At Houston Methodist, the Pharmacy Technician Specialist position serves in an expanded role and is responsible for performing advanced level work including but not limited to medication reconciliation and medication histories, verification of orders, verification of doses dispensed by other technicians, support of medication acquisition programs to ensure safe patient transitions during the admitting, transfer, and discharge medication acquisition process, and assisting with the collection of data for productivity and quality assessment, and may perform Tech-Check-Tech (T-C-T) as outlined by the Texas State Board of Pharmacy (TSBP) and HM policy. This position participates in staff development by training new employees, residents, and interns; provides feedback on technician's performance; and may lead the coordination of the day-to-day workflow and activities of assigned pharmacy technicians. The Pharmacy Technician Specialist position also performs other specialized functions in the work areas in addition to performing functions normally associated with a Pharmacy Technician or Senior Pharmacy Technician.

PATIENT AGE GROUP(S) AND POPULATION(S) SERVED
Refer to departmental "Scope of Service" and "Provision of Care" plans, as applicable, for description of primary age groups and populations served by this job for the respective HM entity.

HOUSTON METHODIST EXPERIENCE EXPECTATIONS

• Provide personalized care and service by consistently demonstrating our I CARE values:
  • INTEGRITY: We are honest and ethical in all we say and do.
  • COMPASSION: We embrace the whole person including emotional, ethical, physical, and spiritual needs.
  • ACCOUNTABILITY: We hold ourselves accountable for all our actions.
  • RESPECT: We treat every individual as a person of worth, dignity, and value.
  • EXCELLENCE: We strive to be the best at what we do and a model for others to emulate.

• Practices the Caring and Serving Model

• Delivers personalized service using HM Service Standards

• Provides for exceptional patient/customer experiences by following our Standards of Practice of always using Positive Language (AIDET, Managing Up, Key Words)

• Intentionally collaborates with other healthcare professionals involved in patients/customers or employees' experiential journeys to ensure strong communication, ease of access to information, and a seamless experience.

• Involves patients (customers) in shift/handoff reports by enabling their participation in their plan of care as applicable to the given job

• Displays cultural humility, diversity, equity and inclusion principles

• Actively supports the organization's vision, fulfills the mission and abides by the I CARE values

PEOPLE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Promotes a positive work environment and contributes to a dynamic, team focused work unit that actively helps one another to achieve optimal department results. Collaborates with other health care professionals as needed for problem resolution and/or achievement of identified patient specific goals.

• Guides and mentors Pharmacy Technicians, Senior Pharmacy Technicians, and students to help build confidence in skills, knowledge and abilities. Proactively supports and assists with training new employees and all other pharmacy learners (e.g. residents, interns, students and volunteers).

• Provides management feedback on technician's performance.

SERVICE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Leads workgroups and committees as well as develops and implements education activities for technical staff. Presents or assists in-services for pharmacy staff as directed by Pharmacy Management.

• Assists with optimizing the safety and efficiency of pharmacy operations and supporting the workflow needs of the pharmacy department.

• Contributes in department efforts to resolve drug related problems and maximizing patient care.

QUALITY/SAFETY ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Provides support to the workflow, coordinates medication distribution and acquisition in assigned areas under the supervision of the pharmacist, and reports problems to the appropriate parties. Accurately documents and completes paperwork in assigned role/function.

• Performs advanced activities to ensure efficient and safe medication distribution including, but not limited to, Tech-Check-Tech, medication reconciliations, medication histories, advanced sterile compounding, troubleshooting automation, and patient interactions.

• Reports ¿near misses¿ and inputs errors promptly to improve processes and identify trends. Contributes to identification of corrective actions and improvement activities and contributes to meeting departmental and hospital targets for quality and safety.

• Leads other technicians in the collection and reporting of data related to quality improvement and productivity projects to optimize patient safety

FINANCE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Uses resources efficiently; does not waste supplies. Recommends solutions in achieving departmental objectives.

• Self-motivated to independently manage time effectively and prioritize daily tasks.

GROWTH/INNOVATION ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Participates in planning, developing, implementing, and monitoring new pharmacy programs and services that address medication related errors and safety initiatives.

