Pharmacy Technician

General Summary Statement

Under the direct supervision of a licensed pharmacist, technicians are responsible for the preparation and distribution of all hospital-distributed medications, including for neonatal, pediatric, adult, and geriatric patient populations. Technicians are responsible for the preparation of IV admixtures using aseptic technique, refilling and maintaining Omnicell automated dispensing cabinets, compounding oral and topical medications, unit-dosing medications, and delivering medications to patient-care locations. Technicians also train new employees as necessary and collaborate with health care professionals inside and outside of the department.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

The pharmacy technician:

1. Ensures all medications are labeled appropriately and checked by a pharmacist before delivering the medications to patient care areas or Omnicell machines
2. Accurately fills Omnicell automated dispensing cabinets with medications that have the correct corresponding strengths, formulations, and quantities
3. Updates the expiration date in Omnicell when loading or restocking a medication
4. Draws up and labels oral syringes accurately
5. Processes cart fill lists and prepares drugs for individual patients on the lists
6. Reviews list for drugs that can be added to Omnicell and takes the initiative to add those medications to the Omnicell
7. Repackages bulk medications, as needed, into unit dose form according to “Good Manufacturing Practice” guidelines and utilizing approved prepacking software
8. Batches sufficient quantities of medications as needed while minimizing waste
9. Accurately prepares extemporaneous compounds as needed with complete understanding of how to appropriately weigh, measure and mix the components for each compound to create homogenous, pharmaceutically elegant products
10. Trains new personnel in all aspects of pharmacy operations and according to designated department procedures
11. Fills medication orders accurately for checking by the pharmacist
12. Removes expired medications from inpatient pharmacy and Omnicell machines and places in expired medication bin in the pharmacy storeroom
13. Consistently prepares sterile admixtures (e.g. neonatal syringes, IV infusions) according to aseptic technique and USP 797/800 standards
14. If applicable, accurately places storeroom orders by designated deadlines and puts these supplies away appropriately when they arrive to the pharmacy in a timely manner
15. Maintains the back IV storeroom, including properly rotating supply by using the shortest dated product when replenishing the main IV room stock
16. Effectively communicates to the next shift any functions that may need to be done for the efficient operation of the pharmacy and IV room (e.g. prepacking)
17. Prepares medication for medication kits and trays correctly and in a timely manner
18. Determines what type and size of pocket is best for loading a new medication in Omnicell and assigns medication to the pocket from the Omincell remote desktop or at the machine
19. Loads controlled substances to correct pocket type
20. Unloads a medication and rearranges medication to a different Omnicell location based on need
21. Performs outdate function on the Omnicell machine per pharmacy procedures
22. Accurately refills controlled substances to the machine and resolves discrepancies
23. Changes Omnicell par levels to reflect usage and improve efficiency
24. Recovers failed Omnicell drawers and is always willing to assist nurses when on the floors as technician license permits
25. Reviews patient specific medications on a daily basis and returns medications to pharmacy when appropriate
26. Restocks all areas of the pharmacy as necessary and checks inventory for outdates monthly
27. Assists pharmacists in addressing medication messages and re-dispensing medications from the electronic health system as appropriate
28. Completes appropriate safety checks, such as barcode scanning, when preparing medications per pharmacy procedures
29. Maintains a clean and organized work area
30. Completes other duties as assigned and as technician license permits

Education Training and Experience

Required: high school diploma or equivalent.

Preferred: completion of a technician course and/or prior hospital experience 

Licensure/Certification

Preferred: national pharmacy technician board certification