Pharmacy Technician I (#RH4451)
$21.61-$26.26 Hourly / $3,745.33-$4,552.47 Monthly / $44,943.98-$54,629.69 Yearly

Under immediate supervision performs technical and clerical work of average difficulty in entry in filling of prescriptions, maintains records and patient files, re-supplies pharmacy medications and ancillaries; learns to perform more complex technical work and does related or other work as required in accordance with Rule 3, Section 3 of the Civil Service Rules.

This is the first working level in the Pharmacy Technician series. Incumbents perform a broad range of technical duties under direct supervision of a registered pharmacist as provided by section 4115 of the Business and Professions Code of the State of California, may perform clerical tasks such as order entry or billing to meet workflow needs under general supervision, and may learn to perform higher-level tasks and may be assigned to perform same under closer supervision. Assignment may be to inpatient hospital, institution or outpatient pharmacy and staff may rotate among several locations. Incumbents may advance to Pharmacy Technician II after demonstrating competency in, and being regularly assigned to perform the higher-level duties.

• Assists in filling prescriptions; selects proper drug, places in container in quantity and strength prescribed, applies labels; selects unit doses and places in cassettes, places for pharmacist review; compounds simple ointments and solutions.
• Accepts prescriptions, verifies patient insurance and information; transcribes and enters orders into computer; prepares labels, updates patient profiles and records; submits for billing, identifies orders not on formulary, notifies pharmacist of formulary, drug interaction and other problems identified by computer.
• Restocks pharmacy bulk and unit dose stock and ancillaries; restocks automatic filling devices; returns unused unit dose medications to stock and credits patient accounts.
• Delivers medication to inpatient units; reviews medication orders with patient care staff and corrects discrepancies; assists outpatients at counter, verifies identity, provides refill medications, and collects co-payments.
• Inspects floor stock and removes medications close to expiration; maintains stock of specified drugs in Pharmacy, clinics and nursing areas; insures that adequate supplies are available for normal usage; receives samples and stores patient samples; checks in and stores shipments; repackages drugs into bulk or unit dose.
• Maintains cleanliness of pharmacy and other storage and dispensing areas.

License: Possession of a valid certificate of registration as a Pharmacy Technician issued by the State of California Board of Pharmacy.

Basic pharmacy practices; standards, ethics, laws, and regulations governing the practice of pharmacy; pharmaceutical and medical terms, abbreviations and symbols used in prescribing, dispensing and stocking medications; drug identification, dosage, and storage requirements; procedures and techniques of drug packaging and labeling.

Read, understand and follow oral and written instructions; perform metric and apothecary calculations required for common dosage determination; work rapidly and accurately; set up, operate and maintain pharmaceutical equipment; utilize advanced office equipment and computers; establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.

Mobility-Operation of a data entry device; ability to stand or sit for long periods, move about an indoor area, reach above and below bench level; Dexterity-Handle individual papers; count individual pills; write and take notes; Lifting/Pushing/Pulling-Regular lifting of up to 25 pounds; pushing carts; Visual Requirements-Ability to read case files and computer screens; constant good overall vision and reading/close-up work; frequent color perception and use of eye/hand coordination; occasional use of depth perception and peripheral vision; Hearing/Talking-Ability to hear normal speech, hear on the telephone, talk in person, and talk on the telephone; Emotional/Psychological Factors-Frequent public contact; ability to make decisions and concentrate; Special Requirements-May require working nights, weekends, and overtime; Environmental-Occasional exposure to varied weather conditions.