Employment Type:

Full time

Shift:

Rotating Shift

Description:

POSITION PURPOSE

Provides daily pharmacy technical, operational and professional services to inpatients, outpatients and other hospital departments. Under the immediate supervision of a pharmacist and Pharmacy Department leadership, provides daily pharmaceutical supportive services for the Department of Pharmacy according to established procedures and in compliance with pharmacy laws, other regulatory agencies and other members of the multi-disciplinary team. Responds to routine and emergency requests in a prompt, efficient manner requiring some independent judgment, a good level of technical knowledge and a high degree of accuracy. The consequences of a compounding or drug selection error, if undetected, could result in serious patient injury. Participates in departmental education activities and competency assessments. Actively supports and participates in the department's continuous quality improvement initiatives; promotes the organizational commitment to customer service.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Assists with filling, processing and dispensing of medications, re-packages and labels medication, including bulk supplies, with final check performed by a pharmacist. Maintains cleanliness and aseptic technique while following established departmental compounding practices and procedures when mixing intravenous admixtures including: IVPBs, large volume and total parenteral nutrition, and non-chemo oncology infusions, if necessary. Prior to performing drug preparation proven competency while working aseptically in a horizontal or vertical laminar (biological safety cabinet) flow hood using aseptic technique is required. Adheres to USP 797/USP 800 Guidelines and maintains annual aseptic technique competency. Adheres to USP 797/USP 800 Guidelines and maintains annual aseptic technique competency. May prepare low and medium risk sterile compounds according to USP 797 guidelines. May prepare low and reproductive risk hazardous medications according to policy. Non-Sterile compounding of oral or topical products that are not commercially available following established departmental policy and procedure. Delivers controlled substances and other medications to nursing units' automated medication dispensing cabinets (ADC). Fills controlled substance orders and reconciles all discrepancies on a daily basis. Reports any discrepancies to the pharmacist or pharmacy management as appropriate. Delivers other medication, IV solutions and all necessary forms throughout the hospital on a regularly scheduled basis to patient care areas. Prepares medications and subsequently loads and unloads medication into ADC with appropriate bar code scanning. Supports the drug inventory process including rotation and restocking of drug dispensing areas with drugs and supplies needed to process patient medication orders. Ensures the maintenance of a clean and orderly work area. Answers phones according to established phone etiquette and directs calls to the proper personnel. Determines when phone calls or emergency situations need to be referred to a pharmacist. Completes nursing unit inspections, as assigned. Restocks crash cart trays and Tri-county/Washtenaw/Livingston/Wayne ambulance boxes etc., as required in a timely manner. Alerts the pharmacists or pharmacy management of any discrepancies. Fills controlled substance orders and reconciles all discrepancies on a daily basis. Reports any discrepancies to the pharmacist or pharmacy management as appropriate. Monitors any unusual activity for potential drug diversion. Monitors TempTrak refrigeration monitoring system on a daily basis, adjusting temperatures when necessary and documenting actions taken. Prepares and packages medications for subsequent administration to patients under the supervision of the pharmacist. Assumes responsibility for performance of job duties in the safest possible manner, to ensure personal safety and that of coworkers, and to report all preventable hazards and unsafe practices immediately to management. Maintains good rapport and cooperative relationships. Approaches conflict in a constructive manner. Helps to identify problems, offer solutions, and participate in their resolution. Must be able to set and organize own work priorities, and adapt to them as they change frequently. Must be able to work concurrently on a variety of tasks/projects in an environment that may be stressful due to time constraints. Maintains the confidentiality of information acquired pertaining to patient, physicians, colleagues, and visitors to St. Joseph Mercy Chelsea. According to unit or departmental practice, assists with tracking and monitoring of equipment assigned to the unit. Requests services for maintaining equipment as needed. In accordance with unit or departmental practice, proficient with the electronic health records for documentation, assessment, and care management, performing these activities concurrently with provision of care throughout the shift. Trains new pharmacy technicians and documents their progress and reports results to pharmacy leadership on an ongoing basis. Mentors and assists with training of Pharmacy Technician students and provides input regarding their progress. Performs quality improvement audits or other tasks as assigned by the pharmacist or pharmacy manager. Rotational schedule with required weekend and holiday responsibilities. Also available for coverage as needed. Attends and participates in pharmacy huddles, staff and tech meetings and provides feedback for process improvement. Is accountable for follow-up with department communications throughout the department and other systems hospitals/locations.

REQUIRED EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE AND CERTIFICATION/LICENSURE

Education: Requires high school diploma or equivalent. Completion of a formal Pharmacy Technician educational program and/or completion of an Associate's Degree preferred.

Experience: Previous pharmacy experience, hospital-based pharmacy experience preferred. Formal Pharmacy Technician program experiential education may be considered in lieu of work experience.

Certification/Licensure: Certification as a Pharmacy Technician AND Licensure in the State of Michigan are required.

REQUIRED SKILLS AND ABILITIES

Ability to perform basic mathematical calculations accurately as documented by the successful completion of an internal examination. Ability to stand for long periods of time (at least four and up to eight hours per day) or to walk long distances without difficulty. Possesses effective computer and keyboarding skills; ability to work with Pharmacy Information Systems and automation used in the medication use process. Able to use email to communicate with other members of the department including pharmacy management. Ability to concentrate and pay close attention to detail for up to 100%of the time when preparing medication dosage forms including: Outpatient, Inpatient, Intravenous Room Set-up, sterile Intravenous Admixture, and non-sterile admixture. Ability to work independently and as a team to exercise good judgment when prioritizing work responsibilities. Interpersonal skills necessary for effective communications with patients, physicians, nurses, and other health care personnel in order to explain prescription use and gather and exchange other medication information. Analytical skills needed to effectively review the appropriateness of medication requests and to respond to drug information questions.

Our Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion

Trinity Health is one of the largest not-for-profit, Catholic healthcare systems in the nation. Built on the foundation of our Mission and Core Values, we integrate diversity, equity, and inclusion in all that we do. Our colleagues have different lived experiences, customs, abilities, and talents. Together, we become our best selves. A diverse and inclusive workforce provides the most accessible and equitable care for those we serve. Trinity Health is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other status protected by law.

Our Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion

Trinity Health is a family of 115,000 colleagues and nearly 26,000 physicians and clinicians across 25 states. Because we serve diverse populations, our colleagues are trained to recognize the cultural beliefs, values, traditions, language preferences, and health practices of the communities that we serve and to apply that knowledge to produce positive health outcomes. We also recognize that each of us has a different way of thinking and perceiving our world and that these differences often lead to innovative solutions.

Our dedication to diversity includes a unified workforce (through training and education, recruitment, retention, and development), commitment and accountability, communication, community partnerships, and supplier diversity.

EOE including disability/veteran