Pharmacy IS-Inventory Technician - Full Time

Summary of Position: 

The IS Inventory technician is responsible for ensuring that the purchasing and maintenance of inventory within the pharmacy and automated dispensing systems (ADS) is adequate to meet the day to day needs of the hospital. They are responsible for ensuring that medications and corresponding barcodes are entered into the electronic medical record (EMR) database as well as the ADS database. Additionally, they monitor for and communicate shortages as needed with pharmacy and hospital staff.

Qualifications

Education:

• Completion of an accredited pharmacy technician program or equivalent education/experience

Experience:

• Minimum three years recent experience as a Pharmacy Technician in a hospital or similar healthcare setting, IV sterile preparation experience, extensive computer experience and automated dispensing system (ADS) experience   

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:

• Developed knowledge of internet browsers and ability to navigate and explain complex websites

• Developed knowledge of automated dispensing systems (ADS)

• Thorough knowledge of pharmacy operations / workflow

• Ability to perform all functions of a hospital pharmacy technician.

Certifications/Licensure:

• Clear and current California pharmacy technician license

• Current CPhT or ability to obtain within 1 year of hire

Physical Demands

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

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to walk, stand, sit, and talk or hear. 

• The employee is occasionally required to use hands to finger, handle, feel or operate objects, tools, or controls; and reach with hands and arms.

• The employee is occasionally required to climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.

• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, and the ability to adjust focus.

• Lifts, positions, pushes and/or transfer patients.

• The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.

Working Conditions 

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Routine Hospital/Healthcare & Office/Administrative conditions.

• Contact with patients and guests under a wide variety of circumstances.

• Regularly exposed to the risk of blood borne diseases.

• Exposure to infections and contagious disease.

• Exposed to hazardous anesthetic agents, body fluids and waste.

• Subject to hazards of flammable and explosive gases.

• Subject to varying and unpredictable situations, including the handling of emergency or crisis situations.

• Subject to pressure due to irregular hours, frequent interruptions and stressful situations due to multiple demands.

• Occasional travel to various health system locations. 

Essential Functions

1. Provides consistently exceptional care at all times.

2. Manages all aspects of daily medication orders from wholesaler.

3. Places specialty drug orders through outside vendors.

4. Coordinates medication procurement for local clinics, EMS, and fire departments.

5. Ensures all medication barcodes are in the formulary databases to support department scanning processes as well as BCMA.

6. Optimize medication inventory PAR levels to avoid stock outs and reduce waste.

7. Records necessary information for compliance with the Drug Supply Chain Security Act (DSCSA).

8. Provides additional oversight of controlled substance perpetual inventory records and monitors for accurate and complete tracking.

9. Monitors for and effectively communicates information related to the management of drug shortages.

10. Monitors for and effectively communicates information related to the management of drug recalls.

11. Coordinates formulary change management process.

12. Ensures storage of medications is in accordance with hospital policy and procedure and all relevant laws and regulations.

13. Leads use of ADS technology and automation in the  operational activities of the department.

14. Performs limited ADS hardware troubleshooting and coordinates routine preventative maintenance with manufacturer.

15. Maintains competency to perform all aspects of the pharmacy technician role.

16. Coordinates and leads the annual pharmacy medication inventory.

17. Acts as a preceptor to new pharmacy employees regarding inventory operations.

18. Responds to the needs of the department by performing other duties, as necessary.