Lead Sterile Products Pharmacy Technician

Assists in the compounding systems within the pharmacy department including assistance in the building, implementation of, and training of staff.

Serves in a Quality Control support capacity, supporting the Sterile Products and Compounding Specialist

Reports to Sterile Products and Compounding Specialist. Demonstrates support for the mission, values, and goals of the organization through behaviors that are consistent with the CCMC standards.

• Provides audits of the maintenance of the space within medication rooms and pharmacy areas. Works with team members from within and outside of the department to remedy compliance issues.

• Master of various electronic and automated systems to maintain medication availability to nursing teams.

• Prepares of all types of sterile and non-sterile pharmaceuticals (hazardous and non-hazardous, controlled, and non-controlled)

• Demonstrate understanding and competency of governing policies (USP 795, USP 797, USP 800, and departmental standard operating procedures) of sterile and non-sterile drug preparation.

• Accurately handle and execute required documentation of controlled substances according to federal and state regulations, and Connecticut Children's standard operating procedures. Investigates and resolves discrepancies of controlled substances within the department with the assistance of pharmacy manager(s) as required.

• Prepares sterile drug products (IV admixtures, chemotherapy and TPN) and non-sterile drug products for inpatients and outpatients under the direct supervision of a registered pharmacist and following established procedures, in order to ready the drug product for administration to the patient.

Sterile Compounding Oversight and Training

• Supports the Sterile Products and Compounding Specialist with the management/facilitation of the following responsibilities with regards to USP compliance including accurate and complete documentation:

• Perform testing required to validate staff members techniques and understanding of standing operating procedures and governing policies:

• Perform Initial triplicate Gloved Fingertip Testing (GFT)

• Perform Medial Fill assessments (with GFT and Surface Sample)

• Supports the Sterile Products and Compounding Specialist with Developing, training, and implementing standard operating procedures regarding hand hygiene, garbing, cleaning, aseptic technique, and material transfer according to USP 795, 797, and 800 standards

• Observation and documentation of all staff who enter the sterile compounding area as outlined in the standard operating procedures

• Perform initial and/or ongoing assessments (and documentation) of staff members including remediation planning and follow-through as needed

• Oversee didactic competency testing and completion

• Perform regularly scheduled surface samples (at least monthly) and air sampling (at least quarterly) or more frequently if deemed necessary during periods of potential contamination / remediation

• Participate in certification of the sterile compounding area and equipment within and understanding of certification reports

DEPARTMENT LEADERSHIP:

• Supports the leadership team in establishing and communicating a clear vision for the pharmacy staff that is focused on patient safety and regulatory compliance regarding compounding and is aligned with organizational objectives.

• Supports the leadership team and implements short- and long-term operational/infrastructural goals to support pharmacy services (both clinical and operational) throughout the organization within the scope of pharmacy.

• Monitors staff training, productivity, and growth. Identifies opportunities to intervene and improve on current practices to optimize efficiency and safety through compounding systems and processes.

DEPARTMENTAL OPERATIONS/QUALITY IMPROVEMENT:

• Supports the infrastructure of pharmacy programs and activities including, but not limited to, day-to-day medication prep/delivery (automated dispensing cabinets, remote IV checking, kit preparation services, electronic health record, etc.) Utilizes lean processes and continual improvement pillars to optimize these systems to support patient care/safety and optimization of workflows.

• Collaborates in the development and review of policies and procedures governing operations/infrastructure of the pharmacy department.

Minimum education: High School Diploma GED, or a higher level of education that would require the completion of high school, is required.

• Minimum experience:

• 2-3 years in a hospital pharmacy with 1+ year of IV compounding experience.

• Experience with Hazardous drug compounding and familiarity with closed system transfer devices

• National Pharmacy Technician Board Certification

Licenses and Certifications:

Required:

• Current State of pharmacy technician license issued by the Department of Consumer Protection.

• National Pharmacy Technician Board Certification

• Certified Compounded Sterile Preparation Technician (CSPT) at hire or within 1 year of hire

Preferred:

• Hazardous Drug Management Certificate

Skilled at:

• Working knowledge of Microsoft Windows operating system; advanced skills in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and pharmacy information system.

• Evaluating operations and procedures, formulating policies, and developing and implementing new strategies and procedures.

• Exceptional interpersonal skills and the ability to interact and work effectively with medical center leadership and clinical and other support staff, government agencies, physicians, third party payors.

• Advanced verbal and written communication skills and the ability to present effectively to small and large groups of varying education levels.

Ability to:

• Serves as a liaison from nursing units and the pharmacy to assist with medication availability.

• Develops strategies to guide pharmacists and other technicians to meet the dynamic needs of patient care by re-prioritizing tasks and helping others when the opportunity arises.

• Leads others both within and outside of the cleanroom, with varying levels of education, to problem solve and assure patient care needs are met.

• Serves as a primary trainer within the department providing guidance and education to both pharmacists and technicians.

• Use independent judgment when making decisions.

• Foster a cooperative work environment.

• Manage competing priorities.

• Persuade and influence others in the direction of the organization.

• Set a framework for effective change management within the department and effectively create change.