The incumbent in this position serves as a lead pharmacy technician for the Cherokee Indian Hospital.  The incumbent for this position has prior experience as a pharmacy technician.  The incumbent will perform technical and support duties associated with the provision of pharmaceutical services and will oversee the pharmacy technician staff in regard to training, mentorship, and quality assurance to ensure patients receive appropriate and accurate care.

Job Description

• The technician may establish the weekly technician schedule and/or schedules duties and assignments.
• The lead technician is responsible for assigning and participating in tasks associated with the provision of outpatient pharmaceutical services.  These tasks include but are not limited to performing receptionist/clerical duties, performing data entry functions, preparing prescriptions for patient use, dispensing refilled medications through refill line pick up room, stocking of pharmacy equipment, maintenance of appropriate records, and completing functions related to insurance and billing.
• The lead technician is responsible for assigning and participating in tasks associated with the provision of inpatient pharmaceutical services.  These tasks include but are not limited to data entry responsibilities, making sterile preparations, preparing unit dose supplies, checking for outdated medications, maintenance of appropriate records, and maintenance of medication inventories for patient use.
• The technician will have responsibilities for performing and delegating inventory control activities which include but are not limited to ordering of pharmaceuticals and supplies, management of stock, inventory maintenance, maintenance of appropriate records, and management of requisitions and requests.
• The technician is responsible for training new technician personnel and assisting the director of pharmacy services in evaluating them on their performance during the initial 90-day probation period.
• The technician will be responsible for other duties including: reconciliation of McKesson invoices, assisting the director and assistant director of pharmacy services in placing purchase orders for supplies, ensuring all essential areas of technician service are covered.
• The technician will be responsible for assigning and participating in additional department duties including: automated equipment maintenance and monitoring, department cleaning and organizing, professional interactions with pharmacy and hospital staff, proper monitoring of medication storage conditions and status, and maintenance of appropriate records related to pharmacy operation.

Experience and Job Training

General Experience

• Possesses knowledge of basic pharmacy process and systems, pharmaceutical drug names, calculations, and regulations.
• Possesses knowledge of pharmacy operations as it relates to technician functions.
• Possesses knowledge to manage the ordering, receipt, accounting of, and proper storage of pharmaceutical supplies.
• Ability to work with a variety of people from various backgrounds.
• Ability to manage other people and put them in a position to provide appropriate care for our patients.
• Ability to exercise tack and diplomacy in order to gain the confidence, support, and cooperation of the technician staff.
• Basic Proficiency in position expected within 6-12 months of the date of hire.
• A valid drivers license is required for this position.

Specialized Experience

• Five years of specialized experience including experience as a pharmacy technician, working in health care in a hospital or practice setting with direct patient care experience, or in a pharmaceutical firm or laboratory.  For internal promotions, two years’ experience at Tech II level is required.
• At least one year of service as an advanced PTCB (CPhT-Adv) certified technician.  Must be eligible to earn Advanced PTCB within one year of hire/promotion.
• Possesses knowledge of automated pharmacy systems and programs including but limited to: Script-Pro, Omnicell, SIM, RPMS, and EHR.

Job Knowledge

• Pharmaceutical nomenclature
• Characteristics, strengths, and dosage forms of pharmaceuticals
• Pharmaceutical Calculations
• Pharmaceutical systems and metric/apothecary systems of weights and measures
• Procedures and techniques involved in the care, storage, repackaging, buld compounding, and distribution of pharmaceuticals
• Sterile and aseptic procedures
• Federal pharmacy laws and regulations, Joint Commission and IHS standards
• Automated pharmacy systems such as Script-Pro and Omnicell
• Computer systems such as: EHR, RPMS, Medi-Dose, and McKesson. Knowledge of GEMS is preferred but not mandatory.

Supervision Received

Works under the specific guidance and direction of the Director of Pharmacy Services where definite objectives or goals are established.  

