Pharmacy Technician (Medication Reconciliation)

Pharmacy Technician

Primary functions are but limited to:

Clinical Functions:

• Demonstrates competence in differentiating individual patient pharmaceutical care needs based on patient age from adult (18-64) through geriatric (65+).
• Completes medication histories.
• Assesses medication refill information.
• Reviews basic laboratory values.
• Completes medication use evaluation.
• Conducts allergy assessments.
• Obtains opioid filling histories.
• Monitors for drug-drug and drug-food interactions.
• Contacts nursing homes for complete medication administration records.
• Contacts non-VA pharmacy for outside fill records.
• Updates non-VA medications to reflect patient over the counter and herbal medications.
• Maintains Basic Life Support (BLS) certificate.
• Attends code strokes as assigned. Prepares medications during codes at bedside for immediate administration per protocol.
• Serves as a resource within the team for formulary management issues, implementation of VHA criteria for use.
• Completes all documentation in a professional and concise manner to accurately reflect care plans allowing for safe and efficient care throughout the care continuum.
• Contributes pharmaceutical guidance with development and review of evidence-based treatment protocols, criteria for use and new medication requests.
• Develops an efficient and thorough approach to retrieving, analyzing and providing timely oral and written professional responses to the health care team.

Distributive Functions:

• Assigned to coordinate workload activities and expected to direct colleagues or technicians to complete routine tasks of the shift and assigned area. Timely and constructive feedback to the immediate supervisor is expected when assigned workload cannot be completed.
• Carefully executes each step in the dispensing process according to law, regulatory standards, VHA policies and standard of care to ensure safe and appropriate medication therapy.
• Deliver inpatient medications or stock to automated dispensing cabinets when visiting that area for a patient interview.
• Deliver medication lists or home medications for stretcher patients when visiting that unit.
• Field and triage inpatient central pharmacy phone calls as necessary
• Responsible for keeping abreast of changes in the pharmacy department and maintains an appropriate knowledge of VHA, DEA, FDA, OIG, TJC and other pharmacy regulations, policies and procedures.
• Adheres to dispensing guidelines for hazardous medications and disposal guidelines for all medications.
• May be required to assist in the duties of lower graded technicians in the case of emergency staffing requirements.

Administrative Functions:

• Assists in the identification, development and implementation new programs or services in their area of practice.
• Routinely identifies the patient or customer's situation properly and consistently resolves the problem accurately and in a timely manner to promote positive pharmacy service interactions.
• Exhibits initiative and resourcefulness in managing time and workload to meet deadlines and changing priorities.
• Independently identifies and resolves clinical and administrative problems that occur in their service. Effectively communicates across service lines as necessary to achieve resolution.
• Collaborates with the Inpatient Pharmacy Supervisor, Inpatient Technician Supervisor and other technician staff members to develop sustainable and consistent practices across the health care team.
• Assesses the education needs of medical center staff and provides appropriate and timely formal/informal education on an ongoing basis.
• Attains the indicated goals for all assigned quality and clinical metrics
• Actively participates in the clinical pertinence review process and competency assessment documentation for any assigned staff.
• Actively participates in VHA or Medical Center committees or work groups.
• Maintains preceptor qualifications defined by the KCVA Pharmacy Residency Handbook and shares responsibility for training, guidance and evaluation of residents.
• Serves as a preceptor/trainer for visiting healthcare professionals or pharmacy students.

Work Schedule: Full time: Four 10 hour shifts per week (40 hrs) Wed-Sat

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

Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

US Department of Veterans Affairs