Everyone who works with Mercy Health is united under one purpose: to help our patients be well in mind, body and spirit. This drive, along with our history of faith, is a powerful combination. It gives us a shared calling to work toward every day. Join our exceptional team and help us continue to provide the highest quality of health care possible to our communities.
Mercy Health
About Us
As a faith-based and patient-focused organization, Mercy Health exists to enhance the health and well-being of all people in mind, body and spirit through exceptional patient care. Success in this goal requires a culture of compassion, collaboration, excellence and respect. Mercy Health seeks people that are committed to our values of compassion, human dignity, integrity, service and stewardship to create an environment where associates want to work and help communities thrive.
Summary of Primary Function/General Purpose of Position
Under general supervision, assist the pharmacist in processing of medication orders by selecting, assembling, and preparing medications to be dispensed for inpatient (acute care; hospital) and/or outpatient (ambulatory; retail; home infusion) services. A Certified Pharmacy Technician Specialist will also spend a majority of their time on leading a specialized activity within the department which may include, but are not limited to some of the following specialist job functions: Patient Medication History Technician Specialist, Patient Medication Assistance Technician Specialist, Chemotherapy IV Compounding Technician Specialist, Sterile IV Preparation Oversight Specialist, Research Technician Specialist, Surgery Technician Specialist, Pharmacy Inventory Specialist. Technicians of this level should have at least 2 years of experience working in a pharmacy and complete all necessary training and competencies to work in the defined specialized activity.
Essential Job Functions
*Duties as stated in Certified Pharmacy Technician Job Description, including: Assisting the pharmacist in preparation of medications for patients within an inpatient (acute care; hospital) and/or outpatient (ambulatory; retail; home infusion) service area. Functions may include, accepting new written, faxed or electronic prescription orders from a prescriber or a prescriber's agent; Performing sterile and/or non-sterile compounding, where appropriate, in compliance with guidelines published by United States Pharmacopeia.
*Examples of Technician Specialist Roles:
Patient Medication History Technician Specialist: Interview patients to obtain accurate home medication list & enter medications into electronic health record. Patient Medication Assistance Technician Specialist: Identify and enroll patients in medication assistance programs to decrease patient financial burden, provide mechanisms to access free/low cost medications, or help facilitate medication prior authorizations. Chemotherapy IV Compounding Technician Specialist: Assist the pharmacist in the preparation and handling of IV chemotherapy by preparing, ordering supplies, managing hazardous waste, & record keeping. Assist in maintaining sterile compounding policies and procedures. Facilitate improvements and compliance of IV sterile preparation area of hospital or home infusion service area. Sterile IV Preparation Oversight Specialist: Ensure United States Pharmacopeia, State Board of Pharmacy, and other regulatory body compliance by a means of maintaining oversight of training and annual aseptic technique testing for certification of all staff members. Assist in maintaining sterile compounding policies and procedures. Facilitate improvements & compliance of IV sterile preparation area of hospital or home infusion service area. Surgery Technician Specialist: Assist the pharmacist in preparation, handling, & inventory of surgery related medications and appropriate narcotic and charge reconciliation in this hospital area. Research Technician Specialist: Assist the pharmacist in the preparation and handling of research medications by preparing, ordering supplies, and record keeping. Maintain established regulatory body standards and policies. Pharmacy Operations Specialist: Maximize efficiency and processing of pharmacy dispensing, maintaining and optimizing central pharmacy automation, and ensuring compliance of new staff training. Pharmacy Inventory/Charge Specialist: Responsible for receiving all inventory, drugs, and IV solutions and distributes newly received stock to proper location. Ensure patient safety regarding medication storage requirements and reconcile
charging issues within the department for appropriate billing of patients. May also be involved in ordering of
medications.
Pharmacy Automation System Administrator: Maximize efficiency and processing of automated pharmacy dispensing
practices by maintaining and optimizing central pharmacy automation and ensuring compliance of new staff training.
