Pharmacy Technician

Veterans Health Administration • San Antonio, TX

2d • Onsite

About The Position

The Pharmacy Technician is responsible for first-line management and operation of automated dispensing equipment, narcotic accountability, compounding, and other higher-level technician functions as needed. The technician ensures compliance with applicable laws, regulations, directives, policies, and procedures for dispensing and storing drugs in narcotic-use areas, automated equipment, compounding, and procurement.

The position involves navigating pharmacy information systems, communicating medication-order concerns to pharmacists or supervisors, applying advanced technical knowledge of medications and pharmacy operations, preparing patient-specific products for pharmacist review, and maintaining equipment. The work schedule is Monday through Friday, with rotating shifts of 0730–1630, 1530–2400, or 2400–0800, and rotating weekends and holidays. Telework is not available; this is not a virtual position.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship, subject to the stated exception for non-citizens when qualified citizens cannot be recruited under VA policy.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• For the full-performance level, at least one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-7).
• For positions above the full-performance level, an active national pharmacy technician certification through PTCB (CPhT) or NHA (ExCPT).
• For the full-performance-level grade determination, comprehensive knowledge of concepts, principles, methods, and policies in a specialized area or section of pharmacy.
• For the full-performance-level grade determination, skill in training and orienting new and existing pharmacy facility employees and students on proper policies and procedures.
• For the full-performance-level grade determination, ability to evaluate, analyze, and coordinate workflow and work activities within a specialized pharmacy area or section.
• Ability to meet the stated physical requirements, including lifting and carrying 15–44 pounds, pushing, pulling, reaching, walking, standing, kneeling, bending, and specified vision and hearing requirements.
• Must pass a pre-employment physical examination and, if tentatively selected for a testing-designated position, urinalysis screening for illegal drug use.
• Must complete background/security investigation and required onboarding and application documentation.
• Must participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program.
• Must serve a one- or two-year trial period, subject to written certification for continued employment after the period.

Nice To Haves

• Three years of IV sterile compounding experience or IV sterile compounding certification.
• Three years of CHEMO/hazardous sterile compounding experience or CHEMO/hazardous IV compounding certification.
• Three years of inpatient pharmacy experience.
• Three years of Omnicell or similar experience.
• Three years of Parata or similar experience.
• Three years of narcotic technician experience.

Responsibilities

• Operate and manage automated dispensing equipment, maintain narcotic accountability, perform compounding, and carry out other higher-level technician functions as needed.
• Ensure compliance with applicable laws, regulations, directives, policies, and procedures for drug dispensing and storage, automated equipment, compounding, and procurement.
• Navigate and use basic pharmacy functions in VistA, CPRS, and automation packages.
• Communicate medication errors, adverse events, allergies, non-formulary or restricted status, and other medication-order problems to a pharmacist and/or supervisor for clarification.
• Use technical knowledge of medication names, storage and expiration requirements, sources, dosage forms, weights and measures, and medical terminology to interpret orders and verify the correct drug, dosage form, strength, and dose.
• Screen drug orders for propriety and assist pharmacists in resolving potential drug-related problems.
• Read and interpret medication orders and VistA/CPRS medication distribution reports; obtain the correct medication or material, strength, and dosage form; determine quantities; count, pour, or measure medications; label products; and record required information.
• Prepare patient-specific products for final pharmacist review.
• Perform or schedule routine daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly equipment maintenance according to labeling and operating-manual instructions, keeping equipment clean and operable.

Benefits

• Federal employee benefits package for employees and their families; specific benefits depend on position eligibility.
• Potential credit toward annual leave accrual based on prior federal work or military service, subject to request and approval; not guaranteed.

What This Job Offers

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