General Summary of Position
Under the direct supervision of a pharmacist, prepares and fills routine orders for prescribed medications; restocks automated dispensing machines; repackages medications; compounds both sterile and non-sterile medications.
Primary Duties and Responsibilities
Abides by recommendations from regulatory and advisory groups regarding safe medication principles, including look alike, sound alike and high alert drugs. Responds appropriately to medication occurrences. Understands and takes appropriate action when a medication occurrence is identified. Complies with internal reporting requirements for medication occurrences using the Patient Safety Event system. Participates in meetings and on committees and represents the department and hospital in community outreach efforts.Assists pharmacists in obtaining patient specific information as appropriate for safe medication management. Under direct supervision, participates in the exchange of information with appropriate healthcare professionals and staff.Contributes to the achievement of established department goals and objectives and adheres to department policies, procedures, quality standards, and safety standards. Complies with governmental and accreditation regulations.Ensures that medications are properly and safely stored throughout the hospital. Stores medications under conditions necessary to ensure stability. Secures medications in accordance with the hospital's policy, law and regulation. Refills and replaces medications in automated medication dispensing machines throughout the hospital. Troubleshoots and services automated medication dispensing machines as needed. Appropriately labels all medications and chemicals used to prepare medications with contents, expiration dates and appropriated warnings. Routinely inspects all medication storage areas according to hospital's policy. Adheres to all laws, regulations, and hospital policies regarding the management and handling of recalled, discontinued, unused, expired, or returned medications. Inspects returned medications for integrity before returning to pharmacy stock. Segregates outdated or recalled medications from pharmacy stock.Participates in the evaluation of the hospital's medication management system for risk points and identifies areas to improve safety.Safely and accurately prepares all medications in the most ready to administer form (including hazardous medications and sterile products) , using proper techniques, calculations and appropriate precautions. Labels and packages medications according to hospital policy, applicable laws and regulations, and standards of practice to ensure safe, accurate administration (i.e. labels medications with the drug name, strength, quantity, beyond use date, patient name, patient location, and directions for use). Maintains documentation for all repackaged medications as required by departmental policy.Selection and Procurement: Ensures that medications are selected and procured based on departmental criteria. Demonstrates a working knowledge of the formulary list and the formulary process. Adheres to policies and procedures regarding the procurement of non-formulary medications. Adheres to policies and procedures that address medication shortages, outages, emergency, and disaster situations. If applicable, adheres to policies and procedures regarding the 340B Drug Pricing Program.Stores controlled substances in such a manner to prevent diversion in accordance with state and federal laws and regulations. Accounts for all unused, expired, or returned medications according to law. Utilizes automation where applicable.Transports medication to patient care units, placing in the designated delivery locations, within established departmental standards for turnaround times.Participates in meetings and on committees and represents the department and hospital in community outreach efforts.Participates in multi-disciplinary quality and service improvement teams.
Minimum Qualifications
Education
- High School Diploma or GED required or
- equivalent graduation. required and
- Completion of an approved/accredited Pharmacy Technician training program preferred
Experience
- Less than 1 year 6 months related pharmacy technician experience and
- Hospital environment experience preferred
Licenses and Certifications
- Registered Pharmacy Technician through the Board of Pharmacy required and
- Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) certification within 180 Days required
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
- Verbal and written communication skills.
- Knowledge of drug nomenclature and medical terminology; proficiency in basic mathematics, including fractions and decimals.
- Basic computer skills preferred.
Why MedStar Health?
At MedStar Health, we understand that our ability to treat others well begins with how we treat each other. We work hard to foster an inclusive and positive environment where our associates feel valued, connected, and empowered. We live up to this promise through:
- Strong emphasis on teamwork—our associates feel connected to each other and our mission as an organization. In return, our effective team environment generates positive patient outcomes and high associate satisfaction ratings that exceed the national benchmark.
- Strategic focus on equity, inclusion, & diversity—we are committed to equity for all people and communities. We continue to build a diverse and inclusive workplace where people feel a sense of belonging and the ability to contribute to equitable care delivery and improved community health outcomes at all levels of the organization.
- Comprehensive total rewards package—including competitive pay, generous paid time off, great health and wellness benefits, retirement savings, education assistance, and so much more.
- More career opportunities closer to home—as the largest healthcare provider in the Baltimore-Washington, D.C. region, there are countless opportunities to grow your career and fulfill your aspirations.
About MedStar Health
MedStar Health is dedicated to providing the highest quality care for people in Maryland and the Washington, D.C., region, while advancing the practice of medicine through education, innovation, and research. Our team of 32,000 includes physicians, nurses, residents, fellows, and many other clinical and non-clinical associates working in a variety of settings across our health system, including 10 hospitals and more than 300 community-based locations, the largest home health provider in the region, and highly respected institutes dedicated to research and innovation. As the medical education and clinical partner of Georgetown University for more than 20 years, MedStar Health is dedicated not only to teaching the next generation of doctors, but also to the continuing education, professional development, and personal fulfillment of our whole team. Together, we use the best of our minds and the best of our hearts to serve our patients, those who care for them, and our communities. It’s how we treat people.
MedStar Health is an Equal Opportunity (EO) Employer and assures equal opportunity for all applicants and employees. We hire people to work in different locations, and we comply with the federal, state and local laws governing each of those locations. MedStar Health makes all decisions regarding employment, including for example, hiring, transfer, promotion, compensation, benefit eligibility, discipline, and discharge without regard to any protected status, including race, color, creed, religion, national origin, citizenship status, sex, age, disability, veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, political affiliations, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local EO laws. If you receive an offer of employment, it is MedStar Health's policy to hire its employees on an at-will basis, which means you or MedStar Health may terminate this relationship at any time, for any reason.
