At Northwestern Medicine, every patient interaction makes a difference in cultivating a positive workplace. This patient-first approach is what sets us apart as a leader in the healthcare industry. As an integral part of our team, you'll have the opportunity to join our quest for better healthcare, no matter where you work within the Northwestern Medicine system. At Northwestern Medicine, we pride ourselves on providing competitive benefits: from tuition reimbursement and loan forgiveness to 401(k) matching and lifecycle benefits, we take care of our employees. Ready to join our quest for better?

The Pharmacy Technician Specialist reflects the mission, vision, and values of NM, adheres to the organizations Code of Ethics and Corporate Compliance Program, and complies with all relevant policies, procedures, guidelines and all other regulatory and accreditation standards.

Under the direction of a licensed pharmacist, this role performs all technical duties associated with the operations of the dispensing areas. Additionally, the Pharmacy Technician Specialist maintains stock levels of medications, intravenous solutions, and supplies, monitors expiration dates of medications, and prepares appropriate reports on areas of responsibility.

Responsibilities:

• Acts as a service representative to pharmacy and hospital cost centers to ensure that user needs are being met, to review ordering procedures, to monitor product use, and to provide advice and guidance in product selection.
• Demonstrates proficiency in the use of PeopleSoft Procurement.
• Identifies and communicates key issues and trends to the Pharmacy Analytics Coordinator.
• Receives pharmaceuticals into the storeroom and updates appropriate records for inventory management and tracking.  Resolves discrepancies in the orders with the vendors.
• At the direction of the Pharmacy Analytics Coordinator, places orders with outside vendors by telephone, computer, or written requisition.
• Answers all questions relating to the availability of drugs in the storeroom or from vendors, assigns tasks that are necessary to the daily operation of the storeroom, and solves any problems that might occur.
• Ensures that the wholesale vendor returns are processed promptly.
• Maintains the safety, cleanliness, security, and general condition of the storeroom.
• In conjunction with the Pharmacy Analytics Coordinator, performs all controlled drug inventory transactions involving the storeroom and prepares distribution records and audit reports.
• Maintains an understanding of 340B program operations.
• Participates in scheduled pharmacy inventory.
• Monitors emergency cart maintenance and stocking.
• Performs all Pharmacy Technician III responsibilities.
• Maintains appropriate inventory par levels, processes expired medications and removes them from the area.
• Anticipates medication needs of satellite and orders appropriately.  Communicates any inventory problems to pharmacist staff, practice coordinator, and to manager.
• Evaluates monthly cost transfer reports for correctness.
• Resolves ordering discrepancies and maintains excellent communication with the storeroom.
• Performs pharmacy satellite inspections monthly and documents expired medications or any problems.
• Responds to recall notices in a timely and efficient way; communicates key information to the staff.
• Identifies areas of improvement in the work flow or inventory control and communicates to the practice coordinator or manager.
• Maintains emergency boxes and cart medication supplies.
• Ensures compliance with pharmaceutical waste collection and disposal requirements.
• Maintains documentation of completion for media fill and fingertip testing.
• Assists in the development and training of new technicians.
• Assists in the controlled substance audits to ensure accurate record keeping.
• Returns outdated or unused controlled substances to the pharmacy storeroom.
• Ensures on-time deliveries within department standards.
• Maintains adequate inventory and accurate records for all drug studies.
• Removes expired products promptly from the active inventory, places it in a separate area, and makes the appropriate record adjustments. Documents removal of expired product for accurate inventory management.
• Ensures that all products are stored under appropriate storage conditions.
• Assists in maintaining accurate inventory and inventory records to meet regulations for controlled substances and tax-free alcohol.
• Verifies that recalled or outdated drugs are isolated and that the proper records and reports are prepared.
• Assures that formulas are compounded correctly and made available for checking by a pharmacist.
• Performs other tasks as assigned.

Quality Management:

• Maintains Patients First standards always.
• Maintains the work area in a safe manner, ensuring compliance with hazardous waste management standards. 
• Ensures that product preparation and computer order entry is accurate and consistent with the physician order.

Required:

• Licensed Illinois Pharmacy Technician (IDFPR)
• Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT) certification through PTCB or ExCPT
• High School Diploma
• Previous experience as a Pharmacy Technician

Preferred:

• 1 - 2 years of college
• Completion of a pharmacy technician training program

Northwestern Medicine is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of age, sex, race, color, religion, national origin, gender identity, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation or any other protected status.