Pharmacy Technician - Outpatient

Veterans Health Administration • Hot Springs, SD

6h • Onsite

About The Position

The Outpatient Pharmacy Technician supports the distribution of acute and chronic medications, supplies, and other direct patient care services within the VA health care model. The role requires knowledge of laws, regulations, and official policies concerning drug distribution, procurement, and security measures, in order to meet legal and professional requirements of pharmacy practice.

The technician reads and interprets prescriptions from the Veteran electronic health record (EHR) or written orders, reviews orders for technical accuracy, prepares and dispenses medications, and supports medication inventory and procurement. The position uses and maintains pharmacy automation, including ScriptPro and ScriptCenter, troubleshoots equipment and databases, and follows contingency plans during outages. It also involves updating patient information and documentation in pharmacy software and the EHR, supporting patient pickup and mailing processes, and communicating with patients, pharmacy staff, procurement staff, pharmacists, and other care-team members.

The technician uses the facility phone system to collect and clarify patient information, identify basic medication-related concerns, escalate issues to pharmacists when appropriate, and complete follow-up calls. The role also assists pharmacists with medication or patient-care problem solving and participates in quality improvement projects. This is a full-time, Monday–Friday position with a work schedule of 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Telework is not available, and the position is not virtual.

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, active national certification as a Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT) through PTCB or as an ExCPT through NHA.
• For GS-7: one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level, GS-6.
• Knowledge of pharmacy technician principles, practices, concepts, and theories sufficient for sound independent work.
• Knowledge of computerized prescription processing and input 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 accordance with regulations, policies, and procedures for safe distribution.
• Ability to troubleshoot automated dispensing equipment or technology platforms and databases.
• Must meet all stated qualification requirements by the announcement close date of 11/13/2026.
• Must complete required pre-employment screening, including urinalysis for selected applicants in testing-designated positions, and a background/security investigation.
• Must participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program as a condition of employment.
• Must serve a one- or two-year trial period, subject to written certification for continued employment upon completion.

Responsibilities

• Read and interpret prescriptions from the Veteran EHR or in written format, and review prescription orders for technical accuracy.
• Prepare and dispense medications and supplies in accordance with regulations, policies, and procedures for safe medication distribution.
• Use automation, including ScriptPro, to fill, label, and batch medications; execute contingency plans during outages.
• Maintain, clean, and troubleshoot pharmacy equipment and databases, including ScriptPro, ScriptCenter, and counting machines.
• Assist with inventory counts, medication ordering and stocking, expiration management, and removal of recalled medications.
• Accurately fill ward prescription items using Automatic Replenishment reports.
• Serve as a ScriptCenter subject matter expert, address technical issues, and verify correct linking of batched medications.
• Verify timely patient pickup of medications, contact patients when packages have remained in ScriptCenter for more than three days, and coordinate alternate dispensing arrangements.
• Interpret EHR medication profiles, confirm prescription information in pharmacy computer systems, and perform refills or other technician duties in pharmacy software.
• Update patient information and enter notes in the EHR using pharmacy templates or blank forms.
• Communicate with procurement staff to facilitate medication acquisition and assist pharmacy management with assigned data tracking and reporting.
• Prioritize assignments, maintain a safe, orderly, and clean work environment, and store medications according to manufacturer recommendations and NIOSH requirements.
• Mail medications accurately according to pharmacy procedures and perform other medication distribution activities as directed by a pharmacist or supervisor or assigned as part of the shift.
• Use the facility phone system professionally; collect and clarify patient information, triage basic therapeutic, distributive, or medication-related problems, and alert pharmacists when needed.
• Document phone communications accurately in the EHR or other formats and complete calls and follow-up in a timely manner.
• Assist pharmacists with patient-care or medication problem solving and participate in quality improvement projects individually or as part of a team.
• Maintain flexibility for emerging roles, new equipment, assignments, and changes in pharmacy workflow.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and regular salary increases.
• 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.
• 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 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 may be carried into retirement.
• Selected applicants may qualify for annual-leave accrual credit based on prior work or military service, subject to request and approval.

What This Job Offers

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