What are the responsibilities and job description for the Lead Pharmacy Technician position at Sinai Chicago?
Job Overview
Sinai Chicago is seeking an experienced, proactive, and organized Lead Pharmacy Technician to join our inpatient pharmacy team in a full-time leadership capacity. In a busy teaching hospital environment, this role will oversee technician workflows, manage staffing and scheduling, ensure compliance with sterile compounding and regulatory standards, and act as a liaison between technicians, pharmacists, and pharmacy leadership.
The Lead Technician ensures safe, efficient, and continuous pharmacy operations—especially across IV compounding, distribution, automated systems, and technician training.
Responsibilities
- Leadership & Coordination Supervise, mentor, and support pharmacy technicians in daily duties (sterile compounding, dispensing, automation, delivery).
- Assign and monitor technician workload and productivity.
- Oversee the creation and maintenance of technician schedules (covering weekends, holidays, shift swaps, absences).
- Serve as the escalation point for workflow challenges, equipment issues, and staffing conflicts.
- Participate in hiring, onboarding, competency assessments, and performance feedback for technicians.
- Operational Oversight Monitor and coordinate work in sterile compounding (IV admixtures, aseptic technique) and non-sterile tasks.
- Ensure timely preparation and delivery of medications, including STAT/urgent orders.
- Manage automated dispensing systems (e.g., Omnicell) restocking, troubleshooting, and monitoring.
- Oversee inventory control, stock rotation, expiration management, and restocking tasks.
- Assist with cleanroom maintenance, environmental monitoring, and documentation per USP 797/800 standards.
- Ensure all pharmacy logs, records, and regulatory documentation are accurate and up to date. Compliance, Quality & Continuous Improvement Conduct audits, spot-checks, and quality assurance to maintain compliance with institutional policies, USP 797/800, Joint Commission, and state/federal pharmacy regulations.
- Help lead process improvement initiatives in workflow efficiency, error reduction, and safety protocols.
- Collaborate with pharmacists and leadership on projects, policy updates, and departmental changes.
- Communication & Collaboration Serve as a bridge between technicians, pharmacists, and departmental leadership for operational alignment.
- Attend pharmacy leadership meetings, contribute to planning, and relay feedback from the technician team.
- Communicate work priorities, changes, and expectations clearly to the technician staff.
- Help troubleshoot escalations from nursing units or providers involving medication delivery or distribution.
Minimum Qualifications
- High School diploma or equivalent (associate degree or higher preferred).
- Active Illinois Pharmacy Technician License in good standing. Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT) credential required (e.g., PTCB).
- Minimum of 3 years of hospital pharmacy technician experience.
- Prior supervisory, lead, or coordination experience preferred.
- Demonstrated competence in sterile compounding (IV) and familiarity with USP 797/800.
- Experience with automated dispensing systems, medication distribution, inventory management.
- Strong leadership, communication, problem-solving, and organizational skills.
- Ability to work independently, make decisions, and adapt in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: From $21.09 per hour
Benefits:
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
Salary : $21