Pharmacy Technician

Veterans Health Administration • Milwaukee, WI

15d • Onsite

About The Position

This position is for a nationally certified Pharmacy Technician above the full performance level (GS-07) at the Clement J. Zablocki VA Healthcare System. The technician works autonomously, using independent judgment to perform a full range of pharmacy duties and support safe medication distribution. Work is primarily in inpatient pharmacy and outpatient care areas, with potential exposure to communicable diseases and, in some cases, hazardous or toxic agents such as antineoplastic drugs. Appropriate precautions are required when working with drugs and chemicals.

Depending on assignment, the technician may perform inpatient activities including unit-dose medication management and automatic replenishment or ward-stock duties, and provide support in the absence of controlled-substance or sterile-product compounding technicians. Outpatient activities may include prescription assembly, window pick-up, and mail packaging. The technician may be assigned to other pharmacy service areas as needed by the Chief of Pharmacy Service or Supervisor.

The position is scheduled Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., with rotating weekends and holidays. Telework is unavailable. The position is permanent, and relocation or recruitment incentives and permanent change-of-station authorization are not available.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship, subject to the stated VA policy exception for non-citizens when qualified citizens cannot be recruited.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• For GS-07 and above, an active national certification from either the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) as a Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT), or the National Healthcareer Association (NHA) as a Certified Pharmacy Technician (ExCPT); a grandfathering provision may apply to qualifying current VHA employees.
• At least one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-06), federal or non-federal, to qualify for GS-07.
• Knowledge of pharmacy technician principles, practices, concepts, and theories sufficient to perform sound independent work.
• Knowledge of computerized prescription processing and entry of prescriptions and medication orders, or an electronic equivalent.
• Ability to resolve pharmacy or medication issues with healthcare team members, Veterans, and external customers.
• Ability to train developmental pharmacy technicians and students.
• Ability to dispense medication or sterile products in compliance with regulations, policies, and procedures for safe medication distribution.
• Ability to troubleshoot automated dispensing equipment or technology platforms and databases.
• Must pass a pre-employment physical evaluation and, if tentatively selected for a testing-designated position, urinalysis screening for illegal drug use.
• Must meet background and security investigation requirements, complete online onboarding, and provide acceptable identification for pre-employment requirements.
• Must participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program.
• Must complete all application requirements specified in the announcement.
• Must serve a one- or two-year trial period, subject to written certification for continued employment after the trial period.
• For males born after December 31, 1959, Selective Service registration is required.
• Must take precautions to avoid accidental contact with drugs and chemicals, including exposure to skin, eyes, and lungs.

Responsibilities

• Accurately interpret, fill, and prepare prescriptions with appropriate medications or medical supplies for pharmacist verification.
• Maintain clean and orderly work areas, keeping stock and equipment in assigned places and shelves and counters free of dust and debris.
• Store and secure drugs and supplies according to USP and VA guidelines.
• Receive, check, rotate, and stock items from the pharmacy procurement section; identify and reconcile discrepancies.
• Use available automated dispensing equipment in accordance with safety and quality-assurance procedures.
• Record expiration dates in the automatic prescription dispensing system upon receipt.
• Inspect assigned areas monthly to ensure medications are stored properly and soon-to-expire drugs are removed.
• Compound or reconstitute non-sterile oral or external medications.
• Answer questions from pharmacy and non-pharmacy personnel regarding drug distribution.
• Identify basic therapeutic problems, such as duplicate therapy within a drug class, and alert the pharmacist to possible clinical intervention needs.
• Assist with training and orienting new staff technicians, interns, and students.
• Perform duties of lower-grade technicians as needed and assist higher-level technicians as needed.
• Participate in pharmacy performance-improvement initiatives.
• Maintain national certification through PTCB or ExCPT.
• Comply with VHA, Medical Center, and Pharmacy regulations, directives, policies, and procedures.
• When assigned to inpatient pharmacy, provide support in the absence of the controlled-substance technician and sterile-product compounding technician, and perform unit-dose medication management and automatic replenishment or ward-stock activities.
• When assigned to outpatient pharmacy, perform prescription assembly, window pick-up, and mail packaging.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Federal employees and their families have access to a comprehensive benefits package; specific eligibility depends on position type and the hiring agency.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed