Pharmacy Technician - Appalachian Regional Healthcare, Inc.

The Certified Pharmacy Technician is responsible for performing technical supportive assistance within the pharmacy and assists in the outpatient and inpatient drug distribution system, the preparation of sterile products, drug therapy related research, including the supply function involved with controlled substances, including scheduled II drugs and tax free alcohol

Under the supervision of the Director of Pharmacy or designee, performs the following duties:

Types all of the following as required: letters, memos, reports, forms, requisitions, bills, prescription labels and product labels.

Performs routine office duties such as answers telephone in the manner designated appropriate by the departmental procedures, take messages, distributes mail, operates office machines such as a computer terminal, computer printer, bar-code scanning device, electronic purchase ordering device, typewriter, CRT, adding machine, copying machine and microfiche.

Maintains and retrieves departmental files such as correspondence, licenses, indexing mechanism for locating drugs, new products and drug information, drug information requests, prescriptions, profile cards, cash receipts and records of issuance for exempt narcotics, syringes, needles, etc.

Assesses, organizes, and coordinates workload with scheduled medications to maximize productivity.

Performs distribution and billing and crediting functions in the unit dose drug system and the outpatient pharmacy in an accurate, prompt and efficient manner.

Maintains a sufficient inventory of supplies and pharmaceuticals by conducting inventories, order and receive goods, maintaining records of status of orders and keeps abreast of information concerning addition and deletions of products.

Stocks drugs on shelves or in storage area and rotates stock to prevent having expired drugs on hand and maintains on a monthly basis a record of expiration dates of drugs.

Must be knowledgeable and efficient in the nit dose distribution process that includes:  oral doses, injectables, large volume parenterals, piggybacks, including both pre-mixed and compounded formulations, and bulk medications.

Completes automated dispensing machine, (e.g. Pyxis), medication/maintenance via the filling, loading/unloading, generating reports, removing expired medications, and any other assigned tasks.

Demonstrates competencies in compounding sterile products as necessary.

Maintains crash cart and emergency medication supplies.

Enters medication orders, credits, charges, floor stock usage, patients’ demographic information, and any other pertinent information.

Maintains comprehensive drug references including current drug formulary noting the additions and deletions.  Provides medication information as necessary (refers questions to a pharmacist, if applicable).

Updates patient profile for pharmacist review.

Repackages and labels medications for later use.

Assists with the drug distribution system by delivering medication orders or prescriptions, filling nit dose cart or prescription dosages, and delivering drugs to nursing stations or patients.

Stocks the pharmacy with the required bottles, vials, and other necessities.

Assists in the general maintenance and neatness of the pharmacy maintaining an aseptic work environment.

May assist in drug-therapy related research.

May prepare prescriptions for mailing.

Performs other related duties as assigned

Minimum Education

• High school diploma or GED equivalent

Minimum Work Experience

• Six to 12 months of pharmacy experience preferred

Required Licenses/Certifications
• National Technician Certification
• Registration with the Board of Pharmacy as a pharmacy technician (Kentucky and West Virginia) or technician trainee (West Virginia only)

Required Skills, Knowledge and Abilities

• Complete Pharmacy math and computer proficiency exams.

Other • No history of alcoholism, drug addiction or indiscriminate use of habit ¬forming or dangerous drugs.
• No felony/criminal record.