Pharmacy Assistant

Job Summary

The Pharmacy Assistant, under the Pharmacist's supervision and according to established policies and procedures, assists with the medication distribution system.

Essential Job Functions

• Regular, consistent, on-site, and timely attendance.
• Fill medication orders and prepare for Pharmacist's review.
  • Fill new medication orders.
  • Fill and exchange medication cassettes.
  • Assist in reconciliation of missing orders and doses.
  • Complete required documentation.
  • Assist Pharmacist in filling outpatient prescriptions as necessary.
• Prepare injectable medications according to applicable standards for Pharmacist's review.
  • Prepare medications utilizing USP 797 and 800 guidelines.
  • Maintain Clean Room environment per policy and UPS 797 and 800 guidelines.
  • Follow quality assurance protocols, such as temp/humidity monitoring, hood cleaning, hand washing and proper garb for clean room (if applicable).
  • Complete appropriate documentation.
• Deliver and retrieve medications to and from patient care areas.
  • Deliver medications to appropriate storage area on the nursing unit.
  • Retrieve discontinued and discharged patient's medication from nursing unit.
  • Deliver stock medications and place in appropriate storage location.
  • Maintain patient transfers, discharges, and medication returns to their proper locations within the pharmacy.
• Complete all assigned charging and crediting functions.
  • Charges and credits from fill lists.
  • Charges and credits from discharge patient and discontinued medication returns.
  • Charges and credits from miscellaneous sources.
• Prepackaging medications in preparation for pharmacist's review.
  • Prepackage tablets and capsules.
  • Prepackage oral liquid.
  • Complete required documentation.
• Utilize existing technologies
  • Fill, maintain, and troubleshoot automated dispensing cabinets.
  • Fill, maintain, and troubleshoot Pharmacy Robot as applicable.
  • Utilize Pharmacy operating system.
• Maintain basic inventory functions.
  • Receive and stock medications to their appropriate locations.
  • Rotate stock as necessary and check outdates.
  • Assist in maintaining adequate stock levels.
  • Maintain medication stock areas inside and outside the pharmacy.
  • Maintain assigned inspection section(s) and check outdates monthly.
• Facilitates communication within the Pharmacy.
  • Answer telephone and triage calls to appropriate person.
  • Monitor Pharmacy Window and assist customers according to their need.
  • Abide by regulatory and legal guidelines but not limited to: PA State Board of Pharmacy, Joint Commission, Department of Health, etc.
• Cognitive ability to function and concentrate on the essential and specialty functions of the job at a high level.
• Achieves thoroughness and accuracy when accomplishing an essential or specialty function of the job.
• Ability to think and concentrate for an entire shift.
• Other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• High School Diploma, GED or higher level of education.

• Pharmacy Technician Training / Certification OR 6-month Prior Pharmacy experience

Preferred Qualifications

• Strong leadership ability, good organizational skills, independent and critical thinking skills, and sound judgment.
• Strong ability to communicate complex and/or controversial topics and concepts to a wide and diverse audience

License, Certification & Clearances

• Act 34-PA Criminal Record Check from the PA State Police system

Supervisory Responsibilities

• This position has no direct supervisory responsibilities, but does serve as a coach and mentor for other positions in the department.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work

• Regular, consistent, on-site and timely attendance.
• Incumbent will be scheduled based on operational need (rotate shifts, standby, on-call, etc.).

LEAN

• Actively promotes a Lean work culture by performing team member duties to encourage consistent use of LEAN principles and processes, including continually seeking work process improvements. Recognizes the necessity of taking ownership of one’s own motivation, morale, performance and professional development. Strives for behavior consistent with being committed to Excela’s missions, vision and values.

AAP/EEO

• Excela Health is an Equal Opportunity Employer. It is the policy of Excela Health to prohibit discrimination of any type and to afford equal employment opportunities to employees and applicants, without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, non-job related disability, veteran status, or genetic information, or any other protected class. Excela Health will conform to the spirit as well as the letter of all applicable laws and regulations.
• Ability to perform the Essential Functions listed on the Physical Conditions and ability to perform the Essential Functions on the Working Condition chart below.

Work Environment

Effective March 2020 or during pandemic: goggles, face shield and mask are required according to CDC guidelines

Physical Demands