Automation Specialist

Position Summary: 

As a pharmacy automation specialist, you will be responsible for preparing medications for patient consumption under the general supervision of a licensed pharmacist, using highly specialized pharmacy automation, in accordance with standard departmental procedures. Additionally, you will provide excellent customer service and quality of service to all patients and customers.

Qualities needed for Automation Specialist:

• Ability to make oneself available to supervise operations, while completing his/her regular tasks as a Production Technician
• Technological skills – familiarity with various technological skills highly recommended
• Interpersonal communication and staff training skills
• Highly organized and efficient
• Ability to identify and resolve problems
• Ability to second-guess processes
• Works independently and quietly to ensure distractions do not result in medication errors

Essential Duties include the following:

The following duties are normal for this position.  This list is not to be construed as exclusive or all inclusive.  Other duties may be required and assigned.

• Performs duties assigned by a licensed pharmacist. Areas of work are checked routinely for maintenance of quality control. Work is conducted in accordance with generally accepted standards of practice following departmental procedures and policies as outlined in the department operations manual.
• Demonstrates competence in the area of regulatory compliance and ensures that the property stays in regulatory compliance with all regulatory agencies
• Reads and interprets physicians’ orders received in the pharmacy and transcribes the information into the pharmacy computer medication profile. Requires knowledge to adjust dosing times as pharmacy will generate MARs; prepares unit doses; and labels individual patient envelopes for dispensing to the nursing unit.
• Fills individual patient drug orders working from a medication fill list; records doses for credit or charge; acknowledges filling of cassette by initialing work done.
• Performs narcotic medication preparation; ensures that records are kept accurate. Ensures pharmacists are aware of any returns, so they are processed accordingly.
• Prepares in accordance with standards of pharmacy practice compounds for outpatient use (e.g., creams, ointments) under direct pharmacist supervision.
• Using a computer program, prepackages medications, which are not available in unit dosing, using automatic prepackaging and label machine. Keeps appropriate records for recall purpose.
• Attends and participates in pharmacy staff meetings to exchange ideas to achieve goals of the department.
• Keeps procedures up-to-date in pharmacy staff manual to train new personnel and to have quick reference to specific jobs so they are performed according to the policies of the department.
• Assists pharmacy staff with billing by using appropriate computer function, reason codes and dates for charging and crediting.
• Assists pharmacy staff with checking in orders, putting orders away and filing associated paperwork.
• Continues to educate by attending drug in-services and keeping up with policy changes.

Qualifications, Education and/or Experience: 

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.  The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, and abilities required.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Associate degree or degree from technical program, OR High school diploma and 1-2 years of experience as a Pharmacy Technician, or equivalent.
• Certificate from pharmacy technical training program, junior college graduate or State certification as Pharmacy Technician preferred.
• Ethical Conduct.
• Possess the technical skills and abilities to perform and provide top notch service.
• Thoroughness & detail oriented
• Must be willing/able to work in rotating shifts which include weekends and holidays, and work during inclement weather will be required.
• Great communication and interpersonal skills required along with the heart and passion to work with older adults while providing the best care possible 
• Must have the ability to remain calm in stressful situations, to be flexible, to work well with many interruptions and have skill in multi-tasking
• Must exhibit and promote a high level of customer service, hospitality, curiosity and friendliness towards all residents, visitors, employees and the overall facility   

Computer Skills: 

Proficiency in Internet browsers (e.g. Explorer, Chrome, Fire Fox), as well as Microsoft Office programs: Outlook, Excel, Word and Publisher applications   

Work Environment & Physical Demands

This job operates in a health care setting. This position requires frequent standing and walking to storage shelves and filling counters to fill prescriptions.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job:

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear.
• The ability to see distinctions in colors and shapes is also required.
• This position is moderately active and requires standing and walking for the duration of the shift, as well as the ability to lift/move objects weighing up to 50lbs.
• Additional physical requirements include:
  • Use stomach and lower back muscles to support the body for long periods without getting tired.
  • Focus on one source of sound and ignore others.
  • Bend, stretch, twist, or reach out.
  • Make quick, precise adjustments to machine controls.
  • Move two or more limbs together while remaining in place.
  • Determine the distance between objects.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

This employer is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the employer will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages prospective employees and incumbents to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.