Lead Pharmacy Technician

Full-Time Lead Pharmacy Technician | UPMC Hamot

$5,000 Sign-On Bonus available for eligible candidates with a two-year work commitment.

The Lead Pharmacy Technician provides pharmaceutical care to patients within the UPMC Health System by demonstrating advanced knowledge, technical expertise, and leadership within designated areas of pharmacy operations. Areas of responsibility may include sterile compounding, RobotRX operations, general pharmacy operations, operating room pharmacy services, non-sterile product packaging, controlled substance management, and other specialized pharmacy functions.

This role serves as a key operational resource within the Pharmacy Department, coordinating daily activities with pharmacists and pharmacy leadership, mentoring and instructing technicians, supporting workflow standardization, and driving process improvement initiatives that enhance patient care and pharmacy services. All responsibilities are performed in compliance with state and federal regulations, The Joint Commission standards, and the mission, values, and policies of UPMC and the Pharmacy Department.

Schedule & Shift Information

• Hours: Full-Time, Night Shift (11:00 PM - 6:30 AM
• Shift: Primarily night shift with flexibility to support operational needs and occasional coverage on other shifts as needed.
• Weekends: As assigned.
• Holidays: As assigned.

What We're Looking For

We are seeking an experienced pharmacy technician who has demonstrated strong operational expertise and leadership potential. The ideal candidate will be a respected technical resource who can coordinate workflow, support departmental initiatives, mentor team members, and contribute to the continued success of a high-performing acute-care pharmacy operation.

Successful candidates will demonstrate:

• Strong pharmacy operations knowledge and technical expertise.
• Leadership ability and a team-oriented approach.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Strong organizational and prioritization abilities.
• Accountability, professionalism, and attention to detail.
• Critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
• The ability to coordinate workflow and support daily departmental operations.
• A commitment to training, mentoring, and developing fellow technicians.

Preferred Experience

While not required, the following experience would be beneficial:

• Acute-care hospital pharmacy experience.
• Sterile compounding and IV preparation.
• Controlled substance management processes.
• Pharmacy automation and medication distribution technology.
• Inventory management and purchasing processes.
• Technician orientation, training, and competency development.
• Process improvement and workflow optimization initiatives.
• Regulatory and compliance-related responsibilities.

What Makes Someone Successful in This Role?

Successful Lead Pharmacy Technicians are dependable, proactive, organized, approachable, and adaptable. They serve as technical leaders within the department, helping coordinate daily activities, developing workflow improvements, supporting technician education, and ensuring operational consistency across pharmacy services.

They are comfortable taking ownership of challenges, collaborating with pharmacists and leadership, coaching peers, and leading by example while remaining actively engaged in frontline pharmacy technician responsibilities.

Growth & Development Opportunities

This position offers a leadership-track opportunity within a large acute-care pharmacy environment, providing exposure to medication safety, pharmacy automation, inventory management, regulatory compliance, staff development, workflow design, and operational improvement initiatives.

The Lead Pharmacy Technician role is designed for experienced technicians who are ready to take on greater responsibility for workflow leadership, technician development, standardization efforts, and process improvement without formal people-management responsibilities. It serves as an excellent developmental step for future pharmacy leadership opportunities and is a key component of the Pharmacy Technician career ladder.

About UPMC Hamot Pharmacy

UPMC Hamot Pharmacy supports medication preparation and distribution, sterile and non-sterile compounding, automated medication distribution systems, controlled substance operations, inventory management, and medication-use processes throughout a complex acute-care hospital environment.

Lead Pharmacy Technicians play an important role in coordinating daily operations, standardizing workflows, mentoring staff, supporting quality and safety initiatives, and helping ensure the delivery of safe, efficient, and high-quality pharmacy services to patients across the organization.

Responsibilities:

• Filling

• Assist in filling medication orders through correct labeling, counting and stocking practices.

• Initial and date products as required.

• Distribution

• Participate in the distribution of medication including medication cassettes, emergency medication carts and the delivery of controlled substances per department policy and state and federal requirements

• Investigational

• Assist in the procurement, accountability, storage, preparation and distribution of investigational and study drugs.

