Pharmacy Technician

SummaryThe primary functions will be technical support functions in the Outpatient pharmacy operations. He/she applies judgment based on substantial experience in pharmacy and carries out the full range of technical support functions in the pharmacy. These will be filling orders in Outpatient pharmacy foe window pick up or for mail out and helping patients at the window. He/she maintains continual national certification from PTCBDutiesHelpVA Careers - Pharmacy: https://youtube.com/embed/Fn_ickNBEwsPharmacy technicians at this level are nationally certified and can work autonomously using independent judgement to perform a full range of duties. These pharmacy technicians mentor and train lower graded pharmacy technicians in the practice setting. They assist advanced/ specialized pharmacy technicians and participate in performance improvement initiatives. At this level, pharmacy technicians use independent judgement to perform the full range of duties in the pharmacy. They also function as staff pharmacy technicians in various locations of the pharmacy, including pharmacy contact centers and other non-traditional pharmacy locations, with minimal oversight.Major duties include, but are not limited to:Utilizes knowledge of VHA, DURVAHCS and Pharmacy Service regulations and policies concerning pharmaceutical practices in performing day to day functions.Receives and interprets outpatient orders, obtains proper medication or material in the proper strength and dosage form; determines proper amount and counts, pours, or measures the medications; affixes proper label to be checked by a pharmacist before dispensing.Dispenses medication through the outpatient pharmacy window using two patients' identifiers and document patient or patient designee signature for picking up prescription in the ScriptPro.Selects/prepares medications in proper dosage sizes, forms and quantities to be checked by a clinical pharmacist before dispensing.Fills back order prescriptions and mail order prescriptions as necessary. Informs procurement technician or supervisor of stock shortages.Conducts ward inspections by inspecting clinics and wards areas for proper storage of medications and documents findings on inspection report form - Uses specialized equipment to package and/or dispense medications and provides required equipment maintenance.Serves as an effective preceptor/instructor for trainees (students, technicians, volunteers) conducting on-the-job training, orientation and in-services.Triages patient/medical center employees' inquiries.Responds appropriately to inquiries from professional staff, patients, and outside parties, other health care professionals, and refers professional-technical questions received to clinical pharmacists.Provides information and answers questions both in person and on the telephone (includes the DURVAHCS Pharmacy Call Center) regarding Pharmacy Service policies and procedures, drug availability, delivery times, drug costs, prescription status, tracking of prescriptions, and other pharmacy-related issues.Maintains sanitation and orderliness of his/her work area.Operates, maintains, and troubleshoots automated equipment.Uses discretion in appropriately safeguarding confidential information.Complies with all HIPAA and patient confidentiality regulations. Is fully aware of regulatory issues (state, federal, VA, DEA, life safety, etc.) including policy and procedures so that all activities adhere to expected standards.Renews all licenses and certifications on time. Competencies and required classes are all done in a timely manner.Per policy, demonstrates regular attendance, reports to work on time and prepared, returns from meal and rest breaks on time, and appropriately requests for time off.Shows an ability and willingness to meet new situations and challenges. Accepts additional assignments as necessary, multi-tasking if necessaryWork Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pmTelework: Not availableVirtual: This is not a virtual position.Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not availablePermanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorizedRequirementsHelpConditions of employmentYou 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.You may be required to serve a trial period.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 (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.Must pass pre-employment physical examination.Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).QualificationsApplicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met.Basic Requirements:United States Citizenship: Be a citizen of the United States. Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7407(a).Certification: For position above the full performance level, the employee must pass a national certification exam and hold an active national certification through either:(1) Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB), Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT).OR(2) National Health career Association (NHA), Certified Pharmacy Technician (ExCPT).Grandfathering Provision: A Pharmacy Technician employed in VHA on the effective date of the qualification standard (11/7/2023) are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the title, series and grade held, including positive education and certification that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation. For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements in this standard but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it, the following provisions apply:Employees may be reassigned, promoted up to and including the full performance (journey) level or changed to lower grade within the occupation but may not be promoted beyond the journeyman level or placed in supervisory or managerial positions.Employees in an occupation that requires a licensure/certification/ registration only at higher grade levels must meet the licensure/ certification/registration requirement before they can be promoted to those higher grade levels.Employees who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed on a temporary or permanent basis until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard.Employees who are converted to title 38 hybrid status under this provision and subsequently leave the occupation lose protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of re-entry to the occupation.Employees initially grandfathered into this occupation who subsequently obtain additional education and/or licensure/certification/registration that meet all the basic requirements of this qualification standard must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment in the occupation.Grade Determinations:Pharmacy Technician, GS-07Experience: Candidates must possess one year (1) of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-06). Pharmacy technicians at the full performance level may fill orders, dispense/deliver medications using automated systems or provide technical customer service to Veterans related to prescription needs. Duties will include delivery of medications to floor/patients, filling medications for the pharmacist to review, checking for expired medications, answering phones with appropriate disposition, preparing sterile products (when applicable) and assisting with basic inventory management such as putting up stock and identifying when medications need to be ordered.Certification: For position above the full performance level, the employee must pass a national certification exam and hold an active national certification through either:PTCB as a CPhT. ORNHA as a ExCPT.GS-7 Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience for the GS-07 level, candidate must demonstrate all of the following Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:Knowledge of pharmacy technician principles, practices, concepts and theories providing for sound independent work.Knowledge of the computerized prescription process and input of prescriptions and medication orders or electronic equivalent.Ability to resolve pharmacy/medication issues with other members of the healthcare team, Veterans and external customers.Ability to train developmental pharmacy technicians and students.Ability to dispense medication or sterile products following all regulations, policies and procedures to ensure safe medication distribution.Ability to troubleshoot automated dispensing equipment (ADE) or technology platforms/databases.Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-07. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-07.Physical Requirements: This position provides services to patients and their families. Incumbents must be physically and mentally able to efficiently perform the essential functions of the position without hazard to themselves or others. Normal work of the position requires visual acuity (with the ability to read typewritten characters without strain, corrective lenses permitted), keen hearing, clear distinctive speech, manual dexterity. This position may require reaching above shoulder-level height and requires potentially moderate levels of lifting and carrying (15-44 pounds). This position requires long periods of sitting, standing and walking. The incumbent must be a mature, flexible, sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations, able to shift priorities based on patient needsEducationNote: 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/.Additional informationDuring the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions.This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority.If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.Expand Hide additional informationCandidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.BenefitsHelpA career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.Review our benefitsEligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.