Job Description

Under the general supervision of a pharmacist, the Pharmacy Technician I performs pharmacy-related functions in compliance with department policies and procedures that provide optimal pharmaceutical care. The Pharmacy Technician I is responsible for providing pharmacy services, including, but not limited to distributing pharmaceuticals, performing inventory control, providing customer service, and maintaining pharmacy records. A Pharmacy Technician I must be registered through the Board of Pharmacy.

A Pharmacy Technician I may not perform the following duties: administer medications or vaccines, perform drug utilization review, conduct clinical conflict resolution, contact prescribers concerning prescription drug order clarification or therapy modification, provide patient counseling nor perform dispensing process validation.

In order to be eligible for a promotion into the Pharmacy Technician I position, the individual must demonstrate an acceptable level of performance and satisfactory completion of standard competency assessments and is actively in pursuit of pharmacy technician certification.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Major responsibilities of the Pharmacy Technician I will vary depending on which pharmacy area he/she is employed.
• Partakes in medication distribution activities and maintains pharmacy records.
• Prepares and pre-packages unit dose medications while following established protocols and guidelines.
• Replenishes, retrieves, and delivers medications using both manual and automated systems.
• Completes necessary dispensing records, unit inspection forms, and medication storage records.
• Prepares medications to be shipped and orders supplies accordingly.
• Assists in transporting Schedule II controlled substances.
• Request and accept refill authorizations from a prescriber or prescriber’s agent provided that no information has changed from the previous prescription.
• Assist patients with prescription intake and over-the-counter sales, obtaining pharmacist approval where required or requested.
• Facilitates the delivery of stat medications and missing doses as well as replenishment of inventory.
• Performs financial transaction activities.
• Participates in point of sale transactions inclusive of the cash register.
• Charge and/or credit patients for medications used or returned.
• Completes inventory management activities.
• Checks expiration dates.
• Rotates medication stock on a regular basis.
• Restocks emergency trays or kits.
• Completes cycle counts.
• Removes discontinued or expired medications from dispensing locations.
• Returns medications to appropriate medication storage locations.
• Engages in customer service activities.
• Greet and assist customers on arrival to the pharmacy.
• Provide assistance over the telephone while using proper telephone etiquette.
• Relays to the patient or responsible person the pharmacist’s offer to counsel.
• Maintains collaborative, team-based relationships with peers and colleagues to foster a positive work environment and effectively help working groups achieve their goals.
• A pharmacy technician shall wear a name tag with the individual’s name and the title Pharmacy Technician.
• Performs other similar and related duties as required or directed.

Qualifications

JOB KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:

• Must be at least 18 years of age
• Must be of good moral character
• Must not have been convicted of a drug-related felony or admitted to sufficient facts to warrant such finding

EDUCATION:

• Must be a high school graduate or equivalent, or currently enrolled in a program which awards such a degree or certificate.
• Additionally, a Level 1 Pharmacy Technician must have successfully completed a Board-approved pharmacy technician training program. This training program shall include coverage of the topics of job descriptions, pharmacy security, commonly used medical abbreviations, routes of administration, product selection, final check by pharmacists, guidelines for the use of pharmacy technicians, and any other requirements of the Board.

TRAINING PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS - AN APPLICANT CAN SATISFY ANY OF THE FOLLOWING:

• A pharmacy technician training program accredited by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists;
• A pharmacy technician training program provided by a branch of the United States Armed Services or Public Health Service;
• A Board-approved pharmacy technician training program, which includes a minimum of 120 hours of theoretical and 120 hours of practical instruction;
• Any other pharmacy technician training course approved by the Board;
• Successfully completed a minimum of 500 hours of employment as a pharmacy technician trainee. Documentation of the required 500 hours of experience shall be attested.

EXAMINATION REQUIREMENTS:

• An applicant for registration as a pharmacy technician must achieve a board-approved passing score on a board-approved employer administered pharmacy technician assessment examination. The examination must cover the following knowledge-based areas:

PRACTICE SETTINGS

• Duties and responsibilities of a Registered Pharmacy Technician in relationship to other pharmacy personnel
• Laws and regulations regarding the practice of pharmacy and patient confidentiality
• Medical abbreviations and symbols
• Common dosage calculations
• Identification of drugs, dosages, routes of administration, and storage requirements

EXPERIENCE:

• Must have successfully completed a board-approved technician training program or passed a national certification test.

LICENSES/CERTIFICATION:

• Must be registered as a Pharmacy Technician in the state of Massachusetts.

WORK SCHEDULE:

• Full-time employment is 40 hours per week, includes evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays as necessary.

WORKING CONDITIONS/PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• Ability to walk and stand 90 percent of the day and to occasionally lift up to 30 pounds.
• Work requires regularly reaching and grasping below, at, and above shoulder level.
• Work requires regularly pushing and/or pulling non-motorized equipment (e.g., carts, IV rolling rack, and medication rolling racks, etc.) weighing 40 to 60 pounds.
• Work requires regularly grasping and fine manipulation with hands.
• Work requires reading automated dispensing reports regularly.
• Works in an area with some discomfort due to dust, dirt, and temperature changes.
• Possibility of cuts from broken glass and some exposure to hazardous chemicals.
• No potential exposure to blood borne pathogens.
• Job requires performance of duties that involve no potential for exposure to blood, body fluids, or tissues.
• Tasks that do involve exposure are not an expectation of employment.

Additional Information All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES STATEMENT:

Must be able to perform all essential functions of this position with reasonable accommodation if disabled.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed. They are not intended to be construed, as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel so classified. Tufts Medical Center reserves the right to modify position duties at any time, to reflect process improvements and business necessity.

COVID-19 POLICY:

Please note that effective October 1, 2021, as a condition of employment at Tufts Medical Center, all employees and new hires must have received their complete dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, unless they have been granted an exemption.