Pharmacy Technician - Outpatient

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Saint Cloud (MN); On-site; USD 42,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid time off

Federal benefits

Job summary

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs in Minnesota is seeking a Pharmacy Technician to support outpatient and inpatient pharmacy operations. Responsibilities include stocking, inventory, dispensing, unit-dose packaging, and assisting with controlled substances under pharmacist supervision.

Experience with automated dispensing equipment, bar code scanning, and pharmacy software is important. VA employment features comprehensive benefits and federal work schedule considerations.

Qualifications

• Certification required for positions above full performance level (PTCB or ExCPT).
• Knowledge of pharmacy technician principles and safe medication distribution.
• Ability to interpret prescriptions and assist with dispensing tasks.

Responsibilities

• Assemble prescriptions with correct drug, strength, and labeling.
• Maintain clean, organized work area and stocked supplies.
• Assist in stock receipt, inspection, and inventory management.
• Operate and troubleshoot automated dispensing equipment and related systems.
• Support in outpatient and inpatient pharmacy duties as needed.

Skills

National Certification

Pharmacy knowledge

Attention to detail

English communication

Stock management

Tools

Automated dispensing system

Barcode scanning

Pharmacy software

Job description

Summary

Primary assignments will be in the Outpatient Pharmacy - while also providing support in other areas as needed - including Inpatient Pharmacy and with controlled substance activities. Pharmacy Techs at this level are expected to accomplish all duties related to stocking - delivery - inventory - inspections - assembling ward orders - prescription assembly - controlled substances distribution - unit-dose drug packaging - dispensing - distribution - and any other function related to pharmaceutical practice.

Primary assignments will be in the Outpatient Pharmacy - while also providing support in other areas as needed - including Inpatient Pharmacy and with controlled substance activities. Pharmacy Techs at this level are expected to accomplish all duties related to stocking - delivery - inventory - inspections - assembling ward orders - prescription assembly - controlled substances distribution - unit-dose drug packaging - dispensing - distribution - and any other function related to pharmaceutical practice.

Qualifications

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
• English Language Proficiency: Pharmacy Technician candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C.
• 7403(f)
• Certification: 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)
• OR National Healthcareer Association (NHA) - Certified Pharmacy Technician (ExCPT)
• 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
• Grade Determinations: Pharmacy Technician - GS-07: Experience: Candidates must possess one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-6)
• Certification: For positions above the full performance level - the employee must pass a national certification exam and hold an active national certification through either: PTCB as a CPhT
• OR NHA as a ExCPT Knowledge - Skills and Abilities (KSAs): In addition to the experience above - the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: 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
• 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. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-7. Physical Requirements: You will be asked to participate in a pre-employment examination or evaluation as part of the pre-employment process for this position
• Questions about physical demands or environmental factors may be addressed at the time of evaluation or examination.

Duties

• Major duties include - but are not limited to the following: General Accurately interprets - fills and prepares prescriptions with appropriate medications and/or medical supplies for Pharmacist verification
• Maintains work area in a clean and orderly condition by assuring that all stock and equipment are in assigned places and all shelves and counters are free of dust and debris
• Assures drugs and supplies are appropriately stored and secured according to USP and VA guidelines - including the storage of high-risk - look-alike/sound-alike - hazardous - controlled substances - corrosive chemical - flammable liquids and refrigerated items
• Receives - checks - rotates and places in stock all items received from Pharmacy procurement section and identifies and reconciles any discrepancies to assure correct items have been received
• Utilizes automated dispensing equipment available to the Pharmacy staff following all safety and QA procedures
• Reports automation malfunctions timely to the supervisor - as appropriate
• Records expiration dates in the automated prescription dispensing system upon receipt
• Performs monthly inspections of assigned areas to ensure proper storage of medications and soon-to-be expired drugs are removed
• Completes inspection reports in compliance with regulatory compliance
• Answers questions from Pharmacy and non-Pharmacy personnel regarding drug distribution
• Identifies basic therapeutic problems - such as duplicate therapy with drugs in the same class - and alerts the Pharmacist to the possible need for clinical intervention
• Assists in training and orientation of new staff Technicians - interns and students
• Participates in performance improvement initiatives in Pharmacy
• Assists in quality improvement activities by participating in assessment and action teams as assigned
• Assists higher level Technicians as needed
• May be assigned to work in other areas of Pharmacy service as deemed necessary by the Chief of Pharmacy Services or supervisor
• Outpatient Pharmacy Activities Assembles prescriptions properly with the correct drug - strength - quantity - auxiliary labels - prescription labels - and correct batching labels for window dispensing - mail delivery - or internal delivery to inpatient wards and other clinics within the Medical Center
• Assures that the correct medication is filled by using bar code scanning on stock bottles
• Supports automation by manually completing prescriptions not processed through the automated dispensing machine
• Works with the automated prescription dispensing machine by performing daily and routine maintenance - operating the machine to fill prescriptions - troubleshooting issues as needed - and ensuring efficient operation
• Assures the timely completion of all prescriptions
• Verifies patient's identification following the Medical Center policies during order dispensing
• Verifies that the patient receives the correct prescriptions using software
• Verifies that the patient has received all prescriptions - to include refrigerated - controlled substances - bulk medications - etc
• Utilizes and comprehends the facility's mail shipping programs for the delivery of prescriptions - including controlled and non-controlled medications - as well as supplies
• Determines whether patients have opted in for automated text alerts regarding the mailing of their prescriptions - and calls patients to arrange delivery of refrigerated prescriptions and verify patient addresses when needed
• Manages and triages telephone calls received by Pharmacy
• Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Work Schedule: Primarily Monday-Friday with rotating shifts of 7:30am-4:00pm 8:00am-4:30pm and 9:30am-6:00pm
• includes weekend and holiday rotations with an 8:00am-4:30pm shift
• Recruitment/Relocation Incentives (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)
• 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 eligible Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 000000 Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized