Pharmacy Tech - Supply Chain Operations Center

As a Pharmacy Tech at Northwestern Medicine, you will be responsible for fulfilling pharmacy prescriptions in a central fill pharmacy, ensuring a consistent workflow while meeting daily production and quality goals. Your role includes utilizing a scanner for accurate selection of pharmaceutical products, managing an automated repackaging system, packaging medications, and maintaining all necessary documentation. Additionally, you'll assist with ordering, receiving, and storing pharmaceuticals, while ensuring proper inventory management.

To qualify for the Pharmacy Tech position at Northwestern Medicine, you must possess a High School Diploma or equivalent, along with a Pharmacy Technician License from the IDFPR. Furthermore, if you obtained your license after 2008, you need to have a Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT) certification through PTCB or NHA, which you’re required to obtain within six months of hire.

While prior experience is preferred, it is not strictly necessary for the Pharmacy Tech role at Northwestern Medicine. If you possess familiarity with routines and procedures customary to the position, even with less than a year of experience, you may still be a strong candidate. The most important qualifications are your Pharmacy Technician License and commitment to delivering exceptional patient care.

Essential skills for a Pharmacy Tech at Northwestern Medicine include critical thinking, strong judgment, and the ability to work efficiently under pressure. You should also be comfortable performing tasks with minimal supervision, as the role can involve handling a high volume of prescriptions and managing inventory effectively. Attention to detail is crucial in ensuring the accuracy of medication preparation and labeling.

The work environment for a Pharmacy Tech at Northwestern Medicine is fast-paced and dynamic. You will be part of a collaborative team focused on providing excellent patient care. The role can be stressful at times, but the supportive culture at Northwestern Medicine encourages professional growth and emphasizes the importance of each employee's contributions to the overall mission of quality healthcare.

In your response, emphasize your organizational skills and ability to prioritize effectively. Provide a specific example where you navigated a busy shift by setting clear priorities, staying calm under pressure, and ensuring that all tasks were completed accurately and on time.

Explain your attention to detail and systematic approach to checking medications. Describe your process for cross-verifying medications, labels, and dosages, as well as utilizing tools like scanners or lists to minimize errors in the pharmacy.

Outlining a clear protocol for dealing with medication recalls is key. Discuss how you would stay informed about recalls, quickly identify affected inventory, and follow up by documenting the recall process and communicating with your team as needed.

Discuss coping strategies, such as taking deep breaths, maintaining a positive attitude, and using organizational methods to keep track of tasks. Highlight how teamwork and clear communication with your colleagues can alleviate stress.

Share your past experiences with managing inventory, including your familiarity with tracking medication expiration dates, conducting inventory audits, and organizing medication storage efficiently to ensure accessibility and compliance with safety regulations.

Express your passion for helping others and motivating factors that drew you to the pharmacy field, such as the opportunity to directly impact patients’ health and well-being as part of a committed healthcare team.

Discuss your approach to active listening and empathy when dealing with upset individuals. Highlight the importance of staying calm, providing accurate information, and working towards a resolution that meets their needs.

Researching Northwestern Medicine before the interview is key. Discuss its mission to provide excellent patient care and how it aligns with your own professional values regarding healthcare, emphasizing your commitment to contributing to their objectives.

Discuss your proactive approach to continuous learning, such as attending workshops, reading industry publications, or being a member of professional pharmacy organizations that keep you informed about the latest regulations and best practices.

Explain your adaptability and willingness to learn. Provide a specific instance where you successfully learned a new skill or procedure under pressure and how it positively impacted your performance in the pharmacy.