PHARMACY TECHNICIAN (FT - Afternoons)

Riverside Healthcare is seeking a dedicated and detail-oriented Acute Hospital Pharmacy Technician to join our pharmacy team. The ideal candidate will be responsible for supporting pharmacists in delivering optimal patient care by preparing and distributing medications, maintaining accurate records, and assisting with pharmacy operations. This position plays a crucial role in ensuring the safety, effectiveness, and efficiency of medication therapy across various hospital departments. Additionally, this position requires flexibility with assignments within professional scope/duties/licensure. 

Scheduling Requirements: Full-time, hourly, Afternoons (3p to 11:30p)

Essential Duties

• Medication Preparation and Dispensing: Accurately prepare and dispense medications, including IV admixtures, oral medications, and other pharmaceutical products, following established protocols and under the supervision of a pharmacist.
• Inventory Management: Monitor, maintain, and restock pharmaceutical supplies and medications. Perform regular inventory checks, order supplies as needed, and ensure proper storage conditions.
• Patient Interaction: Assist in obtaining and recording patient information necessary for medication preparation and delivery. Communicate effectively with patients, nursing staff, and other healthcare professionals.
• Compliance and Safety: Adhere to all hospital policies, procedures, and regulatory standards, including those related to medication safety, controlled substances, and infection control.
• Record Keeping: Maintain accurate and thorough records of all medication dispensing, inventory transactions, and pharmacy activities.
• Technology Utilization: Operate and maintain pharmacy technology systems, including automated dispensing machines, electronic medical records, and compounding equipment.

Non-essential Duties

• Continuing Education: Participate in ongoing training and educational opportunities to stay current with best practices in pharmacy operations and patient care.
• Quality Improvement: Assist in quality improvement initiatives, including data collection, analysis, and implementation of process improvements.
• Team Collaboration: Support other pharmacy team members as needed, including assisting with clerical tasks and participating in interdisciplinary meetings.

Preferred Experience

• Minimum of 1-2 years of experience as a pharmacy technician in an acute care hospital setting is preferred.

Required Licensure/Education

• Must hold an active Pharmacy Technician License in the state of Illinois
• National certification through the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) or equivalent is required or must be obtained within 2 years of licensure.
• High school diploma or equivalent required

Preferred Education

• Completion of a certified pharmacy technician program preferred.

Employee Health Requirements

Exposure/Sensory Requirements

Exposure to:

• Chemicals: Various chemotherapy agents
• Video Display Terminals: Average
• Blood and Body Fluids: None
• TB or Airborne Pathogens: Contact with outpatients filling prescriptions.

Sensory requirements (speech, vision, smell, hearing, touch):

• Speech: Needed for communication with physicians and nursing staff.
• Vision: Needed to read measured amounts of drugs, assist in proper medication identification.
• Smell: N/A
• Hearing: Able to consult with physicians and nursing staff.
• Touch: Needed for writing, computer entry, filing.

Activity/Lifting Requirements

Percentage of time during the normal workday the employee is required to:

• Sit: 30%
• Twist: 0%
• Stand: 59%
• Crawl: 0%
• Walk: 10%
• Kneel: 0%
• Lift: 1%
• Drive: 0%
• Squat: 0%
• Climb: 0%
• Bend: 0%
• Reach above shoulders: 20

The weight required to be lifted each normal workday according to the continuum described below:

• Up to 10 lbs: Frequently
• Up to 20 lbs: Occasionally
• Up to 35 lbs: Occasionally
• Up to 50 lbs: Not Required
• Up to 75 lbs: Not Required
• Up to 100 lbs: Not Required
• Over 100 lbs: Not Required

Describe and explain the lifting and carrying requirements. (Example: the distance material is carried; how high material is lifted, etc.):

• Occasional handling of cases of IV solutions. 
• Entails carrying boxes of 20-30#, distances of up to 50'. 
• Sometimes lifting up to 4' is required.

Maximum consecutive time (minutes) during the normal workday for each activity:

• Sit: 15
• Twist: 0
• Stand: 60
• Crawl: 0
• Walk: 20
• Kneel: 0
• Lift: 2
• Drive: 0
• Squat: 0
• Climb: 0
• Bend: 0
• Reach above shoulders: 5 
• Repetitive use of hands (Frequency indicated): 
• Simple grasp Normal weight:< 5# All Day 
• Pushing &pulling Normal weight: None
• Fine Manipulation: Computer keyboard, counting/pouring, measuring 
• Repetitive use of foot or feet in operating machine control: Occasional operation of foot pedal to operate syringe pump for compounding IV solutions. Very little pressure required.

Environmental Factors & Special Hazards

• Environmental Factors (Time Spent):
• Inside hours: 8
• Outside hours: 0
• Temperature: Normal Range
• Lighting: Average
• Noise levels: Average
• Humidity: Normal Range
• Atmosphere: None
• Special Hazards: Preparing chemotherapy agents
• Protective Clothing Required: Special gloves, gown or sleeve protection, mask and possible goggles