Pharmacy Technician

SUMMARY: Under the general direction of the Pharmacy Director, the Pharmacy Technician works as a part of the pharmacy department and is responsible for assisting the pharmacist with dispensing medications and maintaining the general operation of the pharmacy.

PRIMARY DUTIES and RESPONSIBILITIES include the following: (other duties may be assigned)

• Receives medication orders from patients.
• Takes a brief medication history regarding allergies and previous adverse reactions to drugs (if the pharmacist is not available).
• Obtains birth date, address, and telephone number from the patient if not already in the computer. Obtains billing account type and insurance/ Medicaid card if applicable. Obtains approval for pharmacy texting to patient.
• Fills prescriptions: inputs information into the computer accurately and obtains prescription labels; fills prescriptions with appropriate medication (matching NDC) and labels the bottle; informs pharmacist of any drug interactions, allergies or therapeutic duplications indicated by the computer. Monitors prescriber comment fields to improve prescriber-pharmacy communication.
• Calls patient if necessary to inform them of out of stock, refills needed, or any delay that may affect patient’s expected pickup time. Call is documented accordingly.
• Collects payments for the prescriptions dispensed.
• Promptly answers telephone calls from outside pharmacies relating to patient prescription refills, transfers, etc.
• Prompt follow-up of telephone calls from providers, patients and pharmacies.
• Interacts with patients and fellow employees in a polite, respectful, and encouraging manner. Maintains team-driven work ethic.
• Other duties as assigned.
  
  

Corporate Compliance: It is an essential job element that everyone be compliant with the full law and fully cooperate with the compliance program without fear of retaliations from the organization.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES: N/A

Administrative Responsibilities

• Assists the pharmacist with maintaining medication files on patients who have prescriptions filled in the pharmacy.
• Takes a daily inventory of drugs and supplies and after confirming with the pharmacist, places orders when necessary.
• Maintains cleanliness and neatness of equipment and work area.
• Unpacks and stores in-coming supplies, drug orders; verifies items against order, stocks items in orderly manner.
• Assists pharmacist in answering the telephone and recording telephone messages appropriately.
• Checks expiration dates of medications stocked periodically (every three months) and pulls expired drugs from the shelf. Corrects inventory levels in the computer software to reflect expired medications.
• Assists in completing prior authorizations and Patient Assistance Program applications as indicated by Pharmacy Director to deliver prompt patient care.
• Assists the pharmacist with annual inventory.
  
  

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS: The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge skills, and/or ability required:

• Must be organized and work well under pressure.
• A minimum of 2 years of experience as a Pharmacy Technician, or as approved by Pharmacy Director.
• Must have a working knowledge of commercial insurance, and knowledge regarding medications, Medicare and Medicaid insurance.
  
  

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE: High School diploma or equivalent; experience may be substituted for education; must have at least one year of health care related experience. National Board Certification preferred.

ESSENTIAL TECHNICAL/MOTOR SKILLS: Must understand medical terminology, possess mathematical skills, accurate keyboarding skills, ability to process work error free -- Ability to use standard office equipment, including computers, photocopiers, and facsimile machines -- Ability to learn, understand, and use Internet insurance eligibility systems.

INTERPERSONAL SKILLS: Excellent interpersonal and customer service skills -- Excellent telephone etiquette -- Teamwork and communication skills essential -- Treat all patients, co-workers, and managers with courtesy and respect.

MENTAL ABILITIES: Cognitive reasoning -- Clear thinking in high-pressure situations

• Ability to prioritize and withstand pressure of continual work with variable requirements -- Ability to concentrate and maintain accuracy despite frequent interruptions -- Critical thinking and organization skills, problem solving, and reasoning capabilities.
  
  

LANGUAGE SKILLS: Ability to speak English fluently -- The ability to speak other languages is preferred.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands described herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, walk, talk, and hear, use hands to finger, handle or feel. The employee is occasionally required to stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl. The employee is frequently required to lift and/or move up to 20 pounds.

The special vision requirements for this job are close vision (clear vision at 20 inches or less), color vision (ability to identify and distinguish colors).

WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described herein are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions for this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

MedNorth Health Center provides comprehensive health care services, inside a multi-cultural medical/dental clinic, to all individuals; insured, uninsured, and underinsured. The building is heated in winter and air conditioned in the summer with noise levels of moderate to loud. We serve patients who speak multiple languages and who may need the assistance of an interpreter. In this position one may be subject to exposure to copier toner, correction fluid, bright fluorescent lighting, and continuous personal computer exposure.

This job is a Blood borne Pathogens risk category II position.

General Expectations

The employee is expected to attend work on a daily basis and to be at work on time.

The employee is expected to be a team player.

The employee is expected to report absences in accordance with personnel policies and procedures.

The employee's work is expected to be accurate, neat, and thorough, and completed on time.

The employee is expected to have a positive attitude, be cooperative, and considerate of others.

The employee is expected to be dependable and is expected to accept responsibility for assignments and duties given.

The employee is expected to dress and act in a professional manner and to adhere to all safety standards.

The employee is expected to participate in staff meetings, be courteous and polite with patients and other staff.

The employee is expected to maintain confidentiality.