Technician Pharmacy Lead

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Lead Pharmacy Technician is responsible for actively training and coaching the pharmacy technician personnel and assisting the Pharmacy Manager or Director with the administration and oversight of pharmacy services at UWNIL.  With guidance from the Pharmacy Manager or Director, the Pharmacy Technician Supervisor will perform personnel management activities of pharmacy technicians, coordinate department operations and services, lead customer service and performance improvement initiatives.  The Lead Pharmacy Technician is expected to demonstrate effectiveness as a leader and as a role model through efficient time management, effective organization of work, and education of pharmacy technicians.

EDUCATION/TRAINING: 

Hospital experience in unit dose distribution, compounding non-sterile medications including USP<795>, IV admixture including USP<797> and <800>, and automated dispensing machine technology.

High school diploma.

LICENSURE/CERTIFICATION:

Current licensure from the State of Illinois.  Current Pharmacy Technician Certification is preferred or must be obtained within 2 years of original licensure (unless licensed prior to 2007, in which case they are grandfathered in).   

EXPERIENCE/SKILLS/ABILITIES:

Successful completion of annual clinical, age and job specific competencies and skill verification tools required.  Good interpersonal, organizational and critical decision-making skills required.  Proficiency and ability to use a computer and a variety of common office equipment.  Ability to effectively communicate and develop collaborative working relationships with colleagues, medical staff and the public. Competency in the following skill set is required:

1. Competent in IV admixture including good aseptic techniques, medium and low risk compounding of hazardous and non-hazardous sterile products.

2. Completion and passing with negative culture results for 3 Personal Aseptic Technique Tests.

3. Successful completion of 720 hours of active compounding of sterile products.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

1. Prepares all sterile compounded products including hazardous medications using aseptic technique, following USP <797> and <800> guidelines. After completing 720 hours of experience following 12 weeks training and passing all exams and PATT tests.

1. Proper documentation of all cleaning activities, including but not limited to daily floor cleaning, daily cleaning of laminar airflow systems, monthly cleaning of walls, ceiling and light fixtures, as well as filter changes.

1. Documentation of monitoring activities including air changes per hour, relative humidity, and airborne and surface contaminants.

1. Annual review of training records, visual observations, and competency assessments.

1. QA from an air surface sample to be reviewed and identification of potential risks of contamination, with corrective action if needed.

1. Any additional cleaning, sampling and other duties as instructed.

1. Personnel Management

1. 1. Coordinate staff onboarding, schedules, and competency assessment systems.
      1. Conduct follow-up to ensure training schedules and orientation checklists and associated records are complete, giving feedback to trainee or trainer and scheduling retraining as required.
      2. Maintain and coordinate technician competency assessment systems.
      3. Develop and coordinate daily staff work schedules to effectively manage day-to-day operations.
      4. Provide timely feedback to employees.
   2. Coordinate staff performance improvement with Pharmacy Manager.
      1. Discuss possible investigation or corrective action/discipline with manager when need to act is suspected.
      2. Perform investigations as directed by manager, director, and/or human resources.
      3. Maintain detailed records.
      4. Coordinate all related communications with manager and director
   3. Assume coverage of weekday, and as needed holiday/weekend, technician sick calls for assigned areas as needed to maintain department operations

1. Department operations and services
   1. Provide supervision of day-to-day operations.
      1. Maintain visible supervision of all technician activities within pharmacy operations.                          
      2. Assist with new staff orientation and provide direct training support.
      3. Ensure service expectations are being met for optimal patient care.
      4. Oversee drug distribution and preparation in the following areas:
         1. Product packaging and labeling
         2. Sterile compounding for both hazardous and non-hazardous drugs
         3. Non-sterile compounding for both hazardous and non-hazardous drugs
         4. Controlled substance systems
         5. Stockroom, inventory control, supply chain and ordering systems
         6. Clinic and inpatient distribution and delivery
         7. Pharmacy automation and technology systems
         8. Other areas as directed
   2. Establish and maintain “schedule of activities” for each shift within the area of oversight.
   3. Assist with scheduling and training for those participating in the technician apprenticeship program
   4. Provide inventory management oversight.
      1. Provide direction to technicians for which products to remove or add to inventory.
      2. Direct technicians to assist in attainment of out-of-stock items from other inventory locations.
      3. Work with technicians to ensure outdated products are removed from inventory.
   5. Work with technicians to ensure regular billing services occur for pharmacy products and services.
   6. Arrange for coverage of staff’s unscheduled absences and determine alternative coverage options.
   7. Staff in areas of oversight as needed.
   8. Perform other department leadership activities and projects as assigned by managers or directors

1. Project management and problem solving
   1. Solve problems through critical evaluation of data-based information and continuous improvement efforts that lead to effective quality-based outcomes.
   2. Identify and diagnose problems, identify alternatives, implement plans, evaluate, and communicate results, implement system improvements.
   3. Coordinate routine audits for systems improvement.
   4. Lead projects as assigned, assuring project completion within assigned deadlines.

1. Customer service, marketing and performance improvement
   1. Establish and accomplish quality assurance and performance improvement goals in areas of responsibility.
      1. Ensure that regular quality assurance audits occur.
      2. Ensure that routine unit inspection audits are performed and properly documented in a timely manner.
   2. Demonstrate good interpersonal skills with all individuals including other hospital staff, visitors, and patients.

1. Assist with financial management and work analysis activities
   1. Develop systems to improve staff productivity and workload efficiency.

1. Team leadership and committee participation
   1. Represent technician viewpoints at department meetings.
   2. Demonstrate commitment to quality and service excellence in all actions as well as written and verbal communications.
   3. Read and respond to email in a timely manner.