Certified Pharmacy Technician Onboarding Checklist

Certified Pharmacy Technician Onboarding Process

Are you looking for help setting up a staff orientation process so that when your new Certified Pharmacy Technician starts their role, they can learn about their responsibilities and your company as quickly as possible? Whether you’re keen to use buddy onboarding, want to automate your Healthcare onboarding experience or just need an onboarding checklist for your new Certified Pharmacy Technician, you’re in the right place. We’ve put together a sample Certified Pharmacy Technician onboarding checklist below and have created onboarding templates & resources to help.

Certified Pharmacy Technician Onboarding Checklist

1. Orientation: The new certified pharmacy technician attends an orientation session to familiarize themselves with the company’s policies, procedures, and culture. This task is typically performed by the human resources department or a designated trainer.

2. Introduction to the Pharmacy Team: The new pharmacy technician is introduced to the existing pharmacy team, including pharmacists, other technicians, and support staff. This task is usually performed by the pharmacy manager or supervisor.

3. Review of Job Responsibilities: The pharmacy technician receives a detailed overview of their specific job responsibilities, including medication dispensing, inventory management, customer service, and administrative tasks. This task is typically performed by the pharmacy manager or supervisor.

4. Training on Pharmacy Software Systems: The new technician undergoes training on the pharmacy’s software systems, including prescription processing, inventory tracking, and patient record management. This task is usually performed by a designated trainer or the pharmacy’s IT department.

5. Familiarization with Medication Inventory: The pharmacy technician is introduced to the pharmacy’s medication inventory, including different drug categories, storage requirements, and handling procedures. This task is typically performed by the pharmacy manager or a senior technician.

6. Understanding of Safety Protocols: The new technician is trained on safety protocols and procedures, including proper handling of hazardous substances, medication storage guidelines, and infection control measures. This task is usually performed by the pharmacy manager or a designated trainer.

7. Introduction to Pharmacy Equipment: The pharmacy technician is familiarized with the various equipment used in the pharmacy, such as automated dispensing machines, pill counters, and compounding tools. This task is typically performed by a senior technician or the pharmacy manager.

8. Review of State and Federal Regulations: The new technician receives training on the state and federal regulations governing pharmacy operations, including controlled substance handling, patient privacy (HIPAA), and record-keeping requirements. This task is usually performed by the pharmacy manager or a designated trainer.

9. Customer Service Training: The pharmacy technician undergoes customer service training to enhance their communication skills, empathy, and ability to handle patient inquiries and concerns. This task is typically performed by the pharmacy manager or a designated trainer.

10. Shadowing Experienced Technicians: The new technician shadows experienced technicians to observe and learn the practical aspects of their job, including medication dispensing, prescription processing, and customer interactions. This task is usually performed by senior technicians or the pharmacy manager.

11. Introduction to Insurance and Billing Processes: The pharmacy technician is trained on insurance and billing processes, including verifying insurance coverage, processing claims, and handling co-payments. This task is typically performed by the pharmacy manager or a designated trainer.

12. Continuous Education Opportunities: The new technician is informed about the company’s policies and opportunities for continuous education, such as attending workshops, conferences, or pursuing additional certifications. This task is typically performed by the pharmacy manager or the human resources department.

13. Performance Evaluation and Goal Setting: The pharmacy technician participates in a performance evaluation session to assess their progress, set goals, and identify areas for improvement. This task is typically performed by the pharmacy manager or supervisor.

14. Introduction to Emergency Procedures: The new technician is trained on emergency procedures, including responding to medical emergencies, handling adverse drug reactions, and managing medication recalls. This task is usually performed by the pharmacy manager or a designated trainer.

15. Compliance Training: The pharmacy technician undergoes compliance training to ensure adherence to legal and ethical standards, including preventing medication errors, maintaining patient confidentiality, and reporting any suspicious activities. This task is typically performed by the pharmacy manager or a designated trainer.

16. Introduction to Interdisciplinary Collaboration: The new technician is introduced to the concept of interdisciplinary collaboration and the importance of effective communication and teamwork with other healthcare professionals, such as physicians and nurses. This task is typically performed by the pharmacy manager or a designated trainer.

17. Review of Standard Operating Procedures: The pharmacy technician reviews the pharmacy’s standard operating procedures (SOPs) to understand the step-by-step processes for various tasks, ensuring consistency and quality in their work. This task is typically performed by the pharmacy manager or a designated trainer.

18. Introduction to Quality Assurance and Quality Control: The new technician is trained on quality assurance and quality control processes, including medication labeling, expiration date checks, and reporting any quality-related issues. This task is usually performed by the pharmacy manager or a designated trainer.

19. Introduction to Specialty Pharmacy Services: If applicable, the pharmacy technician is introduced to specialty pharmacy services, such as compounding medications, managing specialty drug therapies, or providing medication adherence support. This task is typically performed by the pharmacy manager or a designated trainer.

20. Ongoing Support and Mentoring: The new technician is provided with ongoing support and mentoring from experienced technicians or the pharmacy manager to address any questions, concerns, or challenges that may arise during their initial period with the company. This task is typically performed by the pharmacy manager or assigned mentors

Setting Up Your Employee Onboarding Process

From reading through the items in the example Certified Pharmacy Technician checklist above, you’ll now have an idea of how you can apply best practices to getting your new Certified Pharmacy Technician up to speed and working well in your Healthcare team. Scroll up to see the link to our onboarding templates & resources or get in touch to discuss getting help setting up your systems and processes in this area.