Pharmacy Technician (Inpatient)

Veterans Health Administration • Hines, IL

3d • Onsite

About The Position

This position functions primarily in the inpatient care areas and Pharmacy Service at Edward Hines Jr. VA Hospital. The Pharmacy Technician supports medication services for inpatient and outpatient treatment units, patients, research investigators, and may also support Community Based Outpatient Clinics, satellite locations, and ambulatory care locations. The work includes filling, dispensing, procuring, storing, preparing, reviewing, distributing, and controlling medications and other pharmaceutical products, with work directly affecting patient health.

The technician interprets prescriptions and medication orders, selects the correct product, strength, and dosage form, measures or counts quantities, labels medications, and records required information. After pharmacist review, the technician dispenses medications in ambulatory care or discharge situations. Duties also include unit-dose preparation and review, replenishing emergency carts and ward stock, non-sterile compounding and reconstitution, technical order review, inventory monitoring, and safe medication storage and distribution. Sterile compounding of parenteral, hazardous, and chemotherapy medications may be performed as needed, subject to competency requirements and applicable procedures and standards.

The position uses inventory controls to manage stock, limit waste, and support contract adherence, including monitoring stock levels, rotating inventory, removing expired items, and restocking assigned stations. The technician may assist other patient care areas, including outpatient pharmacy services, while the primary assignment remains inpatient pharmacy. Additional duties include training pharmacy technicians and learners, completing mandatory training, handling distribution and mailing tasks, maintaining documentation, and performing other clerical or technical functions as requested.

The work is full-time, Monday through Friday, 2:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m., with rotating weekends and holiday off-tours as needed for patient care. Telework is not authorized, and the position is not virtual. Work is primarily in inpatient pharmacy and outpatient care areas, with possible exposure to communicable diseases, hazardous drugs, and toxic agents; safety precautions are required.

Requirements

• Must be a U.S. citizen, subject to the stated exception for non-citizens when qualified citizens cannot be recruited under VA policy.
• Must be proficient in spoken and written English.
• For GS-07, must have at least one year of experience equivalent to the GS-06 level.
• For GS-07 and above, must hold active national certification through PTCB as a Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT) or NHA as a Certified Pharmacy Technician (ExCPT), and provide a copy of the certification.
• For GS-07, must demonstrate knowledge of pharmacy technician principles, practices, concepts, and theories sufficient for sound independent work.
• For GS-07, must demonstrate knowledge of computerized prescription processing and prescription or medication-order entry, or an electronic equivalent.
• For GS-07, must be able to resolve pharmacy and medication issues with healthcare team members, Veterans, and external customers.
• For GS-07, must be able to train developmental pharmacy technicians and students.
• For GS-07, must be able to dispense medications or sterile products in compliance with applicable regulations, policies, and procedures.
• For GS-07, must be able to troubleshoot automated dispensing equipment or technology platforms and databases.
• Must successfully pass required compounding personnel competency requirements when performing sterile compounding duties.
• Must satisfy applicable pre-employment requirements, including a background/security investigation, pre-employment physical examination, and drug screening when applicable.
• Must complete the required online onboarding process and serve a one- or two-year trial period.
• Must participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program as a Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel member.
• Must complete all application requirements stated in the announcement.
• Must meet applicable identification, Selective Service, and other employment requirements stated in the announcement.

Nice To Haves

• Prior inpatient pharmacy experience.
• Prior compounding experience.

Responsibilities

• Fill, dispense, procure, store, prepare, review, distribute, and control medications and other pharmaceutical products for patients, treatment units, and research investigators.
• Read and interpret prescriptions; select the appropriate medication, strength, and dosage form; measure or count quantities; label products; and record required prescription or order information.
• Dispense medications for ambulatory care or discharge after a pharmacist’s final check.
• Prepare unit-dose medications, perform final technical review of another technician’s preparations, and fill unit-dose carts independently when necessary.
• Inventory and replenish emergency carts and assigned stations with appropriate medications and supplies.
• Compound or reconstitute non-sterile oral or external medications, including calculating and converting weights and measures.
• Review medication orders for technical accuracy after pharmacist review and convert orders when necessary to ensure the dispensed item matches the ordered drug and dose.
• Monitor inventory needs in patient care areas, communicate needs to Pharmacy personnel, store and rotate stock, and remove or replace outdated items.
• Perform sterile compounding of parenteral, hazardous, and chemotherapy medications when needed, after meeting competency requirements and in accordance with applicable procedures and standards.
• Support inpatient pharmacy functions such as aseptic admixture preparation, ward-stock replenishment, automated prepackaging and dispensing equipment, controlled-substance requests, and packaging unit-of-use medications with documentation.
• Use inventory measures such as usage rates, stock levels, contract adherence, returns of expired medications, and inventory turns to limit waste and comply with policies.
• Manage stock inside and outside pharmacy automation, alert appropriate personnel about reordering or restocking issues, and restock assigned stations before the end of the shift.
• Complete mandatory facility training and document compliance within established timeframes.
• Participate in training pharmacy technicians, pharmacy students, PGY-1 residents, and PGY-2 residents.
• Open and sort distribution contents, direct items to appropriate areas, package mail according to the applicable mailing system, and perform clerical or other functions as requested.
• Plan and complete tasks according to protocols, standard operating procedures, instructions, and accepted pharmacy practices.
• Assist other patient care areas, including outpatient pharmacy services, as needed to maintain pharmacy services.

Benefits

• Federal employee benefits package; the specific benefits available depend on position type and eligibility.
• Selected applicants may qualify for approved annual-leave accrual credit based on prior federal employment or military service.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed