What are the responsibilities and job description for the Pharmacy Technician I position at Cherokee Indian Hospital Authority?

Job Title : Pharmacy Technician I

Job Code : PHARMT I

Department : Pharmacy

Division : Operations

Salary Level : Non-Exempt 4

Reports to : Director of Pharmacy

Last Revised : December 2024

Primary Function

The incumbent in this position serves as a Pharmacy Technician for the Cherokee Service

Unit under the Cherokee Indian Hospital Authority. The incumbent is responsible for the

provision of technical and support duties associated with the provision of pharmaceutical

services to the patient population that is served by the organization. The position requires

the maintenance of adequate quantities of necessary drugs and supplies necessary to meet

the mission of the Pharmacy Department.

Job Description

The technician fully assists the pharmacist in the preparation and provision of

medications in the fulfillment of patient care functions.

The technician will have responsibilities for inventory control which include, but are

not limited to, ordering of pharmaceuticals and supplies, management of stock,

inventory maintenance, maintenance of appropriate records, and management of

requisitions and requests.

The technician will participate in the provision of outpatient pharmaceutical services.

This includes, but is not limited to : performing receptionist / clerical duties,

performing data entry functions, preparing prescriptions for patient use, maintenance

of appropriate records, and completing functions related to insurance and billing.

The technician will participate in the provision of inpatient pharmaceutical services

which include : data entry responsibilities, preparation of intravenous admixtures,

preparation of unit dose supplies, maintenance of appropriate records, and

maintenance of medication inventories for patient use.

The technician will have responsibilities related to medication supply management,

including packaging, labeling, minor compounding, maintenance of appropriate

records, and maintenance of adequate supplies to meet patient and hospital needs.

The technician will have other general department duties including : automated

equipment maintenance and monitoring, department cleaning and organizing,

professional interactions with pharmacy and hospital staff, and proper monitoring of

medication storage conditions and status.

The technician will be responsible for other duties as assigned in order to meet the

mission of the pharmacy department to provide patient care.

More specific information related to job duties is available as a supplement to this

job description.

Job Knowledge

Knowledge or the ability to acquire knowledge of pharmaceutical nomenclature, metric

and apothecary systems of weights and measures, sterile procedures, Federal pharmacy

laws and regulations, JCAHO and IHS standards, operations of various types of

pharmaceutical apparatus, equipment, automated technology, compounding techniques,

and measurement of ingredients. Position requires basic mathematical and public relation

skills. Valid driver's license may be required.

Education / Experience

High School graduate or equivalent. Ability to perform basic mathematical

calculations. Ability to operate a typewriter and / or keyboard for the production of

documents, labels, and other printed materials.

Ability to learn and / or knowledge of basic pharmacy processes and systems,

pharmaceutical drug names, calculations, and regulations.

Ability and / or knowledge to manage the ordering, receipt, accounting of, and proper

storage of supplies.

Ability to work with a variety of people from various backgrounds.

Ability to exercise tack and diplomacy in order to gain the confidence, support, and

cooperation of these individuals.

Any type of work that demonstrates the applicant's ability to perform the work of the

position, or experience that provided a familiarity with the subject matter or

processes of the broad subject area of the occupation.

Basic proficiency in position expected within 12 months of hire.

Contact with Others

The position involves frequent contact with other individuals, especially health care

professionals (physicians, allied health providers, nurses), support and clerical staff, other

pharmacy staff, patients, and the general public. Contacts are numerous and, at times can

be under difficult circumstances or in difficult settings. Professionalism and tact are

imperative for this position. Failure to act professionally can reflect poorly on the facility

and department and contribute to unforeseen adverse effects on the organization. Utmost

sensitivity is required when interacting with patients and their families.

Confidential Data

Much of the information processed in this position is considered highly confidential and

of a sensitive nature. It must not be disclosed to other parties except within the

performance of one's duties. All information will be handled in accordance with the

Cherokee Hospital's guidelines and Federal Law. Improper handling of information can

be detrimental to the operation of the organization and department and damage Pharmacy

relations with its clients. Failure to maintain proper confidentiality of all records and

improper disclosure of sensitive patient information can result in civil and criminal

penalties.

Responsibility for Accuracy

The individual in this position must perform the functions of the position with accuracy,

correctness, and attention to detail. Errors which occur in the performance of duties

related to this position would be difficult to detect and can have adverse effects on the

health of individuals, groups, and families. Errors can place the pharmacy and

organization at risk for substantial legal and financial liability. Undetected and

unresolved errors can result in a range of life threatening patient consequences. Errors in

judgment and in filling and / or processing orders and prescriptions can result in serious

injury or death to a patient. Therefore, attention to detail and accuracy in performing the

functions of the position is essential.

Mental / Visual / Physical

Job duties may be mentally, emotionally, and physically stressful at times.

The work requires balancing multiple priorities in a busy, rapid paced, work

environment while attending to patient safety. The job is subject to frequent

interruptions, which can cause distractions and potential for error.

Physical activities require the ability to walk, sit, reach, bend, and lift.

The job requires visual acuity, manual dexterity, and the ability to speak and hear

clearly.

Repetitive activities will occur with the use of typewriter and / or computer

keyboards and preparation of pharmaceutical prescriptions.

Resourcefulness and Initiative

The individual in this position will follow well defined procedures and guidelines in job

duties with minimal supervision. He / she must be reliable, trustworthy, diligent, and

responsive to supervision, and accept direction for all aspects of the job. He / she must

maintain a high degree of motivation and work ethic. He / she must communicate and

respond appropriately to various situations and changing priorities. Judgment and self

motivation are required to maintain accuracy, efficiency, and timely completion of duties.

Must prioritize work and meet deadlines. Must demonstrate a high degree of patience and

courtesy in interactions with patients and staff.

Environment

The work is performed in a health care environment within a clinic, hospital,

emergency room, field clinic, and / or pharmacy setting.

Potential exposure to infectious and contagious disease can occur.

Lifting or moving of pharmaceutical supplies, equipment, and patients that weigh

over 50 pounds is possible.

It may be necessary to work when Administrative Leave is granted if patient care

functions are required and / or if such care would be compromised.

Detailed Pharmacy Technician Job Duties

Patient Care Functions

Assists the pharmacist(s) in the provision of patient pharmaceutical care.

Calculates dosages to match physician orders with pharmacy stocks.

Explains pharmacy policies and prescription directions to patients as necessary.

Inventory Control Ordering

Technicians have involvement with ordering of pharmaceutical supplies,

excluding Schedule II Drug items.

Prepares emergency orders as necessary and checks status of pending orders.

Stock Management

Reviews and checks all areas of the facility which maintain medication supplies.

Checks nursing units, ER, and pharmacy areas for expired drugs and proper

storage conditions on a routine basis.

Responsible for proper disposal and / or return for credit of deteriorated or outdated

drugs.

Maintains records as required.

Processes incoming orders. Shelves and stores all received drugs and supplies.

Assures that all drug stock is stored appropriately and rotated properly.

Utilizes pharmacy and warehouse space efficiently.

Maintains adequate working shelf stock of all medications.

Manages and maintains adequate level of supply in ScriptPro robotic system.

Requisition Management

Fills inpatient, outpatient, and ER drug requisitions.

Restocks pharmacy automated dispensing systems according to approved policies

and procedures.

Monitors and manages automated dispensing systems for adequate stock and

efficient utilization.

Maintains appropriate documentation and statistical records related to inventory

management.

Outpatient Services Reception / Clerical

Responsible for some clerical duties as needed, such as typing memos, copying,

and distribution of all information for pharmacists and pharmacy related

committees.

Answers patient questions as to pharmacy procedures and policies.

Greets patients and assists with fulfilling the patient's medication requests and

needs.

Maintains patient charts in proper sequence for processing.

Stages completed medication orders and patients for pharmacist counseling.

Data Entry

Screen patient medical records for obvious transcription, technical, and / or

omission errors.

Assesses patient eligibility and determines patient insurance status.

Accurately enters prescription orders into the RPMS computer system. Includes

interpretation of the prescription order in terms of drug name, strength, directions

for use, correct quantity, and number of refills.

Prescription Preparation

Selects correct drug, strength, and dosage form from inventory.

Counts appropriate quantity and reviews data entry prescription information for

accuracy.

Labels prescription bottles including addition of appropriate auxiliary information

labels.

Processes ScriptPro produced prescriptions. Certifies correct filling by system

through use of bar coding protocol.

Insurance

Assesses patient insurance status.

Fills prescriptions in quantity and manner consistent with third party insurance

requirements.

Assists in insurance Point of Sale billing processes and processing.

Inpatient Services

Intravenous Admixtures

Prepares sterile reconstitutions and intravenous admixtures using sterile and

aseptic procedures.

Visually checks all prepared intravenous solutions and admixtures for inadequate

preparation, unexpected discoloration, particles, and unexpected participation.

Determines compatible solutions for each admixture and sufficient volumes of

solution to support medication dosages.

Accurately enters admixture orders into the RPMS data base program.

Label prepared products accurately and completely.

Maintains appropriate workload records.

Unit Dose

Prepares unit dose medication packages for distribution.

Assists pharmacist with filling of unit dose carts for 24 hour period.

Monitors and refills automated prescription dispensing systems with appropriate

drug item and package size.

Maintains appropriate workload records.

Medication Supply Management

Prepackages drugs form bulk containers to smaller patient ready dispensing

units for efficient stock maintenance and prescription processing.

Prepackages single use medication units for inpatient, emergency department, and

automated dispensing cabinets.

Compounds bulk supplies such as ointments and solutions following appropriate

guidelines for aseptic and pharmaceutically elegant preparations.

Correctly labels and stores all prepared medication supplies.

Maintains sufficient prepackaged medication supply to meet after hours

dispensing requirements.

Prepares and maintains appropriate workload and medication control records.

General Department Duties

Maintains the pharmacy and storage areas in a neat, clean, and orderly condition

by organizing, dusting, and cleaning as needed.

Remove and dispose of all unnecessary materials. Patient sensitive materials must

be shredded and disposed of in a manner to maintain confidentiality.

Remove and provide for proper disposal of expired and deteriorated medications.

Return medications not retrieved by patients back to stock according to accepted

pharmacy protocol.

Return unneeded drug supplies, bottles, and filled prescriptions back to stock and

ScriptPro machine as indicated.

Maintains the highest level of professional standards of pharmacy practice when

serving patients of all age groups, service unit staff, and the greater community.

Ascribes to the Indian Health Service Standards of Practice for Pharmacy.

Other duties as assigned.

Supervision Received

The position is under the direction of the Director of Pharmacy, or other Pharmacy

Supervisor as assigned by the Director of Pharmacy

On a daily basis the technician will be under the immediate supervision of a

pharmacist present in the immediate work environment.

The incumbent operates independently in the performance of the technical aspects of

pharmaceutical services.

The incumbent is expected to perform routine assignments independently and to

refer more difficult matters to the immediate supervisor. Unusual and / or non-routine

situations are to be referred to the Director of Pharmacy Services or designated

Supervisor.

The incumbent actively supports the mission and overall integrity of the program.

Additional policy and procedure guidance is received through the higher grade

supervisor, the Cherokee Indian Hospital Pharmacy Policy and Procedure Manual,

Service Unit policies and procedures, Indian Health Service policies, and JCAHO

guidelines and directives.

Customer Service

Consistently demonstrates superior customer service skills to patients / customers by

demonstrating characteristics that align with CIHA's guiding principles and core values.

Ensure excellent customer service is provided to all patients / customers by seeking out

opportunities to be of service. Learn More

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