Pharmacy Technician Series

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Pharmacy Technicians assist and support Pharmacists in the delivery of pharmaceutical care to patients. Pharmaceutical care includes gathering the appropriate medications, entering data into a computer system, compounding the medication, verifying appropriate stock, assigning prices, and other duties related to dispensing medication to a patient. Additionally, Pharmacy Technicians operate automated systems that fill medication orders, generate computer patient profiles, and update computer order systems. Higher-level Pharmacy Technicians assist in the training, supervising, and managing of lower-level technicians. All Pharmacy Technicians work under the direct supervision of a Registered Pharmacist.

DESCRIPTIONS OF LEVELS OF WORK

Employees at this level perform basic pharmaceutical duties. They work under the direct supervision of Registered Pharmacists and may be managed by higher-level Pharmacy Technicians.

A(n) Pharmacy Technician I typically -

1. assists in preparing prescriptions by selecting the pharmaceutical or accessory from stock; counts, pours, reconstitutes or compounds, packages, and labels the product as required;
2. maintains, replenishes, and keeps up-to-date inventory of medications, and accessories;
3. prices prescriptions and pharmaceutical accessories; performs cashiering functions, as required;
4. performs basic aseptic techniques and pharmaceutical calculations;
5. recognizes normal dose ranges and notifies appropriate staff;
6. performs other related duties as assigned.

Employees at this level are experienced Pharmacy Technicians who may assist in managing and training Pharmacy Technician I’s and perform a variety of more technologically advanced pharmaceutical duties and record keeping. They work under the direct supervision of Registered Pharmacists and/or higher-level Pharmacy Technicians.

A(n) Pharmacy Technician II typically -

1. prepares and labels intravenous admixtures, the reconstitution of injectables, and the preparations of irrigation solutions including parental nutrition and cancer chemotherapy in a cleanroom environment; operates automated equipment in the cleanroom;
2. prepares and maintains files pertaining to a decentralized unit-dose system, physician’s order sheets, patient profiles, medication administration aids, intravenous work-load statistics, patient charting information, and charge files;
3. maintains, replenishes, and keeps up-to-date inventory of medications, accessories, and federally controlled drugs;
4. compiles department statistics;
5. operates and maintains the Automated Pharmacy System;
6. performs non-formulary billing functions, as well as validating reports, and processes corrections;
7. compounds dosage forms not available from the manufacturer;
8. performs duties of a Pharmacy Technician I, as required;
9. performs other related duties as assigned.

Employees at this level perform complex, specialized pharmaceutical duties and/or are assigned leadership roles in departmental projects and programs. They work under the direct supervision of Registered Pharmacists.

A(n) Pharmacy Technician III typically -

1. assigns and evaluates non-professional work activities of Pharmacy Technicians and students;
2. prioritizes daily workflow;
3. recognizes normal ranges of medication and initiates corrective action immediately;
4. ensures that all records, reports, and patient profiles are accurately maintained;
5. participates in hiring and retention recommendations;
6. provides staffing for specialized areas, i.e. Operating Rooms;
7. directs the maintenance of the Automated Pharmacy System and maintains software upgrades;
8. assists in the instruction/training of Pharmacy Technicians and other healthcare staff (such as Nurses or Medical Residents);
9. ensures proper handling, storage, and records of all experimental/research drugs, following regulatory agency guidelines;
10. updates drug databases;
11. compiles statistical data relating to the operation of the department;
12. performs duties of a Pharmacy Technician II, as required.

MINIMUM ACCEPTABLE QUALIFICATIONS

CREDENTIALS TO BE VERIFIED BY PLACEMENT OFFICER

1. Current registration as a Pharmacy Technician with the State of Illinois.
2. Any one of the following that equals six (6)months:
   1. Successful completion of a formal training program in technical, non-professional pharmaceutical procedures and practices.
   OR
   2. Work experience in technical, non-professional pharmaceutical procedures and practices.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSAs)

1. Effective interpersonal communications skills.
2. Skill in the calculation of basic pharmaceutical problems.
3. Basic computer/keyboarding skills.
4. Ability to organize daily work.
5. Ability to use pharmaceutical equipment effectively.
6. Ability to interact well with patients and healthcare personnel.
7. Ability to maintain accurate cash records and reports.
8. Ability to follow written and verbal instructions.
9. Knowledge of procedures to be followed in the storage of drugs, rotation of stock and checking and verification of expiration dates.
10. Knowledge of aseptic techniques for specialty products.
11. Skill in aseptic techniques.
12. Skill in accurate measurement of liquids.

CREDENTIALS TO BE VERIFIED BY PLACEMENT OFFICER

1. Current registration as a Pharmacy Technician with the State of Illinois.
2. Any one of the following that equals six (6)months:
   1. Successful completion of a formal training program in technical, non-professional pharmaceutical procedures and practices.
   OR
   2. Work experience in technical, non-professional pharmaceutical procedures and practices.
3. One (1) year (12 months) of work experience as a pharmacy technician.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSAs)

1. Basic knowledge and skill in operating and maintaining pharmacy automated equipment.
2. Knowledge of automated equipment and aseptic techniques for specialty products in a cleanroom.
3. Knowledge of chemotherapy preparation and safety precautions.
4. Basic knowledge of packaging equipment.
5. Skills in preparation and labeling of pharmaceuticals, solutions, suspensions, and capsules.
6. Skills in exchange of medication drawers, preparation of medication drawers, and placement of unit dose packaged medications in patient’s drawer.
7. Skills in preparation of setup assembly tray for each intravenous admixture and labeling of intravenous admixtures while working in a cleanroom.
8. Skill in the reconstitution of injectable and irrigation solutions.
9. Skill in preparation of computer data entries pertaining to the unit dose system.
10. Ability to supervise and/or train others.
11. Ability to maintain accurate records and reports.
12. Ability to monitor reports and initiate follow-up if necessary.

CREDENTIALS TO BE VERIFIED BY PLACEMENT OFFICER

1. Current registration as a Pharmacy Technician with the State of Illinois.
2. Any one of the following that equals six (6)months:
   1. Successful completion of a formal training program in technical, non-professional pharmaceutical procedures and practices.
   OR
   2. Work experience in technical, non-professional pharmaceutical procedures and practices.
3. Three (3) years (36 months) of progressively more responsible work experience as a pharmacy technician, which included one (1) year of lead worker duties.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSAs)

1. Thorough knowledge of pharmaceutical classification of drugs and dosage range.
2. Thorough knowledge of procedures necessary for ordering drugs, storing drugs, and rotating stock and medication recalls.
3. Knowledge of University Policies and Procedures.
4. Knowledge of medication supply sources and inventory maintenance/control.
5. Skill in the calculation of advanced pharmaceutical problems.
6. Skill in preparation of daily work reports.
7. Skill in patient record keeping and reports.
8. Supervisory skills, including scheduling, hiring, firing, training, and performance evaluations.
9. Ability to accurately interpret data, determine validity of results, and initiate corrective action immediately.
10. Ability to conduct quality assurance audits.