Pharmacy Technician II, Evenings

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Under general supervision, fills medication orders, maintains appropriate stock of pharmaceutical supplies, delivers medications to, and returns medications from nursing units. The Technician II performs independent tasks, higher risk patient population and specialized complex pharmacy services. Demonstrates ability to troubleshoot issues both technical and clinical at a higher level. Technicians at this level must be proactive and apply critical thinking skills and are able to work independently and achieve optimal results.

Technician II, competency 4 will complete all of the principal responsibilities and tasks of pharmacy technician I and of pharmacy technician II, competency 3.

The following statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification.  They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all job duties performed by personnel so classified. 

1. Prepares and labels medications for dispensing. This includes but is not limited to IV medications, oral medications, and controlled substances.
2. Prepares medication orders for high-risk patient populations in the specialized pharmacy inpatient satellites i.e. Investigational Drug Services, Oncology Services, Operating Room, and Women’s and Children’s.
3. Delivers medications to nursing units and other patient care locations according to departmental procedures.
4. Prepares high-risk patient-specific sterile intravenous medications ("mini-bags," syringes, large volume parenteral, Patient Controlled analgesia medications, ophthalmic solutions, etc.) using proper aseptic technique and in compliance with USP 797. 
5. Prepares high-risk patient-specific sterile oncology and hazardous medications ("mini-bags," syringes, intravenous compounds, large volume parenteral, intrathecal medications, etc.) using proper aseptic technique and in compliance with USP 797. 
6. Complies with proper gowning and garbing, performs daily tasks in a clean room, and ensure all surfaces are cleaned in accordance to delineated procedures to promote maximum patient and staff safety.
7. Maintains a working knowledge of the general chemical and physical properties of drugs handled in the pharmacy department. This includes, but is not limited to, identifying medications that are light sensitive, require refrigeration, are caustic, or poisonous. Is able to use reference books to locate stability information or material safety data sheets.
8. Carries out the calculations required for the usual dosage determinations and solutions preparation using weight and volume equivalents in the metric systems.
9. Produces routine and requested computer reports from a variety of pharmacy databases (e.g., DEA substances use, unit inspections, medication use studies, inventory, billing, transfers, and borrow/lending transactions). 
10. Actively participates in pharmacy meetings and interdisciplinary meetings as assigned by supervisor.
11. Participates in the cleanliness, organization, and appearance of the department. Ensures that each drug product stocked has a shelf space or bin, and that the space or bin is properly identified and placed properly. Ensures that only one product occupies that space or bin. Ensures neat appearance of the pharmacy.
12. Observes established department policies, procedures and quality assurance programs, safety, security, environmental, and infection control standards.  Properly handles hazardous substances by observing and demonstrating proper safety procedures, utilizing closed system transfer devices and/or Universal Precautions as appropriate.
13. Retail pharmacy specific duties:

• Ability to multitask, while still maintaining accuracy.
• Ability to work with different insurances (Medicaid, Medicare, MADAP billing, etc.).
• Check patient eligibility with Medicare Part D and commercial insurance.
• Enters compounds in data entry and knows how to make them.
• Ability to work through complex third-party rejections.
• Working directly with insurance companies assessing prior authorization requests and providing patient services.
• Processes Refills/New prescriptions for transplants and mail orders. Ability to understand Medicare B billing requirements.
• Performs proper procedures regarding mail-order prescriptions and deliveries. 
• Handles and/or contacts Omnisys for common errors
• Split bills and Utilize copay cards for high-cost medications.
• Ability to enroll patients in mail order, directly observed therapies (DOT), and specialty (including adding notes and making it a priority).
• Performs proper insurance verification for the entire course of treatment. Anticipates clinical and financial patient needs; works closely with pharmacists and billing team to intervene on behalf of the patient.

1. Follows and completes duties as outlined in assigned area responsibility grids and shift checklists.
2. Performs other tasks as assigned

II. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

1. High school diploma or equivalent is required.
2. Maryland Board of Pharmacy registration is required.
3. Successful completion of a Pharmacy Technician Training Program approved by the Maryland Board of Pharmacy is preferred.
4. Minimum of 6 months experience as a pharmacy technician required.
5. National Pharmacy Technician Board Certification within 6 months of hire is preferred.
6. Ability to perform mathematical operations required in recording and counting of inventory, processing supply requests and for record keeping purposes, including addition, subtraction, multiplication and division.  Ability to follow written and verbal instructions. Ability to learn and use technology and pharmacy software applications.
7. Ability to stand and/or walk for extended periods of time while performing pharmacy service support duties.  Ability to lift supplies and equipment up to 40 lbs., up to approximately 40% of the time, while performing storage responsibilities, are required.
8. Highly effective verbal and written communication skills are necessary in order to work with medical, nursing and various allied health staff in order to successfully provide optimal patient care.
9. Knowledge of insurance prescription cards and the ability to give price quotes and rebill prescriptions as required.
10. Knowledge of retail prescription software and technology.
11. Working knowledge of general PC computer software applications, such as, spreadsheet, database, word processing, data entry is required. 
12. Able to work independently and achieve optimal results
13. Able to pass annual IV sterility testing and annual chemotherapy containment testing if applicable.
14. General knowledge of accepted pharmacotherapy and pharmacy practices:

1. Therapeutic classes, common indications, and hazardous medications.
2. The appropriate preparation of intravenous additive mixtures.
3. Unit dose medication distribution systems.
4. Drugs, chemicals and pharmaceutical supplies required of a hospital pharmacy.
5. Standards, ethics, laws and regulations governing the practice of pharmacy, including The Joint Commission (TJC) standards.

1. Remains competent and current through self-directed professional reading, developing professional contacts with colleagues, attending professional development courses, and attending training and/or courses as required.

IV. Patient Safety

1. Ensures patient safety in the performance of job functions and through participation in hospital, department or unit patient safety initiatives.
2. Takes action to correct observed risks to patient safety.
3. Reports adverse events and near misses to appropriate management authority.
4. Identifies possible risks in processes, procedures, devices and communicates the same to those in charge.

V.  Employee safety

1.             Annual Respiratory fit testing

2.             Chemotherapy competency

3.             Annual Hazardous Medical Surveillance test

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