Pharmacy Technician (Inpatient)

Inpatient Pharmacy Technician

The inpatient pharmacy technician performs all duties under the general supervision of a licensed pharmacist and is expected to acquire and maintain a high degree of accurate productivity, performance, and customer service. Pharmacy technicians at this grade level are nationally certified by PTCB or ExCPT and can work autonomously, using independent judgement to perform a full range of designated duties. The employee will assist the pharmacist in providing optimal care and timely service in accordance with the mission, vision, and goals of the VA North Texas Health Care System and Pharmacy Service. Major duties and responsibilities include:

Pharmaceutical Care

• Interprets, prepares, and dispenses medications and medical supplies with high accuracy, following established VA policies and safety standards.
• Ensures proper storage, handling, and inventory control of medications, including high-risk, refrigerated, and look-alike/sound-alike items in compliance with USP and VA guidelines.
• Operates and maintains automated dispensing and unit dose packaging systems; identifies and resolves minor technical issues and escalates complex problems appropriately.
• Provides patient education within technician scope and responds to routine medication distribution inquiries from healthcare personnel.

Medication Order Fulfillment

• Prepares medication orders with correct drug, strength, dosage form, quantity, and labeling using established verification and safety checks.
• Inspects and verifies accuracy of packaged medications prior to pharmacist review.
• Supports timely and efficient medication distribution, completing orders promptly and supplementing automated processes as needed.

Ward and Clinic Stock Management

• Performs ward and clinic inventory assessments, determines replenishment needs, and maintains appropriate stock levels based on usage reports and policies.
• Conducts inspections of medication storage areas, ensuring compliance with security, environmental, and expiration standards.
• Removes expired or compromised drugs and ensures consistent adherence to VA and regulatory requirements.

Sterile Compounding

• Assists in the preparation of sterile products-including IV admixtures, syringes, TPN, ophthalmic preparations, and hazardous medications-using proper aseptic technique and USP 797/800 guidelines.
• Interprets medication orders, performs calculations, selects appropriate ingredients, and documents compounding processes accurately.
• Inspects final sterile products for accuracy and quality and ensures appropriate beyond-use dating and recordkeeping.

Controlled Substances Accountability Competencies

• Documents controlled substance transactions accurately in accordance with VA and DEA regulations.
• Ensures secure storage, proper inventory counts, and compliant handoffs during restocking or transport.
• Identifies and reports discrepancies, assists investigations, and maintains strict accountability throughout controlled substance workflows.

Administrative, Training, and Quality Improvement

• Maintains a clean, organized, and compliant work environment.
• Assists in training and onboarding of new technicians, interns, and students.
• Uses VA software systems (VistA, CPRS, and related tools) for clinical and administrative tasks.
• Participates in performance improvement, quality assurance reviews, and mandatory training requirements.
• Provides adaptable support in multiple pharmacy areas as assigned by leadership.

Communication

• Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with pharmacists, providers, nursing staff, and other departments.
• Communicates clearly and professionally to resolve issues and support positive outcomes for internal and external customers.

Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday (7:00am-3:30pm or 2:30pm-11:00pm) with rotating weekends and holidays. Tour and hours may be extended or modified to meet patient care needs.

Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases.

Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year)

Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment, up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child.

Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment, full time employees with a total family income below $144,000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66

Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA

Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement).

Telework: Not Available

Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Functional Statement #: 51416-F