*Assures the accurate and timely filling/distribution and receiving of medications, IV solutions, floor stock, and
controlled substances
*Troubleshoot, maintain, and stock automated drug dispensing units and central pharmacy automation, floor
stock, and anesthesia/code/trauma carts, if applicable
*Assists in the education and precepting of new pharmacy technicians, pharmacy students, performance
improvement activities
*Assist other inpatient (acute care; hospital) and/or outpatient (ambulatory; retail; home infusion) service area
staff with medication/pharmacy related issues via telephone or in person
*Excellent communication and organization skills are important in dealing with co-workers or patient care
*Leads or participates in performance improvement activities. Performing diagnostic laboratory testing as
defined in state laws/guidelines.
This document is not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, skills, duties, requirements, or working
conditions associated with the job. Employees may be required to perform other job related duties as
required by their supervisor, subject to reasonable accommodation. Pharmacy Technicians may practice at the top of their respective State Licensing Board Regulations.
Licensing/Certification
ExCPT Certification provided by the National Health Career Association or Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) certification and registration with State Board of Pharmacy (required)
Valid state driver's license (required)
Education
High School Diploma or GED (required)
Vocational/ Technical Degree - Completion of ASHP/ACPE tech training program - or - pharmacy technician training via Armed Forces/Veterans Affairs - or respective state department approved career tech high school program (preferred)
Work Experience
1 year of experience in Retail, Ambulatory, Outpatient, Hospital, Acute Care, or Home Infusion pharmacy (required)
Training
None
Language
None
Patient Population
Demonstrates the knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age of the patients served on his or her assigned unit.
Neonates (0-4 weeks)
Infant (1-12 months)
Pediatrics (1-12 years)
Adolescents (13-17 years)
Adults (18-64 years)
Geriatrics (65 years and older)
Working Conditions
Periods of high stress and fluctuating workloads may occur
May be exposed to high noise levels and bright lights
May be exposed to limited hazardous substances or body fluids*
May have periods of constant interruptions
Required to car travel to off-site locations, occasionally in adverse weather conditions
* Individuals in this position are required to exercise universal precautions, use personal protective equipment and devices, and learn the policies concerning infection control.
Physical Requirements
Lifting/Carrying (0-50 lbs.) 1-33%
Lifting/Carrying (50-100 lbs.) 0%
Push/Pull (0-50 lbs.) 1-33%
Push/Pull (50-100 lbs.) 0%
Stoop/Kneel 1-33%
Crawling 0%
Climbing 0%
Balance 0%
Bending 1-33%
Sitting 1-33%
Walking 34-66%
Standing 67-100%
Additional Physical Requirements/Hazards
Manual dexterity (eye/hand coordination)
Perform shift work
Hear alarms/telephone/audio recorder
Reach above shoulder
Repetitive arm/hand movements
Finger Dexterity
Color Vision
Acuity - near
Hazards
Use of latex products
Exposure to toxic/caustic/chemicals/detergents
Exposure to moving mechanical parts
Exposure to dust/fumes
Skills
Electronic Medical Records (EMR)
Stocking Medications
Mathematically Proficient
Processing Prescriptions
Dispensing Prescriptions
Robotic Dispensing Systems
Prioritization
Performance Improvement
Packaging Medications
Compounding Medications
Attention to Detail
Customer Service
Problem Solving
Leadership
Mentorship
Training Employees
People Leadership
Microsoft Office
Enthusiasm to Learn
Active Listening
Verbal Communication
Written Communication
Professional Judgement
Medication Transport
Inventory management
Many of our opportunities reward* your hard work with:
Comprehensive, affordable medical, dental and vision plans
Prescription drug coverage
Flexible spending accounts
Life insurance w/AD&D
Employer contributions to retirement savings plan when eligible
Paid time off
Educational Assistance
And much more
*Benefits offerings vary according to employment status
All applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, genetic information, or protected veteran status, and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability. If you'd like to view a copy of the affirmative action plan or policy statement for Mercy Health – Youngstown, Ohio or Bon Secours – Franklin, Virginia; Petersburg, Virginia; and Emporia, Virginia, which are Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Employers, please email recruitment@mercy.com. If you are an individual with a disability and would like to request a reasonable accommodation as part of the employment selection process, please contact The Talent Acquisition Team at recruitment@mercy.com