Pharmacy Technician (Inpatient)

Summary Pharmacy Technicians are a vital component of medication distribution in the VA, and the need for fully functional and reliable personnel is critical to our mission. Certified technicians with advanced medical and technical knowledge that function above the journeyman level are highly integral to the Pharmacy Service. Technicians at this level have a major impact on operational aspects for providing timely, efficient, and accurate prescription filling/dispensing with minimal need of supervision. Duties Duties may include but are not limited to: Prescription Processing: Demonstrate ability to accurately navigate and utilize VistA, CPRS, and any other patient databases necessary to perform the job. Establish patient eligibility status. Establish provider prescriber authority and appropriately enter new providers into the system. Knowledge of medical terminology and common abbreviates to accurately interpret/transcribe prescriptions. Interpret prescriptions and other orders to determine proper disposition in accordance with established procedures. Ability to perform a full administrative and technical review of the patient's medication and computer profile, being sure that the most current prescriptions are being processed, all older prescriptions for the same mediation(s), checking for remaining authorized refills, checking for frequency of refills. Enter correct medication, strength, dosage form, and quantity into patient's profile. Filling: Possess an advanced technical knowledge of drug and medication brand names, generic names/chemical names, general and special storage requirements, expiration date requirements, manufacturer/distributor sources, dosage forms, basic pharmaceutical calculations, applicable systems of weights and measures and medical terminology to interpret providers' orders and verify correct drug, dosage form, strength and dose, is prepared and/or distributed. Possess working knowledge of drug use and dosage forms available to be able to screen drug orders and assist the pharmacist in solving potential drug related problems. Participate in the preparation of a prescription order by verifying the correct patient, appropriateness of the label, selecting the proper medication, selecting the correct strength, counting/pouring the intended quantity, packing the medication appropriately, and completing all necessary filling documentation. Ability to perform extemporaneous compounding of approved pharmaceuticals according to standard operating procedures. Ability to processes Out of Stock medications. Communicate medication errors, adverse advents, allergies, non-formulary, restricted status and any other medication order related problems for clarification to the pharmacist and/or supervisor. Ward-Stock/Inventory Management: Fills on-demand clinic request for hospital ward or clinic stock. Inventory and restock hospital and inpatient pharmacy code blue crash carts/kits and other specialty emergency kits. Restock and maintain drug items stored in automated dispensing cabinets (ADC) on the hospital units per ADC restocking report. Ensure par levels are maintained and drugs that are set to expire are pulled in advance of expiration date. Ability to operate and maintain automated prepacking device to prepack unit dosage forms to restock ADCs. Assure all medications and supplies are stored appropriately with proper attention to rotation of stock and complying with all laws and station policies. Remove expired medications from stock and follows facility policy and procedures for disposal of medications. Performs ward inspections as assigned: removes/replaces outdated items and excessive quantities of medications and accurately documents findings using appropriate forms in accordance with established policy and procedures. Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Work Schedule: 7:30am - 4:00pm; rotating weekends/holidays; with possibility of evenings (3:30pm - 12:00am) or nights (12:00am -8:00am) Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases. Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year). Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior [work experience] or military service experience. Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment, up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child. Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment, full time employees with a total family income below $144,000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66. Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 54617-F Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Requirements Conditions of employment You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job. All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959. Must be proficient in written and spoken English. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest. Qualifications Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met. Basic Requirements: United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. Education or Experience: None required. For all grade levels and positions that accept both education and experience to qualify, equivalent combinations of qualifying education and experience that total at least 100% are qualifying. The combined percentage is determined by adding total qualifying experience as a percentage of the experience required for the grade level to the education as a percentage of the education required for the grade level. Certification (GS-7 and above): For positions above the full performance level, the employee must pass a national certification exam and hold an active national certification through either: Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB), Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT). National Healthcareer Association (NHA), Certified Pharmacy Technician (ExCPT). Physical Requirements. See physical requirements listed below. English Language Proficiency - You must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), and 7407(d) Grade Determinations: In addition to meeting the basic requirements above, to qualify for the GS-7 you must possess at least 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-6) AND demonstrate all the Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs) below: Knowledge of pharmacy technician principles, practices, concepts and theories providing for sound independent work. Knowledge of the computerized prescription process and input of prescriptions and medication orders or electronic equivalent. Ability to resolve pharmacy/medication issues with other members of the healthcare team, Veterans and external customers. Ability to train developmental pharmacy technicians and students. Ability to dispense medication or sterile products following all regulations, policies and procedures to ensure safe medication distribution. Ability to troubleshoot automated dispensing equipment (ADE) or technology platforms/databases. Preferred Experience: Minimum 1 year of inpatient pharmacy experience Minimum 1 year of USP 797 and or USP 800 sterile compounding experience Minimum of 6 months of outpatient pharmacy dispensing experience Minimum 1 year of pharmacy automation experience to include automation dispensing cabinets, automated tablet packager and outpatient dispensing automation (i.e., Parata, ScriptPro, Omnicell) Minimum 1 year-controlled substance management technician experience. