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General Summary of Position
The Medication History Pharmacy Technician is responsible for performing medication history assessments for new admissions to the hospital. Works under the direct supervision of a registered pharmacist. Primary Duties and Responsibilities
Contributes to the achievement of established department goals and objectives and adheres to department policies, procedures, quality standards, and safety standards. Complies with governmental and accreditation regulations.Abides by recommendations from regulatory and advisory groups regarding safe medication principles, including look alike, sound alike and high alert drugs. Responds appropriately to medication occurrences. Understands and takes appropriate action when a medication occurrence is identified. Complies with internal reporting requirements for medication occurrences using the Patient Safety Event system. Participates in meetings and on committees and represents the department and hospital in community outreach efforts.Contributes to cover shortages within the Pharmacy department. Must be able to meet all requirements of a pharmacy technician, including medication preparation and delivery.Maintains current knowledge, certification, and licensure. Identifies learning needs in self and initiates actions to address these education needs. Attends continuing education programs in order to maintain technician certification. Attends hospital sponsored training programs as required by the department. Completes all mandatory requirements, certifications, and licensure within allotted timeframe for completion (License, PPD, Competencies etc.).Participates in multi-disciplinary quality and service improvement teams. Participates in the evaluation of the hospital's medication management system for risk points and identifies areas to improve safety.Performs medication history assessments for new admissions to the hospital: Interviews patients and their families for the purpose of compiling an accurate and complete list of medications.Contacts the patient's community pharmacy, physician's office, or other healthcare facility for clarifications if needed. Provides complete information regarding each medication identified (i.e., drug, dose, route, frequency, indication for PRN, and last dose taken-date/time). Verifies patient allergy information and ensures complete documentation (i.e., substance, allergy category, reaction description). Documents the medication history and allergy information in the electronic medical record accurately and in a timely manner. Reports suspected medication errors or adverse drug reactions to the supervising pharmacist.Performs other duties as assigned.Participates in the evaluation of the hospital's medication management system for risk points and identifies areas to improve safety. Represents the department and hospital in community outreach efforts.Performs other duties as assigned.Performs regular assessments and audits, ensures all technical activities are being performed and completed in accordance with applicable laws, regulations and policies, to include daily dispensing activities; automation replenishment; repackaging and compounding activities; unit inspections; IV clean room cleaning and documentation; others as applicable.Refills and replaces medications in automated medication dispensing machines throughout the hospital. Troubleshoots and services automated medication dispensing machines as needed. Appropriately labels all medications and chemicals used to prepare medications with contents, expiration dates and appropriated warnings. Routinely inspects all medication storage areas according to hospital's policy.Safely and accurately prepares all medications in the most ready to administer form (including hazardous medications and sterile products), using proper techniques, calculations and appropriate precautions. Labels and packages medications according to hospital policy, applicable laws and regulations, and standards of practice to ensure safe, accurate administration (i.e. labels medications with the drug name, strength, quantity, beyond use date, patient name, patient location, and directions for use). Maintains documentation for all repackaged medications as required by departmental policy.Stores controlled substances in such a manner to prevent diversion in accordance with state and federal laws and regulations. Accounts for all unused, expired, or returned medications according to law. Utilizes automation where applicable.Transports medication to patient care units, placing in the designated delivery locations, within established departmental standards for turnaround times.Understands and takes appropriate action when a medication occurrence is identified. Complies with internal reporting requirements for medication occurrences using the Patient Safety Event system.
Minimum Qualifications
Education
- High School Diploma or GED required
- Completion of an approved/accredited Pharmacy Technician training program preferred
Experience
- Less than 1 year 6 months related pharmacy technician experience and hospital environment experience required
- Hospital environment experience; working knowledge of common outpatient medication doses and forms; previous retail pharmacy experience including prescription transcription duties preferred
Licenses and Certifications
- Registered Pharmacy Technician through the Board of Pharmacy required
- Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) certification within 90 Days required or has been granted, required or is eligible for, a pharmacy student exemption from pharmacy technician registration by the State of MD; required and PharmD student actively in a program from an ACPE accredited school of pharmacy and holds Pharmacy Intern status as recognized by the Board of Pharmacy. required
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
- Verbal and written communication skills; knowledge of drug nomenclature and medical terminology; proficiency in basic mathematics, including fractions and decimals.
- Basic computer skills preferred.
This position has a hiring range of $22.04 - $38.41
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MedStar Health
Sep 06, 2025