North Carolina Staffing
Pharmacy Technician - Outpatient
North Carolina Staffing, Durham, North Carolina, United States, 27703
Pharmacy Technician
The 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 for window pick up or for mail out and helping patients at the window. He/she maintains continual national certification from PTCB. Responsibilities 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 function. 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. Work Schedule: Rotating shifts - Schedule includes evenings, weekends and holidays. Telework: Not available. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized. Requirements: 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. 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. Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification 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). Qualifications: Applicants 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. Grade Determinations: Pharmacy Technician, GS-07 Experience: Candidates must possess one year (1) of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-06). 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. OR NHA 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. Physical Requirements: The work requires regular and recurring physical exertion, involving standing/sitting for prolonged periods of time, lifting/carrying of pharmaceutical supplies weighing up to 40 pounds, and bending/stooping. The work may entail repetitive wrist movement while using various size syringes, vial cap removal, and typing. 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. Additional Information: Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. 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 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 for window pick up or for mail out and helping patients at the window. He/she maintains continual national certification from PTCB. Responsibilities 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 function. 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. Work Schedule: Rotating shifts - Schedule includes evenings, weekends and holidays. Telework: Not available. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized. Requirements: 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. 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. Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification 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). Qualifications: Applicants 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. Grade Determinations: Pharmacy Technician, GS-07 Experience: Candidates must possess one year (1) of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-06). 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. OR NHA 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. Physical Requirements: The work requires regular and recurring physical exertion, involving standing/sitting for prolonged periods of time, lifting/carrying of pharmaceutical supplies weighing up to 40 pounds, and bending/stooping. The work may entail repetitive wrist movement while using various size syringes, vial cap removal, and typing. 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. Additional Information: Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. 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.