Pharmacy Technician Specialist-OR Pharmacies, Full-time Rotating Shift

At Northwestern Medicine, every patient interaction makes a difference in cultivating a positive workplace. This patient-first approach is what sets us apart as a leader in the healthcare industry. As an integral part of our team, you'll have the opportunity to join our quest for better health care, no matter where you work within the Northwestern Medicine system. We pride ourselves on providing competitive benefits: from tuition reimbursement and loan forgiveness to 401(k) matching and lifecycle benefits, our goal is to take care of our employees. Ready to join our quest for better?

The Pharmacy Technician Specialist reflects the mission, vision, and values of NM, adheres to the organization’s Code of Ethics and Corporate Compliance Program, and complies with all relevant policies, procedures, guidelines, and all other regulatory and accreditation standards.

Under the direction of a registered pharmacist, performs all technical duties associated with the daily operation of the dispensing areas; performs prescription-related, unit dose-related, and sterile product-related functions; performs manufacturing procedures that have been documented in the Department records.

Responsibilities:

• Performs the duties and responsibilities of a Pharmacy Technician at advanced level.
• Leads performance improvement initiatives
• Liaison between pharmacy and other departments
• Assists with/coordinates pharmacy technician schedule, services, prioritizing assignments and workflow, and promoting situational decision making/problem solving
• Fosters a team environment by providing education and training
• Maintains documentation of completion for media fill and fingertip testing
• Participates in site meetings (i.e. Drug Shortage, huddles, staff meetings)
• Responsible for controlled substance receiving, reconciliation, discrepancy tracking, and investigations
• Performs minor repairs of ADS machines
• Participates in projects as assigned by manager
• Handles recalls, crash carts monitoring, and kitcheck ordering
• Troubleshooting
• Restocks
• Performs Tech-Check-Tech (i.e. automated dispensing cabinet (ADC) runs/controlled substance in ADC; barcode scanned pills, pre-mixed IV bags)
• Receives invoice into the automated dispensing cabinet (ADC) CPM and verifies product and quantity match
• Adds substituted drugs to med list and OCRA/automated dispensing cabinet (ADC)
• Generates pick lists and labels as required
• Main contact for nursing regarding automated dispensing cabinet (ADC)/supply needs
• Follows process of receiving, verifying, and stocking drugs, controlled substances, and supplies
• Audits controlled substance compliance and investigates discrepancies. Prepares summary of findings
• Generates and reviews reports for potential opportunities and brings to leadership, according to established schedules such as reviewing override report (meds pulled properly/meds associated) and Controlled Substances dispensed
• Restock large volume
• Oversees expiring medication process
• Collaborates with Procurement/Supply Chain to maintain appropriate inventory par levels/drug inventories; communicates inventory problems to leadership/Procurement
• Rectifies issues with receipt of orders, back orders, shipping errors, and incorrect pricing
• Communicates with Inventory Technician any out-of-stock medications
• Maintains sources and mechanisms to obtain drug supplies on an emergency basis
• Takes appropriate and timely action on drug recalls; communicates key information to leadership
• Performs monthly pharmacy unit inspections
• Compliance with all Simplifi 797 and 800 requirements
• Coordinates and effectively communicates with management, co-workers, customers, and other healthcare professionals regarding changes to workflows, updates, backorder, and new drug information when/where appropriate
• Other duties as assigned

Required:

• Active Illinois Pharmacy Technician License (IDFPR)
• Pharmacy Technician licenses issued after 12/31/07 must have either CERTIFIED or STUDENT designation by their second license renew in accordance with Section 9 of the Illinois Pharmacy Practice Act
• Licensed Technicians prior to 1/1/2008 certification requirement must meet department skill level
• High School diploma or GED equivalent
• 1-2 years’ technician experience
• Previous experience as a Pharmacy Technician in a hospital or outpatient setting
• Excellent critical thinking skills, decisive judgement, and the ability to work with minimal supervision
• Specialty Pharmacy: Certified Pharmacy Technician through PTCB or ExCPT through NHA

Preferred:

• Minimum 5 years’ technician experience

Northwestern Medicine is an equal opportunity employer (disability, VETS) and does not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of age, sex, race, color, religion, national origin, gender identity, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation or any other protected status.

Background Check

Northwestern Medicine conducts a background check that includes criminal history on newly hired team members and, at times, internal transfers. If you are offered a position with us, you will be required to complete an authorization and disclosure form that gives Northwestern Medicine permission to run the background check.  Results are evaluated on a case-by-case basis, and we follow all local, state, and federal laws, including the Illinois Health Care Worker Background Check Act.

Artificial Intelligence Disclosure

Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools may be used in some portions of the candidate review process for this position, however, all employment decisions will be made by a person. 

Benefits

We offer a wide range of benefits that provide employees with tools and resources to improve their physical, emotional, and financial well-being while providing protection for unexpected life events. Please visit our Benefits section to learn more.

Sign-on Bonus Eligibility (if sign-on bonus offered for position): Internal employees and rehires who left Northwestern Medicine within 1 year are not eligible for the sign on bonus. Exception: New graduate internal employees seeking their first licensed clinical position at NM may be eligible depending upon the job family.