Pharmacy Technician (Outpatient)

SummaryThe Primary Purpose of the Position is: To accomplish all duties related to processing, preparing, and packaging medications and medical supplies for pick-up and mail, stocking, delivering, inventory, inspections, assembling clinic orders, prescription assembly, controlled substances distribution, and any other function related to pharmaceutical practices for outpatient care areas.DutiesHelpThe outpatient pharmacy technician performs all duties under the supervision of a licensed pharmacist and is expected to acquire and maintain a high degree of accurate productivity, performance, and customer service.Major Duties include but are not limited to:Prescription FulfillmentAccurately interprets, fills, and prepares prescriptions with appropriate medications and/or medical supplies for pharmacist verification of outpatient prescription orders, inpatient orders, and clinic orders as required per policy.Dispense medications to patients and/or other healthcare professionals post final verification by a pharmacist as required per policy.Respond to questions from pharmacy and non-pharmacy personnel about drug distribution.Provide patient education on topics like the refill process and relay questions outside of technician scope to the pharmacist.Ensure adherence to appropriate storage guidelines including high-risk, look-alike sound-alike, and refrigerated items as per USP and VA guidelines. 6. Monitor inventory and remove outdated pharmaceuticals in collaboration with pharmacy procurement.Monitor refrigerator and freezer temperatures to maintain pharmaceutical product integrity.Prescription FulfillmentAssembles prescriptions properly with the correct drug, strength, quantity, auxiliary labels, and prescription labels for window dispensing and mail delivery post pharmacist verification.Follows procedures for filling medications and assures that the correct medication is filled by using bar code scanning on stock bottles.Supports automation by manually filling prescriptions not processed through the automation dispensing machine.Assures the timely completion of all prescriptions.Window Pick-Up a. Verifies the patient's identification following the Medical Center's policies. b. Verifies that the patient receives the correct prescriptions by using VA software (i.e., VISTA and barcode scanning).Mail PackagingUtilizes and comprehends the mail shipping programs used by the facility (i.e., USPS, FedEx, UPS, etc.) for delivery of non-controlled and controlled prescriptions.Packages prescriptions appropriately, as to assure that packages are not damaged or otherwise compromised within transit (i.e., bubble wrap, ice blocks, insulated containers, etc.)Calls patients to arrange delivery of refrigerated prescriptions and verifies patients address.Ward and Clinic Stock ManagementCorrectly inventories, assesses, and determines the need for ward and clinic stock replenishment at main facility and outlying clinical sites.Performs and documents inspection of assigned hospital areas for medication storage. Removes all expired and deteriorated drugs from the automated dispensing stations.Controlled Substances ActivitiesMaintain vault duties as assigned.Document all controlled substance-related transactions in line with VA and DEA guidelines, ensuring accurate inventory counts during restocking.Always safeguard controlled substances, ensuring they are never left unsecuredEnsures that proper handoff occurs when receiving or delivering controlled substances, always assuring that these medications are never left unsecured.Administrative and Education/TrainingMaintain a clean and organized work environment, ensuring that all items are stored in their designated places.Assists in training and orientation of new staff technicians, interns, and studentsMay be assigned to work in other areas of Pharmacy Service as deemed necessary by the Chief, Associate Chief, or supervisor.Work Schedule: 7:00am -3:30pm OR 2:30pm - 11:00pm; Rotating weekends/holidays. Tour may be further adjusted or extended to meet patient care needs.Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not AuthorizedPermanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not AuthorizedPay: Competitive salary and regular salary increasesPaid 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 VAInsurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement)Telework: Not AvailableVirtual: This is not a virtual position.Functional Statement #: 51415- FSPermanent Change of Station (PCS): Not AuthorizedVA Careers - Pharmacy: https://youtube.com/embed/Fn_ickNBEwsTotal Rewards of a Allied Health ProfessionalRequirementsHelpConditions 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.Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).QualificationsBasic 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 - You must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), and 7407(d)Education or Experience: None required.For all grade levels and positions that accept both education and experience to qualify, equivalent combinations of qualifying education and experience that total at least 100% are qualifying. The combined percentage is determined by adding total qualifying experience as a percentage of the experience required for the grade level to the education as a percentage of the education required for the grade level.Certification: For positions above the full performance level, 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).National Healthcareer Association (NHA), Certified Pharmacy Technician (ExCPT).Grandfather 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 licensure/certification/registration 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: GS-07 Pharmacy TechnicianIn addition to meeting the basic requirements, to qualify for the GS-07 you must possess at least 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-06).Certification: For positions above the full performance level, 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).National Healthcareer Association (NHA), Certified Pharmacy Technician (ExCPT).Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following technical KSAs: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.Preferred Experience:Minimum of 1-year previous outpatient pharmacy experienceExperience with pharmacy automation (ScriptPro, Omnicell, ScriptCenter)Knowledge and experience with pharmacy information/operating systemAssignments. For all assignments above the full performance level, the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope, complexity and range of variety and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time. Pharmacy 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.Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.The full performance level of this vacancy is GS07.Physical Requirements: Moderate lifting: (15-44 pounds); Moderate Carrying (15-44 pounds); Straight Pulling (less than 30 minutes); Pushing (less than 30 minutes); Reaching above shoulder; Use of fingers; Both hands required; Walking (up to 6 hours); Standing (up to 6 hours); Repeated bending (up to 1 hour); Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; Near vision correctable at 13" to 16"; Hearing (aid permitted).EducationNote: 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/.NOTE: If your school has changed names, or is no longer in existence, you must provide this information in your application.NOTE: If your school was accredited by a body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education at the time of graduation but is no longer listed on the U.S. Department of Education website, you must provide documentation of accreditation with your application packetAdditional informationReceiving 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 credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed.During 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.