Pharmacy Technician

Department Overview

This position provides technical support to pharmacists through preparation of unit doses, data entry, delivery of medications, and cartfill exchange. Functions as a liaison and a point of contact for various pharmacy operations and interdisciplinary team members. Facilitate and prioritizes time sensitive duties which may include but are not limited to delivery of urgent medications, pharmacy program support and operational procedures. Person working this shift is responsible for ensuring accountability and accuracy of standard operations procedures in these areas. Position works under direct supervision of a Pharmacist who is responsible for the safe and proper distribution and use of drugs in inpatients and outpatients who range in age from neonates, infants <1 year old, children and adolescents ages 1-18, adults ages 19-65, and the elderly age >65. Be able to perform duties as specified in Pharmacy Technician 1 Class specification as applicable to work unit.

Function/Duties of Position

• Performs a detailed and thorough audit of controlled substances medications dispensed for a patient and reconciles against products documented as administered or returned to the pharmacy for wasting. Demonstrates the ability to strengthen accountability, identify suspected diversion, and responds to known or suspected diversion incidents to avoid serious patient care, legal, and compliance implications.

• System optimization, hardware maintenance, user support, reporting, file transmission and assistance in problem-solving pertaining to automation and technology.

• Assist pharmacist through performance of the following technical support activities:

  • Computer order entry of inpatient and outpatient orders.

  • Filling unit dose medication orders.

  • Select ordered medications from inventory to fill new orders or to provide 24-hours medication for distribution to patient's room.

  • Answering telephone, filing, billing / crediting and medication profile maintenance.

  • Load and refill medications into automated dispensing cabinet stations.

  • Maintain manufacturing logs and documents to ensure compliance with regulatory agencies.

• Perform Unit Dose functions including:

  • Tube medications from pharmacy to hospital and clinic areas

  • Repackage medications for unit dose dispensing; maintain and replenish stock for emergency trays and kits.

  • Return medications to stock and perform credits.

  • Record refrigerator temperature daily.

  • Process narcotics for removal from Pharmacy inventory and order replacements as needed.

  • Maintain barcode medication integrity by ensuring medications are barcoded before leaving the pharmacy.

• Round to nursing locations; deliver items and remove excess and discontinued oral dosage and injectable dosage units from patients’ bins and refrigerators and return to pharmacy for action.

Required Qualifications

• High School Diploma, active State of Oregon Pharmacy Technician License AND

• 1 year of pharmacy work experience, or equivalent additional education; AND

• Certification from the national Pharmacy Technician Certification Board or National Healthcareer Association. Certification must be maintained.

• Must possess computer keyboarding skills. 

Job Related Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (Competencies):

• Ability to read and understand medical-related terms.
• Ability to perform basic pharmaceutical mathematics calculations. 
• Skill at manipulating small objects, e.g., needles, syringes, ampules.
• Ability to use mechanical system for transfer of fluids.
• Knowledge of and skill at application of aseptic technique.
• Ability to establish priorities in workflow.
• Good interpersonal communication skills.
• Ability to work under supervision of diverse Pharmacists. 

Preferred Qualifications

• Formal pharmacy technician training program
• Inpatient and outpatient hospital pharmacy experience.
• Medical and scientific nomenclature 

Additional Details

Possible exposure to hazardous chemicals and noise. Understand the difference of non-hazardous and hazardous medications; safely handle hazardous medications per regulatory guidelines. Flexibility in scheduling of shift times. Accountability for accuracy associated with performance of the duties to this position.

Why apply to OHSU?

We are Oregon's only public academic health center. In addition to caring for patients, we lead groundbreaking research. We also train the next generation of health care professionals. As Portland's largest employer, we give you opportunities to learn and advance in a system of hospitals and clinics across Oregon and Southwest Washington.

All are welcome. OHSU welcomes people of all ages, ethnicities, genders, national origins, religions and sexual orientations. We are striving to build an anti-racist, multicultural institution and encourage people with diverse backgrounds to apply.

To request reasonable accommodation, contact [email protected]