Pharmacy Technician

Veterans Health Administration • Perry Point, MD

12d • Onsite

About The Position

The Pharmacy Technician performs varied technical duties in inpatient and/or outpatient pharmacy sections under the direction of a Lead Pharmacy Technician, Supervisor Pharmacy Technician, Clinical Pharmacist, or Inpatient/Outpatient Pharmacy Program Manager. The position assists in training developmental pharmacy technicians and students and participates in the pharmacy-training program for students, externs, interns, residents, and professional and non-professional staff.

In inpatient pharmacy, the technician prepares sterile compounded products and parenteral admixtures for pharmacist review, follows applicable USP 797/800 guidelines and standard protocols, maintains quality assurance records, supports medication distribution and automated dispensing cabinet replenishment, inspects medication storage areas, removes expired stock, replenishes emergency medication trays, and packages medications for unit-dose dispensing. The technician also maintains packaging records and arranges equipment cleaning and preventive maintenance.

In outpatient pharmacy, the technician processes prescriptions and refill requests, prepares prescriptions and related documents for pharmacist review, verifies patient identity and receipt at pickup, and prepares medications for mail delivery. The technician operates and maintains automated dispensing systems, replenishes medications and supplies, maintains records, inspects storage areas, removes expired stock, answers and triages questions, and manages health-connect queue tickets.

The technician supports procurement and drug supply-chain security activities by receiving and checking pharmaceutical deliveries, reporting discrepancies, rotating stock, maintaining pharmacy cleanliness and organization, and notifying appropriate personnel of actual or anticipated shortages. The position is full-time, with a Monday–Friday schedule of 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and rotating holidays and weekends; shifts are determined or approved by management based on service needs. The role is not eligible for telework or relocation assistance. The full performance level and actual grade for this vacancy are GS-7.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship, subject to the stated VA exception for recruiting qualified citizens.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• For GS-7, one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level.
• For positions above the full performance level, an active national certification through either the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) as a Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT) or the National Healthcareer Association (NHA) as an ExCPT.
• Demonstrated knowledge of pharmacy technician principles, practices, concepts, and theories sufficient to perform sound independent work.
• Knowledge of computerized prescription processing and entry of prescriptions and medication orders, or their 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 compliance with regulations, policies, and procedures for safe medication distribution.
• Ability to troubleshoot automated dispensing equipment or technology platforms and databases.
• Compliance with applicable pre-employment screening, onboarding, identification, physical examination, security investigation, and seasonal influenza vaccination requirements.
• Ability to meet the physical demands, including prolonged standing, lifting or carrying pharmaceutical supplies weighing up to 40 pounds, and pushing or pulling large carts.

Nice To Haves

• Two or more years of experience in both retail (outpatient) and hospital (inpatient) pharmacy.

Responsibilities

• Prepare sterile compounded preparations and parenteral admixture products for final check by a Clinical Pharmacist, following USP 797/800 guidelines, protocols, sterile technique, and good manufacturing practices.
• Maintain quality assurance records and determine expiration dates for prepared batches using standard protocols.
• Provide intravenous admixture bulk-fluid automatic replenishment service and perform technical functions for unit-dose medication distribution.
• Replenish inpatient automated dispensing cabinets, medications, and supplies; maintain records; inspect medication storage areas; and remove expired or deteriorated drugs.
• Replenish emergency/crash cart medication trays according to standardized lists.
• Use unit-dose packaging equipment, prepare medication labels for pharmacist review, record packaging information, and schedule equipment preventive maintenance and cleaning.
• Receive prescriptions and refill requests, review them against medication profiles for administrative irregularities, and refer issues to a Clinical Pharmacist as appropriate.
• Enter refill requests accurately into the computer database and prepare prescriptions, labels, and related documents for pharmacist review.
• Record lot numbers and expiration dates in automated dispensing systems; verify patient identification and prescription receipt at pickup; and package medications for safe mail delivery.
• Operate, clean, and maintain automated medication dispensing systems; replenish outpatient systems and clinic supplies; maintain records; inspect storage areas; and remove expired or deteriorated stock.
• Answer telephone calls and general questions, triage inquiries to appropriate Pharmacy personnel, and manage health-connect queue tickets, referring matters to a Clinical Pharmacist when necessary.
• Accept pharmaceutical deliveries, verify quantities against orders, report discrepancies, rotate stock by date, and help maintain pharmacy cleanliness and organization.
• Notify appropriate personnel of actual or anticipated medication and supply shortages.
• Assist in training developmental pharmacy technicians and students and participate in the pharmacy-training program.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and regular salary increases; a higher step rate may be considered for higher or unique qualifications or special VA needs.
• 37–50 days of annual paid time off per year, consisting of 13–26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, and 11 paid Federal holidays.
• Potential credit toward annual leave accrual based on prior work or military service, subject to request and approval.
• Up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave after 12 months of employment in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child.
• Potential childcare subsidy after 60 days of employment for eligible full-time employees with total family income below $144,000, up to 25% of eligible childcare costs and a monthly maximum of $416.66.
• Traditional federal pension, with five-year vesting, and federal 401(k) with up to 5% in VA contributions.
• Federal health, vision, dental, term life, and long-term care insurance; many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement.

What This Job Offers

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