Medication History Tech-Pharm-Milford Campus

Job Description

Overview

Responsibilities

Summary:
As members of a High Reliability Organization (HRO), every employee should practice the Standards of Professional Behavior and strive to make patient safety a top priority. The job entails assisting with the medication reconciliation process by interviewing patients and contacting pharmacies and physician offices to obtain an accurate medication history. In addition, the position also entails being a resource for the pharmacist and assisting nursing and physicians with medication related requests.

Responsibilities:

• 1. MEDICATION HISTORY: 
  1.1 Obtains and clarifies patients' home/chronic medication list by contacting community pharmacies and extended care facilities, interviewing patient and family members to ensure proper identification of doses and drugs including prescription medications, over the counter drugs and complimentary & alternative medications in an efficient and timely manner. 
  1.2 Reviews and updates patients' allergies.
  1.3 Accurately documents the home medication list in the electronic health record using the standardized documentation format.
  1.4 Consistently meets the minimum number of medication histories obtained per shift, while maintaining high accuracy and quality.
• 2. CUSTOMER SERVICE QUALITY: 
  2.1 Serves as a resource to the pharmacist regarding home medication histories and other follow up as deemed appropriate by the pharmacist. 
  2.2 Responds to nurses, physicians or other requestors and appropriately manages, triages, or ensures follow-up in a timely manner regarding medication history information and/or medication history requests
  2.3 Meets all Standards of Professional Behavior and other YNHS Service Excellence Standards (including
  AIDET, 10-5 and no venting) and ensures that high quality customer service is provided and displayed at each patient and team interaction.
• 3. COMMUNICATION:
  3.1 Communicates discrepancies identified via the medication history process with the pharmacist and makes clarifications with the patient and prescribers as needed.
  3.2 Hands off effectively any medication history related issues and ensures proper follow up and closure.
  3.3 Appropriately directs, triages or communicates to the appropriate caregivers or staff all questions or inquiries from patient or families that are outside the scope of taking the medication history.
• 4. MEDICATION SAFETY, REGULATORY AFFAIRS, AND QUALITY ASSURANCE: 
  4.1 Conducts consistent environment of care rounds to ensure safety and regulatory compliance. 
  4.2 Identifies opportunities for improvement related to safety, regulatory or financial outcomes.
  4.3 Effectively demonstrates the principles and conduct consistent with a High Reliability Organization.
  4.4 Identifies and reports actual and potential medication errors or adverse events and to seek resolution of these safety risks.
• 5. LEADERSHIP: 
  5.1 Identifies and participates in ongoing quality assurance (QA) to ensure efficiency for all aspects of medication history taking. 
  5.2 Trains pharmacy technicians, pharmacy technician students and pharmacy interns if deemed appropriate by the supervisor/manager.

Qualifications

EDUCATION: 
High School Diploma and completion of an ASHP accredited Pharmacy Technician Training Program. Certification by the national Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) is required.

EXPERIENCE: 
3 years of Pharmacy Technician experience with taking medication history and/or patient contact preferred.

LICENSURE: 
Eligible to register with the state of Connecticut as a pharmacy technician, PTCB is required upon hire or within 6 months of hire.

SPECIAL_SKILLS: 
Must be registered as a Pharmacy Technician in the State of Connecticut as outlined by the Department of Consumer Protection. Must be able to prioritize competing demands, work independently, and show flexibility and teamwork. Must demonstrate excellent communication skills to customers and team members. Proficiency in mathematical calculations; accuracy; problem solving; attention to detail ; knowledge of computer applications including word processing and spreadsheets; ability to learn quickly in a fast-paced environment; ability to work with computer and technology equipment including the ability to perform basic troubleshooting functions.

ACCOUNTABILITY:
The individual in this position is held accountable to pharmacy manager/supervisor for performing all duties accurately, efficiently, and according to departmental, hospital and professional standards. Must maintain PTCB certification and State of CT registration. Must meet any and all demands for service in a timely and efficient manner. Must successfully complete all hospital and departmental competency validation and quality assurance tests.

COMPLEXITY: 
This position requires the ability to work quickly and accurately in a fast -paced environment. High degree of interface with a variety of computer software applications and drug dispensing and compounding equipment. High degree of prioritization skill required to ensure timely and accurate medication history documentation in the electronic health record. Must be able to work well independently and in groups displaying a high level of cooperation and mutual respect for customers and team members.
PHYSICAL_DEMAND:
Employee may be expected to work on-call shifts. Coverage extends to day, evening and overnight shifts.
Employee is considered essential personnel and is expected to work during inclement weather (i.e.blizzards, hurricanes).