Contact with Others

Interacts frequently with CIHA employees of all positions and levels of authority as well as the CEO, Executive Directors, Director and Assistant Director of Pharmacy, health care professionals, other pharmacy staff, patients, and general public.  Contacts are numerous and at times can be under difficult circumstances or in difficult settings.  Nature of contacts requires a high degree of tact, courtesy, professional decorum, trust, and consistency.  

Confidential Data

Much of the information processed in the pharmacy is considered highly confidential and of a sensitive nature.  It must not be disclosed to other parties except within the performance of one’s duties.  The incumbent in this position must adhere to all CIHA confidentiality policies and procedures as well as Federal Law.  

Mental/Visual/Physical

This individual will be performing job duties that can be mentally, emotionally, and physically stressful at times.  The work requires balancing multiple priorities in a busy and rapid paced work environment while attending to patient safety.  The job is subject to frequent interruptions, which can cause distractions and potential for error.  Physical activities require the ability to walk, sit, reach, bend, and lift.  The job requires visual acuity, manual dexterity, and the ability to speak and hear clearly.  Repetitive activities will occur with the use of computer keyboards and preparation of pharmaceutical prescriptions. May occasionally move more than 15 pounds.

Resourcefulness and Initiative

This individual will be following as well as establishing defined procedures and guidelines.  He/she must be reliable, trustworthy, diligent, and responsive to as well as providing supervision.  He/she must maintain a high degree of motivation and work ethic.  He/she must communicate and respond appropriately to various situations and changing priorities.  Judgment and self-motivation are required to maintain accuracy, efficiency, and timely completion of duties.  Must prioritize work and meet deadlines.  Must demonstrate a high degree of patience and courtesy in interactions with patients and staff.

Environment

Work is performed in pharmacy (outpatient/inpatient), clinics, and emergency room.  The job has the potential for exposure to infectious and contagious diseases.   Lifting or moving of pharmaceutical supplies, equipment, and patients that weigh over 50 pounds is possible.   It may be necessary to work on days when administrative leave has been granted if patient care functions are required and/or if such care would be compromised.

Customer Service

Consistently demonstrates superior customer service skills to patients/customers by demonstrating characteristics that align with CIHA’s guiding principles and core values. Ensure excellent customer service is provided to all patients/customers by seeking out opportunities to be of service.

Detailed Pharmacy Technician Job Duties

(Addendum to Pharmacy Technician Position Description)

Patient Care Functions

• Assists the pharmacist(s) in the provision of patient pharmaceutical care.
• Calculates dosages to match physician orders with pharmacy stocks.
• Explains pharmacy policies and prescription directions to patients as necessary.

Inventory Control

Ordering

• Technicians have involvement with ordering of pharmaceutical supplies, excluding Schedule II Drug items.
• Prepares emergency orders as necessary and checks status of pending orders.
• Able to utilize and troubleshoot Script Pro Inventory Management (SIM).

Stock Management

• Reviews and checks all areas of the facility which maintain medication supplies. Checks nursing units, ER, and pharmacy areas for expired drugs and proper storage conditions on a routine basis.
• Responsible for proper disposal and/or return for credit of deteriorated or outdated drugs.
• Maintains records as required.
• Processes incoming orders. Shelves and stores all received drugs and supplies.
• Assures that all drug stock is stored appropriately and rotated properly.
• Utilizes pharmacy and warehouse space efficiently.
• Maintains adequate working shelf stock of all medications.
• Manages and maintains adequate level of supply in ScriptPro robotic system.

Requisition Management

• Fills inpatient, outpatient, and ER drug requisitions.
• Restocks pharmacy automated dispensing systems according to approved policies and procedures.
• Monitors and manages automated dispensing for adequate stock and efficient utilization.
• Maintains appropriate documentation and statistical records related to inventory management.

Outpatient Services

Reception/Clerical

• Responsible for some clerical duties as needed, such as typing memos, copying, and distribution of information for pharmacists and pharmacy related committees.
• Answers patient questions as to pharmacy procedures and policies.
• Greets patients and assists with fulfilling the patient’s medication requests and needs.
• Maintains patient charts in proper sequence for processing.
• Stages completed medication orders and patients for pharmacist counseling.