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-7. Physical Requirements: The work is mostly standing, walking, bending and climbing; however, some sitting, which involves typing, is also required. Technicians must be able to lift and move cases of IV fluids weighing approximately 30 lbs. Technicians work mainly in area assigned, however, may be required to walk to storage area or to various hospital units and clinics. Education Duties Continued: Ward-Stock/Inventory Management Fills on-demand clinic request for hospital ward or clinic stock. Inventory and restock hospital and inpatient pharmacy code blue crash carts/kits and other specialty emergency kits. Restock and maintain drug items stored in automated dispensing cabinets (ADC) on the hospital units per ADC restocking report. Ensure par levels are maintained and drugs that are set to expire are pulled in advance of expiration date. Ability to operate and maintain automated prepacking device to prepack unit dosage forms to restock ADCs. Assure all medications and supplies are stored appropriately with proper attention to rotation of stock and complying with all laws and station policies. Remove expired medications from stock and follows facility policy and procedures for disposal of medications. Performs ward inspections as assigned: removes/replaces outdated items and excessive quantities of medications and accurately documents findings using appropriate forms in accordance with established policy and procedures. Non-Hazardous Sterile/Extemporaneous Compounding Ability to interpret IV (ie., admixtures, piggybacks, syringes, TPNs etc..) medication order request by selecting , measuring, and mixing appropriate ingredients safely and aseptically, inspecting the final product for accuracy, labeling the product, recording all pertinent information for record of the preparation of the product, and delivering the product after final verification by a pharmacist. Ability to prepare all sterile compounding using aseptic technique in accordance with facility standing operating procedures. Competency must be maintained every 6 months to perform the assigned duty. Ability to perform and maintain cleanliness of facilities non-hazardous cleanroom in accordance with the facilities cleaning standing operating procedures (SOPs). Ability to perform extemporaneous compounding of approved pharmaceuticals according to the facilities SOPs. Automation Understands and navigates basic automation package functions. Performs basic cleaning and maintenance of automation equipment. Ability to troubleshoot automation system problems. Fill canisters/cells with medications and input appropriate information necessary to allow an audit trail of the medications placed into the automation. Appropriately returns medications into the automation inventory, and removes expired/outdated medications from the automation. Controlled Substances Possess a thorough knowledge of principles relating to controlled substances, and the requirements of medical center policy and federal and state regulations that apply to these medications. Assure compliance with all applicable laws, regulations, directives, policies and procedures applying to the dispensing, storage, transfer, inventory and accountability of controlled substances. Ability to prepare and fill outpatient pharmacy orders for controlled substances. Dispensing Accurately identify patients and dispense medications appropriately. Ability to properly package prescription medications for dispensation. Appropriately prepares medications and supplies for window pick up or mailed. Takes special care to properly cushion, protect and insulate all medication to insure against breakage, deterioration, and Appropriately applies postage checking for proper name and address. Ability to locate filled prescriptions within the pharmacy and with-in the mail stream. Provide patient education on pharmacy topics such as requesting refill process, drug information sheets, and relaying judgmental questions to the pharmacist. Procurement Knowledge and understanding of specialized handling precautions for medications. Ensure adequate off-line inventory levels of medication are maintained. Assure all medications and supplies are stored appropriately with proper attention to rotation of stock and complying with all laws and station policies. Remove expired medications from stock and follows facility policy and procedures for disposal. Performs ward inspections as assigned: removes/replaces outdated items and excessive quantities of medications and documents findings using appropriate forms in accordance with established policy and procedures. Administrative Maintain immediate work area in a neat, clean and orderly fashion. Participate in self-development activities necessary to maintain licensure and increase professional competence. Complete all mandatory training as required by local, VISN, and national mandates within established timeframes. Receives phone calls in a tactful and helpful manner to employees, volunteers, and patients. With an ability to answer specific questions Other Duties Perform other duties of a pharmacy technician as assigned to maintain the consistency of overall pharmacy services when required. Additional information Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed. During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status. VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement. Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act. Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution. Benefits A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits. Review our benefits Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.