Pharmacy Technician - Inpatient

Pharmacy Technician

Primary assignments involve inpatient pharmacy services. Inpatient services may include such areas as aseptic admixture preparation, automatic and on-demand ward stock replenishment, maintenance and operation of automated prepackaging storage and dispensing equipment, assembly and documentation of controlled substance requests and properly packaging with documentation of single unit of use medications. Assists in other patient care areas (including outpatient pharmacy services) to maintain the consistency of overall pharmacy services when necessary. Major duties include, but are not limited to the following:

• Accurately interprets, fills, and prepares prescription stock utilizing automated replenishment reports.
• For unit-dose medications, conducts the final review of medications prepared by other technicians prior to dispensing to inpatient areas (e.g., medication carts, ward stock), and independently fills unit-dose carts without secondary review as appropriate.
• Maintains, verifies, stocks, and replaces outdated medications in patient care areas and automated dispensing machines.
• Monitors medication inventory needs in patient care areas and communicates requirements to appropriate pharmacy personnel. This includes properly placing stock in designated storage areas, rotating inventory, and removing or replacing outdated items.
• Inventories and replenishes emergency medication carts as required.
• Operates and maintains complex pharmacy equipment, including unit dose prepackaging machines, automated dispensing machines, IV compounding devices, and other pharmacy technologies. Troubleshoots operational issues and resolves problems with equipment, technology platforms, or databases as necessary.
• Inspects packaged items for accuracy and suitability prior to submitting them for final pharmacist check before distribution to Medical Center areas.
• Ensures repackaged dosage forms are labeled according to USP and VA standards, with final review and approval by a pharmacist.
• Maintains comprehensive repackaging records to ensure compliance with all regulatory and review standards.
• Troubleshoots minor mechanical issues for automated systems and coordinates resolution of more significant problems with the supervisor, vendor help desk, ADPAC, or other appropriate channels.
• Performs inventory assessments to determine the need for floor stock and external medications.
• Follows established policies, procedures, schedules, inventory levels, and usage reports to determine appropriate stock levels for specific areas.
• Performs and documents regular inspections of assigned Medical Center areas for proper medication storage. Removes all expired or deteriorated medications from automated dispensing stations, shelves, and unit dose systems.
• Ensures all inspected areas comply with established standards for appropriate drug storage and security.
• Demonstrates thorough understanding of requirements for USP 795, USP 797, USP 800, hazardous materials disposal, safe medication distribution, and electronic prescription processing.
• Maintains work area 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.
• Assures drugs and supplies are appropriately stored and secured according to USP and VA guidelines, including the storage of high-risk, look-alike/sound-alike, 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.

Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Work Schedule: Compressed tour, shifts range from 6:30am-6:00pm with rotating weekend coverage Recruitment/Relocation Incentives (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized 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 Eligible Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized