Technician, Pharmacy at Kaiser Permanente in Portland, OR

Job Summary:

The pharmacy technician provides customer-focused services to members in the technical aspects of pharmaceutical care, under the direct supervision of the pharmacist and in collaboration with the healthcare team.

Essential Responsibilities:

• Overall Individual Responsibilities: Actively supports organizational and departmental policies and procedures within the Partnership. Seeks supervision/consultation or refers to another resource when unable to perform safely, effectively or within the role. Presents a professional appearance and approach with members and other employees; demonstrates honest and ethical behavior. Handles member and employee information with appropriate sensitivity and safeguards to ensure confidentiality and right to privacy, in compliance with HIPAA regulatory requirements. Demonstrates and incorporates principles of safety and infection control into daily activities as outlined in organizations policies/procedures. Actively supports organizational and departments policies/procedures including established cash handling and asset management. Contributes to the effectiveness of the team by working together by supporting, promoting and applying the established behavioral and interpersonal standards of conduct, as developed through the Labor/Management Partnership, including those on attendance, mutual respect and support, honoring diversity, effective communication, and improving the work environment. Exhibits flexibility when work assignments need to be adjusted to meet service delivery needs and workload of team. Takes responsibility to identify, develop and adapt new policies and practices that improve service and quality of work.
• Overall Job Responsibilities: Cash handling: Ensures that all cash handling practices are in accordance with current regional and departmental policies and procedures. Takes precautions to secure funds and to minimize the risk of robbery and/or theft. Places starting cash fund in cash register at the beginning of work-day and operates cash register according to established policies and procedures. Completes daily cash-out procedure, including balancing or documenting discrepancies according to departmental policies and procedures. Accurately and completely compiles daily and month-end cash report. Maintains work logs as necessary. Ensures that cash discrepancies do not exceed regional averages (standards). Demonstrates knowledge and ability to operate cash register systems to accurately complete the sales transaction. Gives each patient a cash receipt. Has refunds and voided transactions cosigned in a timely manner. Closes cash drawer after each transaction.
• Phone Handling: Answers telephone, receiving, processing and relaying messages as needed with complete discretion in matters of patient confidentiality. Answers phone with the location (ex. Kaiser Rockwood Pharmacy), name, and appropriate greeting (ex. good morning, good afternoon, etc.). Demonstrates competence in the operation of the phone system, including transferring, stacking, etc. Requests assistance when required. Triages to the appropriate resource. Gives the caller the opportunity to respond before being placed on hold. Satisfies member request within one transfer of a call; stays on the line until the extension is answered to confidentially announce the caller. Follows the current Regional/Departmental Phone Handling Policies.
• Transactions Concerning Members/Medications: Asks for appropriate ID, and records information consistent with regional policies and procedures to ensure the accurate sale of all prescriptions to the correct patient. Refers any questions or concerns regarding lack of ID, potential fraud or misuse to supervisor or PIC. Documents and follows through on all information concerning a drug dispensing irregularity in accordance with established policies and procedures. Recognizes importance of accuracy in dispensing and selling of prescriptions and OTC products. Actively participates in departmental quality assurance activities. Adheres to the Pharmacy Technician function of providing appropriate information to the member.Refers any and all questions concerning prescription and/or OTC drugs or other health care related topics to a pharmacist in accordance with regional confidentiality standards and HIPAA requirements. Reprints a call slip for patients copy upon request.
• Managing Stock, Supplies and Work Area (variable according to the specific worksite/location): Maintains work and waiting areas in a neat and orderly manner at all times; regularly assists in the cleaning of the department; all shelves are washed thoroughly on a routine basis. Regularly unpacks and stores supplies, verifies items received against invoices, and stores perishables such as antibiotics in refrigerators per policies and procedures. Checks invoices against orders to make sure that all items are received and charges are correct. Reports all discrepancies to the appropriate person in accordance with established policies and procedures. Demonstrates knowledge and ability to order all items required in the pharmacy (source such as wholesaler, PSC, General Stores). Orders drugs and supplies in the right amount to reduce outdated medications and eliminate needless inventory stock and storage and informs others of vendor changes. Organizes outdated, overstock and