Pharmacy Technician

Veterans Health Administration • Green Bay, WI

4d • Onsite

About The Position

This is a certified Pharmacy Technician position at the Milo C. Huempfner in Green Bay, Wisconsin, at the GS-07 grade level. The technician works autonomously using independent judgment to perform a full range of pharmacy technician duties. The role supports inpatient pharmacy and outpatient care areas and may be assigned to other pharmacy service areas as needed by the Chief of Pharmacy Service or Supervisor.

The technician interprets, fills, and prepares prescriptions and medical supplies for pharmacist verification; maintains pharmacy work areas and medication storage; manages stock and inventory; uses automated dispensing equipment; and compounds or reconstitutes non-sterile medications. The position also involves answering questions about drug distribution, identifying potential basic therapeutic problems for pharmacist review, assisting with training, and contributing to pharmacy performance improvement initiatives. The technician must maintain active national certification and comply with applicable VA, Medical Center, and Pharmacy regulations, directives, policies, and procedures.

The work schedule is 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Telework and virtual work are not available. 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. Precautions are required when working with drugs and chemicals to avoid accidental contact with the skin, eyes, or lungs.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship, subject to the stated exception under VA policy for non-citizens when qualified citizens cannot be recruited.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• Active national certification through the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB), Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT), or National Healthcareer Association (NHA), Certified Pharmacy Technician (ExCPT), for GS-07 and above, unless qualifying under the stated grandfathering provision.
• At least one year of experience equivalent to the GS-06 level for the GS-07 position.
• Knowledge of pharmacy technician principles, practices, concepts, and theories sufficient to perform sound independent work.
• Knowledge of computerized prescription processing and entering prescriptions and medication orders, or an electronic equivalent.
• Ability to resolve pharmacy or medication issues with members of the healthcare team, Veterans, and external customers.
• Ability to train developmental pharmacy technicians and students.
• Ability to dispense medication 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.
• Pass a pre-employment physical examination.
• Selected applicants are subject to urinalysis for illegal drug use before appointment and must complete a background/security investigation.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is required for VA Health Care Personnel.
• Serve a one- or two-year trial period, subject to the stated evaluation and written certification requirements.
• Complete the application and onboarding requirements, including acceptable identification documents.

Responsibilities

• Accurately interpret, fill, and prepare prescriptions with appropriate medications and/or medical supplies for pharmacist verification.
• Maintain clean, orderly work areas and ensure stock and equipment are in their assigned places and shelves and counters are free of dust and debris.
• Ensure drugs and supplies are stored and secured according to USP and VA guidelines.
• Receive, check, rotate, and stock items from the pharmacy procurement section; identify and reconcile discrepancies.
• Use pharmacy automated dispensing equipment while following safety and quality-assurance procedures.
• Record expiration dates in the automated prescription dispensing system upon receipt.
• Conduct monthly inspections of assigned areas to ensure proper medication storage and remove soon-to-expire drugs.
• Compound and/or reconstitute non-sterile oral or external medications.
• Answer drug-distribution questions from pharmacy and non-pharmacy personnel.
• Identify basic therapeutic problems, such as duplicate therapy within a drug class, and alert the pharmacist to possible clinical intervention.
• Assist in training and orienting new staff technicians, interns, and students.
• Perform duties of lower-grade technicians as needed and assist higher-level technicians as needed.
• Participate in pharmacy performance-improvement initiatives.
• Maintain national certification through PTCB or ExCPT.
• Comply with VHA, Medical Center, and Pharmacy regulations, directives, policies, and procedures.
• Work in other pharmacy service areas as assigned by the Chief of Pharmacy Service or Supervisor.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• 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.
• Eligible employees may receive credit toward annual leave accrual based on prior work or military service, subject to 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.
• Federal 401(k) with VA contributions of up to 5%.
• Federal health, vision, dental, term life, and long-term care insurance; many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement.
• Competitive salary and regular salary increases.

What This Job Offers

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