Job Title: Pharmacy Technician
Specialty: Pharmacy Services
Site: Orlando VA Healthcare System (OVAHCS)
Location: 13800 Veterans Way, Orlando, Florida 32827 (also covers Lake Baldwin VA Clinic, Viera VA Clinic, and Daytona Beach VA Clinic as needed)
Duration: 1 year contract with the possibility of four 1-year extensions
Shift Schedule:
Day Shift: 5:30 AM 6:30 PM (various start times)
Evening Shift: 12:00 PM 11:30 PM (various start times)
Night Shift: 8:30 PM 6:30 AM (various start times)
Shifts may be 4, 8, 10, or 12 hours depending on assignment; weekends and holidays included on a rotating basis
PRN coverage as needed with a minimum 2-hour notice; on-call/standby duties not required
How Many Shifts Needed Per Month: TBD (based on coverage needs)
Certifications:
PTCB (Pharmacy Technician Certification Board) Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT) required, AND/OR
NHA (National Healthcareer Association) ExCPT Certified Pharmacy Technician required
Continuing Education (CE) for maintaining certification must be kept current at all times
Credentialing and privileging per VHA Directives 1100.20 and 1100.21 required prior to start
Education: Per VA Handbook 5005/15, Part II, Appendix G28 Pharmacy Technician Qualification Standard
Experience Needed: Sufficient experience to perform generalist pharmacy technician duties across outpatient, inpatient, controlled substances, and sterile compounding areas
Special Skills Needed:
Proficiency in prescription assembly, filling, and dispensing using barcode scanning and VA software (VISTA)
Knowledge of USP 797/800 guidelines for sterile compounding (required if assigned to sterile compounding area)
Experience with automated dispensing equipment (e.g., Pyxis) and unit dose systems
Knowledge of controlled substance handling, documentation, and DEA/VA guidelines
Ability to perform non-sterile and sterile compounding including TPN, IV admixtures, and hazardous medications
Familiarity with mail pharmacy operations (USPS, FedEx, UPS) and shipping programs
Strong customer service skills and ability to communicate effectively with patients and staff
Ability to speak, understand, read, and write English fluently
Responsibilities:
Accurately interpret, fill, prepare, and package prescriptions and inpatient orders for pharmacist verification
Perform prescription assembly using correct drug, strength, quantity, auxiliary labels, and prescription labels; utilize barcode scanning to verify correct medications
Verify patient identification using double patient identifiers at window pick-up; interact with patients and caregivers professionally
Package and ship mail-order prescriptions; call patients to arrange delivery of refrigerated medications and verify addresses
Compound and/or reconstitute oral, external (non-sterile), and sterile medications per USP and VA guidelines
Follow USP 797/800 guidelines for sterile compounding including IV admixtures, ophthalmic, TPN, hazardous, and PCA preparations
Accurately handle, restock, document, and reconcile controlled substances per VA and DEA guidelines; report unresolvable discrepancies immediately to supervisor
Perform ward/unit/area inspections to ensure proper medication storage; remove expired or deteriorated drugs from automated dispensing stations
Operate and maintain automated dispensing and unit dose systems; troubleshoot minor mechanical or software issues
Maintain all QA records, repackaging records, and manufacturing logs in accordance with regulatory requirements
Assure drugs and supplies are stored and secured per USP and VA guidelines including high-risk, look-alike/sound-alike, hazardous, and refrigerated items
Answer questions from pharmacy and non-pharmacy personnel; identify basic therapeutic problems such as duplicate therapy and alert pharmacist as needed
Complete all National, VISN, local, and Pharmacy mandatory training in a timely manner
Comply with all VHA, Medical Center, and Pharmacy regulations, directives, policies, and procedures