recalled items to ship back to wholesaler and/or regional warehouse for credit on a regular basis. Organizes unclaimed prescriptions for returning to stock and deleting the fills in the computer system. Maintains adequate stock of OTC items and uses appropriate merchandising to ensure correct rotation of stock, neat shelving appearance, cleanliness and pricing. Monitors and maintains inventory and supplies to assure efficient work flow (i.e. filling vial bins, bags, filing prescriptions, etc.). Updates and maintains drug and medical information reference sources as new information becomes available (i.e., Facts and Comparisons, PPL Updates, etc). Reconciles invoices at end-of-month as assigned by supervisor. Ensures Return authorization form with confirmation (BBDC). Processes FOA returns (BBDC). Accurately completes Nursing/module orders, including proper billing. Properly processes invoices and prescription records and archives in accordance with Regional policies and applicable State and Federal laws and regulations. Ensures appropriate accountability and storage requirements for vaccines. Assures proper functioning of all drug storage equipment (including refrigerators, freezers, Baker Cells, etc.). Supports physical inventory processes and policies, and adheres to Regional guidelines on Asset Management.
• Prescription Processing and Compounding: Accurately and completely inputs all prescriptions and/or patient data into the tops System according to policies and procedures. Uses correct short codes to reflect correct product, package size and strength, doctors name and directions. Inputs appropriate comments in comment field and documents medical comments and other appropriate information on the call slip for pharmacists review. Accurately inputs billing methods, co-pays and fees as appropriate. Properly assesses when manual label is required and types the label according to established label standards. Verifies that the name on the prescription and the name presented on the screen are the same and correct. Accurately pulls appropriate drug and package size, verifying accuracy (including manufacturer) with the printed label(s). Correctly calculates quantities needed for corresponding sigs and conversions to and from the metric system. Ensures proper processing of FOAs, off-site prescription orders, and special circumstances. Adheres to departmental policies in the filling, processing, handling and security of prescriptions for scheduled medications. Presents completed prescription to the pharmacist for review and verification in a timely manner. Maintains competency in the accurate running, correction, and interpretation of all routine prescription related system reports. Maintains work logs as necessary. Correctly calculates, and has verified, ingredients involved in extemporaneous compounding and documents appropriately in log book.
• Data Management: Inputs refill information and responds to information given on screen appropriately and in accordance with established policies and procedures. Generates and processes refill authorizations according to policies and procedures. Demonstrates ability to make correct decisions concerning the appropriate action on prescriptions such as knowing when an Rx needs to be renewed or when the prescriber must be contacted for clarification (i.e., no strength on Rx). Accurately collects demographics and information. Sends accurate and thorough message using computerized information systems and/or in writing. Inputs refill information and responds to prompts/information on screen appropriately and in accordance with current policies and procedures. Generates, processes and messages appropriately refill authorizations according to policies and procedures. Accurately inputs all information contained on answered refill authorization, knowing when to renew, add refill, offsite or consult solutions RPh for clarification. Generates computer based reports at the request of supervisor, RPh or the member (tax report) in accordance with HIPAA requirements. Maintains work logs as necessary.

Basic Qualifications:

Experience

• N/A

Education

• High School Diploma or General Education Development (GED) required.

License, Certification, Registration

• Pharmacy Technician License (Oregon) required at hire

Additional Requirements:

• Demonstration of the ability to: Speak and read English fluently. Write coherently, legibly and spell correctly.
• Communicate effectively in all forms: written, verbal and non-verbal.
• Provide customer-focused service.
• Calculate math accurately, especially aliquots, concentrations and dilutions.
• Demonstrate a history of reliable attendance.
• Make a positive impact on the team dynamics.
• Work effectively in a fast-paced, stressful environment.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Evidence of the following work experience and/or documented attributes: Multi-tasking. Cash handling. Personal computer skills. Attention to detail. Team player. Flexible.
• Work experience in retail, business office or other service industry setting.
• Previous technician work experience.
• Completion of a recognized technician training program.
• Speak and read English fluently.
• Write coherently, legibly and spell correctly.
• Post high school course in medical terminology.

Click here for Important Additional Job Requirements.

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