Pharmacy Technician - Outpatient

Job Title

Duties include, but are not limited to:

Medication Distribution System

1) Reads and interprets prescriptions from the Veteran electronic health record (EHR) or in written format.

2) Reviews prescription orders for technical accuracy.

3) Prepares medications and ensures the orderable item matches the item being dispensed with regard to drug, strength, quantity, or appropriate supply item.

4) Dispenses medications following all regulations, policies, and procedures for safe medication distribution.

5) Uses automation (ie. ScriptPro) to fill, label and batch medications.

6) Executes contingency plans to maintain operations during outages.

7) Maintains highly sophisticated pharmacy equipment. This includes cleaning procedures and maintenance of ScriptPro, ScriptCenter and other counting machines. Troubleshoots equipment and databases when needed.

8) Assists with automated or manual inventory processes that include but are not limited to inventory counts, medication ordering, stocking, check and appropriately manage expired and nearly expiring medications, pulling recalled medications, or any other activity related to the supply of medications.

9) Accurately fills prescription items for wards using Automatic Replenish reports.

10) Subject matter expert of ScriptCenter. Troubleshooting and addressing technical issues where needed.

11) Verifies linking of the ScriptCenter batched medications are done appropriately and accurately.

12) Verifies that the patients have picked up their medications in a timely manner.

13) Contacts patients if their packages have been in the ScriptCenter for more than 3 days and coordinates other arrangements for dispensing (i.e., sending back to main site for mail out options or returning to stock).

14) Accurately interprets EHR patient medication profiles. Can confirm prescription information in the pharmacy computer packages. Able to execute refills or other technician duties within the pharmacy software.

15) Accurately updates patient information in the many pharmacy software packages.

16) Accurately enters notes into the EHR using pharmacy templates or blank forms.

17) Communicates with procurement staff to effectively facilitate acquisition of medications.

18) Assists pharmacy management team in data tracking and reporting as assigned.

19) Prioritizes workload to complete assignments on time.

20) Maintains a safe orderly and clean working environment.

21) Ensures all look alike, sound alike, high alert and refrigerated medications are stored properly according to manufacturer's recommendations and National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) requirement.

22) Maintains adaptability and flexibility for various emerging roles and responsibilities in the medication distribution system including new equipment, assignments, and changes in pharmacy workflow.

23) Accurately mails medications in accordance with pharmacy procedures.

24) Assists with other medication distribution activities as directed by pharmacist, supervisor or as delineated as part of the shift responsibility.

Pharmacy Phone System

1) Able to use the current facility phone system.

2) Maintains appropriate phone etiquette and professionalism.

3) Accurately collects and clarifies patient information.

4) Capable of triaging patient information to identify basic therapeutic, distributive, or medication related problems.

5) Understands when to alert pharmacists for problems.

6) Communicates information accurately in the EHR or other formats.

7) Completes calls and as needed follow up in a timely manner.

Medication Management System

1) Assists the pharmacist with problem solving patient care or medication issues.

2) Assists in quality improvement projects as an individual or on assigned teams to improve pharmacy service.

3) Assists to complete required pharmacy reporting obligations as directed.

4) Maintains physical security of the pharmacy and the security of electronic records.

5) Comprehends and consistently practices under Pharmacy Guidance Documents, Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) and Policies for general operations and inspections.

6) Utilizes appropriate waste streams for returned medications and medications to be destroyed.

Controlled Substances (CS)

1) Fills inpatient and outpatient CS medications in accordance with description provided in the medication distribution section.

2) Accurately maintains a perpetual inventory and performs a complete inventory per VHA directive.

3) Able to run necessary controlled substance reports and reconcile as appropriate.

4) Ensures access to CS vault are limited to the appropriate staff.

5) Matches hardcopy prescriptions to prescription labels according to current federal and state requirements.

Work Schedule: Full-time; Monday-Friday, 8:00am-4:30pm

Telework: Not available

Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Functional Statement #: 000000

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized

Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized