Pharmacy Technician

Veterans Health Administration • Lincoln, NE

14d • Onsite

About The Position

The Pharmacy Technician works autonomously, using independent technical judgment and comprehensive knowledge of complex pharmacy principles and practices. The role has operational responsibility for complex pharmacy procedures, including sterile and non-sterile compounding, inventory inspections, drug packaging, dispensing and distribution, order and prescription preparation, controlled-substance management, and equipment maintenance and care.

The technician helps ensure safe, accurate, and timely medication services for Veterans. This includes interpreting orders, preparing and labeling medications, documenting dispensing activity, maintaining workflow, supporting inventory procurement, and inspecting medication storage and dispensing areas. The technician also supports patients and staff with drug distribution, refill requests, and request triage; identifies potential medication issues for pharmacist review; and contributes to a multidisciplinary, patient-focused model of care.

The role includes handling controlled substances in accordance with applicable VA, DEA, FDA, and Joint Commission requirements. The technician uses pharmacy automation and computer systems to support dispensing, documentation, patient tracking, and medication administration. The position is GS-7, with a full performance level of GS-7. The work schedule is Monday through Friday, with available schedules of 7:00 a.m.–3:30 p.m., 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m., or 8:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m. Telework is not eligible, and the position is not virtual.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship, subject to the stated exception for non-citizen appointments when qualified citizens cannot be recruited in accordance with VA policy.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• For positions above the full performance level, an active national certification from either PTCB as a Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT) or NHA as a Certified Pharmacy Technician (ExCPT).
• For the GS-7 grade, one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-6).
• Demonstrated knowledge of pharmacy technician principles, practices, concepts, and theories sufficient for sound independent work.
• Demonstrated knowledge of computerized prescription processing and prescription or medication-order input, or an electronic equivalent.
• Ability to resolve pharmacy or medication issues with health care 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.
• Successful completion of required background and security investigation, pre-employment requirements, and online onboarding.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is required for VA health care personnel.
• Must serve a one- or two-year trial period, subject to the stated employment conditions.

Responsibilities

• Ensure medications are dispensed safely, accurately, and efficiently to Veterans, with accurate documentation and timely delivery of pharmacy services.
• Organize workload, resolve problems, and achieve established goals.
• Use specialized pharmacy knowledge to support patient care.
• Operate and maintain pharmacy equipment and automation, including ScriptPro, TCG-Rx, BD Cato, and Pyxis.
• Assist staff and patients in person or by phone with drug distribution, refill requests, mail, and triage of requests for pharmacists.
• Help ensure pharmacy programs comply with regulatory and accrediting-body requirements.
• Support procurement and just-in-time inventory management.
• Inspect facility areas outside the pharmacy where medications are dispensed, administered, or stored.
• Interpret pharmacy orders; select the correct medication strength and dosage form; calculate the amount; prepare the product; apply the correct label; and document required information.
• Independently prepare non-sterile compounds for patients or health care providers.
• Compound sterile products, including large-volume, small-volume, and complex pharmaceuticals such as chemotherapy.
• Dispense controlled substances in accordance with applicable policies, procedures, and standards.
• Use VistA, CPRS, BCMA, pharmacy automation, and other computer systems and software.
• Interpret, fill, and prepare prescriptions with appropriate medications for pharmacist verification.
• Restock controlled substances in secured automated cabinets and ensure inventory counts are correct.
• Document controlled-substance transactions and maintain secure handoffs so medications are never left unsecured.
• Report unresolved controlled-substance discrepancies to the area supervisor and assist with investigation, witnessing, and resolution.
• Comply with laws, regulations, directives, policies, and procedures governing controlled-substance dispensing, storage, transfer, inventory, and accountability.
• Assist inspectors with controlled-substance inventory and accountability inspections.
• Support formulary management and effective drug-use criteria as part of a patient-focused, multidisciplinary care model.
• Identify potential basic therapeutic problems, such as allergies or duplicate drug therapy, and alert pharmacists to possible clinical interventions.
• Call patients to obtain information and relay prescription information.
• Use databases and spreadsheets to monitor and track patient information.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and regular salary increases.
• 37–50 days of annual paid time off per year, including annual leave, sick leave, and 11 paid Federal holidays.
• Up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave after 12 months of employment, subject to the stated conditions.
• Child care subsidy may be available to eligible full-time employees after 60 days of employment, subject to income and other eligibility limits.
• Traditional federal pension, with five-year vesting.
• Federal 401(k) with up to 5% in contributions by VA.
• Federal health, vision, dental, term life, and long-term care insurance; many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement.
• Potential credit toward annual leave accrual for qualifying prior federal or military service, if requested and approved before appointment.

What This Job Offers

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