Pharmacy Tech

Title: Pharmacy Tech

State Role Title: Direct Service Associate III

Hiring Range: Salary Up to $56,000

Pay Band: 3

Agency: Dept Behavioral Health/Develop

Location: Western State Hospital

Agency Website:

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Job Duties

Location: Western State Hospital
103 Valley Center Drive, Staunton, VA 24401.

Who We Are
Western State Hospital, part of the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (DBHDS), has been a leader in psychiatric treatment since 1828. WSH is a 302-bed Joint Commission/CMS-accredited psychiatric facility located in the scenic Shenandoah Valley. Just 30 minutes from vibrant university towns, our hospital serves adults with serious mental health needs and is nationally recognized for our Psychosocial Rehabilitation "Learning" programs.

WSH provides a modern clinical setting and a therapeutic environment for patients, supported by highly qualified staff. Employees also enjoy the beauty and tranquility of the Shenandoah Valley, with nearby cities such as Charlottesville and Harrisonburg offering dining, entertainment, and outdoor activities, making Staunton an attractive place to live and work.

Position Overview
Western State Hospital is seeking a full-time Pharmacy tech to support the pharmacists by preparing medications for dispensing to various wards, treatment malls, and clinics, and using the electronic health record (One Mind), the pharmacy automation equipment (BD Pyxis), and a unit dose distribution system

Key Responsibilities
- Process and manage medication orders in the One Mind EMR, including new orders, modifications, LOA orders, refills, and supplemental drug requests, while verifying last administered doses and completing all EMR tasks required for cart filling.
- Operate BD Pyxis ES MedStation systems to stock, restock, and manage automated dispensing cabinets (ADCs), including running reports for monthly monitoring of expiring medications.
- Perform medication repackaging using the iPack system, ensuring accurate, safe, and compliant repackaging of pharmaceuticals.
- Execute all operational functions of Automated Dispensing Cabinets (ADCs), such as reconciliation, troubleshooting, restocking, and removal of expired medications.
- Process Medicare Part-D billing tasks, including submitting, correcting, reversing, and resubmitting medication claims in alignment with pharmacy billing requirements.
- Maintain an organized, safe, and compliant work area, ensuring required safety and informational postings (SALAD, High Alert, etc.) are visible and workstation standards are upheld.
- Conduct monthly ward inspections of medication rooms to ensure compliance with Pharmacy Policies and Procedures and regulatory expectations.
- Support after-hours ADC operations, including maintenance and reconciliation of Omnicell night cabinets, particularly when assigned or during coverage needs.
- Demonstrate strong initiative and communication, assisting colleagues as workload demands change, actively participating in pharmacy in-services and meetings, and maintaining clear and accurate communication with pharmacy and hospital staff.
- Perform medication ordering and receipt functions, including ordering through Cardinal Health, checking in delivered medications, and completing required fiscal documentation; and maintain all education and compliance requirements, including VaBOP CE, PTCB certification obligations, hospital/department training, and Medicare compliance reviews.

This position is eligible for:
- paid time off; family/personal time; community service time; and sick time
- retirement with cash match
- Health and life insurance
- life insurance

Minimum Qualifications
• Extensive previous experience as a pharmacy technician in a hospital or retail setting.
• Must be a Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT) recognized by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board OR be eligible to sit for the exam and obtain certification within 6 months of hire.
• Must be registered with the Virginia Board of Pharmacy (VaBOP) as a pharmacy technician.
• Ability to read and interpret prescriber medication orders accurately.
• Familiarity with both generic and trade names of medications.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment requiring speed, accuracy, and attention to detail.
• Strong typing skills and working knowledge of medical terminology.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills for clear, professional interaction with healthcare staff.
• Demonstrated ability to work as part of a team, exhibiting strong self-motivation and initiative.
• Must be willing to obtain 20 hours of continuing education every two years as required for maintaining licensure and certification.

Additional Considerations

- Business school, or college courses in medical terminology, pharmacology are encouraged.
- High school education or equivalent
- Bilingual and veteran or veteran spouse

Special Instructions

You will be provided a confirmation of receipt when your application and/or résumé is submitted successfully. Please refer to "Your Application" in your account to check the status of your application for this position.

You will be provided a confirmation of receipt when your application and/or résumé is submitted successfully. Please refer to "Your Application" in your account to check the status of your application for this position.

Application Requirements: Applications and résumés for this position are accepted electronically through the Commonwealth of Virginia's Electronic Recruitment System only. Interview decisions will be based solely on the information provided in your electronic application and/or résumé. Please ensure you clearly and specifically detail all relevant work experience; we will not make assumptions about your qualifications.
Applications/résumés will begin to be reviewed within five (5) days of the posting date.

Background Investigation: All applicants are subject to an extensive background investigation and a pre-employment drug screening. This investigation may include fingerprint checks (State Police, FBI), local agency checks, Department of Social Services/Child Protective Services checks, employment verification, and verification of education relevant to the position.

Under Virginia Code §§ 37.2-314 and 37.2-408.1, the Department of Behavioral Health & Developmental Services (DBHDS) cannot employ or utilize as volunteers, individuals convicted of specific ("barrier") crimes or those with pending "barrier" charges.

Reasonable Accommodations: Reasonable accommodations are available to individuals with disabilities during the application and/or interview process in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. If you require assistance or accommodation, please notify Human Resources at View phone number on click.appcast.io during business hours (8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.).

Equal Opportunity: The Commonwealth of Virginia is committed to conducting all aspects of human resource management without regard to race (or traits historically associated with race, including hair texture, hair type, and protective hairstyles such as braids, locks, and twists), sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, veteran status, political affiliation, disability, genetic information, and pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions.* There shall be no retaliation against anyone making allegations of violations of this policy.

Veteran Preference: DBHDS is a Virginia Values Veterans (V3) certified employer and provides hiring preference to qualified veterans and service members. We strongly encourage veterans, active members of the Virginia National Guard, and U.S. Military Reserve members to apply to the state application and respond accordingly.

Contact Information

Name: Samantha Leep

Phone: View phone number on click.appcast.io

Email: View email address on click.appcast.io

In support of the Commonwealth's commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter. Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at AHP Letter or by calling DARS at View phone number on click.appcast.io.

Note : Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated between April 1, 2022- February 29, 2024, can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.

Each agency within the Commonwealth of Virginia is dedicated to recruiting, supporting, and maintaining a competent and diverse work force. Equal Opportunity Employer