Pharmacy Technician

Veterans Health Administration • Fredericksburg, VA

8d • Onsite

About The Position

This position functions in the Pharmacy Service Community Care Section and provides administrative, clerical, and clinical support to Pharmacy Community Care Pharmacist Program Manager(s). The certified pharmacy technician provides technical support for the VA Community Care program as it relates to Pharmacy Service.

The position reviews electronic health records to determine patient eligibility for filling non-VA prescriptions at the VA Pharmacy, including eligible Community Care, urgent care, emergency room, and outside hospital discharge prescriptions. It reviews prescriptions for formulary alternatives, Criteria-for-Use needs, formulary status, and other issues; processes hardcopy, faxed, and electronic prescriptions; and alerts a pharmacist for final verification. The technician works with Pharmacy and Community Care staff, supports pharmacy policies and procedures, participates in quality assurance and process improvement, maintains competence through staff development, and assists in other patient care areas as needed.

The work schedule is Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Telework is not available, and the position is not virtual. The full performance level is GS-07. Physical duties include standing and moving around the work area, frequent lifting of items weighing up to 50 pounds, and regularly pushing loaded carts that may weigh several hundred pounds. The work may involve tension and stress due to time-sensitive and emergent demands.

Requirements

• Be a U.S. citizen, subject to the stated exception for non-citizens when qualified citizens cannot be recruited under applicable law.
• Proficiency in written and spoken English.
• For positions above the full performance level, hold an active national pharmacy technician certification through either PTCB (CPhT) or NHA (ExCPT), unless covered by the applicable grandfathering provision.
• For GS-07, possess at least one year of experience equivalent to GS-06.
• GS-06-equivalent experience includes filling orders; dispensing or delivering medications using automated systems; preparing medications for pharmacist review; checking for expired medications; appropriately handling phone calls; preparing sterile products; and assisting with inventory management.
• Demonstrate knowledge of pharmacy technician principles, practices, concepts, and theories sufficient for sound independent work.
• Know the computerized prescription process and how to input prescriptions and medication orders, or their electronic equivalent.
• Be able to resolve pharmacy or medication issues with healthcare team members, Veterans, and external customers.
• Be able to train developmental pharmacy technicians and students.
• Be able to dispense medication or sterile products in accordance with regulations, policies, and procedures for safe distribution.
• Be able to troubleshoot automated dispensing equipment or technology platforms and databases.
• Meet applicable pre-employment screening, background/security investigation, physical examination, vaccination, onboarding, and probationary-period requirements.

Nice To Haves

• Preferred experience in VA performing patient care activities in the main outpatient dispensing pharmacy, phone center, outpatient clinics, administration area, or other hospital areas.

Responsibilities

• Review electronic health records to determine patient eligibility for filling non-VA prescriptions at the VA Pharmacy, including Community Care, urgent care, emergency room, and outside hospital discharge prescriptions.
• Understand the Community Care consulting process workflow.
• Review prescriptions for formulary alternatives, Criteria-for-Use needs, formulary/non-formulary status, and other questions.
• Process hardcopy, faxed, and electronic prescriptions through the applicable queues, determining the appropriate patient, provider, medication, and related information.
• Alert a pharmacist for final verification after prescription processing.
• Work closely with facility Pharmacy and Community Care staff.
• Serve as a resource for planning, reviewing, or revising pharmacy policies and procedures.
• Participate in quality assurance, process improvement activities, and performance monitoring.
• Maintain competence by participating in staff development programs.
• Assist in other patient care areas as needed to maintain consistent pharmacy services.

Benefits

• Federal employee benefits package; specific benefits eligibility depends on position type.
• Annual leave accrual based on federal service, with possible prior-service credit subject to request and approval.

What This Job Offers

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