Lead Pharmacy Tech

Summary

Reports to Pharmacy Supervisor, Oncology and Sterile Compounding or their designee.

Under the supervision of a pharmacist and direction of a Pharmacy Technician Supervisor, the Pharmacy Technician Group Leader, Oncology and Sterile Compounding coordinates the activities and functions of the pharmacy technicians and pharmacy technician specialists on the Oncology and Sterile Compounding team, and pharmacy student interns, hereafter collectively referred to as pharmacy technicians.

Ensures cleanliness of clean room environment. Ensures sterile compounding is performed under the supervision of a pharmacist, in accordance with policies, procedures and regulatory rules and mandates. Reviews operations and workflows, identifies opportunities for improvement, and recommends changes to increase efficiency.

Orients, trains, and assigns work to pharmacy technicians in keeping with established policies, procedures, standards of practice, and scope of oncology and sterile compounding pharmacy services.

Brown University Health employees are expected to successfully role model the organization's values of Compassion, Accountability, Respect, and Excellence as these values guide our everyday actions with patients, customers and one another.

Responsibilities

• Ensures cleanliness of clean room environment and ensures equipment is maintained according to regulations and manufacturer instructions.
• Ensures daily, weekly, and monthly disinfecting and cleaning are performed in accordance with established policies, procedures, and rules and mandates.
• Ensures sterile compounding is performed under the supervision of a pharmacist, while maintaining compliance with regulatory boards and regulations related to compounding of sterile pharmaceuticals [i.e., Rhode Island Department of Health, Rhode Island Board of Pharmacy Rules and Regulations, United States Pharmacopoeia (USP) Chapter <797> Pharmaceutical Compounding - Sterile Preparations, USP Chapter <800> Hazardous Drugs, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), and The Joint Commission (TJC) Medication Management chapter].
• Provides technical support to streamline operations and maximize efficiency at assigned clean room site. In collaboration with pharmacy technician supervisor, recommends and implements operational changes.
• Ensures adequate drug inventory is on hand and is stored in compliance with established policies, procedures, and regulatory mandates.
• Ensures requisite ancillary supplies are on hand when needed.
• Supports the pharmacist on duty in guaranteeing security of drug inventory.
• Provides clerical support to assist with record keeping.
• Provides input for the recruitment, retention, competency assessment, and annual performance appraisal of pharmacy technicians, in collaboration with pharmacy technician supervisor.
• Orients, trains, and coordinates the work of pharmacy technicians on the Oncology and Sterile Compounding team.
• Participates in the development of tools and in-service training to improve competency levels during orientation of new employees.
• Ensures pharmacy technicians are aware of, and understand, new or revised standard operating procedures, to maintain on-going competence.
• Provides actionable feedback to pharmacy technicians to promote effective teamwork and satisfaction in the workplace, in consultation with pharmacy technician supervisor.
• Communicates effectively with all levels of staff to facilitate the flow of operations.
• Provides timely and accurate communication, both written and verbal as appropriate, regarding continuous quality improvement activities, including goals and objectives as they relate to Oncology and Sterile Compounding services.
• Participates in continuous quality assurance and improvement activities, and medication safety initiatives. Ensures scheduled quality assurance inspections are completed on time. Serves on teams, as assigned.
• Participates in the on-going maintenance of equipment used in the preparation or distribution of oncology and sterile compounded products. Ensure routine preventive maintenance of equipment is completed according to standards and on time.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Education

• High school graduate or equivalent required. Completion of one to two years of college preferred.
• Holds and maintains current unrestricted Rhode Island Pharmacy Technician II licensure and National Pharmacy Technician Certification (CPhT).

Experience

• Two to three years of progressively more responsible related work experience as a pharmacy technician or technician specialist preferably gained within Brown University Health. Experience must include a minimum of 1 year of oncology, sterile compounding, and/or investigational drug experience.
• Must obtain, within 2 months of hire, and maintain no less than semi-annually thereafter, internal Oncology and Sterile Compounding credentialing as outlined in Standard Operating Procedure, Personnel Training and Evaluation, and demonstrated by successful completion of competency assessments included therein.
• Effective interpersonal and communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Possesses basic computer skills including Microsoft Office Suite.

Work Environment and Physical Requirements

• Work may require extended periods of time spent standing and walking.
• Requires the visual and manual dexterity to operate a computer.
• May require occasional travel between affiliates and sites.

Independent Action

• Performs independently within department policies and practices.
• Refers specific complex problems to supervisory staff when clarification of departmental policies and procedures may be required.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY: None.

Pay Range

$22.04-$36.37