Finance and Administration

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF CLASS



The PHARMACY TECHNICIAN 2 performs technical support tasks in the pharmacy of an institution or hospital under the supervision of a licensed pharmacist that include inventory control, inspections and/or parenteral product preparation.



DISTINGUISHING FEATURES



This is the second level of a two-level series and is distinguished from the first level by responsibility for inventory control, inspection of pharmaceutical practice, and/or duties involving the admixture of sterile products including products for intravenous use.



DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES



Positions in this class may perform some or all of the duties listed and unless otherwise specified, all duties are performed under general supervision of a licensed pharmacist:

1. Inventory control. Typical tasks: reviews stock on hand and initiates orders from outside vendors for supplies as needed; receives supplies noting and initiating corrective actions for incorrect items or amounts received; maintains warehouse inventory system.
2. Inspections. Typical tasks: under direction of licensed pharmacist, conducts routine inspections of supplies on medication carts and in storage areas for proper sanitation, expiration dates and storage methods.
3. Parenteral Product Preparation. Typical tasks: under direct supervision of a pharmacist, asepticlaly admixes parenteral products such as large volume parenterals, IV piggybacks, total parenteral nutrition, chemotherapy and dialysis solutions. This includes performing necessary calculations and aseptically manipulating syringes or other devises in the preparation of the sterile product.
4. Documentation Records. Typical tasks: maintains inventory controls of controlled substances and special records of controlled and investigational drugs under the guidance of a pharmacist; prepares container labels with identifying information (e.g. patient and physician, quantity, strength and frequency of use, time and method of administration, and special instructions).
5. Packaging. Typical tasks: selects correct medication from storage area and places it in container; repackages drugs from bulk to specified amounts and containers; prepares routine orders for dispensing such as drawing liquids into syringes.
6. Deliveries. Typical tasks: may deliver medication orders that have been checked by a pharmacist at scheduled times or as needed; places delivered drugs under refrigeration if required; compares dosage instructions and medications by reading order to receiving staff; picks up additional orders and may pick up used containers which require special handling.
7. Miscellaneous. Typical tasks: answers pharmacy phones; may answer technical and patient demographic questions from information contained on patient profile; refers questions requiring professional judgment to pharmacist; checks for and discards outdated drugs; assists with physical inventory; prepares individual label with identification and instructions and/or mass produces labels for multiple use regimens; orders stock from storeroom to maintain inventory.

RELATIONSHIPS WITH OTHERS



Employees in this class have regular contact with pharmacists regarding their assigned duties and may have contact with other institutional agency personnel to clarify patient demographic information or timing of medication orders.



SUPERVISION RECEIVED



Employees in this class receive general supervision from a pharmacist who provides work assignments verbally and in writing and checks the accuracy of all packaging, transcribing of medical orders, and filling of medication carts. Work is reviewed in progress and upon completion for accuracy, timeliness and conformance to pharmacy policy and procedures.



Employees in this class follow Oregon Board of Pharmacy rules, State and Federal rules and regulations and agency policies and procedures as guidelines for packaging, handling, distribution and disposal of medications.



GENERAL INFORMATION



Positions are found in departments such as Veterinary Medicine, Pharmacy and Student Health Services. 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• The Pharmacy Technician 2 must be registered with the Oregon State Board of Pharmacy. Some positions may require a valid Oregon Driver?s License;
  AND
• One year of training and/or experience demonstrating knowledge of:

- Medical terminology and abbreviations

- Pharmaceutical terms and drug names (generic and trade)

- Mathematics to compute dosages and rate of drug use

- Metric system, weights and volume

- Principles of record keeping

- Inventory control procedures

- Pharmaceutical and supplies ordering procedures

- Pharmaceutical storage and maintenance procedures

Adopted 02/03