Pharmacy Technician (Outpatient-Controlled Substances)

Veterans Health Administration • Hines, IL

5d • Onsite

About The Position

The Controlled Substance Pharmacy Technician is a specialized pharmacy technician responsible for complex, highly regulated controlled-substance functions in the outpatient pharmacy. The role requires accurate, productive work and careful attention to the technician’s contribution to patient care. The technician fills controlled-substance prescriptions in compliance with Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) regulations, manages pharmacy automation and workflow, and trains and orients staff in the specialty area.

The position also involves controlled-substance inventory and compliance, procurement and stock maintenance, training and education, and administrative and technical support. The technician serves as a subject matter expert and day-to-day resource in the specialized pharmacy area, independently carrying out difficult assignments and coordinating workflow. Work is performed in a clinical setting, with some duties in areas away from the pharmacy.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship, subject to the stated VA exception for appointing non-citizens when qualified citizens cannot be recruited.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• Pass a national pharmacy technician certification exam and maintain an active certification through either the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) as a Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT) or the National Health career Association (NHA) as a Certified Pharmacy Technician (ExCPT); a copy of the certification must be submitted with the application.
• For GS-8, one year of experience equivalent to the GS-7 level in Federal service, including autonomous work using independent judgment, mentoring and training lower-graded technicians, supporting specialized technicians and performance-improvement initiatives, and working as a staff technician in various pharmacy locations.
• Meet the knowledge, skills, and abilities for the next lower level, including pharmacy technician principles and practices; computerized prescription processing; resolving medication issues with health-care team members, Veterans, and external customers; training developmental technicians and students; dispensing medication or sterile products safely; and troubleshooting automated dispensing equipment or technology platforms.
• Demonstrate comprehensive knowledge of a specialized pharmacy area, skill in training and orienting employees and students, and ability to evaluate, analyze, and coordinate workflow in that area.
• Pass required background/security investigation and pre-employment physical examination.
• Complete required online onboarding and provide acceptable identification for pre-employment requirements.
• Participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program.
• Meet application requirements listed in the announcement’s Required Documents section.
• Serve a one- or two-year trial period, subject to the conditions described in the announcement.

Nice To Haves

• Experience as an outpatient pharmacy technician.
• Experience working as a lead technician and/or lead controlled-substance technician.

Responsibilities

• Prepare, fill, and dispense controlled-substance prescriptions in accordance with policies, procedures, and applicable regulations.
• Conduct scheduled controlled-substance inventories every 72 hours and daily when needed, and assist Controlled Substance Compliance Inspectors with monthly inspections.
• Coordinate, manage, complete, and document purchasing of prescription and non-prescription drug products and supplies, following procurement and formulary processes.
• Maintain, verify, stock, and replace outdated controlled-substance medications from stock, including inpatient wards, storage cabinets, vaults, and other locations.
• Maintain accurate electronic inventory by decrementing prescriptions, entering received inventory, transferring medications to automated dispensing cabinets or other vaults, and documenting dispensing on green sheets.
• Prepare, operate, restock, and maintain automated dispensing cabinets and related equipment.
• Investigate and resolve inventory discrepancies promptly, review reports, contact appropriate personnel, and report discrepancies to the pharmacy supervisor.
• Ensure controlled-substance procedures comply with local requirements, VISN, OIG and VHA expectations, Joint Commission standards, VACO directives, DEA requirements, and applicable state and local requirements.
• Use inventory measures such as just-in-time practices, usage rates, stock levels, contract adherence, expired-medication returns, and inventory turns to limit waste and comply with policies.
• Manage pharmacy stock inside and outside automation, alert appropriate personnel to reordering needs or restocking issues, and routinely report possible drug discrepancies or diversion.
• Check for expired medications before dispensing or compounding; remove and appropriately waste expired items, and restock assigned stations before the end of the shift.
• Train pharmacy technicians, pharmacy students, and PGY-1 and PGY-2 residents.
• Coordinate with health-care providers and administrators to support compliance with pharmacy and medical-center policies and procedures.
• Complete required facility training within established timelines and document compliance.
• Follow infection-control practices, including handwashing, universal precautions, isolation procedures, and TB precautions.
• Comply with environmental laws and requirements, prevent pollution, minimize waste, conserve resources, and support continual improvement of environmental programs.
• Identify cost-reduction and cost-avoidance activities.
• Open and sort incoming distribution contents, route them to appropriate areas, and package mail using the applicable mailing system.
• Perform clerical or other requested functions, plan and complete work under established protocols and instructions, and attend and contribute to staff meetings.
• Perform duties of lower-graded pharmacy technicians when required.

Benefits

• Federal employees earn annual leave at a rate based on years of Federal service; selected applicants may request credit for prior work or military service toward annual-leave accrual, subject to approval.
• A comprehensive federal employee benefits package is available, with eligibility depending on position type.

What This Job Offers

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