Pharmacy Technician, Associate

Purpose:
The Pharmacy Technician, Associate provides pharmaceutical care to patients within the UPMC Health System by assisting with the sterile and nonsterile medication preparation, medication filling, and medication distribution. The Pharmacy Technician, Associate services are provided in compliance with Department of Health, The Joint Commission, and State Board of Pharmacy regulations.

Responsibilities:

• Filling: Consistently has the ability to work in the Sterile Product area preparing cytotoxic and hazardous drugs (e.g. chemotherapy) using proper aseptic technique.
• General: Procure and maintain adequate inventory levels on daily basis in applicable areas such pharmacy medication stock rooms, automated medication carousels, and automated dispensing machines.
• Note: The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned this job. They are not exhaustive lists of all duties, responsibilities, knowledge, skills, abilities and working conditions associated with the job.
• Distribution: Retrieve medications that have been discontinued and return (and credits if necessary) them to the appropriate pharmacy area.
• General: Practice appropriate hand hygiene both in the pharmacy and in the units.
• Distribution: Participate in the distribution of medication including medication cassettes, emergency medication carts and the delivery of controlled substances per department policy and state and federal requirements
• General: finalize sales using cash register, follow proper cash handling policies and procedures
• General: Ensure that all medications in all areas have been safely and securely stored according to Department of Health, The Joint Commission, and State Board of Pharmacy regulations.
• General: Assist in the training of pharmacy personnel and students.
• General: comply with Federal and State laws such as HIPAA, regulations such as OSHA, and PBM contracting requirements such as FWA and CMS.
• Filling: Assist in the preparation of the proper oral and injectable medications (including intravenous admixtures and TPN (Total Parenteral Nutrition)) for the correct patient for administration at the appropriate time. Use proper technique in the preparation of medications.
• General: Participate in departmental quality improvement activities in order to continually improve and evaluate pharmaceutical care as reflected by operational and patient care indicators.
• Investigational: Assist in the procurement, accountability, storage, preparation and distribution of investigational and study drugs.
• Filling: Assist in filling medication orders through correct labeling, counting and stocking practices. Initial and date products as required.
• General: Provide and received information (via telephone, person-to-person, or written) to hospital personnel, patients and visitors. Refer all drug information questions to Staff Pharmacists.
• General: Maintain all patient information and records. Maintain the pharmacy computer system as required.
• General: Maintain all pertinent documentation as required. This includes eye wash logs, refrigerator logs, perpetual inventory logs etc.
• General: Audit and maintain accurate records for controlled substances. Assure that all such drugs are stored and dispensed in compliance with Federal, State, and Department Regulations.
• Distribution: Develop and maintain positive and productive service relationships during medication distribution process.
• General: Develop and maintain a clean, organized, and adequately stocked work environment.
• General: Use computer skills to process and maintain all patient information and records.
• General: Maintain and update automated med stations, unit and department stock, emergency boxes, and crash carts.
• General: Demonstrate a high level of accuracy and skill in maintaining controlled substance records and the distribution process for controlled substances.