Pharmacy Technician I

The Pharmacy Technician I works under the supervision of the Director, Associate Director-Pharmacy and under the direct supervision of licensed pharmacists. A demanding job requiring an understanding of various work functions including, but not limited to, medication distribution, intravenous admixture, pharmacy automation and general pharmacy service operations. Under the supervision of the pharmacist, assists in the preparation and distribution of medications utilizing automation, packaging, labeling, charging, compounding, data entry, and delivery.

• Prepares medications under the direction of the pharmacists and problem solves as needed with the ability to accurately prioritize workflow.
• Prepares intravenous solutions (i.e. large volume fluids with additives, intravenous piggybacks, chemotherapy, hyperalimentation) utilizing aseptic technique.
• Performs regulatory and organizational requirements without reminders. Is compliant with all state and federal laws, rules and regulations.
• Maintains focus and composure in a fast paced work environment.
• Ability to calculate by ratio or proportion the medication dosages with knowledge of the metric measurement conversions.
• Prepares the patients medication carts (cart fill) for verification by the pharmacist followed by delivery to nursing units (cart exchange).
• Prepackages unit-dose medications according to Mosaic Life Care Standards.
• Refills automated dispensing units (ADU) and floor stock of departments and units; including accurately troubleshooting automation related issues.
• Maintains needed supplies for daily department functions and ensures availability of medications by actively participating in department inventory processes.
• Other duties as assigned

• H.S. Diploma - Required

• Hospital pharmacy experience - Preferred
• Intravenous admixture, unit-dose, and pharmacy automation knowledge - Preferred

• Application with the Missouri Board of Pharmacy as a Pharmacy Technician or Pharmacy Intern (Intern license required if currently enrolled in a school of pharmacy) within 3 days of hire - Required Upon Hire
• Registration (completion) with the Missouri Board of Pharmacy as a Pharmacy Technician OR Pharmacy Intern (Intern license required if currently enrolled in a school of pharmacy) within 75 days of hire - Required Upon Hire

• Must be able to travel between various system facilities and off-site locations as needed. - Required

Essential Technical/Motor Skills

• Ability to accurately enter computer data (medications, dosages, strengths, drug expiration dates and additional information). Computer skills.
• Able to speak clearly and use telephone etiquette in a professional and courteous manner.
• Able to calculate dosages accurately (orally, IV, and other).
• Able to exercise precise hand-eye coordination to prepare intravenous solutions, chemotherapy, TPN solutions accurately and safely.
• Able to manipulate small items and equipment, and to use fine motor skills when handling IV medications, prepackaging, computer, needles, syringes, etc.

Interpersonal Skills

• Able to communicate appropriately, clearly, handle telephone, take and deliver messages.
• Able to prioritize and multi-task to accomplish required workload without losing focus. Flexible in handling additional work.
• Able to work in a Team environment to meet the needs of our customers.
• Able to be flexible with personal schedule to meet department staffing requirements.

Essential Physical Requirements

• Ability to lift and push varying degrees of weights (not to exceed 50 pounds).
• Ability to constantly move between a kneeling, stooping, reaching, standing, and sitting positions.
• Able to completely walk the facility and return to the pharmacy within 40 minutes.
• Able to handle the assembly functions of the intravenous admixture and unit-dose prepackaging system.

Essential Mental Abilities

• Able to manipulate numbers and calculate metric conversions in order to calculate dosages on order fill.
• Able to interpret data, analyze and read medication orders for input into the computer.
• Able to follow established standards, and medication protocol on order input.
• Able to calculate physician ordered dosage from stock solution.
• Able to comprehend and understand written and verbal medication requests for computer order input or follow-up.
• Able to adapt to the workload demands, and good organizational skills for the prioritization of requests for medications.
• Able to focus attention and be alert during tasks.

Essential Sensory Requirements

• Ability to visually read and understand written physician orders for processing; ability to hear and handle telephone requests or receive ongoing verbal instructions from supervisory pharmacist and carry it out
• Ability to visually assess colors in order to determine if admixed solutions were dispensed and mixed as ordered.

Exposure to Hazards

• Chemical hazards, hazardous medications, potential lifting injuries, sharps hazards, biological hazards.

Other Skills and Abilities

• Ability to function after appropriate training period with minimal supervision.