Pharmacy Technician

Summary

Pharmacy technicians at this level are nationally certified and can work autonomously using independent judgement to perform a full range of duties at the VHASLC HCS. 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.

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Duties

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• Resolves pharmacy/medication issues with other members of the healthcare team, Veterans and external customers.
• Trains developmental pharmacy technicians and students.
• Dispenses medication or sterile products following all regulations, policies and procedures to ensure safe medication distribution.
• Troubleshoots automated dispensing equipment (ADE) or technology platforms/databases.
• Reads and interprets prescriptions from the veterans integrated software technology architecture (VistA), Script Pro, computerized patient record keeping system (CPRS) or in written format.
• Reviews prescription orders for technical accuracy.
• Prepares medications and ensures the orderable item matches the item being dispensed with regard to drug, strength, quantity or appropriate supply item.
• Uses Script Pro and ScriptTalk to batch and label medications.
• Maintains highly sophisticated pharmacy equipment. This includes cleaning procedures and maintenance of Script Pro, ancillary Script Pro fill stations, ScriptTalk, and Kirby Lester countinQ machines.
• Assists with automated or manual inventory processes that include but are not limited to inventory counts, medication ordering, stocking, checking for outdates, pulling outdates, pulling recalled medication, med room inspections, or any other activity related to the supply of VA medications.
• Dispenses medications using ScriptPro automation.
• Interprets CPRS patient medication profiles. Is able to confirm prescription information in the VISTA or VISTA Imaging packages. Able to execute refills or other technician duties within VISTA.
• Enters or updates patient information in ScriptPro, CPRS or VISTA.
• Enters notes into CPRS using pharmacy templates or blank forms.
• Comprehends and participates in procurement activities, inventory management, narcotic dispensing, mental health programs, secure messaging, overnight mail, partial fills, window dispensing, administrative reports, prescription review, incident reports, and so forth as delegated by supervisor.
• Capable of sustained standing, walking, lifting and other procedures necessary to procure or delivery medications and supplies.
• Prioritizes workload to complete assignments on time.
• Must work in an organized and clean fashion.
• Required to be adaptability and flexibility for various emerging roles and responsibilities in the medication distribution system. This is especially important with regards to new equipment, assignments, and changes in pharmacy workflow.
• Understands complex phone systems, CPRS, VISTA, and ScriptPro.
• Maintains appropriate phone etiquette and professionalism.
• Works independently in phone center locations.
• Collects and clarifies patient information.
• Capable of synthesizing patient information to identify basic therapeutic, distributive, or medication related problems.
• Alerts pharmacists or Supervisor of problems, concerns or issues immediately.
• Communicates information accurately in CPRS or other formats.
• Completes calls and as needed follows up in a timely manner.
• Seeks opportunity to support pharmacy operations when phone volume low.
• Fills medication "to be mailed" in accordance with description provided in the medication distribution section.
• Ensures prescription label matches mailing label and maintains accuracy in other software or paper systems.
• Transports mail containers to pickup destinations, restock supplies, lift mail bags or containers.

Work Schedule : M-F 8:00am-4:30pm-Rotating evening, weekends, and holidays

Recruitment/Relocation Incentives (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized

Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized

Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases When setting pay, a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade).

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)Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior [work experience] or military service experience.

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 # : 59966A

Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

• 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.
• 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.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:

• your performance and conduct;
• the needs and interests of the agency;
• whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
• whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

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 : Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
• English Language Proficiency . Pharmacy Technician candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f)
• Education or Experience .
  • (1) None required.
  • (2) 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: (1)
  • Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB), Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT)
  • OR
  • National Health career Association (NHA), Certified Pharmacy Technician (ExCPT)

Grade Determinations :

GS-07 Pharmacy Technician- Outpatient Experience. Candidates must possess one year of experience at the GS-06 level. 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 floors/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 positions above the full performance level, the employee must pass a national certification exam and hold an active national certification through either:

(a) PTCB as a CPhT.

OR

(b) NHA as a ExCPT.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs) . In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following 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

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit

Physical Requirements: The pharmacy technician position requires frequent standing and walking for extended periods, including regular and recurring physical exertion for prolonged periods, walking distances within the medical center, and pushing carts. The incumbent must be able to lift and carry loads, up to 40 pounds, such as medication containers, supplies, boxes, and pharmaceutical supplies. Manual dexterity is necessary for handling medications, preparing prescriptions, typing, and operating equipment and computers. Adequate near vision is required to read labels, prescription orders, and computer screens, while sufficient hearing ability is essential for understanding spoken instructions and communicating with patients and staff. The position demands mobility to move freely throughout the pharmacy and clinical areas, as well as the ability to reach objects overhead or below waist level; some stooping, bending, and stretching may be required. In addition, pharmacy technicians may be required to safely handle hazardous substances, while adhering to established safety protocols and using appropriate personal protective equipment. Must possess math skills in order to convert medications to the correct dosing.

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: 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:

Additional information

Receiving Service Credit for 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.

Candidates 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.

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A 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.

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Eligibility 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.