• General

• Create and lead departmental quality improvement activities in order to continually improve and evaluate pharmaceutical care as reflected by operational and patient care indicators.

• Provide direction and leadership for DESIGNATED technical aspects associated with medication preparation in the pharmacy department.

• Oversee the coordination of daily activities, organization of duties and responsibilities, and the development of workflow guidelines and other necessary tools to maximize productivity in DESIGNATED area.

• Assist in training other Pharmacy Technicians in determining their ability to function in DESIGNATED area of the Pharmacy department.

• Ensure that all medications in all areas have been safely and securely stored according to Department of Health, The Joint Commission, and State Board of Pharmacy regulations.

• Comply with Federal and State laws such as HIPAA, regulations such as OSHA, and PBM contracting requirements such as FWA and CMS.

• Maintain all pertinent documentation as required.

• This includes eye wash logs, refrigerator logs, perpetual inventory logs etc.

• Maintain all patient information and records.

• Maintain the pharmacy computer system as required.

• Actively engages in maintenance of data, records and files, and ensures compliance is met through record keeping. Finalize sales using cash register, follow proper cash handling policies and procedures

• Procure and maintain adequate inventory levels on daily basis in applicable areas such pharmacy medication stock rooms, automated medication carousels, and automated dispensing machines.

• Demonstrate a high level of accuracy and skill in maintaining controlled substance records and the distribution process for controlled substances.

• Audit and maintain accurate records for controlled substances.

• Assure that all such drugs are stored and dispensed in compliance with Federal, State, and Department Regulations.

• Demonstrate competency in performing high skill level activities in DESIGNATED area such as sterile products/IV admixtures, controlled substances, robot operation, packaging operations, and operating room.

• Prepare reports as required to support pharmacy activities.

• Demonstrate a service orientation toward patients, staff and visitors.

• Conveys a positive, professional image at all times.

• Demonstrate a high level of knowledge understanding the laws associated with the purchasing and distribution of controlled substances.

• Provide feedback to the needs of the department and other associates in a respectful and effective manner consistent with UPMC values.

• Exhibit effectiveness during interactions with other hospital personnel in a manner supportive of our culture of service excellence, with enthusiasm for customer service and a passion to offer an outstanding patient experience.

• Provide progressive technical knowledge, coordination of activities, support of new initiatives, and creates a shared experience and support among associates within DESIGNATED area.

• Develop workflow guidelines, policies and procedures, and other necessary tools to maximize productivity, standardize practice, and maintain regulatory readiness in area of responsibility.

• Oversee and instruct other associates in the DESIGNATED area regarding day-to-day activities.

• Regularly inspects the DESIGNATED area to ensure that it is clean and well-maintained.

• Accurately complete departmental documentation and billing by the end of each scheduled shift in accordance with Department procedures.

• Note: The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned this job. They are not exhaustive lists of all duties, responsibilities, knowledge, skills, abilities and working conditions associated with the job.

• Completion of high school diploma or equivalent or Completion of an accredited pharmacy technician program.

• Five years of experience as a Pharmacy Technician or Pharmacy Operation Specialist.

• Demonstrated leadership skills in current position.

• Demonstrated competency in all detailed aspects of the Lead Pharmacist Technician's DESIGNATED area: Create and evaluate policy, procedure, and training materials regarding operational workflow.

• Take an active role in the training of fellow staff members in one's area of expertise.

Licensure, Certifications, and Clearances:

• Pharmacy Technician Certification required.
• PA State Board of Pharmacy Registration required for all PA locations
• RxPartners specific BU criteria require Driver's License and Automotive insurance
• Non-licensed Pharmacy Technicians working in a NY facility are not permitted to perform Sterile Compounding.
• All Pharmacy Technicians working in NY facilities performing sterile compounding are required to have received certification from a nationally accredited pharmacy technician certification program (CPhT and be registered with the New York State Board of Pharmacy
• Registration is dependent on the state they work in
• Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT
• NY Registered Pharmacy Technician (RPhT OR PA Pharmacy Tech Registration
• Act 34

UPMC is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Disability/Veteran