Pharmacy Technician (Outpatient)

Veterans Health Administration • Tyler, TX

3d • Onsite

About The Position

The Pharmacy Technician supports outpatient pharmaceutical services by processing, preparing, and packaging medications and medical supplies for pickup and mail. The role includes stocking and delivering supplies, managing inventory, inspecting storage areas, assembling clinic orders and prescriptions, distributing controlled substances, and performing other functions related to outpatient pharmacy practice. Prescriptions and supplies are prepared for pharmacist verification; medications are dispensed after pharmacist verification. The technician answers drug-distribution questions, provides basic patient guidance on matters such as refills, and maintains medication storage and inventory, including monitoring refrigerator and freezer temperatures and reconstituting medications using accurate calculations.

The technician fulfills prescriptions using barcode scanning and automated systems where available, while also supporting manual filling. Duties include verifying patient identity and prescription accuracy at pickup, preparing mailed prescriptions—including refrigerated items—and resolving shipping issues. The role also manages ward and clinic stock at main and satellite locations, maintains controlled-substance records and inventory, and uses pharmacy and administrative systems to process prescription requests and renewals. The position includes training technicians, interns, and students; participating in quality improvement; and communicating with patients and healthcare colleagues, including supporting VISN Clinical Contact Center activities.

The stated schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; the tour may be adjusted or extended to meet patient-care needs. Telework is not available, and this is not a virtual position. The position is permanent, in the Excepted Service, and has a full performance level of GS-07. Applicants must meet federal employment conditions, including U.S. citizenship, English proficiency, and applicable background and onboarding requirements. Above the full performance level, an active PTCB CPhT or NHA ExCPT national certification is required, subject to the stated grandfathering provision for eligible current VHA employees.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship, subject to the stated VA policy exception for non-citizens when qualified citizens cannot be recruited.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• For positions above the full performance level, an active national certification as a PTCB Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT) or NHA Certified Pharmacy Technician (ExCPT), unless eligible under the stated grandfathering provision.
• For GS-07, one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level, GS-06.
• Knowledge of pharmacy technician principles, practices, concepts, and theories sufficient for sound independent work.
• Knowledge of computerized prescription processing and the 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 medication or sterile products in accordance with regulations, policies, and procedures for safe medication distribution.
• Ability to troubleshoot automated dispensing equipment or technology platforms and databases.
• Subject to urinalysis for illegal drug use for tentatively selected applicants in testing-designated positions.
• Compliance with Selective Service registration requirements for males born after December 31, 1959.
• Subject to background and security investigation and completion of the online onboarding process and application requirements.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is required for VA health care personnel.
• Must serve a one- or two-year trial period, with continued employment subject to written certification that it advances the public interest.
• Ability to meet the physical requirements described for the role, including moderate lifting and carrying, pushing, pulling, reaching, hand use, walking, standing, bending, and visual and hearing requirements.

Nice To Haves

• At least one year of previous outpatient pharmacy experience.
• Experience with pharmacy automation, such as ScriptPro, Omnicell, or ScriptCenter.
• Knowledge of and experience with a pharmacy information or operating system.

Responsibilities

• Interpret, fill, prepare, and package prescriptions and medical supplies for pharmacist verification, and dispense medications after pharmacist verification.
• Answer drug-distribution questions and provide basic patient education, including information about refill processes.
• Maintain medication storage and inventory, remove outdated medications, monitor refrigerator and freezer temperatures, and reconstitute medications using accurate calculations.
• Operate, stock, and troubleshoot automated dispensing systems, including Omnicell, ScriptPro, and Parata.
• Process returned postal packages according to applicable guidelines.
• Assemble prescriptions with the correct drug, strength, quantity, and labels; use barcode scanning and support manual filling when automation is not used.
• Complete prescriptions promptly and verify patient identity and prescription accuracy at pickup.
• Package and process mailed prescriptions, including refrigerated items, using USPS, FedEx, or UPS; update patient information, generate shipping reports, and resolve mailing issues.
• Inventory and replenish ward and clinic stock at main and satellite locations, use usage reports to set stock levels, and ensure medications are stored appropriately.
• Inspect hospital areas, remove expired drugs, and ensure storage compliance.
• Maintain vault duties and document controlled-substance transactions in accordance with VA and DEA rules; safeguard controlled substances, resolve discrepancies, coordinate handoffs, restock automated cabinets, and verify counts.
• Use VistA, EHR, and related systems for administrative processing, including entering and processing prescription requests and renewals, including controlled substances.
• Maintain clean, organized workspaces and train new technicians, interns, and students.
• Perform duties across various technician levels, participate in performance and quality improvement initiatives, and complete mandatory national, VISN, and local training.
• Maintain effective working relationships with providers, nursing, pharmacy staff, and others.
• Support VISN Clinical Contact Center activities, including calls, secure messaging, chat, text, and video; assist patients with refills, renewals, tracking, and pharmacy procedures; document interactions; and communicate professionally.
• Meet patient-care needs when the work tour is adjusted or extended.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and regular salary increases; a higher step rate within the appropriate grade may be considered based on higher or unique qualifications or VA needs.
• 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.
• Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual based on prior work or military service, subject to prior 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.
• Eligible full-time employees may qualify for a childcare subsidy after 60 days of employment, subject to family-income and other eligibility limits.
• 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