Pharmacy Technician - Ambulatory Resource

Work Shift

Day

Scheduled Weekly Hours

40

Summary

This position supports Mercy's philosophy of patient centered care by performing a variety of technical duties across multiple pharmacy departments including, but not limited to: preparation of sterile intravenous admixtures (chemotherapeutic and other hazardous preparations); preparing and distributing retail prescription medications; communicating with patients; maintaining drug inventory and patient records; daily operational assignments, and ensuring that professional standards, regulations, and quality initiatives are met. The Pharmacy Technician-Ambulatory Resource II may also develop, perform, and document staff educational competencies for all pharmacy staff throughout the MMC Pharmacy departments. The Pharmacy Technician-Ambulatory Resource II is also responsible for retrieving data from the electronic health record system, appropriately triaging phone calls, providing excellent customer service, and ensuring timely completion of daily tasks. This position must interact and maintain effective relationships with patients, pharmacists, clinic staff, and other internal and external partners.

The Pharmacy Technician-Ambulatory Resource II works under the supervision of a registered pharmacist.

Job Description

• Job Duties
  • Maintains a working knowledge of pharmacy terminology, basic pharmacology, and pharmacotherapy; and complies with pharmacy policy and the laws, rules, and regulations that govern the practice of pharmacy
  • Develops, performs, and documents designated staff competencies for pharmacy staff throughout the MMC Pharmacy departments, and non-pharmacy departments where appropriate
  • Serves as a resource, assisting with troubleshooting and day-to-day pharmacy technician workflows primarily in the Outpatient Pharmacy, HPCC Pharmacy, and Mercy Anticoagulation Clinic, and in the Inpatient Pharmacy as needed.
  • Assists in the formation and updating of departmental policies, procedures, and standards in compliance applicable regulations (e.g., USP, FDA, Iowa Board of Pharmacy, DNV) under the direction of a pharmacist.
  • Supports training and orientation of new pharmacy technicians in the Outpatient Pharmacy, Hall Perrine Cancer Center Pharmacy, and Mercy Anticoagulation Clinic, including assisting in developing training materials. May support training and orientation of new pharmacy technicians in the Inpatient Pharmacy, as needed.
  • Participates in quality assurance activities primarily in ambulatory pharmacy workspaces and in the Inpatient Pharmacy as needed.
  • Carries out basic calculations required for the preparation of compounded medications
  • Maintains a sterile compounding environment following departmental policies/procedures and pharmacy regulations (USP, FDA, Iowa Board of Pharmacy), including properly disposing of all materials used in the preparation
  • Processes controlled substance medications and paperwork in a manner consistent with DEA and Iowa Board of Pharmacy rules and regulations
  • Appropriately triages phone calls and takes detailed phone messages in a friendly, prompt and professional manner
  • Accurately performs essential operational functions within the Outpatient Pharmacy, HPCC Pharmacy and MAC Clinic, and Inpatient Pharmacy as necessary.
  • Performs essential functions relating to drug purchasing and inventory control
  • Ensures that the pharmacy delivers quality services in accordance with pharmacy policy and standards of work and the laws, rules and regulations that govern the distribution drugs
  • Identifies and reports patient safety issues related to medication use and works on resolutions
  • Accurately and efficiently documents all appropriate information in the electronic health record as necessary
  • Facilitates effective communication with a diverse population of patients and pharmacists, in-person, via telephone or via electronic health record
  • Responsible for intra-departmental communication and promotes effective working relations and works effectively as part of a team inter- and intra-departmentally to facilitate the department's ability to meet its goals, objectives and meet patient care and business needs
  • Follows Mercy's safety guidelines, carries out job-specific safety duties and responsibilities, and promptly reports any unsafe conditions, situations, incidents and injuries

Department Specific Duties

• N/A

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of various pharmacy dispensing systems and all areas of the pharmacy
• Excellent interpersonal communication skills. Must be able to talk with others to obtain and provi