Pharmacy Technician - Compound Sterile Products

Department of Veterans Affairs • Hampton, VA

49d • Onsite

About The Position

The incumbent is a highly specialized technician, who, under the authority of the Compound Sterile Products (CSP) program manager or designee, and responsible for the preparation of sterile products handled by pharmacy. The CSP pharmacy technician will perform sterile compounding functions to ensure timely and accurate patient care is provided. In addition, will comply with all regulatory requirements associated with sterile compounding. The position and duties of this position are performed in the sterile product preparation suite and accompanying storage areas of the pharmacy section located within the VA Mid-Atlantic Health Care Network (VISN 6), Pharmacy Service. Most duties will be performed in the intravenous (IV) cleanroom suite, setting up sterile products for dispensing, making appropriate record entries, reviewing IV administration records, and assisting inspectors, review teams, and other staff during routine inquires and inspections. Expected to maintain a high degree of accurate productivity and performance while being extremely sensitive to specific contribution to total patient care. Knowledgeable with VA policy and regulatory requirements for handling and checking in shipments of drugs and supplies, as well as verifying accuracy of shipments, rotating stock and assures the proper storage of all items. Monitors physical inventory of stocked items, notifying procurement of quantities on hand and advises as to ordering trends, shortages, outdated medications etc. Duties of the position include, but are not limited to:

Responsibilities

• Knowledgeable in United States Pharmacopeia (USP) 797/800/795, Pharmacy Law, VHA Directives, and Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) regulations as they relate to practice within the VA Healthcare System and its organizational elements.
• Using aseptic technique, compounds both complicated and uncomplicated parenteral admixtures in the form of large volume, small volume, infusion syringe or another modality as required.
• Prepares sterile ophthalmic preparations and other complex sterile pharmaceuticals such as total parenteral nutrition solutions.
• Correctly interprets orders, selects, and measures appropriate ingredients, mixes ingredients in an aseptic 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 delivery.
• Consistently displays competence with good aseptic technique manufacturing practices through demonstration and/or actual work performance.
• 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.
• Operates and maintains complicated pharmacy equipment including but not limited to Omnicell/Pyxis, laminar flow hoods, total parental nutrition (TPN) compounder, repeater pumps, etc.)
• Ensures that the IV cleanrooms are cleaned daily, and appropriate logs are completed for daily, weekly, and monthly cleaning.
• Uses knowledge, skills, and abilities to resolve questionable orders or situations to ensure quality of care. Contacts pharmacists to obtain clarification for prescriptions/orders or any situation that presents a possible hazard to patient care.
• 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.
• Other pharmacy related duties as needed to help fulfill our mission and abide by our organization's values.

Benefits

• Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional
• Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases. When setting pay, a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade).
• 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)
• Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior [work experience] or military service experience.
• 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)

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Industry: Administration of Human Resource Programs
• Education Level: No Education Listed
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees