Certified Pharmacy Technician – Lorain Hospital (PRN)

Mercy Health 

About Us 

As a faith-based and patient-focused organization, Mercy Health exists to enhance the health and well-being of all people in mind, body and spirit through exceptional patient care. Success in this goal requires a culture of compassion, collaboration, excellence and respect. Mercy Health seeks people that are committed to our values of compassion, human dignity, integrity, service and stewardship to create an environment where associates want to work and help communities thrive. 

Certified Pharmacy Technician – Lorain Hospital 

Reports to Title: Pharmacy Supervisor, Manager, or Director 
 
Summary of Primary Function/General Purpose of Position  
Under general supervision, assist the pharmacist in processing of medication orders by selecting, assembling, and preparing medications to be dispensed for inpatient (acute care; hospital) and/or outpatient (ambulatory; retail; home infusion) services. The Certified Pharmacy Technician will have a variety of job responsibilities within the pharmacy that may encompass various activities. 
                                                                                                                                                                         
Essential Job Functions  

• Assisting the pharmacist in preparation of medications for patients within an inpatient (acute care; hospital) and/or outpatient (ambulatory; retail; home infusion) service area. Functions include, accepting new written, faxed or electronic prescription orders from a prescriber or a prescriber's agent; accepting new verbal prescription orders for non-controlled drugs from a prescriber or a prescriber's agent as authorized by state law and responsible pharmacist authorization. 

• Entering information into and retrieving information from an electronic health record or prescription processing computer system. Ensuring the accurate charge and credit functions related to medication orders are processed for patient billing. 

• Preparing and affixing labels; stocking prescription drugs and retrieving those drugs from inventory locations; counting and pouring drugs into containers prior to dispensing by a pharmacist; performing non-sterile drug compounding as defined under guidelines published by United States Pharmacopeia 

• Stocking automated drug dispensing cabinets, floor stock, and crash carts; Transport of medications by vehicle to off-site locations. Operating technology used for drug dispensing (robotics) 

• As permitted by state law/regulations: Accepting verbal refill authorizations for dangerous drugs that are not controlled substances from a prescriber or the prescriber's agent, so long as there is no change from the original prescription and clarifying prescriptions when no professional judgment is needed; Sending or receiving copies of non-controlled prescriptions (i.e.. Prescription transfers). Technician checking of associate technician work prior to dispensing. 

• Assisting in the education and precepting of new pharmacy technicians, pharmacy students and participation in performance improvement activities. 

• Outpatient: Packaging and selling a prescription drug to a patient or patient representative and assisting with insurance claim processing. Performing diagnostic laboratory testing as defined in state laws/guidelines. 

• Inpatient/Home infusion: Performing sterile drug compounding as defined under guidelines published by United States Pharmacopeia and infection-control procedures 

• Assist in maintaining a clean and safe work environment. Other functions as outlined, and in accordance with, respective State Board of Pharmacy rules and regulations. 

 
This document is not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, skills, duties, requirements, or working conditions associated with the job. Employees may be required to perform other job related duties as required by their supervisor, subject to reasonable accommodation. Pharmacy Technicians may practice at the top of their respective State Licensing Board Regulations. 
 
Licensing/Certification 

ExCPT Certification provided by the National Health Career Association or Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) certification and registration with State Board of Pharmacy (required) 

 
Education 
High School Diploma or GED (required) 
 
Completion of ASHP/ACPE tech training program - or - pharmacy technician training via Armed Forces/Veterans Affairs - or respective state department approved career tech high school program (preferred) 
 
Work Experience 
Previous experience working in Retail, Ambulatory, Outpatient, Hospital, Acute Care, or Home Infusion pharmacy (preferred) 
 
Patient Population 

• Demonstrates the knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age of the patients served on his or her assigned unit. 

• Neonates (0-4 weeks) 

• Infant (1-12 months) 

• Pediatrics (1-12 years) 

• Adolescents (13-17 years) 

• Adults (18-64 years) 

• Geriatrics (65 years and older) 

 
Working Conditions 

• Periods of high stress and fluctuating workloads may occur 

• May be exposed to high noise levels and bright lights 

• May be exposed to limited hazardous substances or body fluids* 

• May have periods of constant interruptions 

 
* Individuals in this position are required to exercise universal precautions, use personal protective equipment and devices, and learn the policies concerning infection control. 
 
Skills 

• Electronic Medical Records (EMR) 

• Stocking Medications 

• Mathematically Proficient 

• Point of Sale Equipment Operation 

• Processing Prescriptions 

• Dispensing Prescriptions 

• Robotic Dispensing Systems 

• Prioritization 

• Performance Improvement 

• Packaging Medications 

• Insurance Claim Processing 

• Compounding Medications 

• Attention to Detail 

• Customer Service 

• Problem Solving 

• Active Listening 

• Verbal Communication 

• Written Communication 

• Professional Judgement 

• Diagnostic Testing 

• Medication Transport