Pharmacy Technician (Outpatient Pharmacy)

US-Department-of-Veterans-Affair; Chesapeake (VA); On-site; USD 50,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

US Department of Veterans Affairs in Hampton, VA, is seeking a certified pharmacy technician at or above GS-6 full performance level to work in the outpatient pharmacy within the VISN 6 network. The role requires active national certification (CPhT or ExCPT) and ability to work autonomously with independent judgment.

Experience in a retail outpatient setting is preferred. Applicants must meet basic requirements including U.S.

Qualifications

• U.S. citizenship is required.
• One year of progressively complex experience at GS-06 or equivalent.
• National certification as CPhT or ExCPT is required for higher grades.

Responsibilities

• Work autonomously at full performance level and use independent judgment.
• Dispense medications and sterile products following regulations and policies.
• Input prescriptions and medication orders into the computerized system.
• Resolve pharmacy/medication issues with healthcare team and patients.
• Train and orient new pharmacy staff and students.
• Troubleshoot automated dispensing equipment and related platforms.

Skills

Pharmacy principles

Training others

Prescriptions input

Interprofessional collaboration

Train new staff

Medication dispensing

ADE troubleshooting

Job description

This position is assigned to the outpatient pharmacy located within the VA Mid Atlantic Health Care Network (VISN 6), Hampton VA Medical Center, Pharmacy Service. This position is for a certified pharmacy technician above the GS-6 full performance level at the Hampton VA Healthcare System. Pharmacy technicians at this level can work autonomously and use independent judgement to perform a full range of duties. 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: 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 Health career Association (NHA), Certified Pharmacy Technician (ExCPT).

May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria).

Grade Determinations

• Experience. One year of progressively complex experience equivalent to the lower grade level (GS-06).
• 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.
  • NHA as a ExCPT.
• Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs and meet any additional KSAs for the assignment, if indicated:
  • Knowledge of pharmacy technician principles, practices, concepts, and theories providing for sound independent work.Skill in training and orienting new and existing pharmacy facility employees and students on proper policies and procedures.
  • Knowledge of the computerized prescription process and input of prescriptions and medication orders or electronic equivalent.
  • Ability to resolve pharmacy/medication issues with other member of the healthcare team, Veterans, and external customers.
  • Ability to train new pharmacy technicians and students.
  • Ability to dispense medications 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: Retail Outpatient Pharmacy Experience Required

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:

The work involves long periods of moving, standing and pushing carts about the work unit. The work requires regular and recurring bending, stretching, and lifting. The incumbent must be a mature, sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations, demonstrating cheerfulness, compassion, courtesy and concern for staff and patients.