Pharmacy Technician - Orlando, FL

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