Pharmacy Technician

Veterans Health Administration•West Roxbury, MA

19d•Onsite

About The Position

The Pharmacy Technician position is in the Pharmacy Service at the VA Boston Healthcare System in West Roxbury, Massachusetts. The incumbent provides services across multiple points of care and performs administrative and clinical work as directed by the pharmacy supervisor. The technician independently completes required competencies and position requirements, oversees specialized pharmaceutical equipment, coordinates equipment service requests, and communicates updates to the pharmacy team. Depending on assignment, the technician may administer systems or programs, maintain staff training and competency records, prepare reports, coordinate procurement and formulary processes, support investigational drug services, analyze data and workflows, coordinate technician activities and scheduling, educate staff and patients, and assist with supervisory administrative tasks and candidate interviews. When assigned as a pharmacy vault technician, the incumbent manages controlled-substance inventory and prescriptions, including daily inventory, filling and mailing prescriptions, maintaining stock levels, rotating inventory, removing expired products, and keeping required records. The technician may investigate vault discrepancies with supervisory oversight and assist police or other services with investigations. Other duties may include ordering medical supplies, compounding hazardous sterile products, and maintaining competency for hazardous and non-hazardous compounding. The incumbent performs other duties assigned by the supervisor. The role requires varying day, evening, and overnight tours, including shifts from 9:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. Eastern Time, as well as weekends and holidays. Telework is unavailable; the position is not virtual. The position is in the Excepted Service and is covered by a special rate. A one- or two-year trial period is required.

Requirements

U.S. citizenship.
Proficiency in spoken and written English.
For this GS-07 position, one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level.
An active national certification for positions above the full-performance level: PTCB Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT) or NHA Certified Pharmacy Technician (ExCPT).
Demonstrate knowledge of pharmacy technician principles, practices, concepts, and theories sufficient for sound independent work.
Demonstrate knowledge of computerized prescription processing and prescription or medication-order entry, 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 medications or sterile products in accordance with regulations, policies, and procedures to ensure safe distribution.
Ability to troubleshoot automated dispensing equipment or technology platforms and databases.
Pass urinalysis screening for illegal drug use if tentatively selected for a testing-designated position; refusal results in denial of employment.
Meet Selective Service registration requirements if male and born after December 31, 1959.
Complete a background/security investigation, online onboarding, and required pre-employment identification and application-document requirements.
Participate in the VA seasonal influenza vaccination program.
Serve a one- or two-year trial period.
Physical ability to perform repetitive hand and finger use, lift and carry light loads, stoop or kneel, sit, walk, or stand for extended periods, operate automation and other job equipment, and wear personal protective equipment including respirators.

Responsibilities

Provide pharmacy services at multiple points of care and perform administrative or clinical assignments as directed by the pharmacy supervisor.
Independently manage and complete competencies and position requirements.
Oversee specialized pharmaceutical equipment, coordinate service requests, troubleshoot equipment, and communicate updates to the pharmacy team.
When assigned, serve as a subject matter expert or administrator for systems, services, programs, or equipment.
When assigned, maintain staff training, competency, log, and other records; prepare regular reports for the supervisor.
Oversee compliance and coordination of procurement, reverse distribution, formulary processes, and related programs.
Initiate and maintain drug-file and inventory changes to address patient-care needs.
When assigned, support investigational drug services and comply with applicable policies and procedures.
Gather, evaluate, and analyze data for reports, projects, and statistical purposes; evaluate and analyze workflow.
When assigned, coordinate technician work activities and scheduling.
Review and comply with policies, procedures, handbooks, and other guidance; train and educate new and existing staff.
When assigned, assist the supervisor with administrative support, service requirements, record management, and other administrative assignments; assist with interviewing potential employees.
Provide and coordinate educational programs for staff and patients.
When assigned as a pharmacy vault technician, conduct daily controlled-substance inventory; fill and mail controlled-substance prescriptions; maintain inventory levels; stock and rotate shelves; segregate expired inventory for disposition; and maintain emergency drug cache and explosive cabinet inventories.
Maintain controlled-substance files and records, including inspection and reverse-distribution documentation, and review product expiration and disposition continuously.
When assigned, investigate vault discrepancies under the supervision of the pharmacy supervisor or designee and assist police and other services with investigations.
When assigned, independently order medical supplies using prescription information and external ordering mechanisms.
Compound hazardous sterile products and maintain competency for compounding in hazardous and non-hazardous areas.
Perform other duties assigned by the supervisor.