Data Entry

• Screens patient medical records for obvious transcription, technical, and/or omission errors.
• Assesses patient eligibility and determines patient insurance status.
• Accurately enters prescription orders into the RPMS computer system. Includes interpretation of the prescription order in terms of drug name, strength, directions for use, correct quantity, and number of refills.

Prescription Preparation

• Selects correct drug, strength, and dosage form from inventory.
• Counts appropriate quantity and reviews data entry prescription information for accuracy.
• Labels prescription bottles including addition of appropriate auxiliary information labels.
• Processes ScriptPro produces prescriptions. Certifies correct filling by system through use of bar-coding protocol.

Insurance

• Assesses patient insurance status.
• Fills prescriptions in quantity and manner consistent with third party insurance requirements.
• Assists in insurance Point of Sale billing process and processing.

Inpatient Services

Intravenous Admixtures

• Prepares sterile reconstitutions and intravenous admixtures using sterile and aseptic procedures.
• Visually checks all prepared intravenous solutions and admixtures for inadequate preparation, unexpected discoloration, particles, and unexpected participation.
• Determines compatible solutions for each admixture and sufficient volumes of solution to support medication dosages.
• Accuracy enters admixture orders into the RPMS data base program.
• Labels prepared products accurately and completely.
• Maintains appropriate workload records.

Unit Dose

• Prepares unit dose medication packages for distribution.
• Assists pharmacist with filling of unit dose carts for 24-hour period.
• Monitors and refills automated prescription dispensing systems with appropriate drug item and package size.
• Maintains appropriate workload records.

Medication Supply Management

• Prepackages drug from bulk containers to smaller patient ready dispensing units for efficient stock maintenance and prescription processing.
• Prepackages single use medication units for inpatient, emergency department, and automated dispensing cabinets.
• Compounds bulk supplies such as ointments and solutions following appropriate guidelines for aseptic and pharmaceutically elegant preparations.
• Correctly labels and stores all prepared medication supplies.
• Maintains sufficient prepackaged medication supply to meet after hour dispensing requirements.
• Prepares and maintains appropriate workload and medication control records.

General Department Duties

• Maintains the pharmacy and storage areas in a neat, clean, and orderly condition by organizing, dusting, and cleaning as needed.
• Remove and dispose of all unnecessary materials. Patient sensitive materials must be shredded and disposed of in a manner to maintain confidentiality.
• Remove and provide for proper disposal of expired and deteriorated medications.
• Return medications not retrieved by patients back to stock according to accepted pharmacy protocol.
• Return unneeded drug supplies, bottles, and filled prescriptions back to stock and ScriptPro machine as indicated.
• Maintains the highest level of professional standards of pharmacy practice when serving patients of all age groups, service unit staff, and the greater community. Ascribes to the Indian Health Service Standards of Practice for Pharmacy.
• Other duties as assigned.

Supervision Received

• The position is under the direction of the Pharmacy Technician Supervisor, or other Pharmacy Supervisor as assigned by the Director of Pharmacy
• On a daily basis the technician will be under the immediate supervision of a pharmacist present in the immediate work environment.
• The incumbent operates independently in the performance of the technical aspects of pharmaceutical services.
• The incumbent is expected to perform routine assignments independently and to refer more difficult matters to the immediate supervisor. Unusual and/or non-routine situations are to be referred to the Pharmacy Technician Supervisor, or Director of Pharmacy Services designated supervisor.
• The incumbent actively supports the mission and overall integrity of the program.
• Additional policy and procedure guidance is received through the higher-grade supervisor, the Cherokee Indian Hospital Pharmacy Policy and Procedure Manual, Service Unit policies and procedures, Indian Health Service policies, and JCAHO guidelines and directives.

Customer Service

Consistently demonstrates superior customer service skills to patients/customers by demonstrating characteristics that align with CIHA’s guiding principles and core values. Ensure excellent customer service is provided to all patients/customers by seeking out opportunities to be of service.