Job Description

The Pharmacy Technician Specialist reflects the mission, vision, and values of NM, adheres to the organization’s Code of Ethics and Corporate Compliance Program, and complies with all relevant policies, procedures, guidelines and all other regulatory and accreditation standards.

_ Responsibilities:_

• Acts as a member of the clinical team to obtain the most complete and accurate medication history possible for patients throughout the hospital and emergency department.
• Obtains medication history in a timely manner to ensure efficient transitions in the continuum of care.
• Interviews patients, utilizing all resources to obtain complete and accurate medication history, along with obtaining and clarifying allergy information.
• Demonstrates exceptional communication skills with all members of the care team and the public, including patients and patients’ representatives.
• Reviews secondary sources of information to obtain medication histories if unable to obtain directly from patient, or to verify the accuracy of a patient-provided history.
• Ensures that all medication histories are of the highest quality, and communicates any potential concerns with the covering clinical pharmacist to prevent medication errors.
• Documents medication histories, and other pertinent information, in a clear and concise manner
• Maintains a dedication to improving patient safety and reducing medication errors at transitions in the continuum of care.
• Attention to detail, confidentiality, and complete documentation are core responsibilities within this role.
• Demonstrates competency with electronic health record (EHR) documentation and medication knowledge necessary to complete the role.
• Initiates and facilitates all drug purchasing for the pharmacy department.
• Monitors stock levels; evaluates previous purchasing and utilization patterns and anticipates needs.
• Maintains appropriate drug inventories.
• Coordinates the receipt of all deliveries, restocks storage areas and rotates stock as necessary.
• Develops and maintains sources and mechanisms to obtain drug supplies on an emergency basis interacting with local hospitals, pharmacies, alternative vendors, etc.
• Facilitates all returns and credits of expired or unneeded drugs.
• Takes appropriate action on drug recalls.
• Processes inter-department billing. Performs monthly pharmacy unit inspections.
• Prepares medications and floor stock for delivery to various hospital departments and nursing units.
• Rectifies with vendors all problems associated with receipt of orders, back orders, shipping errors and incorrect pricing.
• Maintains purchasing records including invoices, purchase orders, catalogs and historical records.
• Prepares and distributes purchasing reports for the department.
• Assists in maintaining the pharmacy technician schedule.
• Assists in the development and training of new pharmacy technicians.
• Proficient in performing all duties of pharmacy technician, including sterile compounding of IV admixtures, injections and infusions.
• Assists in weekly narcotic audits to insure accurate narcotic record keeping.
• Works with the pharmacy manager or director to identify areas of improvement in the workflow or inventory control of the pharmacy.

Qualifications

_ Required:_

• High School Diploma or equivalent
• Pharmacy Technician License (IDFPR)
• Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT) certification through PTCB or NHA
• At least 2 years specialized or technical training

Additional Information

Northwestern Medicine is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of age, sex, race, color, religion, national origin, gender identity, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation or any other protected status.

If we offer you a job, we will perform a background check that includes a review of any criminal convictions. A conviction does not disqualify you from employment at Northwestern Medicine. We consider this on a case-by-case basis and follow all state and federal guidelines.