32 Hours
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 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 Job Functions
*Duties as stated in Certified Pharmacy Technician Job Description, including: Assisting 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:
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 a 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 & compliance of IV sterile preparation area of hospital or home infusion service area. Surgery Technician Specialist: Assist the pharmacist in preparation, handling, & inventory of surgery related medications and appropriate narcotic and charge reconciliation in this hospital area. Research 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
*Troubleshoot, maintain, and stock 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
*Assist 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
*Excellent communication and organization skills are important in dealing with co-workers or patient care
*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 provided by the National Health Career Association or Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) certification and registration with State Board of Pharmacy (required)
Valid state driver's license (required)
Education
High School Diploma or GED (required)
Vocational/ Technical Degree - Completion of ASHP/ACPE 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
1 year of experience in Retail, Ambulatory, Outpatient, Hospital, Acute Care, or Home Infusion pharmacy (required)
Training
None
Language
None
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
Required to car travel to off-site locations, occasionally in adverse weather conditions
* Individuals in this position are required to exercise universal precautions, use personal protective equipment and devices, and learn the policies concerning infection control.
Physical Requirements
Lifting/Carrying (0-50 lbs.) 1-33%
Lifting/Carrying (50-100 lbs.) 0%
Push/Pull (0-50 lbs.) 1-33%
Push/Pull (50-100 lbs.) 0%
Stoop/Kneel 1-33%
Crawling 0%
Climbing 0%
Balance 0%
Bending 1-33%
Sitting 1-33%
Walking 34-66%
Standing 67-100%
Additional Physical Requirements/Hazards
Manual dexterity (eye/hand coordination)
Perform shift work
Hear alarms/telephone/audio recorder
Reach above shoulder
Repetitive arm/hand movements
Finger Dexterity
Color Vision
Acuity - near
Hazards
Use of latex products
Exposure to toxic/caustic/chemicals/detergents
Exposure to moving mechanical parts
Exposure to dust/fumes
Skills
Electronic Medical Records (EMR)
Stocking Medications
Mathematically Proficient
Processing Prescriptions
Dispensing Prescriptions
Robotic Dispensing Systems
Prioritization
Performance Improvement
Packaging Medications
Compounding Medications
Attention to Detail
Customer Service
Problem Solving
Leadership
Mentorship
Training Employees
People Leadership
Microsoft Office
Enthusiasm to Learn
Active Listening
Verbal Communication
Written Communication
Professional Judgement
Medication Transport
Inventory management
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 recruitment@mercy.com. 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 recruitment@mercy.com
Why Choose Mercy Health?
At Mercy Health, we're focused on bringing our core values to life every day through compassionate health care. From the moment you join Mercy Health, we’re committed to growing, training and developing you for a fulfilling and mission-driven career because we’re a health care community driven by the strength of our people.
With the support of your colleagues, tools and technology, you can focus on preparing for your next step, instead of finding your next job. Learn more about us at careers.mercy.com.
Life and Work Should Fit Together
We believe all employees, and their families, should have access to comprehensive care plans, tailored to support their needs.
· Well-being Support: Access to mental health resources, condition management programs and clinical expertise
· Education Assistance: Tuition support for critical clinical roles such as nursing, medical assisting, laboratory and more
· Time Off: Enjoy at least three weeks of paid time off along with seven paid holidays
· Family Support: Industry-leading eight weeks of Paid Parental Leave plus adoption assistance
· Travel Nurse program: Choose to work in different units, facilities or even travel across our organization
· Career conversations like regular performance check-ins, career discussions and role-specific training opportunities to help to identify your next step
· Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DE&I): Our employee resource groups provide leadership development, programs, support, and tools to enable recognition and growth
· Optional benefits like legal, identity theft protection and critical illness insurance
Discover how Mercy Health is the place for you.