Pharmacy Technician II

Join the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) and be part of a team committed to creating a positive impact in the lives of fellow Texans. At HHSC, your contributions matter, and we support you at each stage of your life and work journey. Our comprehensive benefits package includes 100% paid employee health insurance for full-time eligible employees, a defined benefit pension plan, generous time off benefits, and numerous opportunities for career advancement. Explore more details on the Benefits of Working at HHS webpage.

About the role

Performs highly complex (senior-level) pharmaceutical assistance work in a state supported living center that serves people with intellectual and developmental disabilities who are medically fragile or who have behavioral problems. Work involves pre-packaging and labeling unit-dose and multiple-dose medication orders, medication room inspections, assisting the pharmacist in various technical aspects of preparation of non-routine medication orders, filling medication carts, maintaining required medication stock for after-hours dispensing, performing courier and drug delivery duties, environmental inspections, ordering and receiving pharmaceuticals, monthly and annual inventory of pharmaceuticals, and coordinating and overseeing clerical and technical support work. Works under limited supervision, with considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.

Provide treatment to HHS employees injured in the course and scope of employment. Work includes technical pharmacy services that do not require professional judgment regarding preparing and distributing drugs. Works under the direct supervision of a pharmacist and is responsible to a pharmacist, as defined in Texas Administrative Code (TAC) Title 22, Part 15, Chapter 291, Subchapter D, Rule 291.72.

Responsibilities

• Pre-package and label unit-dose and multiple-dose medication orders. Operates unit-dose packaging system and other mechanical equipment to pre-pack and label bulk medications into unit-dose packages for distribution within the facility. Ensures generic name, strength, lot, and expiration date of drug are properly recorded on the label and log records, and ensures a supervising pharmacist conducts a final check and affixes his/her name, initials, or electronic signature to the appropriate quality control records.
• Perform monthly medication room inspections and submit results to the Pharmacy Director and Nursing Management to ensure required documentation is present, medications are locked and stored appropriately, temperature logs are current, and the medication room, refrigerator, and carts are clean and orderly.
• Assist the pharmacist in preparing non-routine medication orders for residents going on furlough, transitioning to community settings, or being discharged from the hospital. Pull medication from stock, submit stat order requests if medications are not available in-house, count, label, and bag medications, and ensure a supervising pharmacist conducts a final check.
• Fill medication carts using the refill list generated from the pharmacy electronic health record. Pull medications from stock, count, label, and bag medications, ensure a supervising pharmacist conducts a final check, and prepare carts for delivery to medication rooms.
• Maintain required medication stock for after-hours cabinet or medication cart. Ensure stock levels are maintained, complete inventory checks each Monday, and verify expiration dates.
• Perform courier and drug delivery duties, including delivering filled medication carts weekly, verifying contents with nursing staff, and delivering stat medications from the infirmary, off-site pharmacies, or hospital as needed.
• Conduct environmental inspections to ensure equipment is clean and in good working condition, pharmaceutical storage areas are properly lighted and ventilated, and shelving, stock, and work areas are clean and orderly.
• Inventory pharmacy supplies weekly and submit requisitions to maintain par values for all supplies, including printer supplies, labels, and bottles.
• Order and receive pharmaceuticals. Reconcile and stock drug shipments from the state vendor, report drug shortages and excess to the wholesaler, process charge vouchers and credit adjustments, and share ordering documentation with other facility staff.
• Assist with monthly and annual inventory of pharmaceuticals, including maintaining a perpetual inventory of controlled substances and expired medications, and comparing physical counts with perpetual inventory records.
• Coordinate and oversee clerical and technical support work, including maintaining audit records, controlled substance records, inventory records, and other administrative documentation in compliance with pharmacy law and policy.
• Provide treatment to HHS employees injured in the course and scope of employment.
• Participate in disaster response, recovery, or Continuity of Operations (COOP) activation as required, which may include alternate shift patterns or locations.

Requirements

• High school graduate or equivalent required. Completion of an Associate degree in Pharmacy Technology, Health Sciences, Applied Science, or a related healthcare field is preferred.
• Minimum of two years of pharmacy technician experience.
• Must be certified by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) and registered with the Texas State Board of Pharmacy.
• Valid driver’s license.
• Must pass a fingerprint criminal background check, pre-employment drug screen, and registry checks including the Client Abuse/Neglect Reporting System (CANRS), Nurse Aide, Medication Aide, and Employee Misconduct registries, and the HHS List of Excluded Individuals/Entities (LEIE).
• Males between the ages of 18 – 25 must be registered with the Selective Service.
• Subject to random drug testing.
• Flexibility in work hours may be required.

Skills

• Knowledge of medical and pharmacy nomenclatures, including trade names of pharmaceuticals and standard abbreviations used in prescription interpretation.
• Knowledge of federal and state laws governing pharmacy operations, pharmaceutical math, and dosage forms.
• Skill in operating pharmaceutical equipment and standard office equipment, including computers and pharmacy software.
• Ability to prepare prescriptions, inventory supplies, and communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• Ability to convert between brand and generic names and use computer software for pharmacy applications.
• Ability to follow written or oral instructions and learn prescribed routine procedures.

Benefits

• 100% paid employee health insurance for full-time eligible employees.
• Defined benefit pension plan.
• Generous time off benefits.
• Numerous opportunities for career advancement.

Pay

$3,095.33 - $4,594.50 per month.

Schedule

• Full-time, regular position.
• Day shift (First).
• Up to 5% travel required.
• Not eligible for telework.