Pharmacy Technician - Inpatient

Pharmacy Technician

Accurately interpret, fills, and prepares prescriptions with appropriate medications and or medical supplies for pharmacist verification.

Maintains work areas in a clean and orderly condition by assuring that all stock and equipment are in assigned places and all shelves and counters are free of dust and debris to create operational work areas, including routine return of medication stock containers to appropriate storage, restocking of shelves, acquisition, storage, and replacement of computer labels, paper and toner cartridges.

Assures drugs and supplies are appropriately stored and secured according to USP and VA guidelines, including the storage of high-risk, look a-like sound a-like, hazardous, controlled substances, corrosive chemical, flammable liquids, and refrigerated items.

Receives, checks, rotates, and places in stock all items received from pharmacy procurement section and identifies and reconciles any discrepancies to assure correct items have been received.

Utilizes automation dispensing equipment available to the pharmacy staff following all safety and QA procedures. Reports automation malfunctions timely the supervisor as appropriate.

Records expiration dates in the automatic prescription dispensing system upon receipt.

Perform monthly inspections to assigned areas to ensure proper storage of medications and soon to expired drugs are removed. Completes inspection reports in compliance with regulatory requirements.

Accurately interpret, fills, and readies prescriptions with appropriate medications for pharmacist verification.

Appropriately restocks controlled substances items in automated secured cabinets (i.e., Pyxis) in pharmacy or throughout medical center, as assigned.

Documents all controlled substance related transactions as indicated by VA and DEA guidelines.

Assures that inventory counts are correct at the time of restocking.

Ensures that proper handoff occurs when receiving or delivering controlled substances, assuring that at all times these medications are never left unsecured.

Reports unresolvable discrepancies to immediate area supervisor for resolution. Assist in investigating, witnessing, and resolving discrepancies.

Follows USP 795/797/800 for the compounding of all sterile preparations, including ophthalmic, cardioplegic, TPN, hazardous, large & small volume IV solutions, PCAs, etc. Manufactures uncomplicated and/or complicated parenteral admixtures to be delivered in the form of large volume, small volume, infusion syringe or other as required.

Correctly interprets physician orders, selects, and measures appropriate ingredients, mixes ingredients in a safe and effective manner, inspects the final product for accuracy, suitability, and elegance, labels the product, maintains records of the manufacturing process, and supplies the product for pharmacist verification and delivery.

Performs accurate product selection, dosage calculations and compounding of agents utilizing package literature, written procedural guidelines.

Uses standard protocols to determine an accurate expiration date for each batch prepared. Understands specific handling considerations for storage, distribution, and disposal of medications.

Stocking and maintaining the Pharmacy Service preparation area(s), reviewing anticipated inventory needs and notifying the procurement technician in a timely manner of products required.

Working knowledge of position specific equipment including vertical and horizontal laminar flow hoods and all disposable supplies needed to compound sterile products. Technical working knowledge of equipment and supplies used in compounding sterile products including but not limited to admixing pumps, needles, syringes, and various compounding supplies, etc.

Work Schedule: Rotating Shifts

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: N/A

Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Functional Statement #: 02837F

US Department of Veterans Affairs