Pharmacy Technician

Veterans Health Administration • Tallahassee, FL

2d • Onsite

About The Position

The Pharmacy Technician provides technical support within the pharmacy department at the Tallahassee VA Clinic. The role supports Veterans and providers with prescription needs and prepares prescriptions for patients in various settings, including by counting, pouring, weighing, measuring, or mixing medications. The technician dispenses and delivers medications and uses automated systems and electronic health records while working under the supervision of a licensed pharmacist and/or a full performance-level pharmacy technician.

The position operates on 8-hour rotational shifts, including evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays. It is not a virtual position. The full performance level is GS-6, and the vacancy may be filled at grades GS-3 through GS-6. The position is permanent, and a 1- or 2-year trial period is required.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship is required, subject to the stated exception for non-citizen appointments when qualified citizens cannot be recruited under 38 U.S.C. § 7407(a).
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
• Must undergo a background/security investigation and, if tentatively selected for a testing-designated VA position, urinalysis screening for illegal drug use.
• Must participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program as VA Health Care Personnel.
• Must complete the online onboarding process and all application requirements in the announcement's Required Documents section.
• Must serve a 1- or 2-year trial period.
• For GS-3: one year of post-secondary education, six months of general experience, or qualifying student-technician status in an approved nationally accredited pharmacy technician program.
• For GS-4: two years of pharmacy-related post-secondary coursework; or six months of experience demonstrating medication or medical-field knowledge; or successful completion of a qualifying military or nationally recognized pharmacy technician education/training program; or one year of experience equivalent to GS-3.
• For GS-5: four years of pharmacy-related post-secondary education or a bachelor's degree; an associate's degree in pharmacy technician or technology; or one year of experience equivalent to GS-4.
• For GS-6: one year of experience equivalent to GS-5, plus knowledge of federal and state pharmacy-practice laws, medication preparation/storage/distribution, pharmacy information systems or dispensing equipment, and basic inventory procedures; and the ability to communicate with patients and staff and direct questions appropriately.
• Ability to lift and carry 15–44 pounds and walk or stand for four hours.
• Ability to work with hands in water and closely with others; rapid simultaneous mental and muscular coordination; near vision correctable to 20/20 in one eye and 20/40 in the other; ability to distinguish basic colors; hearing (hearing aid may be permitted); use of fingers; use of both hands; and emotional and mental stability.
• For foreign education to qualify, it must be evaluated as equivalent to U.S. education by an appropriate private credential-interpretation organization; a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency and transcript are required when using foreign education.

Responsibilities

• Provide patients and/or caregivers with medications and supplies as ordered by a provider.
• Perform pharmacy technical support work under the supervision of a licensed pharmacist and/or a full performance-level pharmacy technician.
• Fill prescriptions using automated systems.
• Package and/or dispense medications and supplies after a pharmacist's final check.
• Answer questions from pharmacy and non-pharmacy personnel about drug distribution.
• Inspect assigned areas monthly to ensure medications are stored properly and remove soon-to-expire or expired medications.
• Receive, check, rotate, and stock items from the pharmacy procurement section; identify and reconcile discrepancies.
• Monitor refrigerator, freezer, and room temperature and humidity in assigned areas, responding to alerts with appropriate correction or escalation.

Benefits

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

What This Job Offers

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