POSITION OVERVIEW  

The purpose of this position is to improve the quality of patient care by assisting with inventory management in our Pharmacy and Laboratory. The Pharmacy Technician will work with clients, doctors and staff to fulfill prescriptions orders with rigorous tracking and quality protocols, run in house labs and manage deliveries and returns daily to keep a fully stocked and organized inventory throughout the hospital.  

The Pharmacy Technician performs a variety of patient- and client-care duties, filling medications, notifying clients that prescriptions are ready for pick up, explaining medications and instructions to clients on occasion, returning medications to inventory that are not picked up, running in house labs, preparing specimens for outside laboratory, unpacking boxes and putting away inventory.   

The Pharmacy Technician is friendly and flexible in the face of varying expectations from clients and co-workers. The Pharmacy Technician quickly prioritizes, changes focus, multi-tasks, and thinks creatively and must respond quickly and calmly to emergencies, promptly filling controlled drugs as needed.   

Pharmacy Technicians strongly believe in the quality of care provided at Cypress Fairhaven Animal Hospital and communicate this sense of assurance to clients. Pharmacy Technicians understand veterinary services and recommendations and clearly convey the value of the services to the clients, promoting a positive work environment and providing direction to and motivating co-workers.  

Must be able to withstand unpleasant odors and noises. May be exposed to bites, scratches, animal waste, and contagious diseases.  

REPORTING STRUCTURE  

Directly reports to the Inventory Manager, then Practice Manager, then Medical Director/Owner. Periodically receives direction from the veterinarians.  

Primary Responsibilities  

VETERINARY KNOWLEDGE   

• Maintains and uses an appropriate level of veterinary medical knowledge. Takes advantage of in-house educational materials and continuing education provided by the hospital.  
• Maintains knowledge of the hospital’s programs, products, and services.  
• Maintains state-required continuing education requirements.  
• Keeps abreast of over-the-counter products and their usage, including flea-control products, skin products, vitamins, and pet foods.

INVENTORY   

• Unpack all boxes and puts away supplies while keeping inventory organized.   
• Rotates oldest inventory to the front.   
• Tracks controlled drugs.  
• Disposes of medications according to company policy.   
• Returns prescriptions to inventory that are not picked up.   
• Maintains inventory order list.

DIAGNOSTICS AND LABORATORY PROCEDURES   

• Accurately performs routine, in-house laboratory procedures. Collects, prepares, and handles specimens according to hospital protocols.  
• Prepares specimens for outside laboratory.  
• Monitors lab supplies, and orders additional lab supplies as needed.

MEDICATION DISPENSATION   

• Understands usage of and recommendations for prescription drugs, such as heartworm preventative products and flea-control products.  
• Maintains knowledge of drugs and their uses.  
• Fills prescriptions accurately.  
• Appropriately packages medications.  
• Documents controlled drug dispensation when required.

PROCEDURES AND PROTOCOLS   

• Adheres to all hospital policies, standards, and procedures, including but not limited to uniforms, personal grooming, smoking, and personal calls, as stated in the hospital procedures manual.  
• Communicates basic patient preventative care protocols to clients.  
• Maintains knowledge of the practice’s products and services.  
• Attends all staff and departmental meetings as requested.

Vital Functions  

CLIENT COMMUNICATION   

• Follows established hospital guidelines for communicating with clients.  
• Returns calls in a timely manner. Provides courteous service.   
• Handles basic questions regarding hospital services, fees, and animal care and treatment in accordance with hospital policies.  
• Appropriately directs other questions and communication to a CSR, Veterinarian, Practice Manager, or other staff member.   
• Uses active-listening skills to obtain all necessary medical and personal information from the client.  
• Discerns any potential client problems, complaints, or questions and handles them appropriately, documents in Complaint Log   
• Properly documents messages in Message Center

CLIENT RELATIONS   

• Maintains current client contact information.  
• Provides clients with any information or instructions they will need prior to their appointments.  
• Maintains knowledge of current wellness-care standards and common medical problems.  
• Relays medical instructions; itemizes the client’s statement; reviews it orally with the client; and informs the client about hospital policies, such as payment and credit policies, and vaccination policies.  
• Communicates with clients as needed regarding invoices and the status of their pets.

MARKETING AND CLIENT EDUCATION   

• Promotes the hospital to persons inquiring about the practice, fees, and products/services.  
• Educates clients regarding preventive medicine and vaccination requirements. Informs clients of suggested procedures to maintain their pets’ good health.  
• Promote the practice’s products and services to clients, making suggestions when appropriate

RECORD-KEEPING AND FILING   

• Accurately enters and retrieves records and reports, enters fees and charges, and maintains the database.  
• Updates client files and patient records as needed.

