Pharmacy Technician

Major Duties of the Inpatient/Outpatient Pharmacy Technician

Accurately interprets, 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 in order to create optimal work areas.

Assures drugs and supplies are appropriately stored and secured according to USP and VA guidelines.

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.

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.

Compounds and/or reconstitutes oral or external medications (non-sterile).

Answers questions from pharmacy and non-pharmacy personnel regarding drug distribution.

Identifies basic therapeutic problems, such as duplicate therapy with drugs in the same class and alerts the pharmacist to the possible need for clinical intervention.

Assists in training and orientation of new staff technicians, interns, and students.

Performs duties of all lower grade technicians as needed.

Assists higher level technicians as needed.

Participate in performance improvement initiatives for pharmacy.

Maintains national certification with PTCB or ExCPT

Complies with all VHA, Medical Center, and Pharmacy regulations, directives, policies, and procedures.

May be assigned to work in other areas of pharmacy service as deemed necessary by the Chief, Pharmacy Service or Supervisor.

Performs other duties as assigned

Inpatient Pharmacy Activities (when assigned):

• Provides support in the absence of the controlled substance technician
• Provides support in the absence of the Sterile Product Compounding technician.
• Unit Dose Medication Management
• Automatic Replenishment/Ward Stock

Outpatient Pharmacy Activities (when assigned):

• Prescription Assembly
• Window Pick-Up
• Mail Packaging

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday; 7:30am - 4:00pm

Telework: Not available

Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Functional Statement #: 08421F

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized

Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized

US Department of Veterans Affairs