Pharmacy Tech

Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services; Staunton (VA); On-site; USD 41,000 - 56,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid time off

Retirement with cash match

Health and life insurance

Life insurance

Job summary

Western State Hospital is seeking a full-time Pharmacy Technician to support pharmacists in dispensing medications across wards, treatment malls, and clinics. You will work with the One Mind EMR, BD Pyxis systems, and unit-dose distribution to ensure accurate medication distribution.

The position requires hospital/pharmacy experience, VaBOP registration, and a commitment to continuing education, with a focus on accuracy, safety, and teamwork in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• Hospitals or retail pharmacy experience required.
• Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT) or eligible to sit for exam within 6 months.
• VaBOP registration as a pharmacy technician required.
• Ability to read and interpret prescriber orders; familiarity with generics/trade names.
• Strong typing and medical terminology skills; fast-paced accuracy expected.

Responsibilities

• Process medication orders in One Mind EMR, including new orders, refills, and LOA requests.
• Operate Pyxis ADCs, restocking and monitoring for expiring meds.
• Repackage medications using the iPack system with accuracy and safety.
• Perform ADC operations, reconciliation, and removal of expired meds.
• Handle Medicare Part D billing tasks and ensure compliant billing.
• Maintain safe, clean work area with required postings and policies.

Skills

CPhT certified

EMR proficiency

Medical terminology

Verbal & written communication

Team player

Continuing education

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

CPhT certification within 6 months

Tools

One Mind EMR

BD Pyxis

iPack system

Omnicell night cabinets

Cardinal Health ordering

Job description

Title: Pharmacy Tech

State Role Title: Direct Service Associate III

Hiring Range: $41,290 to $56,000

Pay Band: 3

Agency: Dept Behavioral Health/Develop

Location: Western State Hospital

Agency Website: https://dbhds.virginia.gov/facilities/wsh/

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Location: Western State Hospital 103 Valley Center Drive, Staunton, VA 24401.

Who We Are

Western State Hospital, part of the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (DBHDS), has been a leader in psychiatric treatment since 1828. WSH is a 302-bed Joint Commission/CMS-accredited psychiatric facility located in the scenic Shenandoah Valley. Just 30 minutes from vibrant university towns, our hospital serves adults with serious mental health needs and is nationally recognized for our Psychosocial Rehabilitation Learning programs.

Position Overview

Western State Hospital is seeking a full-time Pharmacy tech to support the pharmacists by preparing medications for dispensing to various wards, treatment malls, and clinics, and using the electronic health record (One Mind), the pharmacy automation equipment (BD Pyxis), and a unit dose distribution system

Key Responsibilities

• Process and manage medication orders in the One Mind EMR, including new orders, modifications, LOA orders, refills, and supplemental drug requests, while verifying last administered doses and completing all EMR tasks required for cart filling.
• Operate BD Pyxis ES MedStation systems to stock, restock, and manage automated dispensing cabinets (ADCs), including running reports for monthly monitoring of expiring medications.
• Perform medication repackaging using the iPack system, ensuring accurate, safe, and compliant repackaging of pharmaceuticals.
• Execute all operational functions of Automated Dispensing Cabinets (ADCs), such as reconciliation, troubleshooting, restocking, and removal of expired medications.
• Process Medicare Part-D billing tasks, including submitting, correcting, reversing, and resubmitting medication claims in alignment with pharmacy billing requirements.
• Maintain an organized, safe, and compliant work area, ensuring required safety and informational postings (SALAD, High Alert, etc.) are visible and workstation standards are upheld.
• Conduct monthly ward inspections of medication rooms to ensure compliance with Pharmacy Policies and Procedures and regulatory expectations.
• Support after-hours ADC operations, including maintenance and reconciliation of Omnicell night cabinets, particularly when assigned or during coverage needs.
• Demonstrate strong initiative and communication, assisting colleagues as workload demands change, actively participating in pharmacy in-services and meetings, and maintaining clear and accurate communication with pharmacy and hospital staff.
• Perform medication ordering and receipt functions, including ordering through Cardinal Health, checking in delivered medications, and completing required fiscal documentation; and maintain all education and compliance requirements, including VaBOP CE, PTCB certification obligations, hospital/department training, and Medicare compliance reviews.

This Position Is Eligible For

• paid time off; family/personal time; community service time; and sick time
• retirement with cash match
• Health and life insurance
• life insurance

Minimum Qualifications

• Extensive previous experience as a pharmacy technician in a hospital or retail setting.
• Must be a Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT) recognized by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board OR be eligible to sit for the exam and obtain certification within 6 months of hire.
• Must be registered with the Virginia Board of Pharmacy (VaBOP) as a pharmacy technician.
• Ability to read and interpret prescriber medication orders accurately.
• Familiarity with both generic and trade names of medications.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment requiring speed, accuracy, and attention to detail.
• Strong typing skills and working knowledge of medical terminology.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills for clear, professional interaction with healthcare staff.
• Demonstrated ability to work as part of a team, exhibiting strong self-motivation and initiative.
• Must be willing to obtain 20 hours of continuing education every two years as required for maintaining licensure and certification.

Additional Considerations

• Business school, or college courses in medical terminology, pharmacology
• High school education or equivalent
• Bilingual
• Veteran or veteran spouse

Background Investigation

All applicants are subject to an extensive background investigation and a pre-employment drug screening. This investigation may include fingerprint checks (State Police, FBI), local agency checks, Department of Social Services/Child Protective Services checks, employment verification, and verification of education relevant to the position.

Reasonable Accommodations

Reasonable accommodations are available to individuals with disabilities during the application and/or interview process in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. If you require assistance or accommodation, please notify Human Resources at [phone] during business hours (8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.).

Equal Opportunity

The Commonwealth of Virginia is committed to conducting all aspects of human resource management without regard to race (or traits historically associated with race, including hair texture, hair type, and protective hairstyles such as braids, locks, and twists), sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, veteran status, political affiliation, disability, genetic information, and pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions. There shall be no retaliation against anyone making allegations of violations of this policy.

Veteran Preference

DBHDS is a Virginia Values Veterans (V3) certified employer and provides hiring preference to qualified veterans and service members. We strongly encourage veterans, active members of the Virginia National Guard, and U.S. Military Reserve members to apply to the state application and respond accordingly.

Contact Information

Name: Samantha Leep

Phone: [phone]

Email: [e-mail]

In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter. Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at AHP Letter or by calling DARS at 800-552-5019.

Note: Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated between April 1, 2022- February 29, 2024, can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.