Nebraska Methodist Health System

Why work for Nebraska Methodist Health System?

At Nebraska Methodist Health System, we focus on providing exceptional care to the communities we serve and people we employ. We call it The Meaning of Care – a culture that has and will continue to set us apart. It’s helping families grow by making each delivery special, conveying a difficult diagnosis with a compassionate touch, going above and beyond for a patient’s needs, or giving a high five when a patient beats a disease or conquers a personal health challenge. We offer competitive pay, excellent benefits and a great work environment where all employees are valued! Most importantly, our employees are part of a team that makes a real difference in the communities we live and work in.

Job Summary:

Location: Nebraska Methodist Hospital

Address: 8303 Dodge Street, Omaha, NE

Work Schedule: Mon-Fri, day shifts; hours could vary based on projects, meetings, need for trouble-shooting issues, etc; on-call rotation

The Pharmacy Technology Coordinator role is to oversee, and ensure the appropriate functionality of the automation, and informatics systems involved with the use of medications for hospitalized or ambulatory patients at Methodist Hospital. The primary responsibilities include developing, and maintaining pharmacy automation systems that support the pharmacy department, coordinating pharmacy automation, and electronic health record needs with the hospital Informatics team, and insuring pharmacy automation processes are in compliance with State, and Federal regulations as well as CMS, and Joint Commission standards.

This position is responsible for development, and continuous review of policies/procedures associated with department/organizational pharmacy automation, upkeep of automation contracts, analysis of automation data for quality improvement, educational programs related to automation, general integrity of the pharmacy automation, and assisting with monitoring/updating the EHR, and automation billing systems. This position also oversees the controlled substance handling, and diversion processes for the facility with guidance from the Pharmacy Service Executive, and Pharmacy Business Coordinator. The Pharmacy Technology Coordinator serves as liaison between Pharmacy department staff, Information Systems, Finance, and other departments as needed. Presentations/education to healthcare professionals is a requirement. This position oversees the Pharmacy Technology Specialists (technicians).

Responsibilities:

Essential Job Functions

Automation technology systems management.

• Maintains a thorough understanding of automation technology hardware and software, and the associated interfaces to each system.
• Works with pharmacy, nursing, Information Technology (I.T.) staff to troubleshoot, and resolve issues involving the medication management process.
• Provides on-going support to resolve problems as they occur with automated systems required to support pharmacy services, and provide on call support.
• Maintains a system for monitoring, and reporting on equipment functionality.
• Responsible for supporting, and/or coordinating upgrades, installations, and implementation of new systems/equipment.
• Maintains barcode medication administration database, and resolves and provides follow-up for any issues related to barcode scanning.
• Troubleshoots system problems.
• Performs audits as necessary.
• Assists in managing inventory for the Automated Dispensing Cabinets.
• Coordinates pharmacy automation, and technology activities with the Department of Information Technology by maintaining automation contracts through iContract, and billing review assuring automation billing compliance to executed contracts.

Supports the pharmacy component of the electronic health record applications including, but not limited to, automated dispensing systems, and knowledge based medication administration systems.

• Oversees EHR database maintenance, and IT request submission processes.

Interacts with system vendors, and representatives, internal and external, regarding hardware, and software for automated systems required to support pharmacy services.

Provides support for internal audits, billing/financial analysis, and internal quality projects.

• Assists Business Coordinator to update electronic health record medication price update on a quarterly basis.
• Maintains medication database, and documentation system for billing.
• Provides data, analysis of automation data for financial analysis.
• Provides support to medical staff, and allied health professionals for drug utilization data gathering, and analysis.

Provides oversight for the controlled substance documentation, and diversion processes for the facility in collaboration with Pharmacy Service Executive, and Pharmacy Business Coordinator.

• Assures compliance with controlled substance handling procedures within the organization.
• Assists in investigation of controlled substance issues.
• Maintains the proactive diversion procedures.

Prepares, and maintains written policies, and procedures for all information technology devices associated with medication management.

• Policies, and procedures must be reviewed at a minimum of every 2 years.

Prepares, and maintains a formally written downtime procedure manual for all technology related to medications managed by the Pharmacy Department.

