GIRMC Pharmacy Technician Lead

GENERAL SUMMARY:

The Department of Pharmacy has the responsibility for the implementation and coordination of drug control in the process of providing pharmaceutical care for patients of all ages within the Medical Center. Under the clinical supervision of a Registered Pharmacist, the GIRMC Pharmacy Technician Lead assists pharmacists in pharmaceutical preparation, distribution, billing, Informatics, and record keeping functions in the delivery of pharmaceutical supplies to patients in accordance with department policies and guidelines.

PRINCIPAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

1. *Commits to the mission, vision, beliefs and consistently demonstrates our core values.

2. *Oversees medication and supply purchasing including control substance and specialty medications.

3. Assists in developing, revising and implementing new departmental processes based on organizational and departmental needs.

4. *Trains GIRMC Pharmacy Technicians in essential job functions and is competent to staff as needed at GIRMC. Assists in developing training schedules for newly hired technicians within area of responsibility.

5. *Interacts and communicates with physicians, management and other healthcare professionals to facilitate departmental operations.

6. *Adheres to safety and security procedures to promote a safe and secure environment including adherence to state restrictions on GIRMC Pharmacy Technician functions, as well as informing appropriate personnel of any detected safety hazards.

7. *Supports GIRMC Pharmacy Manager with staffing emergencies and open shift recruitment.

8. *Assists GIRMC Pharmacy Leadership with interview process for GIRMC Pharmacy Technician candidates.

9. *Takes leadership role in department GIRMC Pharmacy Technician meetings (approval of agenda by GIRMC Pharmacy Manager required). Provides meeting minutes for these meetings to staff.

10. Participates in departmental education and training programs as appropriate.

11. *Supports Pharmacy in maintaining pharmacy drug databases, formulary drug files, billing formulas/methods and data reporting measures pertaining to pharmacy information and automation systems.

12. *Supports price updates in pharmacy information and automation systems about contract updates, item price changes and billing formula changes.

13. Supports assessment, evaluation and testing plans for changes, upgrades or new applications to pharmacy information and automation systems prior to implementation.

14. *Responds to Pharmacy department requests for data and reports; creates statistical reports based on Pharmacy Leadership requests concerning compliance with governmental regulatory requirements, staffing and budget preparation.

15. Supports Pharmacy Leadership in departmental quality assurance monitoring and regulatory requirements, i.e., State and Federal regulations, USP, Nebraska Department of Health Services, Board of Pharmacy, etc.

16. *Coordinates and develops the billing process for cost control of pharmaceuticals in collaboration with Pharmacy Leadership. *Assists with pharmacy patient billing audits as requested.

17. Tracks, trends and reports billing concerns; assists in providing accountability for compliance to the hospital billing practices for pharmaceuticals. Monitors prices and supplies; notifies leadership of identified drugs or supplies in coordination with formulary management.

18. Coordinates medication updates and revisions on all departmental MARs and works closely with nurse managers and HIM to ensure up to date routine medications are properly listed to ease nursing documentation and medication billing.

19. Collaborates with other departments to ensure medication documentation aligns with medication billing and medication documentation procedure is followed.

20. Provides customer service support for patient concerns on billing matters and provides necessary organizational and medication information for filing claims.

21. Maintains professional growth and development through seminars, workshops, and professional affiliations to keep abreast of latest trends in field of expertise.

22. Performs other related projects and duties as assigned.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

1. Knowledge of medical, nursing and pharmaceutical terminology.

2. Knowledge of general inventory control and billing principles and practices.

3. Knowledge of hospital pharmacy drug distribution systems and methods.

4. Knowledge of computer hardware equipment and software applications relevant to work functions.

5. Ability to use complex mathematical skills in computing the preparation and distribution of pharmaceuticals (ratios, dilutions, conversions) and proposing cost saving options and alternatives.

6. Ability to facilitate new employee training and orientation.

7. Ability to collaborate to produce work schedules that meet department staffing guidelines.

8. Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.

9. Ability to exercise courtesy and professionalism in receiving calls and visitors to the department.

10. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with all levels of personnel, medical staff, volunteer and ancillary departments.

11. Ability to prioritize work demands and work with minimal supervision.

12. Ability to maintain confidentiality relative to sensitive information.

13. Ability to maintain regular and punctual attendance.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

High school diploma or equivalency required. Associates Degree preferred. Must be at least 18 years of age. Minimum of (1) year experience in an institutional pharmacy environment (hospital or health care facility with admitted patients) or in a retail pharmacy environment required. Prior leadership experience preferred.

OTHER CREDENTIALS / CERTIFICATIONS:

Certification from a state specific or nationally qualified Pharmacy Technician program required.