Pharmacy Technician - Regular and Per Diem Pool

THE POSITION: Under direct supervision of a registered pharmacist, the incumbent performs a variety of tasks to assist in the operation of the Ventura County Medical Center/Santa Paula Hospital Outpatient, Inpatient or Oncology Infusion Pharmacy.

Distinguishing Characteristics:

Pharmacy Technician is responsible for medication preparation and distribution under the guidance and supervision of the Pharmacists, Pharmacy Supervisor, and/or Director of Pharmacy Services.

APPROXIMATE SALARIES: 
Pharmacy Technician - $21.10 - $29.55 Hourly
Pharmacy Technician PDP - $31.39 Hourly 

EDUCATIONAL/BILINGUAL INCENTIVE: Some positions may be eligible for educational incentive. This incentive may be 2.5%, 3.5%, or 5% for incumbents in eligible positions based on completion of an Associate's, Bachelor's, or Master's degree that is not required for the classification. Incumbents may also be eligible for bilingual incentive depending upon operational need and certification of skill. 

AGENCY/DEPARTMENT: Health Care Agency - Ventura County Medical Center/Santa Paula Hospital

Pharmacy Technician is represented by the Service Employees' International Union (SEIU) and is eligible for overtime compensation.
 
The eligible list established from this recruitment may be used to fill current and future Regular (including Temporary and Fixed-term), Intermittent, Per Diem Pool, and Extra Help vacancies. There is currently one (1) regular, Full-Time vacancy.

TENTATIVE SCHEDULE:
OPENING DATE: December 12, 2024
CLOSING DATE: Continuous

Examples Of Duties

Duties may include, but are not limited to the following:
 

• Answer and triage phone calls made to the pharmacy department.
• Transcribe physician orders to medication profiles and assemble orders for pharmacist review.
• Fill initial drug order and deliver medication(s) to nursing units and other patient care areas after review by the pharmacist.
• Use a variety of packaging machines, weighing, labeling, and measuring devices to package/tag or otherwise prepare drugs in unit dose forms.
• Performs non-discretionary aspects of dispensing function in an outpatient pharmacy.
• Maintain stock and remove expired medication(s) from the automated dispensing cabinets or floor stock in various units throughout the hospital including proper handling of controlled substances according to hospital policies and procedures.
• Operate computer terminal for order entry, label generation, and documentation.
• Clean and maintain sterile compounding hood and sterile compounding areas daily according to established policies and procedures.
• Maintain adequate inventory of supplies, drugs, and equipment necessary for sterile compounding.
• Prepare and label compounded sterile products including chemotherapy and other hazardous drugs using proper aseptic techniques.
• Process medication charges or credits when appropriate.
• Assist in preparation and maintenance of department records.
• Assist in maintenance of inventory and stock, including ordering, distributing, receiving, unpacking, marking, pricing, controlling, and record keeping.
• Perform and document monthly unit inspection of assigned area(s) for medication outdates and cleanliness.
• Work closely with providers, nursing staff, patient, patient’s family, and outpatient pharmacies in obtaining best possible medication history for newly admitted patients including proper documentation on the electronic health record.
• Report to immediate supervisor of any malfunctioning equipment.
• Observe and report to immediate supervisor any unusual circumstances including those relating to drugs, drug requests, usage, or security within the hospital.
• Assist in maintaining the pharmacy work areas in a neat, clean, and orderly condition.
• Performs other related duties as required.

Typical Qualifications

EDUCATION, TRAINING, and EXPERIENCE:

No experience required; however, experience in an inpatient pharmacy setting with knowledge of general inpatient pharmacy procedures and practices is desired.

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
 

• Must possess and maintain a current California Pharmacy Technician License.
• Must be able to lift 25 pounds.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Knowledge of: basic medical terminology and abbreviations; methods and procedures involved in proper handling and storing of pharmaceutical and supplies; basic pharmaceutical nomenclature; state and federal pharmacy regulations as they pertain to specific assignments; units of measurement by weight and volume; basic arithmetic; aseptic technique and manipulation of sterile solution; aseptic method of intravenous product preparation.

Skill/Ability to: use basic weight and measuring devices; perform weighing, measuring, compounding pharmaceuticals, and document with accuracy, efficiency, and timeliness; perform routine mathematical calculations; operate a computer; type simple forms, records, and reports; understand and apply policies and procedures pertaining to the job assignments; communicate clearly and effectively; understand and carry out oral and written instructions; work cooperatively with hospital staff and patients; lift up to 25 lbs. 

Recruitment Process

FINAL FILING DATE: This is a continuous recruitment and may close at any time; therefore, apply as soon as possible if you are interested.  Your application must be received by County of Ventura Human Resources in Ventura, California, no later than 5:00 p.m. on the closing date. 

To apply on-line, please refer to our web site at www.ventura.org/jobs.  If you prefer to fill out a paper application form, please call (805) 654-5129 for application materials and submit them to County of Ventura Human Resources, 800 South Victoria Avenue, L-1970, Ventura, CA 93009.

NOTE:  If presently permanently employed in another merit or civil service public agency/entity in the same or substantively similar position as is advertised, and if appointed to that position by successful performance in a merit or civil service style examination, then appointment by "Lateral Transfer" may be possible.  If interested, please click here (Download PDF reader) (Download PDF reader) for additional information.

Note to Applicants:  It is essential that you complete all sections of your application and supplemental questionnaire thoroughly and accurately to demonstrate your qualifications. A resume and/or other related documents may be attached to supplement the information in your application and supplemental questionnaire; however, it/they may not be submitted in lieu of the application.

SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE – qualifying: All applicants are required to complete and submit the questionnaire for this examination at the time of filing. The supplemental questionnaire may be used throughout the examination process to assist in determining each applicant's qualifications and acceptability for the position. Failure to complete and submit the questionnaire will result in the application being removed from consideration. 

APPLICATION EVALUATION - Pass/Fail: An application evaluation will be conducted to determine whether or not each applicant possesses the required licensure and certification for this recruitment. Those candidates who do will be placed on the eligible list. 

WRITTEN EXAMINATION - 100%: A job-related written examination will be administered to test candidates' knowledge of generic drug names, pharmacy calculations, pharmacy procedures, conversions, filing, and interpersonal relationships. Candidates must earn a score of seventy percent (70%) or higher to qualify for placement on the eligible list. 

Candidates successfully completing the examination process may be placed on an eligible list for a period of one (1) year. 

BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION: A thorough pre-employment, post offer background investigation which may include inquiry into past employment, education, criminal background information, and driving record may be required for this position. 

For more information about this recruitment, please contact Erin Niemi by e-mail at erin.niemi@ventura.org or by telephone at (805) 654-2568. 

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
The County of Ventura is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.