• This document must be educated to all pharmacy personnel, and must be up to date at all times according to the pharmacy practice model.

Coordinates automation orientation program, and annual competency assessments for the Pharmacy Department.

Provides training, support, implementation, and coordinating improvements to the automation systems contributing to performance improvement, and medication safety initiatives.

• Develops, and presents programs specific to new informatics functionality, and enhancements to the pharmacy staff.

Develops, and facilitates the implementation of goals, and objectives for the advancement of automation technology in the Department of Pharmacy.

• Actively participates, and provides expertise and analysis in future pharmacy system planning, upgrade, and conversion, including budgeting and purchasing of computer supplies, and maintenance.

Supervises work performance of pharmacy technology technicians.

• Ensures daily activities, and projects are completed in a timely, and efficient manner.
• Coordinates the scheduling, and supervision through the direct guidance of the Pharmacy Operations Team to assure appropriate staffing levels, and consistency with automation polices/procedures.

Schedule:

Mon-Fri, day shifts; hours could vary based on projects, meetings, need for trouble-shooting issues, etc; on-call rotation

Job Description:

Job Requirements

Education

• Associates Degree in Computer Science or level of knowledge normally associated with an Associate's Degree in Computer Science.
• Baccalaureate Degree in Computer Sciences or healthcare related field is preferred.

Experience

• Minimum of 2 years experience working in a pharmacy related role, preferably related to information system applications, and/or system maintenance required.

License/Certifications

• Registration with the State of Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services as a Pharmacy Technician (RPHT) at the start of employment required.
• Certified by Nebraska Board approved state, or national pharmacy technician certification program (CPHT) at the start of employment required.

Skills/Knowledge/Abilities

• Ability to communicate effectively with hospital personnel, patients, and the public.
• Skilled in the use of Microsoft Outlook, Word, and Excel (Level III experience).
• Knowledge of Microsoft Access.
• Ability to analyze database information, outcome and safety data, and financial information.
• Ability to work alone with minimal supervision.
• Ability to independently prepare written policies and procedures for the pharmacy service.
• Ability to independently prioritize time, and tasks according to the needs of patients, and the Department of Pharmacy.

Physical Requirements

Weight Demands

• Medium Work - Exerting up to 50 pounds of force.

Physical Activity

• Not neccessary for the position (0%):
  • Climbing
  • Crawling
  • Kneeling
• Occasionally Performed (1%-33%):
  • Crouching
  • Lifting
  • Sitting
• Frequently Performed (34%-66%):
  • Balancing
  • Carrying
  • Distinguish colors
  • Fingering/Touching
  • Grasping
  • Keyboarding/typing
  • Pulling/Pushing
  • Reaching
  • Repetitive Motions
  • Speaking/talking
  • Standing
  • Stooping/bending
  • Twisting
  • Walking
• Constantly Performed (67%-100%):
  • Hearing
  • Seeing/Visual

Job Hazards

• Not Related:
  • Biological agents (primary air born and blood born viruses) (Jobs with Patient contact) (BBF)
  • Equipment/Machinery/Tools
  • Explosives (pressurized gas)
  • Electrical Shock/Static
  • Radiation Alpha, Beta and Gamma (particles such as X-ray, Cat Scan, Gamma Knife, etc)
  • Radiation Non-Ionizing (Ultraviolet, visible light, infrared and microwaves that causes injuries to tissue or thermal or photochemical means)
  • Mechanical moving parts/vibrations
• Rare (1-33%):
  • Chemical agents (Toxic, Corrosive, Flammable, Latex)
  • Physical hazards (noise, temperature, lighting, wet floors, outdoors, sharps) (more than ordinary office environment)
• Note: Safety Officer can assist with identification of job hazards.

About Methodist:

Nebraska Methodist Health System is made up of four hospitals in Nebraska and southwest Iowa, more than 30 clinic locations, a nursing and allied health college, and a medical supply distributorship and central laundry facility. From the day Methodist Hospital was chartered in 1891, service to our communities has been a top priority. Financial assistance, health education, outreach to our diverse communities and populations, and other community benefit activities have always been central to our mission.

Nebraska Methodist Health System is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other classification protected by Federal, state or local law.

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