Pharmacy Technician

Pharmacy technicians provide support to the pharmacists in preparing and dispensing safe, effective medications to patients. They perform these duties under the direct supervision of a licensed pharmacist.

• Performs functions that support the daily workflow of the pharmacy including typing new prescriptions, processing refill prescriptions and entering other prescription data into the computer; entering chronic condition information; prepackaging and labeling medications; stocking shelves; reconstituting medications; counting and pouring medications from stock bottles; filing prescriptions; performing inventory functions; releasing refill medications and OTC products to patients; processing requests for refills; handling non-professional phone calls including refill requests from patient and refill authorizations from prescribers; calling prescribers to obtain refill authorization; triages phone calls to the appropriate person.


• Ensures patient safety by identifying opportunities to prevent unusual occurrences; consistently performing safety checks when dispensing medications; and taking appropriate steps to resolve and report unusual occurrences.


• Demonstrates dedication to evidence-based medicine by staying current on clinical initiatives and priorities; and identifying specific issues and bringing them to a pharmacists attention (such as high risk meds, glucose strips, preferred drugs). Understands how to read and interpret prescription orders and determine correct quantities based on the sig and accurately calculate dosages based on the patients weight.


• Understands and administers the different medication formularies and follows Kaiser Foundation Health Plan of Washington policies, procedures and protocols. Maintains current knowledge of basic drug information and medical terminology.


• Supports the pharmacists by assuming responsibility for any additional operational functions as requested by the pharmacists or pharmacy manager.

Qualifications:

• N/A

• Completion of an approved pharmacy technician training program, or equivalent, in order to obtain Department of Health Pharmacy Technician Certification is required by date of hire/transfer.

• Pharmacy Technician Certification (Washington) required at hire
  

• Ability to use available resources and tools efficiently and effectively.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Excellent customer service skills.
• Ability to identify specified issues and bring to attention of pharmacist.
• Ability to work effectively as a member of a team.
• May be required to travel to other Kaiser Foundation Health Plan of Washington locations as needed.

• One (1) plus year of Pharmacy Technician experience.
• Two (2) plus years of IV experience.
• Two (2) plus years of warehouse experience.
• Experience interacting with an interdisciplinary team including physicians.
• Knowledge of managed care health systems and evidence-based medicine theories.
• Completion of an approved pharmacy technician training program.