Lead Pharmacy Technician

At Memorial Hermann, we pursue a common goal of delivering high quality, efficient care while creating exceptional experiences for every member of our community. When we say every member of our community, that includes our employees. We know that when our employees feel cared for, heard and valued, they are inspired to create moments that exceed expectations, while prioritizing safety, compassion, personalization and efficiency. If you want to advance your career and contribute to our vision of creating healthier communities, now and for generations to come, we want you to be a part of our team.

Job Summary

Responsible for mentoring, training, and scheduling the work of Pharmacy Technicians. Also functions as a Pharmacy Technician

Job Description

Minimum Qualifications:

Education: High school diploma or GED, required

Licenses/Certifications:

• Current Pharmacy Tech registration or Pharmacist intern registration with the Texas State Board of Pharmacy required. ACPE I.V Certification with completion of 40-hour course in I.V. admixture preferred

• Sterile Products Certification through accredited program is required if incumbent compounds sterile products

Experience / Knowledge / Skills:

• Five (5) years pharmacy experience required. At least five (5) years hospital experience preferred with established leadership and accountability qualities indicative of department leadership role.

• Must have knowledge of medical terminology

• Self motivated

• Must be able to demonstrate proficiency in unit dose area of the pharmacy, sterile product preparation, PYXIS, and performance improvement activities within the department

• Knowledge of personal computer operations (Word and Excel) preferred

• Effective oral and written communication skills.

• Ability to troubleshoot and problem solve independently

Lead Pharmacy Technician requires proficiency in a minimum of six (6) skills from List I, II or III or a minimum of one (1) skill from list III and is currently performing as the primary role of the job:

List I:

• Distribution (Unit Dose/PYXIS)

• Inventory

• Pre-Packaging

• Satellite operation (i.e. O.R., Pediatrics, etc.)

• List II:

• Compounding

• TPN

• Billing

• IV admixture

List III:

• Teaching/Training

• PYXIS management

• IDS

• Narcotics Control

• Unit tech (ie. ICU, OR, pedi)

Principal Accountabilities

• Supportive of department, hospital and system initiatives.

• Mentors Pharmacy Technicians.

• Formulates department schedule and staffing vacancies. Troubleshoots shift issues.

• Provides input to manager for performance evaluations.

• Assures documentation of quality assurance activities are completed for department performance metrics.

• Maintains accountability for operations within the department for performance improvement activities.

• Performs audits to ensure department policy and procedure are being followed.

• Maintains pharmacy system databases.

• Selects prescribed medications according to dosage and strength indicated on patient medication file or cart-fill list.

• Receives merchandise and places into inventory.

• Monitors assigned areas for out-of-stock or out-of-date inventory.

• Delivers medications to the patient care areas.

• Inspects and maintains emergency medication trays.

• Packages and labels unit dose oral liquids/tablets, and maintains pre-pack records.

• Collects and loads drugs into an automated drug dispensing system (PYXIS). Maintains inventory for non-automated patient care areas.

• Responds to requests for medications from nursing personnel and other departments.

• Follows processes to ensure all medications are compliant to technology safety checks.

• Prepares sterile products in an accurate and aseptic manner when appropriate.

• Attends to customers as a liaison and gathers a medication history if applicable.

• Properly manage pharmaceutical waste

• Credits patients for returned medications using the computer system, and returns the medication to inventory.

• If a registered intern: Under direct supervision of a pharmacist, contacts and confers with physicians concerning the appropriate drug, dose, dosing interval, drug allergy and drug-drug interactions.

• Ensures safe care to patients, staff and visitors; adheres to all Memorial Hermann policies, procedures, and standards within budgetary specifications including time management, supply management, productivity and quality of service.

• Promotes individual professional growth and development by meeting requirements for mandatory/continuing education, skills competency, supports department-based goals which contribute to the success of the organization; serves as preceptor, mentor, and resource to less experienced staff.

• Demonstrates commitment to caring for every member of our community by creating compassionate and personalized experiences. Models Memorial Hermann's service standards by providing safe, caring, personalized and efficient experiences to patients and colleagues.

• Other duties as assigned.