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Pharmacy Technician Specialist

SSM Health · Madison, WI · Full time

Posted Aug 27, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 2026

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Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

About your past

This role focuses on a specialized area like automation, controlled substances, transitions of care or purchasing. Which have you worked in, and what did you own?

What they are checking: Whether they have real depth in a specialty area rather than general technician experience only.

Tell me about a process you improved in a pharmacy. How did you measure whether it worked?

What they are checking: Whether they can drive real improvement and show results, which is central to this role.

Other team members come to you as the resource for your area. How do you make sure they can solve problems without you?

What they are checking: Whether they teach and document so knowledge doesn't live only in their head.

Tell me about an issue you escalated. How did you decide it needed to go up?

What they are checking: Whether they know when a problem is beyond them and follow it until it's closed.

What would you do

A coworker keeps skipping a step in your area's procedure. How do you coach them?

What they are checking: Whether they can hold peers to standards, as the role requires, without damaging the working relationship.

A drug shortage hits a commonly used medication. If you were in purchasing, what would you do?

What they are checking: Whether they can find alternatives, communicate with the pharmacist and protect patient care during shortages.

About the work

Walk me through how you would investigate a controlled substance discrepancy in an automated dispensing cabinet.

What they are checking: Whether they know how to trace transactions, document findings and escalate diversion concerns properly.

How do you run an audit of your specialty area, and what do you do with what you find?

What they are checking: Whether they audit to fix processes and close issues, not just to check a box.

What regulations or accreditation standards matter most in your specialty area?

What they are checking: Whether they know DEA, Board of Pharmacy or Joint Commission rules that apply to their work.

How do you keep records accurate when you're also handling daily problems that come up?

What they are checking: Whether they keep documentation timely, since records in this area are often legally required.

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The full job description

As published by SSM Health.

It's more than a career, it's a calling WI-SSM Health Dean Medical Group South Madison Campus Worker Type: Regular Job Highlights: Schedule Monday through Friday, 7:30 AM – 4:00/4:30 PM No on-call requirement Location SSM Health Dean Medical Group South Madison Campus 1211 Fish Hatchery Rd Madison, WI 53715 Job Summary: Under the direct supervision of a pharmacist and in accordance with standard procedures, this position leads workflows and drives process improvements within a specialized operational area, specific to a single ministry. At least 80% of work time is dedicated to this specialized function, which may include areas such as technology and automation, controlled substance management, transitions of care, or purchasing. The role involves performing advanced pharmacy technician duties that require specialized knowledge and skills beyond those typically expected in standard technician roles. Job Responsibilities and Requirements: PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES • Performs daily services and functions of the specialized role within assigned ministry. Solves issues in the specialized area as they arise. Ensures documents and records are accurate and completed in a timely manner. • Serves as a resource in the specialized area for other ministry team members. Solves complex problems and ensures that issues are escalated and closed as needed. • Complies with legal, regulatory, and accreditation standards. Collaborates with department leadership to adopt best practices. Coaches team members when practice standards are not upheld. • Conducts reviews and audits of specialized area. Reports and monitors KPIs to ensure optimal performance. Identifies quality improvement opportunities based on specialized skill set to ensure safe, effective, and efficient services and patient care. Provides input to and leads implementation of operational changes and advancements in accordance with system standardization. Participates in ministry work teams, committees, and councils. • Collaborates with department leaders to develop and coordinate team member education, training, orientation, and competency. Trains other team members in specialized area. • Serves as the ministry liaison to regional pharmacy teams in specialty area. Collaborates with leadership to communicate changes in specialty area. • Provides excellent customer service to patients, other staff and ancillary departments and maintains high standards of confidentiality in accordance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). • Works in a constant state of alertness and safe manner. • Performs other duties as assigned. EDUCATION • High School Diploma/GED or education equivalency for licensing. EXPERIENCE • Three years’ experience as a pharmacy technician PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS • Frequent lifting/carrying and pushing/pulling objects weighing 0-25 lbs. • Frequent sitting, standing, walking, reaching and repetitive foot/leg and hand/arm movements. • Frequent use of vision and depth perception for distances near (20 inches or less) and far (20 feet or more) and to identify and distinguish colors. • Frequent use of hearing and speech to share information through oral communication. Ability to hear alarms, malfunctioning machinery, etc. • Frequent keyboard use/data entry. • Occasional bending, stooping, kneeling, squatting, twisting and gripping. • Occasional lifting/carrying and pushing/pulling objects weighing 25-50 lbs. • Rare climbing. REQUIRED PROFESSIONAL LICENSE AND/OR CERTIFICATIONS State of Work Location: Illinois • Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT) - Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) • Or • Certified Pharmacy Technician (ExCPT/CPhT) - National Healthcareer Association (NHA) • And • Pharmacy Technician, Registered - Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) • Or • IL Registration Application Process Complete At Time Of Hire - Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) State of Work Location: Missouri • Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT) - Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) • Or • Certified Pharmacy Technician (ExCPT/CPhT) - National Healthcareer Association (NHA) • And • Pharmacy Technician - Missouri Division of Professional Registration • Or • MO Registration Application and Finger Print Process Complete AT TIME OF HIRE - Missouri Division of Professional Registration State of Work Location: Oklahoma • Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT) - Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) • Or • Certified Pharmacy Technician (ExCPT/CPhT) - National Healthcareer Association (NHA) • And • Technician - Oklahoma State Board of Pharmacy State of Work Location: Wisconsin • Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT) - Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) • Or • Certified Pharmacy Technician (ExCPT/CPhT) - National Healthcareer Association (NHA) • And • Pharmacy Technician, Registered - Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services • Or • WI Registration Application Process Complete AT TIME OF HIRE - Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services Work Shift: Day Shift (United States of America) Job Type: Employee Department: 5160840164 WRO Infsn Cntr Pharmacy Scheduled Weekly Hours: 40 SSM Health is an Equal Opportunity Employer. SSM Health provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. Click here to learn more.

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