Pharmacy Technician (Inpatient & Sterile Compounding/Oncology)

Veterans Health Administration

Washington (District of Columbia)

On-site

USD 74,000 - 96,000

Full time

3 days ago

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Benefits offered by this job

Paid time off

Parental leave

Child care subsidy

Federal retirement plan

Job summary

Veterans Health Administration in Washington, DC seeks a Pharmacy Technician (Inpatient & Sterile Compounding/Oncology) to support oncology sterile compounding and inpatient pharmacy operations.

The role emphasizes preparation, compounding, dispensing, and distribution of hazardous medications, with emphasis on cytotoxic agents and IV admixtures. Eligibility and federal benefits are outlined; schedule is Mon-Fri with weekends/holidays rotation, in a facilities setting.

Responsibilities

Performs essential role in preparation, compounding, dispensing, and distribution of sterile and nonsterile hazardous medication within designated sterile compounding areas.
Receives, reviews, and prepares physician orders for cytotoxic agents and pre-medication.
Compound hazardous and non-hazardous IV sterile preparations according to USP and standards using aseptic techniques.
Reviews inventory needs and notifies procurement of products required; handles hazardous IV chemotherapy inventory per NIOSH guidelines.
Maintains IV room inventory and supplies; conducts regular cleaning and ensures minimal waste.
Prepares sterile ophthalmic and other complex sterile pharmaceuticals; assists in central IV sterile suite as needed.
Ensures compliance with regulatory requirements (VHA, Joint Commission, USP, EPA, OSHA, NIOSH, FDA) and coordinates workflow.
After pharmacist review, checks orders for technical accuracy and assists with inventory management and drug distribution questions.
Demonstrates independent technical judgment and thorough knowledge of complex practices and procedures.
Adheres to established protocols and staffing plans; works Monday-Friday 7:00AM-3:30PM with rotating weekends/holidays.
Parental leave, childcare subsidy eligibility, and federal retirement benefits are described; telework not available.

Job description

Pharmacy Technician (Inpatient & Sterile Compounding/Oncology)

Department: Department of Veterans Affairs
Location: Washington, District of Columbia

The incumbent will staff a significant amount of time in oncology sterile compounding activities, supporting overall sterile compounding operations, and will provide staffing support in the rest of the inpatient pharmacy.

Key Responsibilities

Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Major Duties include, but do not include: Performs essential role in preparation, compounding, dispensing, and distribution of sterile and nonsterile hazardous medication within designated sterile compounding areas. Receives, reviews, and prepares physician order for cytotoxic agents and pre-medication.

Performs accurate product identification labeling dosage calculation, and compounding of agents by utilizing package literature, written procedural guidelines and application of specialized knowledge. Successfully complete assignments and maintain annual competencies to compound hazardous and non-hazardous IV sterile preparations according to USP and standards. Follows proper aseptic preparation techniques when compounding hazardous and non-hazardous medications.

Reviews anticipated inventory needs and notifies procurement technician in a timely manner of products required. Receives hazardous IV chemotherapy inventory stock according to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) guidelines placing in proper storage areas, rotating stock on shelves, and removing/replacing outdated items.

Maintains Chemo/IV room medication inventory, compounding supplies and cleaning product to ensure availability and minimize waste. Conducts daily, weekly, and monthly IV room cleaning to include check for soon to expire medications. Manufactures uncomplicated and/or complicated parenteral admixtures to be delivered in the form of large volume, small volume, infusion syringe or other as required.

Prepares sterile ophthalmic preparations and other complex sterile pharmaceuticals such as total parenteral alimentations and cardioplegia solutions. m. Assists in the central IV sterile suite as needed. Comprehensive knowledge and understanding of USP 795/797/800 chapters and hazardous drug handling to assist in management, compliance, staff education activities, training, and room certifications.

Participates in glove fingertip and media fill testing, maintain competences passing didactic practical skill assessment initially and annually thereafter. p. Assists in airborne particulate and microbial testing and surface testing to ensure cleaning schedules are met. Ensures full compliance with all regulatory requirements (VHA, Joint Commission, USP , EPA, OSHA, NIOSH, and FDA). Ability to evaluate, analyze and coordinate workflow independently in the assigned area.

After prescription/order(s) are reviewed by a pharmacist for therapeutic propriety, reviews orders for technical accuracy and converts the order, if necessary, so that the item dispensed corresponds to the drug and dose ordered. Assists with inventory management and ordering of medications. Answers questions from pharmacy and non-pharmacy personnel regarding drug distribution.

Identifies basic therapeutic problems such as duplicate therapy with drugs in the same class and alerts the pharmacist to the possible need for clinical intervention. Conducts periodic ward inspection of patient care areas. The characteristics of new medications/items and the operation of new equipment are taught through periodic formal training sessions.

The technician plans and completes tasks based on established protocols/accepted pharmaceutical practices for the section staff.

Successfully and consistently demonstrates the exercise of independent technical judgment (without the need for readily available supervision) as well as comprehensive and thorough working knowledge of the most complex and difficult practices and procedures Work Schedule: Monday-Friday; 7:00AM-3:30PM Rotating Weekends and Holidays Recruitment/Relocation Incentives (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year).

Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment, up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child. Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment, full time employees with a total family income below $144,000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66.

Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 24095-F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Requirements & Education

Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education.

For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

Which agency is hiring for this position?

This position is with Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs.

What is the salary for this position?

The posted pay range is $73517 – $95568/yr.

What is the application deadline?

Applications close on 2026-10-09.

Who is eligible to apply?

This position is open under the 'Fed Internal Search' hiring path.