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.
Under the direction of a registered pharmacist, performs all technical duties associated with the daily operation of the dispensing areas; performs prescription-related, unit dose-related, and sterile product-related functions; performs manufacturing procedures that have been documented in the Department records.
Scheduling:
This position is regularly scheduled to work full-time, 40 hours weekly, on the evening shift.
- Weekend Commitment: Every 3rd to 4th weekend rotation (Saturday and Sunday)
- Holiday Commitment: 1 winter and 1 summer holiday
The primary work location for this position is the Feinberg 9th floor pharmacy. However, this position rotates to other pharmacies within Northwestern Memorial Hospital subject to the needs of the work group.
Responsibilities:
- Performs the duties and responsibilities of a Pharmacy Technician at advanced level.
- Leads performance improvement initiatives
- Liaison between pharmacy and other departments
- Assists with/coordinates pharmacy technician schedule, services, prioritizing assignments and workflow, and promoting situational decision making/problem solving
- Fosters a team environment by providing education and training
- Maintains documentation of completion for media fill and fingertip testing
- Participates in site meetings (i.e. Drug Shortage, huddles, staff meetings)
- Responsible for controlled substance receiving, reconciliation, discrepancy tracking, and investigations
- Performs minor repairs of ADS machines
- Participates in projects as assigned by manager
- Handles recalls, crash carts monitoring, and kitcheck ordering
- Troubleshooting
- Restocks
- Performs Tech-Check-Tech (i.e. automated dispensing cabinet (ADC) runs/controlled substance in ADC; barcode scanned pills, pre-mixed IV bags)
- Follows process of receiving, verifying, and stocking drugs, controlled substances, and supplies
- Prints daily ABC invoices and pulls out any dropship or alternate D/C received; separates any controlled substance and have 222 printed to receive in CSM
- Generates reports for cycle counting the stockroom and refrigerators, printing expiration report
- Restock large volume
- Oversees expiring medication process
- Collaborates with Procurement/Supply Chain to maintain appropriate inventory par levels/drug inventories; communicates inventory problems to leadership/Procurement
- Receives invoice into the automated dispensing cabinet (ADC) CPM and verifies product and quantity match
- Rectifies issues with receipt of orders, back orders, shipping errors, and incorrect pricing
- Maintains sources and mechanisms to obtain drug supplies on an emergency basis interacting with local hospitals, pharmacies, alternative vendors
- Takes appropriate and timely action on drug recalls; communicates key information to leadership
- Coordinates and effectively communicates with management, co-workers, customers, and other healthcare professionals regarding changes to workflows, updates, backorder, and new drug information when/where appropriate
- Audits controlled substance compliance and investigates discrepancies. Prepares summary of findings
- Generates and reviews reports for potential opportunities and brings to leadership, according to established schedules such as reviewing override report (meds pulled properly/meds associated); end of month review for EMS and Controlled Substances dispensed
- Forecast daily, weekly medication doses and supplies needed and communicates with Inventory Technician
- Replenishes all HD supplies and tools
- Communicates with Inventory Technician any out-of-stock medications
- Confirmation of accurate doses and calculations prior to compounding
- Under direction of Pharmacy Technician Coordinator, training of new HD compounding technicians
- Compliance with all Simplifi 797 and 800 requirements
- Other duties as assigned
Qualifications
Required:
- Active Illinois Pharmacy Technician License (IDFPR)
- Pharmacy Technician licenses issued after 12/31/07 must have either CERTIFIED or STUDENT designation by their second license renew in accordance with Section 9 of the Illinois Pharmacy Practice Act
- Licensed Technicians prior to 1/1/2008 certification requirement must meet department skill level
- High School diploma or GED equivalent
- 1-2 years’ technician experience
- Previous experience as a Pharmacy Technician in a hospital or outpatient setting
- Excellent critical thinking skills, decisive judgement, and the ability to work with minimal supervision
- Specialty Pharmacy: Certified Pharmacy Technician through PTCB or ExCPT through NHA
Preferred:
- Minimum 5 years’ technician experience
Additional Information
Northwestern Medicine is an equal opportunity employer (disability, VETS) 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.
Background Check
Northwestern Medicine conducts a background check that includes criminal history on newly hired team members and, at times, internal transfers. If you are offered a position with us, you will be required to complete an authorization and disclosure form that gives Northwestern Medicine permission to run the background check. Results are evaluated on a case-by-case basis, and we follow all local, state, and federal laws, including the Illinois Health Care Worker Background Check Act.
Artificial Intelligence Disclosure
Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools may be used in some portions of the candidate review process for this position, however, all employment decisions will be made by a person.
Benefits
We offer a wide range of benefits that provide employees with tools and resources to improve their physical, emotional, and financial well-being while providing protection for unexpected life events. Please visit our Benefits section to learn more.
Sign-on Bonus Eligibility (if sign-on bonus offered for position): Internal employees and rehires who left Northwestern Medicine within 1 year are not eligible for the sign on bonus. Exception: New graduate internal employees seeking their first licensed clinical position at NM may be eligible depending upon the job family.
