Pharmacy Narcotic Diversion Technician

The Narcotic Diversion Technician is the lead Narcotic Room employee responsible for maintaining all technical aspects of the pharmacy narcotic room, including placing purchase orders, distribution, record-keeping, drug storage and quality assurance as required by federal and state regulatory agencies and hospital polies and procedures. This position provides an additional level of control in the reduction of risk in controlled substance management through the execution of inventory recovery and diversion/theft prevention and reduction programs. This position will work closely with DCH Pharmacy Leadership, Compliance and Nursing to protect DCH assets and will work to prevent pharmacy controlled substance inventory loss. This is executed through comprehensive audits of automated dispensing inventory and random reconciliations of inventory for controlled substance medications.

Daily Narcotic Room Functions

• Maintain Narcotic Room accountability and daily documentation in accordance with federal and state regulations and hospital policies and procedures.
• Assist Pharmacy Leadership, DCH Compliance, and Nursing leadership with discrepancy investigation.
• Receives drug and controlled substance orders on designated days and ensures accurate linking of the barcode in the Meditech and automated dispensing systems for patient safety.
• Perform audits and other quality assurance activities related to controlled substances (i.e. discrepancy investigation).
• Conduct staff training in the narcotic room and other central pharmacy areas as necessary. Must function as a preceptor to new hire Pharmacy Technicians, Pharmacy Students and Pharmacists.
• Maintains documents and files in an orderly and systematic manner.
• Creates and places purchase orders on designated days for controlled substances and other pharmaceuticals, IVFs, medical supplies and general supplies.
• Repackages controlled medications when necessary and has a working knowledge of the FluiDose machine.
• Ensures that controlled medications are available (when possible) and notifies the Pharmacist Business Manager, the RMC Operations Manager, the Drug Information Pharmacy Manager and the NMC Pharmacy Manager when supplies are expected to be too low due to a drug shortage situation.
• Distributes daily reports to unit-based technicians indicating controlled substances soon to expire in the next 7 days and oversees the execution of returning expired controlled medications.
• Oversees inventory management and medication storage in the narcotic room using systematic approach to monitor and determine appropriate stocking levels.
• Systematically checks assigned KP area for removal of outdated medication and cleanliness and ensures other Narcotic Room Technicians complete their assigned areas.

Loss Prevention Functions

• Monitor inventory for all controlled substance medications to correlate electronic inventory with quantity on-hand
• Report findings to leadership and make recommendations for action or follow-up with staff or inventory correction
• Represents pharmacy at various meetings where expertise may be needed.
• Detect and investigate any perceived or confirmed incident of controlled substance diversion or theft.
• Conduct onsite audits of receiving and inventory logs for controlled substance medications, medication invoices, and shipments
• Maintain knowledge and understanding of controlled substance law at the federal, state, and local level.
• Participates in performance improvement activities.
• Work with internal leaders to promote awareness of findings, deficiencies, areas of risk and make recommendations for process improvements.
• Review and maintain updated medication invoice and controlled substance receiving procedures.

DCH Standards

• Must be able to operate computer, calculator, telephone, fax machine, transfer carts and other related pharmacy equipment.
• Identifies and reduces unsafe practices that may result in harm to patients, visitors and employees.
• Maintains performance, patient and employee satisfaction and financial standards as outlined in the performance evaluation.
• Must complete Apexus 340B University on Demand within 6 months of hire.
• At least 1 year of experience conducting data analysis, auditing, related experience is preferred.
• High school graduate or equivalent
• Performs essential job functions in a manner that ensures the safety of patients, visitors and employees.
• Recognizes and takes appropriate action to reduce risks and hazards to promote safety for patients, visitors and employees.
• Must adhere to the DCH Behavioral Standards including creating positive relationships with patients/families, coworkers, colleagues and with self.
• Currently registered or eligible for registration as a Pharmacy Technician in the State of Alabama. Alabama Technician Registration must be active on or before the first day of employment.
• Requires use of electronic mail, time and attendance software, learning management software and intranet.
• Employee must be able to read, write legibly, speak, and comprehend English.
• Performs compliance requirements as outlined in the Employee Handbook
• Working knowledge of controlled substance law.
• All other duties as assigned.
• Certified Pharmacy Technician, PTCB or EXCPT required
• Must adhere to all DCH Health System policies and procedures.
• Must complete the Controlled Substance Diversion Prevention for Pharmacy Technicians (ASHP OR PTCB if eligible) within 6 months of hire
• Must have a minimum of 2 years’ experience as a Pharmacy Technician.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Employee must be able to stand, walk, reach, sit, twist, crouch and stoop for extended periods of time. Employee must be able to carry objects weighing up to 40 pounds. Position requires good motor coordination with good manual and finger dexterity. Employee must have the ability to communicate with staff and patients of all ages. Physical presence onsite is essential. Hearing and vision must be normal or corrected to within normal range. Employee must be able to perform the duties with or without reasonable accommodation.

WORK CONTEXT

Environmental

• Exposure to hazardous conditions
• Close physical proximity
• Exposure to contaminants
• Requires wearing common protective or safety equipment

Psychological

• Occasionally deal with unpleasant or angry people
• Frequent use telephone
• Daily use of electronic mail
• Work with group or team
• Contact with others
• Engage in face to face discussions

PHYSICAL FACTORS

• Must be able to tolerate prolonged periods of sitting and/or standing
• Physical activities include Talking, hearing, bending, twisting, walking, kneeling, crouching, stooping, climbing, balancing, reaching, pushing, pulling, lifting, grasping, repetitive motion, standing, and/or using hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools or controls).
• Possible exposure to disease, infection and hazardous materials.
• Light work. Exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects. If the use of arm and/or leg controls requires exertion of forces greater than that for sedentary work and the worker sits most of the time, the job is rated for light work.
• Physical presence onsite is essential.
• Hearing and vision must be normal or corrected to within normal range.
• Must be able to perform the duties with or without reasonable accommodation.

Other Job Factors

• Must be willing to take on responsibilities and challenges.
• Must be able to file and maintain records.
• Must be careful about detail and be thorough in completing work tasks
• Must be reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfill obligations.
• Must be honest and ethical.
• Must be pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
• Must be able to accept criticism and deal calmly and effectively with high stress situations.