PHARM TECH ADV-CHEMO

Overview

Advanced Chemo Pharmacy Technician, Pharmacy

Full Time, 80 Hours Per Pay Period, Variable Shifts

Second shift every other weekend

Fort Sanders Regional Overview:

Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center is an award-winning, certified, and accredited facility with 468 beds. As a Joint Commission Comprehensive Stroke Center, Fort Sanders offers state-of-the art care that maximizes recovery from stroke.  We are also the region’s leader in technology in areas such as bariatric surgery, robotic surgery and minimally invasive spine surgery. Our door-to-balloon times for heart attack patients are below the national average, and our hip fracture center offers advanced diagnosis, surgery and recovery procedures for hip patients.

Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center is a member of Covenant Health, a locally-owned, non-profit health system based in Knoxville, TN, with a “patient-focused” culture. It has been recognized by Forbes Magazine as its 2020 “Best-in-State-Employer” for Tennessee. The CEO of our company, Jim VanderSteeg, attends every new employee orientation and will ask you to sign our pledge of excellence to always put patients first, strive for excellence in everything we do, and make Covenant Health the first and best choice for patients in our region. As you’d expect, we offer our employees a robust benefits package, including: offering unmatched medical insurance, tuition reimbursement; student loan repayment assistance, certification bonuses; leadership and professional development programs; an employer-matched 401(k); and a generous Combined Time Off (CTO) program.

Department Description:

Pharmacy technicians at Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center have many exciting opportunities to provide excellent service. They work with state-of-the-art automated technology such as pharmacy carousels and automated dispensing machines. Some technicians work in the IV room compounding IVs and chemotherapy for patients. Other positions include pharmacy buyers, automation specialists, narcotic surveillance, surgery satellite pharmacy, and medication reconciliation.

Position Summary: 

Under the direct supervision of the pharmacist, performs functions pertaining to the dispensing of chemotherapy medications.  Technical functions are expanded to include IV process proficiency, problem solving skills, admixture of hazardous medications and quality improvement involvement.  Leadership skills are required to include demonstrated written and verbal communication that supports the overall objectives of the department.

Recruiter: Jennifer Gordon || jgordon2@covhlth.com || 865-374-8107

Responsibilities

• Performs all position accountabilities and performance criteria for level I and level II technicians.
• Assists the pharmacist in the training of technicians in levels I and II.
• Initiates and/or coordinates improvement activities as appropriate.
• Assists in the implementation of new projects including the development of policies and procedures.
• Demonstrates knowledge and competency in providing for age-specific needs of the oncology population served.
• Accurately performs calculations to prepare, compound and dispense chemotherapy medications.
• Assists pharmacists in preparing compounds, chemotherapy, and intravenous medications upon physician's orders.
• Responsible for pharmaceutical inventory stocking, restocking and management of chemotherapy medications and supplies; reconciles invoices.
• Maintains clean and safe operation of biological safety cabinets by performing daily hood cleaning/decontamination.
• Maintains clean and safe operation of the facility’s clean rooms by performing monthly air and surface testing for microbial surveillance. Exhibits understanding of the gauges used to read the air pressure of the negative pressure room, positive pressure room, and ante room and the proper action needed if readings are outside acceptable levels.
• Responsible for appropriate use of personal protective equipment (PPE) in the preparation of chemotherapy agents.
• Adheres to the guidelines for safe handling of hazardous waste (Chemotherapy Hazardous Waste Spill Policy).
• Maintains Investigational Drug supply with strict adherence to regulatory requirements.
• Follows policies, procedures, and safety standards. Completes required education assignments annually. Works toward achieving goals and objectives, and participates in quality improvement initiatives as requested.
• Perform other related duties as assigned or requested.

Qualifications

Minimum Education:

None specified; however, must be sufficient to meet the standards for achievement of the below indicated license and/or certification as required by the issuing authority.

Minimum Experience:

Three (3) years of experience in the storage, handling, and disposal of chemotherapy drugs or two (2) years of experience with State approved certification.

Licensure Requirement:

The Tennessee Board of Pharmacy requires newly hired probationary employees to be licensed by the end of their first 90 days of hire and to maintain their Technician License in active status thereafter.