff training.
Assures the accurate and timely filling/distribution and receiving of medications, IV solutions, floor stock, and controlled substances.
Troubleshoots, maintains, and stocks automated drug dispensing units and central pharmacy automation, floor stock, and anesthesia/code/trauma carts, if applicable
Assists in the education and precepting of new pharmacy technicians, pharmacy students, performance improvement activities
Assists other inpatient (acute care; hospital) and/or outpatient (ambulatory; retail; home infusion) service area staff with medication/pharmacy related issues via telephone or in person
Leads or participates in performance improvement activities. Performing diagnostic laboratory testing as defined in state laws/guidelines
This document is not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, skills, duties, requirements, or working conditions associated with the job. Employees may be required to perform other job-related duties as required by their supervisor, subject to reasonable accommodation. Pharmacy Technicians may practice at the top of their respective State Licensing Board Regulations.
Licensing/Certification
ExCPT Certification Exam for the Certification of Pharmacy Technicians - National Health Career Association, or PTCB Certification -Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (required)
Registration with State Board of Pharmacy (required)


Valid state driver's license (required)



Education
High School Diploma or GED (required)


Completion of ASHP/ACPE American Society of Health-Systems Pharmacists / Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education, tech training program - or - pharmacy technician training via Armed Forces/Veterans Affairs - or respective state department approved career tech high school program (preferred)



Work Experience
2 Years previous experience working in Retail, Ambulatory, Outpatient, Hospital, Acute Care, or Home Infusion pharmacy
Other knowledge Skills and Abilities Required: Exhibit proficient use all required computer hardware and software.
Patient Population
Demonstrates the knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age of the patients served on his or her assigned unit.
Neonates (0-4 weeks)
Infant (1-12 months)
Pediatrics (1-12 years)
Adolescents (13-17 years)
Adults (18-64 years)
Geriatrics (65 years and older)



Working Conditions
Periods of high stress and fluctuating workloads may occur
May be exposed to high noise levels and bright lights
May be exposed to limited hazardous substances or body fluids*
May have periods of constant interruptions



Hazards
Use of latex products
Exposure to toxic/caustic/chemicals/detergents
Exposure to moving mechanical parts
Exposure to dust/fumes
Many of our opportunities reward* your hard work with:


Comprehensive, affordable medical, dental and vision plans
Prescription drug coverage
Flexible spending accounts
Life insurance w/AD&D
Employer contributions to retirement savings plan when eligible
Paid time off
Educational Assistance
And much more



Benefits offerings vary according to employment status All applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, genetic information, or protected veteran status, and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability. If you'd like to view a copy of the affirmative action plan or policy statement for Mercy Health – Youngstown, Ohio or Bon Secours – Franklin, Virginia; Petersburg, Virginia; and Emporia, Virginia, which are Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Employers, please email . If you are an individual with a disability and would like to request a reasonable accommodation as part of the employment selection process, please contact The Talent Acquisition Team at