The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is seeking a Pharmacy Technician to join the team at the Cherokee Mental Health Institute (CMHI). This is a full-time position with HHS with opportunity for advancement, growth, and development.

Under direction and supervision of registered pharmacist the position will perform technical functions of dispensing pharmaceuticals in a hospital setting. The Pharmacy Technician will:

• Identify medication uses and effects and dispense using appropriate medical terminology and accurate mathematical calculations.
• Perform packaging, labeling, transcription, quality checks, computer database maintenance, and patient profile information completion.
• Fill and maintain accurate records for automated dispensing machines.
• Fill prescriptions under supervision of registered pharmacist.
• Maintain pharmacy medication profiles and retrieve information from health records utilizing pharmacy software.
• Conduct medication reconciliation of new admissions.
• Protect patients and employees by adhering to policies and procedures of safe handling of medications and infection-control standards.
• Perform basic compounding procedures.
• Bill appropriate payers for patient prescriptions.
• Maintain pharmacy records.
• Order and receive pharmaceuticals from wholesaler.
• Deliver and retrieve medications.
• Clean and maintain equipment and pharmacy work areas.
• Adhere to state and federal guidelines for the practice of pharmacy.
• Prioritize work and multi-task with interruptions in a fast-paced environment.
• Train newly hired staff.

The successful candidate will have the following skills and expertise:

• Knowledge of medication and dosage measurements
• Organizational skills
• Attention to detail
• Safety and quality focus
• Excellent communication and customer service skills
• Functionality within a team or independently with minimum supervision
• Computers and pharmacy technology aptitude
• Proficiency in Microsoft excel, Word, and Outlook
• Compliance with HIPPA and PHI regulations
• Hospital experience and experience with automated dispensing machines strongly desired

It is strongly preferred that the successful candidate have a valid Driver’s License.

CMHI provides active inpatient treatment to adults in need of acute psychiatric care. The facility offers several services including individualized treatment plans. Support for patients with special education needs to continue their education is provided, and individuals are encouraged to collaborate with staff members in formulating their own plan. Medication, group counseling, and activities therapies might be included as well.

If you enjoy helping adults and families connect with mental health and disabilities services, this is a great opportunity to consider.

We have a great total compensation package, including:

• Iowa Public Employees' Retirement System (IPERS) (Employee contributes 6.29%/State of Iowa contributes 9.44%)
• Retirement Investors Club (RIC) (Employer Sponsored Retirement Plan) (State of Iowa matches up to $75/month)
• Health, Dental and Vision Insurance (See below for additional information)
• Vacation Leave (96 hours/year to begin, and increases with years of service)
• Sick Leave (144 hours/year)
• Paid Holidays (9 days/year)
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Life Insurance ($20,000 paid for by the State of Iowa)
• Long-Term Disability Insurance

For additional information on benefits click here.

Click here to see how we compare with other employers or offers by using our Total Compensation Calculator.

Cherokee Highlights
CMHI is located in Cherokee, a city of approximately 5,000 set in the beautiful Little Sioux River Valley in Northwest Iowa. Residents enjoy fishing and canoeing on the Little Sioux River which winds through town providing a backdrop to a well-developed parks and trails system. In addition, Cherokee has over 1,000 acres of land devoted to parks and outdoor activities like camping, hiking, and horseback riding. Cherokee is the home of the first accredited museum and planetarium in Iowa, Sandford Museum and Planetarium, established in 1951. Cherokee may be the smallest town in the world to have its own symphony orchestra! This 60-member orchestra has been referred to as the “best kept secret in Northwest Iowa.”

Cherokee is home to Western Iowa Tech Community College and 1 hour or less from other educational institutions including Morningside College, Northwestern College, Buena Vista University, and Dordt College. This quintessential Iowa town is 1 hour from Sioux City and 2 hours from Omaha. Check out these 10 Reasons to Move to Iowa .

The State of Iowa is an EEO/AA Employer
HHS values those with “lived experience” and encourages adults who were fostered as youth, foster parents, and/or parents who were in the DHS system to apply. Minorities, women, persons with disabilities and veterans are encouraged to apply (Hearing and Speech Impaired – Relay Iowa 1-800-735-2942 TDD).

Our agency uses E-Verify to confirm the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, please visit www.dhs.gov/E-Verify.

Applicants must meet at least one of the following minimum requirements to qualify for positions in this job classification:

1) One year of full-time technical work experience assisting a pharmacist with pharmaceutical tasks.

2) A total of one year of education and/or full-time experience (as described in number one), where thirty semester hours of accredited college or university coursework in a pharmacy technician training program equals one year of full-time experience.

3) Current, continuous experience in the state executive branch that includes two years of full-time work as a Pharmacy Assistant.

For additional information, please click on this link to view the job description.

Within a timeframe determined by the appointing authority at the time of hire, registration as a certified pharmacy technician (CPhT) or pharmacy technician trainee by the Iowa Board of Pharmacy must be obtained and subsequently maintained to continue employment.