Pharmacy Technician (Outpatient)

Veterans Health Administration • Hines, IL

3d • Onsite

About The Position

The Pharmacy Technician (Outpatient) supports pharmacy operations across multiple settings, including the main outpatient dispensing pharmacy, inpatient and outpatient areas, the fluid room, and other areas as assigned. The role performs medication distribution, controlled-substance handling, inventory management, procurement, medication preparation and dispensing, delivery, infection-control, and administrative tasks. Work is performed primarily in inpatient pharmacy and outpatient care areas, with potential exposure to communicable diseases and, in some cases, hazardous or toxic agents such as antineoplastic drugs. The position is not available for telework and is not virtual.

Requirements

• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• U.S. citizenship, except where appointment of a non-citizen is permitted under VA policy when qualified citizens cannot be recruited.
• For GS-07: at least one year of experience equivalent to the GS-06 level; the basic requirement lists no education or experience requirement.
• For GS-07 and above, active national certification through either the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) as a Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT) or the National Healthcareer Association (NHA) as a Certified Pharmacy Technician (ExCPT); a copy of certification must be provided.
• For GS-07, demonstrate knowledge of pharmacy technician principles, practices, concepts, and theories; computerized prescription processing and prescription or medication-order input; resolving medication issues with healthcare team members, Veterans, and external customers; training developmental technicians and students; safe medication dispensing; and troubleshooting automated dispensing equipment or technology platforms and databases.
• Meet applicable pre-employment screening and conditions, including background/security investigation, pre-employment physical examination, and seasonal influenza vaccination; selected applicants must complete online onboarding and required application documentation.
• Males born after December 31, 1959, must meet Selective Service registration requirements.
• Applicants using foreign education to qualify must provide a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with transcripts; education must be from an institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
• Serve a one- or two-year trial period, during which continued employment is evaluated and requires written certification that it advances the public interest.

Nice To Haves

• Preferred outpatient pharmacy experience and/or lead pharmacy technician experience.

Responsibilities

• Fill controlled-substance medications according to medication-distribution procedures; maintain rolling and complete inventories, run required reports, and assist with monthly controlled-substance inspections.
• Coordinate and document purchasing of prescription and non-prescription drugs and supplies; maintain accurate electronic inventory, support procurement personnel, and maintain hard-copy files of handwritten CII–V prescriptions.
• Stock automatic dispensing machines and perform inventory counts, ordering, stocking, expiration checks, removal of expired or recalled medications, and inspections.
• Read and interpret prescriptions, select the correct medication, strength, and dosage form, measure and label medications, record required information, and dispense medications after a pharmacist's final check.
• Compound and reconstitute non-sterile oral or external medications in accordance with facility policy, including calculating and converting weights and measures.
• Deliver medications to the Hines Campus and Community Based Outpatient Clinics, meeting specified delivery times or communicating delays before the deadline.
• Handle and store high-alert, hazardous, refrigerated, and controlled-substance medications appropriately and legally.
• Use inventory practices such as just-in-time ordering, usage rates, stock levels, contract adherence, returns, and inventory turns to limit waste and comply with policies.
• Report possible drug discrepancies or diversion; check for expired medications before dispensing or compounding, remove them from service, and dispose of them appropriately.
• Restock assigned stations before the end of the shift and perform lower-graded technician or controlled-substance technician duties when required.
• Coordinate with healthcare providers and administrators to support compliance with pharmacy and medical-center policies; identify improvement opportunities and participate in change management and implementation.
• Demonstrate infection-control practices, including handwashing and universal precautions or isolation procedures, including TB precautions.
• Comply with environmental laws and requirements, prevent pollution, minimize waste, conserve cultural and natural resources, and support continual improvement of environmental programs.
• Perform clerical and other administrative or technical support tasks as requested, following protocols, standard operating procedures, instructions, and accepted pharmacy practices.
• Adapt to new equipment, assignments, and changes in pharmacy workflow; train developmental technicians and students and mentor lower-graded technicians as applicable to the grade-level assignment.

Benefits

• Federal employee benefits package; specific benefit eligibility depends on position type and the employee's circumstances.
• Selected applicants may qualify to receive credit for prior federal or military service toward annual leave accrual, subject to request and approval before appointment.

What This Job Offers

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