Pharmacy Technician

Summary

This position is located in the Consolidated Mail Outpatient Pharmacy (CMOP) in Lancaster, Texas. The Pharmacy Technician plans and completes tasks based on established protocols/accepted pharmaceutical practices. The technician informs the appropriate personnel of problems or unusual situations with recommendations for appropriate actions. The work is reviewed on an overall basis by the Supervisor for conformity to CMOP Policies and procedures.

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Duties

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Duties may include but are not limited to:

• Utilizes skill in operation of pharmacy tablet/capsule counting and labeling machines.
• Replenishes pharmacy stock in automated pharmacy equipment, utilizing the computer software and/or inventory system. Rotates stock using FIFO (First-In, First-Out) or shortest life-into-production (SLIP).
• Processes and prepares prescription orders accurately with appropriate medications and/or medical supplies for pharmacist verification.
• Monitors and suggests changes for the improvement of workflow, work methods and/or priorities.
• Interacts with logistics personnel to maintain efficient inventory flow of pharmaceutical needs.
• Participates in and supports the use of automated dispensing systems to improve productivity, increase efficiency and assist efforts in ensuring timeliness of processing.
• Reports downtime problems, actions, and resolutions for all interruptions in production to appropriate personnel.
• Provides training and assessment of other personnel. Monitors policy and procedure compliance in assigned area, reporting any findings to appropriate personnel.
• Follows written instructions for aseptic techniques in handling of hazardous drugs.
• Monitors and controls area access for non-CMOP individuals and immediately reports any security violations to appropriate supervisory personnel for action.
• Reports any unsafe or unhealthy working conditions.
• Assists other personnel with resolution to computer program lockouts, ensuring accuracy of final product.
• Assists with basic inventory activities and checks for outdated or damaged pharmaceuticals.
• Rotates stock supplies and checks for acceptable levels of stock.
• Performs cycle counts to ensure proper inventory is on hand and participates in regularly scheduled inventories as assigned.
• Effectively and appropriately represents the CMOP and the VA Health Care System in all interactions.

Work Schedule : Monday through Friday, 6:00am to 2:30pm and 3:30pm to 12:00am

Telework : Not Available

Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Functional Statement # : 72542-A

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives : Not Authorized

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).

May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria).

Grade Determinations : Pharmacy Technician, GS-07.

Experience: Candidates must possess one year of experience equivalent to the next lower 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: (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:

• (a) Knowledge of pharmacy technician principles, practices, concepts and theories providing for sound independent work.
• (b) Knowledge of the computerized prescription process and input of prescriptions and medication orders or electronic equivalent.
• (c) Ability to resolve pharmacy/medication issues with other members of the healthcare team, Veterans and external customers.
• (d) Ability to train developmental pharmacy technicians and students.
• (e) Ability to dispense medication or sterile products following all regulations, policies and procedures to ensure safe medication distribution.
• f) Ability to troubleshoot automated dispensing equipment (ADE) or technology platforms/databases

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

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-7.

Physical Requirements: Work is performed in a highly mechanized warehouse setting around production machinery. Moderate noise and traffic require attention and safety. Some work areas involve moderate risk requiring exercise of safety precautions when operating or working around the automated equipment. (i.e., accumulators, moving belts, etc.).

Appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is mandatory when handling specific medications and in certain areas of production or assignment.

The work requires regular and recurring physical exertion and activity, involving standing for prolonged periods of time on hard surfaces, lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling, bending, twisting, stooping, and reaching.

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.