Pharmacy Technician

The Pharmacy Technician I is responsible for assisting the Pharmacist in the operations related to medication preparation and distribution. Medication preparation requires extreme accuracy and attention to detail.  The pharmacy technician has high level security clearance with access to all medication storage areas, procedural areas, surgical suites, etc.  The pharmacy technician works in a highly regulated environment and must take care to abide by all state and federal regulations that relate to the practice of pharmacy including record keeping and infection prevention standards.  Responsibilities include accurately performing pharmaceutical calculations, compounding non-sterile dosage forms, and effectively utilizing inventory management systems and automated dispensing cabinets.  

The pharmacy technician practices in a fast paced and often high stress environment with constant interruptions, phone calls, requests from clinical staff and requests from pharmacists.  The pharmacy technician must be flexible and must constantly prioritize work, responding to acute critical patient needs in addition to scheduled duties.  The pharmacy technician must demonstrate initiative and be willing to work as a cohesive member of a team. 

Required Education and Experience

• High school diploma or GED

Required Licensure and Certifications

• Registered Pharmacy Tech in the state in which the employee works, PHARMTECH:WA

Required Minimum Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Training

• Shall possess the personal characteristics necessary for successfully fulfilling his/her responsibilities. These characteristics include good communication skills, initiative, and attention to detail, flexibility, and cooperation.

Should demonstrate competency and is responsible for:

• Accurately obtaining, labeling, and re-packaging medications as needed
• Accurately filling and distributing medications through first fill, cart fill and/or automated drug systems
• Completing inspections of medication rooms for regulatory compliance
• Accurately maintaining expiration dates and appropriately outdating inventory
• Operating pharmacy automation and medication computer software and hardware, optimizing safety and efficiency
• Applying knowledge of generic/trade name medications and different dosage formulations (i.e. ER,XR,SR)
• Applying knowledge of medications and their preparation requirements and limitations (i.e. high risk, do not tube, hazardous, etc.)
• Accurately processing patient medication orders and billing adjustments as required
• Performing specialized Narcotic Distribution
• Operating AutoPacker to repackage oral and topical prepackage doses, ensuring Federal repackaging guidelines
• Accurately performing pharmaceutical calculations
• Managing time effectively
• Properly disposing of medications according to state and federal law
• Reporting medication errors appropriately
• Managing patient home medication acquisition and dispensing per hospital policy
• Maintaining secure access of pharmacy areas (use of panic button, magnetic lock, doorbell, keypad access)
• Accurately performs pharmaceutical calculations on injectable medications with a narrow therapeutic index
• Must have training in applicable EHR, pharmacy automation, and computer applications.

We deliver inspired people to do meaningful work.

We are an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.

Virginia Mason Franciscan Health brings together two award-winning health systems in Washington state  CHI Franciscan and Virginia Mason. As one integrated health system with the most patient access points in western Washington, our team includes 18,000 staff and nearly 5,000 employed physicians and affiliated providers. At Virginia Mason Franciscan Health, you will find the safest and highest quality of care provided by our expert, compassionate medical care team at 11 hospitals and nearly 300 sites throughout the greater Puget Sound region.  While you’re busy impacting the healthcare industry, we’ll take care of you with benefits that include health/dental/vision, FSA, matching retirement plans, paid vacation, adoption assistance, annual bonus eligibility, and more!