Registered Pharmacy Technician

Job Title:               Registered Pharmacy Technician (RPT)

Reports To:           Clinical Pharmacy Manager

BASIC FUNCTION

• Attain the highest level of customer relations, expedite the processing and compounding of IV medications, and help to maintain the non-prescription aspects of the pharmacy

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

This job has no supervisory responsibilities

PRINCIPLE WORKING RELATIONSHIPS

¨     Consult regularly with the pharmacy manager for the purpose of expediting the processing of prescriptions

¨     As a pharmacy employee, maintain good company loyalty, set a good example, and project a healthy positive attitude

¨     Maintain a positive working relationship with nursing staff in the office infusion suite

REQUIREMENTS

¨     Individual must be a minimum of seventeen (17) years of age

¨     Individual may not be on the government exclusion lists as determined by the Office of Inspector General (OIG) and System for Award Management (SAM)

¨     Individual must complete an approved training program by the North Carolina State Board of Pharmacy

NOTE:  The Pharmacy Technician may be exempt from the initial training program if one of the following occurred prior to 1/1/2011:

Individual worked as a pharmacy technician, for a minimum of 1500 hours, under the direct supervision of a pharmacist

OR

Individual received his / her certification as a pharmacy technician

¨     Individual must be registered as a registered pharmacy technician with the North Carolina State Board of Pharmacy

¨     Individual must remain registered and in good standing with all the required rules and regulations of the North Carolina State Board of Pharmacy

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES

¨     Display current registration in a conspicuous place, in or near prescription department, that can be easily read by patrons

¨     State name and verbally identify self as a registered pharmacy technician throughout various forms of communication (i.e., telephone)

¨     Within ninety (90) days of hire, the registered pharmacy technician must review and be trained on the Registered Pharmacy Technician Policy / Procedure and Protocol Manual

¨     Within ninety (90) days of hire, the registered pharmacy technician must sign the acknowledgment receipt attesting to receiving, reviewing, and being trained on the Registered Pharmacy Technician Policy / Procedure and Protocol Manual

¨     Complete the number of hours of continuing education (CE) credits per the North Carolina Board of Pharmacy rules and regulations

¨     Notify the North Carolina Board of Pharmacy of any change in name, mailing or practice address

¨     Maintain highest level of customer relations

¨     Expedite the processing of prescriptions by performing all duties necessary and allowable, by policy or law, in the preparation necessary prior to the filling of the prescription by the pharmacist and in the distribution of the prescription to the patient, once all necessary dispensing duties are performed by the pharmacist

¨     Process all filing, accounting, and bookkeeping functions, as deemed necessary, by the pharmacy manager and practice manager

¨     Communicate with pharmacy manager on progress and policies of pharmacy department

¨     Carry out daily housekeeping, cleanliness, and sanitation programs, as established within company guidelines

¨     Maintain a high level of professionalism, consistent with company standards, in dress, personal appearance and grooming

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

¨     All functions or duties of the registered pharmacy technician shall be performed under the direct supervision of the pharmacist on duty.  The pharmacist on duty will be working in proximity with the registered pharmacy technician to ensure adequate control or supervision and shall verify and document registered pharmacy technician work.

¨     The primary purpose of the registered pharmacy technician is to expedite the processing of prescriptions.  The key to productivity is the ability of the registered pharmacy technician to initiate the necessary procedures to start the process of filling the prescription.  Therefore, the registered pharmacy technician needs to be organized and should develop a system to expedite workflow.

¨     Listed below are duties to be performed by the registered pharmacy technician.  Note: The primary duties involve the preparatory functions that need to be accomplished in order for the pharmacist to ultimately fill the prescription.

a.     The registered pharmacy technician shall retrieve appropriate medication(s) from stock

b.     The registered pharmacy technician shall verify correct quantity and lot numbers of medications required to fulfill the prescription order

c.     The registered pharmacy technician shall place medications in appropriate container(s) and affix prescription labels

d.     The registered pharmacy technician shall affix appropriate auxiliary labels

e.     The registered pharmacy technician shall assist the pharmacist in preparing and compounding medications in a sterile environment in accordance with USP 797 guidelines

f.       The registered pharmacy technician shall retrieve prescription files, patient files and profiles, as well as, other similar records, as they pertain to the practice of pharmacy

g.     The registered pharmacy technician shall organize and / or participate in the pharmacy’s Continuous Quality Improvement-related events, meetings, or presentations

h.     The registered pharmacy technician shall answer the telephone and direct calls to the pharmacist (where appropriate) such as, but may not be limited to, the following:

§  New prescriptions

§  Medical questions

§  Clinical decisions

.