FACILITY MAINTENANCE   

• Maintain cleanliness of hospital throughout the day   
• Performs a thorough cleaning at the end of shift.   
• Cleans and straightens exam rooms, treatment areas, and lab areas. Assists other staff members to keep the public areas of the practice clean and well maintained.  
• Restocks exam rooms with supplies as needed.  
• Cleans and maintains all medical equipment as required.  
• Maintains and replenishes refreshment area.   
• Opens the practice and sets up for the morning as directed.   
• Closes the practice for the evening as directed  
• Reports any technology or building issues to CSR Supervisor(s) and other appropriate staff members at the time of discovery.

CASH HANDLING   

• Accepts payments from the client. Accurately processes cash, charge card payments, credit account payments, and tips.   
• Accurately invoices coupons and gift certificates.   
• Notifies CSR Supervisor of any issues immediately.

SAFETY   

• Follows OSHA guidelines concerning safety and handling of hazardous materials.  
• Follows established hospital safety guidelines regarding radiographs, controlled drugs, and animal handling.

PERSONAL CONDUCT   

• Exemplifies our core values of Teamwork, Accountability, Integrity, Language and Satisfaction.   
• Serves as a representative of the hospital, displaying courtesy, tact, consideration, and a positive attitude in all interactions with clients, patients, and other staff members.  
• Demonstrates initiative in everyday duties.  
• Adheres to the posted work schedule. Arrives for work promptly and begins work at start time. Follows hospital policies for reporting lateness or absences.Remains flexible and able to cover shifts, work overtime and switch shifts as needed. Clocks in and out with time clock at the beginning and end of each day and during breaks.   
• Utilizes the time clock to clock in and out at the beginning and end of each day and during breaks.  
• Organizes work area and exercises time-management skills to maximize personal efficiency.  
• Prioritizes tasks and handles multiple tasks in a calm, organized manner.

ADDITIONAL DUTIES   

• Performs other duties as directed.

Requirements   

• Education equivalent to the completion of the 12th grade.   
• Knowledge of general office practices and procedures, Client Service Representative (receptionist) duties, and telephone techniques.   
• Demonstrated ability to perform clerical work with speed and accuracy, proficiently use a multiple-line telephone system, and handle cash and other forms of payment accurately.  
• Experience assembling patient records, obtaining relevant information from clients, and accurately entering a variety of information in patient records. Regularly audits records or completeness, accuracy and proper grammar/spelling/capitalization/punctuation.   
• Ability to complete assigned tasks in the time allotted without direct supervision.   
• Ability to take direction and instruction from all staff members, especially those in leadership roles.  

Demonstrated ability to show empathy toward clients and treat animals with respect and compassion.   

• Excellent interpersonal communication skills.   
• A commitment to outstanding client service.   
• Ability to lift objects weighing 40 pounds without assistance and objects weighing more than 40 pounds with assistance.   
• Ability to stand for 12 hours or more.  
• Ability to stay on task and work energetically for entire shift, sometimes exceeding 12 hours per day.   
• Preferred: Knowledge of veterinary medical terminology and procedures and general computer skills.   
• Preferred: Ability to type 45 words per minute and use a 10-key adding machine.  
• Preferred: At least two years’ recent experience in an office or medical environment or experience in a fast paced environment, with increasing responsibilities.  
• Ability to emit a positive, can-do, willing attitude and maintain a pleasant or smiling facial expression more than 80% of the time. Education equivalent to the completion of the 12th grade.  
• Willingness to pursue further education leading to Licensed Veterinary Technician status.  
• At least one year of recent experience in veterinary practice or medical environment, with increasing responsibilities.  
• Ability to perform routine veterinary medical procedures (e.g., collect samples, draw blood, and administer vaccines).  
• Ability to maintain clear and accurate records and to charge clients for all products and services rendered.  
• Ability to properly restrain patients.  
• Knowledge of spelling and meaning of commonly used veterinary medical terminology and procedures.  
• Ability to complete assigned tasks in the time allotted without direct supervision.  
• Demonstrated ability to show empathy toward clients and treat animals with respect and compassion.  
• Excellent interpersonal communication skills.  
• A commitment to outstanding client service.  
• Ability to lift objects weighing 40 pounds without assistance and objects weighing more than 40 pounds with assistance.  
• Ability to stay on task and work energetically for entire shift, sometimes exceeding 13 hours per day.  
• Must be able to work weekends.   
• Preferred: Education equivalent to two years of college (pre-veterinary curriculum) or Licensed Veterinary Technician (LVT).  
• Preferred: Three years recent experience in a veterinary practice, with increasing responsibilities.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS   

• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.   
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.  
• Must be able to stand/walk all day, stoop, kneel, crouch and crawl, use hands and upper body.   
• Must be able to lift up to 50 pounds, up to 100 pounds with assistance.

WORK ENVIRONMENT   

• The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.   
• While performing the duties above, the employee is frequently exposed to wet, hairy, dander-filled and/or humid conditions.   
• The employee is occasionally exposed to moving mechanical parts and outside weather conditions.   
• The noise level in the work environment is usually loud