Pharmacy Technician

Duties

• Accurate Medication Orders: Process and fill outpatient medication orders accurately in accordance with all laws, rules, regulations, and policies as observed by the pharmacist and reports of incidents received by the pharmacy supervisor. Activities include counting, repackaging, reconstituting, measuring, compounding non-sterile products, compounding sterile products, selecting required medication items, labeling with barcodes if needed, affixing auxiliary labels, using automated dispensing machines, and documenting these activities per department protocol.
• Potential Medication Order Problems: Bring potential medication order problems to the attention of the pharmacist for immediate resolution.
• Operating Pharmacy Automation Equipment: Follow proper start-up and shut-down procedures to operate pharmacy automation equipment. Perform data backups and quality assurance as scheduled, per policy, to ensure safety and proper functioning of equipment. Document these activities daily or as required in hospital policy.
• Stocking and Inventory Management: Accurately and within established guidelines, rotate stock, review stock for outdated and/or deteriorated medications, dispose of these items according to pharmacy policy with special attention to patient confidentiality, and report incidents to the supervisor.
• Compounded Sterile Products: Prepare compounded sterile products (CSP) using complex technical functions in accordance with USP 797 guidelines as evidenced by supervisor review and reports of incidents received by the supervisor. Perform maintenance and cleaning activities required by external certification agencies and Infection Control monitors thoroughly and consistently, and log documentation concurrently.
• Maintain Records: Maintain mandatory records, documents, and logs (e.g., chemo logs) appropriately and accurately as described in USP 797 and hospital policy. Participate in IV Room Quality Assurance programs as necessary and appropriate.
• Compliance and Ethics: Exhibit compliance with the Joint Commission, VHA, VA, and other program review criteria that govern service. Demonstrate high ethical standards and prevent violations of the law. Dispose of patient sensitive materials in sensitive waste receptacles as required by Federal rules and regulations/HIPAA. Handle faxes, messages, written orders, and other communications appropriately without deviation from patient confidentiality requirements as evidenced by supervisor observation and reports of incidents to the supervisor.
• Computer Proficiency: Demonstrate proficiency in the operation of relevant VISTA computer packages (e.g., CPRS, Controlled Substance, Outpatient, Inpatient, Progress Note, Hospital Information, Laboratory, Time and Attendance, etc.) as assessed by the supervisor.

Qualifications

• Experience: One (1) year of progressively responsible assignments and experience equivalent to the GS-5 level which demonstrates knowledge, skills, and abilities that are directly related to the specific assignment and fully meets all of the performance requirements for the GS-5 Pharmacy Technician.
• Knowledge: Knowledge of Federal and state laws related to pharmacy practice, preparation, storage, and distribution of medication products including those requiring special handling and documentation, ability to use pharmacy information systems or operate pharmacy dispensing equipment, knowledge of basic inventory procedures, ability to communicate with patients and staff, and recent Pharmacy Technician Outpatient experience within the past year.

Education

• A high school diploma or equivalent; OR at least three (3) months experience.

Physical Requirements

• See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.

Language Proficiency

• Pharmacy technicians appointed to direct patient care positions must be proficient in both spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), and 7407(d).