Summary This certified Pharmacy Technician position is located at the Malcom Randall VA Medical Center. Pharmacy technicians at this grade level are nationally certified by PTCB or ExCPT and can work autonomously, using independent judgement to perform a full range of duties. Responsibilities Pharmacy Technicians above the full performance level can mentor and train lower grade technicians in the practice setting. The employee will assist the pharmacist in providing optimal care and timely service in accordance with the mission, vision, and goals of the North Florida / South Georgia VA Health System and Pharmacy. Pharmacy Technicians are expected to accomplish all duties related to stocking, delivering, inventory, inspections, assembling ward orders, prescription assembly, controlled substances distribution, sterile compounding (including hazardous drugs), unit-dose drug packaging, dispensing, distribution, and any other function related to pharmaceutical practices. Functions of the Pharmacy Technician include, but are not limited to: Accurately interpret, fill, and prepare prescriptions with appropriate medications and/or medical supplies for the Pharmacist verification. Maintain work area in a clean and orderly condition by assuring that all stock and equipment are in assigned places and all shelves and counters are free of dust and debris in order to create an optional work area. Record expiration dates in the automatic prescription dispensing system upon receipt. Perform monthly inspections to assigned areas to ensure proper storage of medications and soon to expire drugs are removed. Demonstrate the ability to work under a variety of circumstances to maximize group productivity and quality. Assume an active role in the overall pharmacy-training program consisting of students, externs, interns, residents, and professional and non-professional staff members. Completes all National, VISN, local, and Pharmacy mandatory training in a timely manner. Complies with all VHA, Medical Center, and Pharmacy regulations, directives, policies, and procedures. Compounds and/or reconstitutes oral or external medications (non-sterile). This includes calculating and converting to proper weights and measures the amount of drug or solution to be used for final pharmacist verification. Performs duties of all lower grade technicians as needed. Controlled Substances Activities Document all controlled substance items in automated secured cabinets (i.e Pyxis) in pharmacy or throughout medical center, as assigned. Ensure that proper handoffs occur when receiving or delivering controlled substances, assuring that at all times these medications are never left unsecured. Report unresolvable discrepancies to immediate supervisor for resolution. Assist with investigating, witnessing, and resolving discrepancies Inpatient Pharmacy Activities: Consist with displaying competence with good manufacturing practice and sterile technique through demonstration and/or work performance. Prepares medications for dispensing to clinic before submitting for final check, prior to distribution to clinic areas. Operates and maintains automated dispensing unit dose systems. Inspects packaged items for accuracy and suitability before submitting for final check, prior to distribution to hospital areas. Follow USP 795/797/800 guidelines for the compounding of all sterile preparation and non-sterile preparation. Outpatient Pharmacy Activities: Assemble prescription properly with correct drug, strength, quantity, auxiliary labels, and prescription labels for dispensing. Verify that patient receives the correct prescription by using VA software. Package prescriptions correctly, as to assure packages are not damaged within transit. Utilize and comprehend the mail shipping programs. Perform searches, update patient information, and generate shipping reports. Work Schedule: An 8-hour tour between the hours of 7:00am - 7:00pm Sunday - Saturday (Rotating hours/holidays/weekends/evenings/nights) Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #:55348F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Requirements 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. 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). 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 Citizenship. Be a citizen of the United States. (Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA policy.) English Language Proficiency. Pharmacy technicians appointed to direct patient care positions must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 2, section D, paragraph 5a of VA Handbook 5005. Experience and/or Education. None required. Certification-Documentation Submitted. 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), or National Health career Association (NHA), Certified Pharmacy Technician(ExCPT). 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: In addition to meeting the basic requirements stated above, the following qualifications criteria must be met in determining the appropriate grade assignment of candidates. Pharmacy Technician, GS-7Experience. Candidates must possess one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level. (Examples of experience include filling 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-Documentation Submitted. 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), or National Health career Association (NHA), Certified Pharmacy Technician(ExCPT). Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs) GS-7. 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 he 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: At least 3 years of outpatient or retail pharmacy, automation, controlled substances, prescription packaging and inventory stock control experience. Strong customer service skills. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. Physical Requirements: : The work requires regular and recurring physical exertion, involving standing or sitting for prolonged periods of time, typing, walking distances within the medical center, lifting/ carrying (up to 40 pounds) of pharmaceutical supplies and bending/stooping/stretching. 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: 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 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 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.
