Pharmacy Technician 4, Sterile Compounding

Job Overview 

Under general supervision of a pharmacist, this technician performs pharmacy-related functions in compliance with department policies and procedures that provide optimal pharmaceutical care.  Responsible for providing pharmacy services, including, but not limited to, preparing and distributing pharmaceuticals, performing inventory control, compliance audits, financial transactions, providing customer service, and maintaining pharmacy records.  Responsible for coordinating duties such as scheduling shifts, training and development, and covering sick calls.  In addition, a Pharmacy Technician IV may coordinate workflow and major processes. 

Job Description 

Minimum Qualifications: 

1. High school diploma or equivalent. 

2. Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT).  

3. Massachusetts Pharmacy Technician Registration.  

4. Two (2) years of pharmacy-related experience. 

Preferred Qualifications: 

1. Associate’s degree. 

2. Three (3) years of pharmacy-related experience in a hospital setting.  

Duties and Responsibilities: The duties and responsibilities listed below are intended to describe the general nature of work and are not intended to be an all-inclusive list.  Other duties and responsibilities may be assigned. 

1. Assists manager or supervisor by coordinating the work of an assigned group of employees.  

2. Supports the development of training programs, policies, and scheduling. 

3. Assists in ensuring employees are provided with appropriate resources. 

4. Encourages employee engagement activities and efforts. 

5. Provides recommendations for the most efficient utilization of assigned personnel.  

6. Oversees compliance with quality assurance programs and regulations. 

7. Actively procures medications and investigates resolution for backorders/drug shortages. 

8. Analyzes data and makes recommendations for process improvement and regulatory compliance. 

9. Coordinates follow-up with physicians, patients, and the health care team to ensure medication access. 

10. Performs validation of training and quality assurance programs per policies and procedures. 

11. Participates in recruiting, interviewing, and recognizing other team members. 

12. Oversees the performance of Automated Dispensing Machines (ADM) and/or technology within the medication use process.  

13. Places orders for medications, supplies and other materials as required by the department, in accordance with Hospital and Department policies and procedures. 

14. Engages appropriate internal and external resources to resolve problems with technology. 

15. Develops and maintains inventory control procedures, and manages pharmaceutical inventory ensuring adequate supplies for patient care, yet avoiding excessive inventory storage. 

16. Maintains collaborative, team relationships with peers and colleagues in order to effectively contribute to the working groups’ achievement of goals, and to help foster a positive work environment. 

17. May provide employee performance information and report employee performance problems. 

18. Responsible for troubleshooting the ADM system and coordinating solutions to issues. 

19. Uses knowledge of drug contracting and the pharmaceutical supply chain to control costs and maintain budgetary efficiencies within the department. 

Physical Requirements:  

1. Ability to walk and stand 90% of the day and to occasionally lift up to 30 pounds. 

2. Frequent reaching and grasping below, at, and above shoulder level. 

3. Pushing and/or pushing non-motorized equipment (e.g. carts, IV rolling rack, and medication rolling racks, etc.) weighing 40 to 60 pounds. 

4. Requires manual dexterity using fine hand manipulation to operate prescription medications and computer keyboard 

5. Requires ability to see medications, computer screen and reports. 

6. Reading automated dispensing reports regularly. 

7. Works in an area with some discomfort due to dust, dirt, and temperature changes.  

8. May be exposed to broken glass and some exposure to hazardous chemicals. 

Skills & Abilities: 

1. Good organizational skills and the ability to perform work in a timely and efficient manner. 

2. Ability to communicate effectively. 

3. Ability to communicate effectively and work as a team member. 

4. Excellent telephone etiquette. 

5. Requires specific hazardous substance handling training and complex sterile compounding techniques and mathematical calculations. 

6. Extensive working knowledge of medications including:  brand and generic names, dosing forms, indications, formulary status and strengths. 

7. Demonstrates leadership abilities. 

Job Profile Summary 

​This role focuses on providing pharmacy related services in a hospital or retail setting.  In addition, this role focuses on performing the following Pharmacy Services duties: Delivers pharmaceuticals. Includes professionals who are trained and sometimes licensed to dispense medicine/controlled substances.   An organizational related support or service (administrative or clerical) role or a role that focuses on support of daily business activities (e.g., technical, clinical, non-clinical) operating in a “hands on” environment.  The majority of time is spent in the delivery of support services or activities, typically under supervision.  A specialist level role that requires very advanced knowledge of operational procedures and tools obtained through extensive work experience and may require vocational or technical education.  Works under limited supervision for non-routine situations and may be responsible for leading daily operations, and trains, delegates and reviews the work of lower level employees, and problems are typically difficult and non-routine but not complex.