Pharmacy Technician

GENERAL PURPOSE OF JOB: The Pharmacy technician shall work under the direct supervision of a registered pharmacist The pharmacy technician performs duties related to the accurate preparation of patient drug orders. Depending on the technician’s designation (I, II, or III), this individual may be involved in the production of sterile and non-sterile preparation of liquid and solid dosage forms admixture of sterile parenteral medications, care of supplies and equipment. The pharmacy technician will be responsible for assisting in processing the admittance, discharge, and transfer of patient medications; inventory control and monitoring of medication storage areas for outdated drugs, record keeping, patient charges, and other duties which are not legally restricted to a licensed pharmacist.

Pharmacy Technician I: The Pharmacy Technician I (PTI) will be capable of working under the direct supervision of a registered pharmacist and complete the front line order process. This individual will assemble oral and other non IV dosing forms and gather premixed IV medications for review by the pharmacist. The PTI will be capable of delivering to the patient care area all medications assembled on the frontline of the inpatient pharmacy. The PTI will be capable of the basic responsibilities of gathering medications and refilling the automated storage units for medications, located throughout the facility.
Pharmacy Technician II: The Pharmacy Technician II (PTII) will be capable of all aspects of the PTI level and duties including the preparation of IV medications from ingredients and diluents under conditions consistent with USP797 guidelines. The PTII will be responsible for preparation, under USP797 conditions, of neonatal and adult total parenteral nutrition (TPN) admixtures, antibiotics and other products requiring assembling in a clean room environment.
Pharmacy Technician III: The Pharmacy Technician III (PTIII) will be capable of all aspects of the PTI and PTII levels and be responsible for mixing chemotherapy agents under USP797 guidelines in a vertical flow hood. This individual will have an understanding of the safety precautions necessary to guard from unnecessary exposure to hazardous materials, including chemotherapy agents.
QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:

Licensure: All technicians, regardless of their designation, will be registered as a pharmacy technician with the West Virginia Board of Pharmacy.

Education and/or Experience: High school diploma or equivalent. Previous pharmacy technician experience preferred.

Communication Skills: Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general, technical procedures, safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals or governmental regulations. Ability to complete reports and procedure manuals. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from physicians, nurses, other hospital staff customers, and the general publicwithin their scope.

Reasoning Ability: Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form. Depending on designation, able to differentiate and identify the various dosage forms, types of intravenous solutions, types of equipment and supplies used in I.V. admixture procedures. Able to recognize those medications which require special handling and auxiliary information. Recognizes situations which require pharmacist intervention prior to completing order entry. Able to select the most appropriate supplies required for a particular admixture preparation. Understands and maintains the extreme confidentiality associated with medication therapy.

Computer/Typing/Mathematical Skills: Satisfactory typing and computer keyboard skills. Knowledge and use of a standard computer keyboard, and terminology. Ability to read, and understand software documentation. Able to use various software programs for database maintenance. Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent. Able to calculate rates of administration.

Machines, equipment, and work aids used: Typewriter, telephone, computer, copy machines, electronic calculator, unit-dose packaging device , automated storage units, scanner, and TPN compounder may all be used and use will be limited by designation.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

VISUAL ACUITY, HEARING ACUITY AND MANUAL DEXTERITY
Standing or sitting for prolonged periods and able to respond quickly and appropriately under pressure. Individuals must have manual dexterity to handle equipment, devices, and paraphernalia used the aseptic preparation of sterile products. Lifting containers not in excess of 25 pounds; pushing weights less than 100 pounds. Reaching above/below shoulder height. Ability to accurately and effeccively read printed and hand written documents and labels of various size print and legibility. Average depth perception. High degree of mental alertness. Ability to work with and around other personnel. Ability to work with minimal supervision. Stress level for the job: Medium.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:
Generally this person will work in a well-lighted, well ventilated, heated and air-conditioned environment. Environmental demands include moderate lifting, intense and constant concentration, safe working conditions, operation of equipment, and listening to low level noise. Some duties will require contact with wet conditions. May be exposed to potentially hazardous and toxic substances; full disclosure and training provided.