Pharmacy Technician

Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional

The Pharmacy Technician:

• Accurately interpret keys fills and prepares prescriptions with appropriate medications and or medical supplies for pharmacist verification.
• Maintains work areas in a clean and orderly condition by assuring that all stock and equipment are in assigned places and all shelves and counters etc. are free of dust (high and low) and debris to create optional work areas.
• Assures drugs and supplies are appropriately stored and secured according to USP and VA guidelines including the storage of high-risk look a-like sound a- like hazardous controlled substances corrosive chemical flammable liquids and refrigerated items.
• Receives checks rotates and places in stock all items received from pharmacy procurement section and identifies and reconciles any discrepancies to assure correct items have been received.
• Utilizes automation dispensing equipment available to the pharmacy staff following all safety and QA procedures. Reports automation malfunctions timely to the supervisor as appropriate
• Records expiration dates in the automatic prescription dispensing system upon receipt.
• Performs monthly inspections to assigned areas to ensure proper storage of medications and soon to expired drugs are removed. Completes inspection reports in compliance with regulatory requirements.
• 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.
• Answers questions from pharmacy and non-pharmacy personnel regarding drug distribution.
• Identifies basic therapeutic problems such as duplicate therapy with drugs in the same class and alerts the pharmacist to the possible need for clinical intervention.
• Assists in training and orientation of new staff technicians interns and students.
• Assumes an active role in the overall pharmacy-training program consisting of students externs interns residents and professional and non-professional staff members.
• Demonstrates the ability to work under a variety of circumstances to maximize group productivity and quality.
• Performs duties of all lower grade technicians as needed.
• Participate in performance improvement initiatives for pharmacy.
• Assists in quality improvement activities by participating in assessment and action teams that will improve service as assigned.
• Assists higher level technicians as needed.
• Completes all National VISN local and Pharmacy mandatory trainings in a timely manner.
• Maintains national certification with PTCB and CPhT or NHA as a ExCPT.
• Complies with all VHA Medical Center and Pharmacy regulations directives policies and procedures.
• May be assigned to work in other areas/clinics of pharmacy service as deemed necessary by the Chief Pharmacy Service or Supervisor.
• Receives orders into VistA computer system on arrival.

• 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 drivers 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.

• 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.

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 - You must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 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 (GS-07 and above): 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).
  2. National Healthcareer Association (NHA) Certified Pharmacy Technician (ExCPT).

1. In 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).
2. 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).
   2. National Healthcareer Association (NHA) Certified Pharmacy Technician (ExCPT).
3. Knowledge Skills and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to the experience above the candidate must demonstrate the following technical KSAs:
   1. Knowledge of pharmacy technician principles practices concepts and theories providing for sound independent work.
   2. Knowledge of the computerized prescription process and input of prescriptions and medication orders or electronic equivalent.
   3. Ability to resolve pharmacy/medication issues with other members of the healthcare team Veterans and external customers.
   4. Ability to train developmental pharmacy technicians and students.
   5. Ability to dispense medication or sterile products following all regulations policies and procedures to ensure safe medication distribution.
   6. Ability to troubleshoot automated dispensing equipment (ADE) or technology platforms/databases.

• Demonstrated ability to work independently with minimal supervision especially during evening or reduced staff hours.
• Experience supporting clinical pharmacy functions such as assisting with MTM workflow identifying medication related issues or communicating relevant information to a pharmacist.
• Proficiency in conducting drug utilization review support tasks assisting with medication reconciliation activities and ensuring safe and accurate medication handling.
• Experience with high volume prescription processing including filling counting labeling and managing evening workflow while maintaining accuracy under time pressure.
• Strong communication skills for interacting with patients providers and interdisciplinary staff including those contacting the pharmacy after clinic hours.
• Experience using VA pharmacy systems such as CPRS VistA or BCMA for prescription processing patient lookup medication administration histories or workflow support. Proficiency with ScriptPro automation including operating loading troubleshooting basic issues and supporting workflow continuity.
• Experience with prepacking and preparing unit dose medications in accordance with VA policies and safety standards.
• Experience assisting with prior authorization workflows including gathering documentation initiating requests communicating with direct care staff and communicating relevant information to pharmacists.
• Proficiency with processing VA Community Care prescriptions including verifying information preparing fills accurately and coordinating with pharmacist review.
• Proficiency with doing quality assurance tasks including medication storage area inspections beyond use dating tracers and similar reviews.
• Demonstrated commitment to customer service and resolving issues promptly during independently staffed shifts.