Medication Reconciliation Pharmacy Technician

Job Description

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 health care, no matter where you work within the Northwestern Medicine system. We pride ourselves on providing competitive benefits: from tuition reimbursement and loan forgiveness to 401(k) matching and lifecycle benefits, our goal is to take care of our employees.

Ready to join our quest for better?

This position requires working day shift and every other weekend.

• Act as a member of the clinical team to obtain the most complete and accurate medication history possible for patients throughout the hospital and emergency department.
• Obtain medication history in a timely manner to ensure efficient transitions in the continuum of care.
• Interview patients, utilizing all resources to obtain complete and accurate medication history, along with obtaining and clarifying allergy information.
• Demonstrate exceptional communication skills with all members of the care team and the public, including patients and patient representatives.
• Review secondary sources of information to obtain medication histories if unable to obtain directly from patient, or to verify the accuracy of a patient-provided history.
• Ensure that all medication histories are of the highest quality, and communicate any potential concerns with the covering clinical pharmacist to prevent medication errors.
• Document medication histories, and other pertinent information, in a clear and concise manner.
• Maintain a dedication to improving patient safety and reducing medication errors at transitions in the continuum of care.
• Pay attention to detail, maintain confidentiality, and provide complete documentation – core responsibilities within this role.
• Demonstrate competency with electronic health record (EHR) documentation and medication knowledge necessary to complete the role.
• Utilize critical thinking skills, decisive judgment and ability to work with minimal supervision. Must be able to work in a stressful environment and take appropriate action.
• Identify and fill medications, surgical kits, medication carts, emergency crash carts, requisitions and specialty items.
• Prepare sterile compounds and IV admixtures for injection and infusion including hazardous medications, chemotherapy, and biologics.
• Fill and label individual patient medications according to a computer-generated medication profile.
• Package medications into a unit-of-use form, labeling all medications and supplies with the required information; maintain a log of each preparation.
• Deliver medications to nursing units, automated dispensing cabinets and retrieve discontinued medications.
• Maintain appropriate inventory of automated dispensing cabinets; rotate all floor stock and inventory to reduce outdated medications.
• Assist in ordering, receiving, unpacking and storing pharmaceuticals and supplies in appropriate locations.
• Replace returned medications to appropriate locations, rotate the inventory and check for expired medications.
• Control and check medications outside of the department by performing unit inspections and emergency cart checks.
• Appropriately handle controlled substances, including maintaining security, reconciling controlled substance dispenses and accounting for transactions of expired, waste and return.
• Enter patient charges and credit information into the computer.
• Maintain logs, records and other required documentation.

• High School Diploma or equivalent.
• Pharmacy Technician License (IDFPR).
• Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT) certification through PTCB or NHA required for all licensed after 2008 (within 6 months of hire or sooner if required by IL pharmacy practice act).

• One year or less of related work experience, demonstrating familiarity with routines and procedures customary to the position.

Northwestern Medicine is an equal opportunity employer (disability, VETS) 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.

Northwestern Medicine conducts a background check that includes criminal history on newly hired team members and, at times, internal transfers. If you are offered a position with us, you will be required to complete an authorization and disclosure form that gives Northwestern Medicine permission to run the background check. Results are evaluated on a case-by-case basis, and we follow all local, state, and federal laws, including the Illinois Health Care Worker Background Check Act.

We offer a wide range of benefits that provide employees with tools and resources to improve their…