• Identifies process improvement opportunities in the medication distribution process.

• Seeks opportunities to expand learning beyond baseline competencies with a focus on continual development as a Pharmacy Technician Specialist.

This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive; the employee will also perform other reasonably related business/job duties as assigned. Houston Methodist reserves the right to revise job duties and responsibilities as the need arises.

EDUCATION

• High School diploma or equivalent education (examples include: GED, verification of homeschool equivalency, partial or full completion of post-secondary education, etc.)

• Two years of college preferred

WORK EXPERIENCE

• Four years of Pharmacy Technician experience applicable to the specific work setting (e.g., hospital, specialty pharmacy); may consider a HM Senior Pharmacy Technician with one year less experience

• Cross trained in three pharmacy work areas - examples include but are not limited to medication histories, advanced sterile compounding, Tech-Check-Tech, Pyxis coordinator, etc.; OR serves as a subject matter expert (SME) for a pharmacy work area in which 50 percent or more of work time is conducted and demonstrated by completion of an approved certificate program such as Accreditation Council of Pharmacy Education (ACPE), Board of Pharmacy Technician Specialties (BPTS), American Society of Health System Pharmacists (ASHP), Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) Texas Society of Health System Pharmacist (TSHP), etc.*

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS - REQUIRED

• LPHT - Licensed Pharmacy Tech - State Registration OR
• RPI - Reg Pharmacy Intern - State Licensure AND
• IV Certification - Intravenous certification (ACPE) -- if applicable for primary work assignment within 6 months AND

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Demonstrates the skills and competencies necessary to safely perform the assigned job, determined through on-going skills, competency assessments, and performance evaluations

• Sufficient proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing the English language necessary to perform the essential functions of this job, especially with regard to activities impacting patient or employee safety or security

• Ability to effectively communicate with patients, physicians, family members and co-workers in a manner consistent with a customer service focus and application of positive language principles

• Proficient in performing accurate calculations required for usual dosage determinations

• Possesses proficient computer knowledge; operates multiple computer systems to include, hospital/pharmacy related software, drug preparation pumps/devices, packaging and labeling machines, automated drug dispensing equipment, prescription balances, and portable data processing units

• Exhibits strong interpersonal and team player skills with all levels of the healthcare team and assures delivery of excellent customer service to all patients, visitors, physicians and co-workers

• Capable of assuming responsibility for coordinating the activities of other technicians

• Adapts to multiple ongoing priorities with minimal supervision including organizing work flow and actively participating in problem-solving

• Maintains active credentialing for Tech-Check-Tech, if performing those duties

SUPPLEMENTAL REQUIREMENTS

WORK ATTIRE

• Uniform No
• Scrubs Yes
• Business professional No
• Other (department approved) No

ON-CALL*
*Note that employees may be required to be on-call during emergencies (ie. DIsaster, Severe Weather Events, etc) regardless of selection below.

• On Call* No

TRAVEL**
**Travel specifications may vary by department**

• May require travel within the Houston Metropolitan area No
• May require travel outside Houston Metropolitan area No

Since its founding in 1919, Houston Methodist Hospital has earned worldwide recognition. Houston Methodist Hospital is affiliated with the Weill Medical College of Cornell University and New York-Presbyterian Hospital, one of the nation's leading centers for medical education and research.  In 2020, U.S. News & World Report named Houston Methodist Hospital to its top ranked Honor Roll for the fourth time and second consecutive year. 2020 also marked the ninth year in a row Houston Methodist Hospital has been named the No. 1 hospital in Texas. Houston Methodist Hospital directs millions of research dollars into patient care and offers the latest innovations in medical, surgical and diagnostic techniques. With 952 operating beds, 85 operating rooms and over 8,000 employees, Houston Methodist offers complete care for patients from around the world.

 

The same high-quality care for which Houston Methodist is known is available at several Emergency Care Centers in Houston and the surrounding areas.  These Emergency Care Centers house exam rooms, full digital radiography suite, low radiation dose 16-slice CT scan, ultrasound and a full on-site stat chemistry lab.