Summary The Pharmacy Technician position functions in the Outpatient Pharmacy of the Pharmacy division. 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. Pharmacy technicians above the full performance level will mentor and train lower grade technicians in the practice setting. Responsibilities DUTIES: Adequate stock of pharmaceuticals and supplies for the areas assigned is maintained by communicating with the procurement personnel for items that are below par levels or out of stock. Usage of medications is monitored, and par levels are adjusted accordingly. In addition, out of stock medications are communicated to the pharmacy staff and procurement team at the time of discovery so that arrangements can be made to prevent delays in patient care. All pharmacy areas are maintained according to facility and service level policies (e.g., separate areas for high alert medications, proper disposal of corrugated cardboard, etc.). Recalled drugs are properly returned to pharmacy service, segregated, and secured to prevent re-dispensing. Pharmacy medication shelves are scanned daily to assist the procurement team in ordering medications and supplies. Medication and supply orders are checked in for accuracy from the prime vendor, logistics, and other contracted vendors. Medications and supplies requiring a purchase card are listed and requested from the procurement staff. Knowledge of available contract information is utilized to switch to alternate generic drug products when available, ensuring that they are deemed bioequivalent. This information is conveyed to pharmacists, providers, technicians and others. CMOP kickbacks, manufacturer backorders, drug recalls and drug shortages are managed by the Technician. Scriptpro out of stock queue is managed daily. Drug and Supply item storage areas are organized and maintained including the pharmacy supply room and community living center. This position is a content expert in all Pharmacy issued supply items including but not limited to ostomy, catheter, wound care, trach and incontinent supplies. Outdated, deteriorated, and damaged medications are disposed of in the appropriate pharmaceutical waste containers or placed inside the return bin for credit processing according to policy and procedures for reverse distribution. Stock is rotated as necessary to utilize the shortest expiration date items first.. Packaging supplies are monitored, ordered and restored by alerting procurement staff in a timely manner. Refrigerators/freezers are monitored daily for adequate temperature control according to facility policies and procedures. Appropriate action is initiated and documented for out-of-range temperature, and problems are resolved in a timely manner to ensure no drug is wasted due to improper storage. Equipment problems are identified, and concerns are brought to the immediate attention to a supervisor and/or pharmacy personnel. Repackaging equipment is monitored daily to ensure safety and effectiveness. Equipment is routinely cleaned and properly maintained and calibrated, according to policies and procedures and/or manufacturer recommendations. Maintains a safe, clean, uncluttered work area in the storage and dispensing areas. Prepare items necessary for storage according to policy and requirements. Medications, supplies, vaccines, etc. are filled accurately in accordance with current state and federal laws/regulations and are checked and verified by a pharmacist before dispensing to the patient. This includes selecting the correct medication or supply item and dosage form, accurately counting, or measuring the quantity to be dispensed, reconstituting, labeling the medication with a barcode, affixing the appropriate auxiliary labels, and completing all necessary documentation per policies and procedures, including making appropriate entries on the pharmacy record and decrementing in the Electronic Health Record (EHR) for proper inventory. Potential problems are brought to the attention of a pharmacist and reported to by the supervisor for review in an accurate and timely manner. Workload is prioritized; orders/prescriptions are processed, filled, and delivered in a timely manner; and assignments are completed within specified time frames. Performs Audio Care report processing, processes Consolidate Mail Order Pharmacy (CMOP) rejects and other CMOP-related problems, including but not limited to internet refills not processed, bad address rejects, discontinued med reports and canceling/stopping CMOP orders and other duties as assigned. Is responsible for the coordination and tracking of prescriptions of outpatient pharmacy, including controlled substances. Work Schedule: 0800-1630 M-F Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 0000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: 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. 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). 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 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. 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 (GS-7), 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 Healthcareer Association (NHA), Certified Pharmacy Technician (ExCPT). 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: Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB), Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT). OR National Healthcareer Association (NHA), Certified Pharmacy Technician (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 https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. Physical Requirements: Physical aspects associated with work required of this assignment are typical for the occupation and would generally not require a pre-placement examination. Exceptions: A pre-placement examination is required for any occupation or assignment that requires the operation of a government-owned or -leased motor vehicle in order to properly carry out assigned duties. Examinations may also be required for any occupation or assignment that requires a pre-placement examination by virtue of another policy, regulation, or statute. 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 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.
