Pharmacy Technician

Veterans Health Administration • Oklahoma City, OK

16h • Onsite

About The Position

The Oklahoma City VA Medical Center, Pharmacy Service, is recruiting one Pharmacy Technician in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. This is a certified pharmacy technician position above the full performance level at GS-07. The technician works autonomously, uses independent judgment, and may mentor and train lower-grade technicians. The employee assists pharmacists in providing optimal care and timely service in accordance with the mission, vision, and goals of the OKC VA Healthcare System and Pharmacy.

The technician interprets and prepares prescriptions and medications for pharmacist verification, maintains clean and orderly work areas, stores drugs and supplies according to USP and VA guidelines, checks and stocks received items, and uses pharmacy automation equipment while following safety and quality-assurance procedures. The position also supports controlled-substance activities, including restocking secured automated cabinets, and inpatient pharmacy activities, including sterile compounding and unit-dose medication management. Work includes following USP 797/800 guidelines, preparing parenteral admixtures, reviewing medication prepared by another pharmacy employee, replenishing emergency trays, and operating and maintaining automated dispensing systems.

The work schedule varies and rotates through weekends and holidays. Compressed or flexible scheduling, telework, and virtual work are not available. The position is permanent; relocation assistance and recruitment or relocation incentives are not authorized.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship is required, subject to the stated statutory exception for appointment of non-citizens when qualified citizens cannot be recruited.
• Proficiency in written and spoken English.
• For the GS-07 grade, one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level.
• Active national certification 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 input of prescriptions and medication orders, or electronic equivalent.
• Demonstrate ability to resolve pharmacy or medication issues with healthcare team members, Veterans, and external customers.
• Demonstrate ability to train developmental pharmacy technicians and students.
• Demonstrate ability to dispense medication or sterile products in accordance with regulations, policies, and procedures for safe medication distribution.
• Demonstrate ability to troubleshoot automated dispensing equipment or technology platforms and databases.
• Meet applicable pre-employment screening, background/security investigation, onboarding, identification, influenza vaccination, and trial-period conditions.

Responsibilities

• Interpret, fill, and prepare prescriptions with appropriate medications or medical supplies for pharmacist verification.
• Keep work areas clean and orderly, with stock and equipment in assigned places and shelves and counters free of dust and debris.
• Store drugs and supplies securely and appropriately according to USP and VA guidelines, including high-risk, look-alike/sound-alike, hazardous, controlled, corrosive, flammable, and refrigerated items.
• Receive, check, rotate, and stock items from the pharmacy procurement section; identify and reconcile discrepancies.
• Use pharmacy automation dispensing equipment according to safety and quality-assurance procedures and report malfunctions promptly to a supervisor.
• Support controlled-substance activities when the controlled-substance technician is absent, including after hours, weekends, and leave periods.
• Restock controlled substances in secured automated cabinets, including Pyxis, in the pharmacy or medical center as assigned.
• Assist with sterile product compounding when the sterile compounding technician is absent, including after hours, weekends, and leave periods.
• Follow USP 797/800 guidelines when compounding sterile preparations, including ophthalmic, cardioplegic, TPN, hazardous, large- and small-volume IV solutions, and PCAs.
• Prepare uncomplicated and complicated parenteral admixtures in large-volume, small-volume, infusion-syringe, or other required forms.
• Review medications prepared by another pharmacy employee for dispensing to hospital areas.
• Inventory and replenish emergency trays.
• Operate and maintain automated unit-dose dispensing systems.
• Inspect packaged items for accuracy and suitability before final check and distribution to hospital areas.
• Mentor and train lower-grade pharmacy technicians and students.

Benefits

• 37–50 days of annual paid time off per year, comprising 13–26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, and 11 paid federal holidays.
• Eligible employees may receive credit toward annual leave accrual based on prior work or military service, subject to approval.
• Up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave after 12 months of employment in connection with birth, adoption, or foster-care placement.
• Eligible full-time employees may qualify for a childcare subsidy 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.
• Competitive salary and regular salary increases; a higher step rate may be considered based on qualifications or VA needs.

What This Job Offers

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