¨     The registered pharmacy technician shall also be involved in the following functions that are not directly related to the actual filling of prescriptions:

1. Restocking and reordering supplies when necessary.  Supplies may include vials, bags, printer labels, and paper.

b.     Manage inventory as follows:  Receive drug order from wholesaler, sticker items and restock shelves, determine that ordered items were shipped, determine that shipped items are the same as the invoiced items, and report shorts to wholesaler for credit and backordered items to pharmacist per department policy.

c.     Clean pharmacy shelves and work areas and maintain pharmacy in a satisfactory state of cleanliness

d.     Check inventory for appropriate “shelf life” remaining before expiration, pull deteriorated, expired, or nearly expired items, catalog expired items, place in quarantine area, and return items to appropriate company for credit

e.     Assist the pharmacist by reordering items for the IV cleanroom and ambulatory infusion suite, ordering new items as needed and shorted and backordered items.  Communicate with the pharmacist and/or patient about item availability, when necessary.

f.       Communication via telephone with support companies, including but not limited to, third party insurance companies, wholesale companies, staffing and pharmacy consultant companies, and software and hardware vendors

g.     Participate in the company policy for recycling as appropriate

COMPETENCIES

      Analytical – Uses intuition and experience to complement data.

      Problem Solving – Identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner; Gathers and analyzes information skillfully; Develops alternative solutions; Works well in group problem solving situations; Uses reason even when dealing with emotional topics.

      Technical Skills – Strives to continuously build knowledge and skills; Shares expertise with others.

      Customer Service – Manages difficult or emotional customer situations; Responds promptly to customer needs with highest level of professionalism; Responds to requests for service and assistance.

      Interpersonal Skills – Focuses on solving conflict, not blaming; Maintains confidentiality; Listens to others without interrupting; Keeps emotions under control; Remains open to others’ ideas and tries new things.

      Oral Communication – Speaks clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations; Listens and gets clarification; Responds well to questions; Communicates with supervisory pharmacist on progress within pharmacy department.

      Written Communication – Writes clearly and informatively; Able to read and interpret written information.

      Teamwork – Exhibits objectivity and openness to others' views; Gives and welcomes feedback; Contributes to building a positive team spirit.

      Business Acumen – Conserves organizational resources.

      Diversity – Demonstrates knowledge of EEOC policy; Shows respect and sensitivity for cultural differences; Supports affirmative action and respects diversity.

      Ethics – Treats people with respect; Works with integrity and ethically; Upholds organizational values; Maintains good company loyalty.

      Organizational Support – Follows policies and procedures; Supports affirmative action and respects diversity.

      Planning / Organizing – Uses time efficiently; Ability to initiate the necessary procedures to start the process of filling prescriptions; Develops and maintains department’s system of expeditious workflow; Remains organized.

      Professionalism – Approaches others in a tactful manner; Reacts well under pressure; Treats others with respect and consideration, regardless of their status or position; Accepts responsibility for own actions; Follows through on commitments; Exudes professionalism consistent with company standards, in dress, personal appearance and grooming.

      Quality – Demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness; Looks for ways to improve and promote quality; Monitors own work to ensure quality.

      Safety and Security – Observes safety and security procedures; Reports potentially unsafe conditions; Uses equipment and materials properly.

      Adaptability – Able to deal with frequent change, delays, or unexpected events.

      Attendance / Punctuality – Is consistently at work and on time.

      Dependability – Follows instructions, responds to management direction.

      Initiative – Asks for and offers help when needed.

QUALIFICATIONS

      To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.  The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and / or ability required.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

      Language Skills – Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions and procedure manuals.  Ability to speak effectively to customers or employees of the organization.

      Mathematical Skills – Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals.

      Reasoning Ability – Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form.  Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations.

      Computer Skills – To perform this job successfully, an individual should have a working knowledge of pharmacy software, the Internet, and word processing systems.

      Physical Demands – The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

      While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; reach with hands and arms and talk or hear.  The employee is frequently required to stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.  The employee must regularly lift and / or move up to 25 pounds safely, as outlined by OSHA.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and ability to adjust focus.

      Work Environment – The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.  The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.