Pharmacy Technician - Relief

Department Overview

This position provides technical support to pharmacists through preparation of unit doses, data entry, delivery of medications, and cartfill exchange. Functions as a liaison and a point of contact for various pharmacy operations and interdisciplinary team members. Facilitate and prioritizes time sensitive duties which may include but are not limited to delivery of urgent medications, pharmacy program support and operational procedures. Person working this shift is responsible for ensuring accountability and accuracy of standard operations procedures in these areas. Position works under direct supervision of a Pharmacist who is responsible for the safe and proper distribution and use of drugs in inpatients and outpatients who range in age from neonates, infants <1 year old, children and adolescents ages 1-18, adults ages 19-65, and the elderly age >65. Be able to perform duties as specified in Pharmacy Technician 1 Class specification as applicable to work unit.

Function/Duties of Position

• Assist pharmacist through performance of the following technical support activities: 
  • Computer order entry of inpatient and outpatient orders.
  • Filling unit dose medication orders.
  • Select ordered medications from inventory to fill new orders or to provide 24-hours medication for distribution to patient's room. 
  • Answering telephone, filing, billing / crediting and medication profile maintenance.
  • Load and refill medications into automated dispensing cabinet stations.
  • Maintain manufacturing logs and documents to ensure compliance with regulatory agencies.  
• Prioritize labels from new orders to assure that product is delivered to label location at least one hour prior to label due time.
• Organize and restock work areas during and prior to end of shift, and remove expired medication. 
• Round to nursing locations; deliver items and remove  excess and discontinued oral dosage and injectable dosage units from patients’ bins and refrigerators and return to pharmacy for action.
•  Perform Unit Dose functions including:
  • Tube medications from pharmacy to hospital and clinic areas
  • Repackage medications for unit dose dispensing; maintain and replenish stock for emergency trays and kits.
  • Return medications to stock and perform credits.
  • Record refrigerator temperature daily.
  • Process narcotics for removal from Pharmacy inventory and order replacements as needed.
  • Maintain barcode medication integrity by ensuring medications are barcoded before leaving the pharmacy.
• System optimization, hardware maintenance, user support, reporting, file transmission and assistance in problem-solving pertaining to automation and technology.
• Performs a detailed and thorough audit of controlled substances medications dispensed for a patient and reconciles against products documented as adminisered or returned to the pharmacy for wasting. Demonstrates the ability to strengthen accountability, identify suspected diversion, and responds to known or suspected diversion incidents to avoid serious patient care, legal, and compliance implications.

Required Qualifications

• Completion of high school degree

• 1 year of Pharmacy work experience, or equivalent additional education

• Ability to read and understand medical-related terms.

• Ability to perform basic pharmaceutical mathematics calculations.

• Skill at manipulating small objects, e.g., needles, syringes, ampules.

• Ability to use mechanical system for transfer of fluids.

• Knowledge of and skill at application of aseptic technique.

• Ability to establish priorities in workflow.

• Good interpersonal communication skills.

• Ability to work under supervision of diverse Pharmacists.

• State of Oregon Pharmacy Technician License AND Certification from the national Pharmacy Technician Certification Board or National Healthcareer Association. Certification must be maintained.

Preferred Qualifications

• Formal pharmacy technician training program
• Inpatient and outpatient hospital pharmacy experience. 
• Medical and scientific nomenclature.

All are welcome

Oregon Health & Science University values a diverse and culturally competent workforce. We are proud of our commitment to being an equal opportunity, affirmative action organization that does not discriminate against applicants on the basis of any protected class status, including disability status and protected veteran status. Individuals with diverse backgrounds and those who promote diversity and a culture of inclusion are encouraged to apply. To request reasonable accommodation contact the Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Department at 503-494-5148 or aaeo@ohsu.edu.