Overview

Lead Pharmacy Technician 

Full Time, 80 Hours per pay period, Day Shift

Parkwest Overview:

Headquartered in Knoxville, Covenant Health is a community-owned integrated healthcare delivery system and the area’s largest employer.

Parkwest is Covenant Health’s and West Knoxville’s premier medical facility and a top-performing heart hospital, offering our patients world-class treatment with all the convenience and warmth of home.

In addition to providing the area’s leading cardiac services, Parkwest has been nationally recognized for award-winning care throughout our facility. For 2020-21, Parkwest received recognition from U.S. News & World Report as one of the “Top 10” hospitals in Tennessee.

Knoxville located in East Tennessee is the third largest in the state, well-known for its proximity to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and is the home of the University of Tennessee. Go Vols!  Living in Knoxville means experiencing all four seasons.  Best of all, each of them is pretty mild!

Combine all that with the abundant natural beauty of the surrounding mountains, and you have a city that truly offers something for everyone. Knoxville has a vibrant arts culture, seasonal festivals, top-notch foodie and incredible outdoor recreation. It’s a perfect blend of big-city amenities and Southern charm.

Pharmacy

The Pharmacy Department is open 24 hours a day seven days a week.  We provide all medication needs throughout the hospital to include all procedural and patient care areas.  Out staff consist of Licensed Pharmacist and Registered Pharmacy Technicians, currently we are about 50:50 techs to pharmacist ratio. The pharmacist and techs work closely together to meet the needs of our patients.  The pharmacy is newly renovated with Omnicell Carousels in the main Pharmacy and Omnicell nursing medication cabinets and anesthesia work Stations.  The pharmacy also has a newly renovated IV Room and that is both Chapter 797 and 800 compliant and soon to have completed renovation of our OR Pharmacy Satellite also with a Chapter 797 IV Room.  The pharmacy department is also highly involved in Medication Reconciliation on all of our admitted patients.  This task is conducted by our Pharmacy Technicians working in conjunction with the nursing, pharmacy and medical staff out of the Emergency Department. Services provided include but not limited to:  Pharmacokinetic dosing of medications, Renal Dosing of medications, Antibiotic Stewardship, formulary and auto-substitution of many medications as approved by the medical staff.  We have a good relationship with the medical staff who provide a lot of leeway for the Pharmacy to expand and assist in patient care.  Restocking of medications in all Omnicells throughout the house is also conducted by the pharmacy department.

Schedules:  rotating shifts and weekends.  Some of the staff work seven on seven off during the late evening and overnight shifts.

Position Summary:

Under the direct supervision of the pharmacist, performs functions pertaining to the dispensing of medications.  Technical functions are expanded to include IV process proficiency, problem solving skills and quality improvement involvement.  Leadership and Supervisory skills are required to include demonstrated written and verbal communication that supports the overall objectives of the department.

Responsibilities

• All position accountability and performance criteria for level I, level II technician and advanced pharmacy technicians are essential.
• Assists in the development of new projects.
• Actively involved in intra-departmental communication and dissemination of related information.
• Actively participates in pharmacy related community projects when needed.
• Responsible for preparing technician schedules and ensuring shifts are covered with the appropriate staff and skill level to meet departmental needs.
• Supervises the level 1-3 technicians in the performance of their assigned roles on a daily basis.
• Competent to evaluate the performance of level I, II and advanced technicians.
• Follows policies, procedures, and safety standards. Completes required education assignments annually. Works toward achieving goals and objectives, and participates in quality improvement initiatives as requested.
• Attend meetings as required and participates on committees as directed. Attends and serves on professional/civic service organizations as hospital representative.

Qualifications

Minimum Education:           

None specified; however, must be sufficient to meet the standards for achievement of the below indicated license and/or certification as required by the issuing authority.

Minimum Experience:         

Five (5) years of experience or four (4) years with State approved certification

Licensure Requirement:      

The Tennessee Board of Pharmacy requires newly hired probationary employees to be licensed by the end of their first 90 days of hire and to maintain their Technician License in active status thereafter.