Pharmacy Technician - Inpatient Rotational
About The Position
The Inpatient Rotational Pharmacy Technician provides coverage for a range of complex inpatient pharmacy functions, including hazardous and nonhazardous sterile IV compounding, controlled substance dispensing, phone-call triage, unit-dose medication distribution, medication packaging, and operation of inpatient pharmacy automation. The technician maintains knowledge of applicable USP standards, pharmacy law, DEA regulations, VA directives, and facility and departmental policies, and maintains competence across pharmacy distribution operations. The position performs sterile compounding using aseptic technique, including preparation of parenteral admixtures and other complex sterile pharmaceuticals. It involves interpreting orders, selecting and calculating ingredients, preparing and inspecting products, labeling and documenting the manufacturing process, and arranging double checks and timely delivery. The technician safely handles medication storage, distribution, and disposal, including cytotoxic agents and hazardous waste, and operates and maintains pharmacy equipment systems. Additional duties include triaging inpatient pharmacy calls; coordinating dispensing and first-dose and missing-dose requests; maintaining inventory and preparation and storage areas; supporting controlled-substance accountability; and documenting required cleaning, inspections, temperature, pressure, and humidity checks. The technician collaborates with pharmacists, helps train employees, students, and residents, and may assist in other patient care areas, including during emergencies. Work tours vary and may include days, evenings, weekends, holidays, and some overnight assignments. Telework and virtual work are not available.
Requirements
- For the GS-8 grade, one year of experience equivalent to the GS-7 grade level.
- For positions above the full performance level, active national certification through either the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) as a Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT) or the National Healthcareer Association (NHA) as a Certified Pharmacy Technician (ExCPT).
- Proficiency in spoken and written English.
- For the GS-8 grade, comprehensive knowledge of concepts, principles, methodology, and policies in a specialized pharmacy area.
- For the GS-8 grade, skill in training and orienting pharmacy employees and students on policies and procedures.
- For the GS-8 grade, ability to evaluate, analyze, and coordinate workflow and work activities in a specialized pharmacy area.
- U.S. citizenship is required, subject to the stated exception for non-citizens when qualified citizens cannot be recruited under VA policy.
- Selected applicants are subject to applicable drug testing, background and security investigation, onboarding, identification, and seasonal influenza vaccination requirements.
- A one- or two-year trial period is required, during which continued employment is evaluated.
- Any education used to qualify must be recognized by the U.S. Department of Education; foreign education requires a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with transcripts.
Nice To Haves
- Inpatient pharmacy technician experience.
Responsibilities
- Maintain knowledge of USP 797/800/795, pharmacy law, DEA regulations, VHA directives, and facility and departmental policies and procedures.
- Maintain competence in pharmacy distribution operations, including sterile compounding, equipment maintenance, materials handling, automation, dispensing, labeling, packaging, documentation, controlled-substance accountability, and unit-dose management.
- Compound complicated and uncomplicated parenteral admixtures and other complex sterile pharmaceuticals using aseptic technique.
- Complete required departmental and facility training and sterile-compounding tests within established timelines.
- Interpret orders; select products; calculate, measure, and aseptically mix ingredients; inspect final products; label and document preparations; and arrange double checks and timely delivery.
- Handle unit-dose and IV medications according to their storage, distribution, and disposal requirements.
- Use personal protective equipment and specialized procedures to safely handle cytotoxic agents, hazardous waste, and spills.
- Operate and maintain pharmacy equipment systems and serve as a subject matter expert for those systems.
- Triage inpatient pharmacy phone calls and refer calls to the appropriate pharmacist as needed.
- Coordinate dispensing activities, including IV runs, TPN review and renewal, on-demand sterile compounding requests, inventory, stocking, expiration checks, labeling, and first-dose and missing-dose requests.
- Collaborate with pharmacists to clarify prescriptions and orders.
- Maintain and stock pharmacy preparation and storage areas using first-in, first-out practices.
- Assist with required cleaning and ward-inspection schedules, refrigerator and freezer temperature checks, sterile compounding room pressure, humidity and temperature documentation, and monthly area inspections.
- Manage controlled-substance inventory, handling, disposal, and distribution in accordance with applicable regulations.
- Use critical thinking to recognize and solve problems and make appropriate clinical and ethical recommendations to prevent problems or improve workflow.
- Assist with training and orienting employees, students, and residents in the inpatient pharmacy.
- Prioritize workload, communicate effectively, and adapt to changing conditions.
- Assist in other patient care areas as appropriate, including participating in or assisting with patient care during emergencies.
Benefits
- Federal employees and their families have access to a comprehensive benefits package; specific benefits depend on the position and eligibility.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
Education Level
No Education Listed
