Pharmacy Technician

Job description

Under the direct supervision of a licensed pharmacist and reporting to the Clinical Pharmacy and Operations Manager and Director of Pharmacy, the Pharmacy Technician will perform a variety of duties including medication preparation, inventory management, patient medication histories, and ensuring compliance with safety, confidentiality, and quality standards within the Pharmacy department.
• Maintains confidentiality of all materials handled within the Entity as well as the proper release of information.
• Complies with Network and departmental policies regarding issues of employee, patient and environmental safety and follows appropriate reporting requirements.
• Demonstrates financial responsibility and accountability through the effective and efficient use of resources in daily procedures, processes, and practices.
• Complies with Network and departmental policies regarding attendance and dress code.
• Obtains and maintains appropriate knowledge and understanding of the Greater Waterbury Health Network and the Department of Pharmacy. This knowledge will include an overview of the department, the content of the department's training program, and other topics as determined by their supervisor.
• Demonstrates a thorough knowledge and understanding of the duties and responsibilities of the position to which he/she is assigned which may include:
• Accurately and timely fills medications, medication carts/trays, and stock requisitions accurately. and IV orders from computer generated labels, fills and updates.
• Delivers medications to and picks up medications from patient care areas and automated dispensing cabinets or uses the pneumatic tube to deliver medications when appropriate.
• Prepares pharmaceutical sterile products, and chemotherapeutic admixtures as assigned.
• Keeps work area clean and neat and free of excess items, maintains adequate par levels of medications within shift and removes all outdated drugs.
• Accurately credits returned patient medications.
• Demonstrates ability to answer telephone/window and deal with visitors to pharmacy appropriately. Demonstrates ability to involve other pharmacy staff when appropriate including directing all drug information questions to a pharmacist.
• Prepares prepackaged medications under pharmacist supervision using proper technique, maintains appropriate logbooks and completes work within shift.
• Maintains a working knowledge of the general chemical and physical properties of drugs handled in the pharmacy department. This includes, but is not limited to, identifying medications that are light sensitive, requires refrigeration, are caustic, or poisonous. Is able to use reference books and website references for stability information or material safety data sheets.
• Dispose of pharmaceutical waste appropriately
• Performs the essential functions relating to drug purchasing and inventory control.
• Performs floor inspections for all areas with medications as assigned.
• Perform a patient medication history. Actively include the patient and/or the patient's family.
• Document the history accurately and completely.
• Contacts the patient's outside pharmacist or physician to resolve all discrepancies in a timely manner.
• Documents resolution of discrepancies in the medical record so that the attending physician can review and reconcile the list.
• Complete all Pharmacy Department Quality Improvement/Quality Control assignments as directed.
• Conduct routine-controlled drug inventory audits.
• Utilizes effective interpersonal communication skills while maintaining confidentiality of hospital information and addressing co-workers, nurses and others in a pleasant and cooperative manner.
• Performs routine activities with minimal supervision, offering to provide additional help when needed, participates in training of new employees.
• Maintains safe working habits, does not create hazardous conditions within the work environment.
• Completes and maintains IV/Admixtures lab and departmental competencies.
• Performs all other duties as assigned.
• High School Diploma; completion of a formal pharmacy technician training program or equivalent experience.
• National Pharmacy Technician Certification (CPhT) required.
• Eligibility for pharmacy technician registration in Connecticut.
• BS or Associate’s degree in Biology, Chemistry, or related field preferred.
• Prior hospital pharmacy experience preferred.
• Basic computer skills; ability to use Waterbury Hospital software and internet resources.
• Knowledge of chemistry, drug stability, and material safety data sheets.
• Ability to work in a fast‑paced interdisciplinary team with tact and confidentiality.
• Physical ability to stand, walk, and lift as required.
• Strong interpersonal communication and problem‑solving skills.