Pharmacy Technician Inpatient Hazardous Compounding

VA Careers - Pharmacy: Rewards of a Allied Health Professional

Most duties are performed in the oncology IV sterile compounding suite of pharmacy. This individual works under the Inpatient Pharmacy Technician Supervisor. The incumbent consistently demonstrates independent technical judgment and comprehensive thorough working knowledge of sterile preparation for both hazardous and non-hazardous medications. Duties include:

• Performing an essential role in the preparation compounding dispensing and distribution of sterile and nonsterile hazardous medication within designated sterile compounding areas.
• Receiving reviewing and preparing physician orders for cytotoxic agents and pre-medication.
• Performing accurate product identification labeling dosage calculation and compounding of agents utilizing package literature written procedural guidelines & specialized knowledge.
• Successfully completing assignments & maintaining annual competencies to compound hazardous and non-hazardous IV sterile preparations according to USP <795> <797> & <800> standards.
• Following proper aseptic preparation techniques when compounding hazardous & non-hazardous medications.
• Reviewing anticipated inventory needs and notifies the procurement technician in a timely manner of products required.
• Assisting in maintaining all required records related to sterile compounding.
• Receiving hazardous IV chemotherapy inventory stock according to NIOSH guidelines placing items in proper storage areas rotating stock & removing/replacing outdated items.
• Maintaining Chemo/IV room medication inventory compounding supplies & cleaning products to ensure availability and minimize waste.
• Conducting daily weekly & monthly IV room cleaning including checking for soon-to-expire medications.
• Manufacturing uncomplicated and/or complicated parenteral admixtures delivered as large volume small volume infusion syringe or other forms as required.
• Preparing sterile ophthalmic preparations & other complex sterile pharmaceuticals such as total parenteral alimentations & cardioplegia solutions.
• Assisting in the central IV sterile suite as needed.
• Applying comprehensive knowledge of USP 795/797/800 chapters & hazardous drug handling to assist with management compliance staff education training & room certifications.
• Participating in glove fingertip & media fill testing maintaining competencies by passing didactic & practical skill assessments initially & annually thereafter.
• Assisting in airborne particulate microbial & surface testing to ensure cleaning schedules are met.
• Ensuring full compliance with all regulatory requirements (VHA Joint Commission USP EPA OSHA NIOSH and FDA).
• Providing training to new or existing staff to maintain required competencies.
• Evaluating analyzing & coordinating workflow independently in the assigned area.
• Performs all duties of lower-grade technicians if required.
• Assisting with inventory management & ordering of medications.
• Monitoring refrigerator temperature daily in the pharmacy assigned area.
• Working with supporting & substituting as needed for other Inpatient technicians and staffs during staffing shortages.

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
• All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements ( Effective May 7 2025 drivers licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• Complete all application requirements detailed in the Required Documents section of this announcement.

• your performance and conduct;
• the needs and interests of the agency;
• whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
• whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Basic Requirements:

United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.

English Language Proficiency: Pharmacy Technician candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. 7403(f).

May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria).

Grade Determinations:

Certification: The employee must pass a national certification exam and hold an active national certification through either:

• Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT). OR
• National Healthcareer Association (NHA) Certified Pharmacy Technician (ExCPT).

• Comprehensive knowledge of concepts principles methodology and policies in a specialized area or section of pharmacy (such as sterile compounding controlled substances automation clinical pharmacy contact center etc.) Note: See Specialized the Definitions Section.
• Skill in training and orienting new and existing pharmacy facility employees and students on proper policies and procedures.
• Ability to evaluate analyze and coordinate workflow and work activities within a specialized area or section of the pharmacy.