Pharmacy Technician - Outpatient Rotational

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Minneapolis (MN); On-site; USD 42,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs seeks a Pharmacy Technician for outpatient rotations in Minneapolis. The role involves dispensing medications, operating automation, and recording patient chart notes under pharmacist supervision.

The position requires KSAs in pharmacy principles, computerized prescription processing, and team communication. Certification via PTCB or ExCPT is required; U.S. citizenship is mandated. Experience per GS-07 standards applies.

Qualifications

• No formal education or experience required for some levels.
• Certification required: PTCB or NHA ExCPT (CPhT).
• Proficiency in English for appointment and duties.
• U.S. citizenship required; per VA policy may allow non-citizens when qualified citizens are unavailable.

Responsibilities

• Dispense and distribute medications, supplies, and related products.
• Operate pharmacy technologies and automation systems.
• Enter patient chart notes and perform related technical duties under pharmacist supervision.

Skills

Pharmacy knowledge

Clinical terminology

Communication

Regulatory compliance

Job description

The Outpatient Rotational Pharmacy Technician is a highly trained technician responsible for a variety of functions in the outpatient pharmacy. These include dispensing/distribution of medications/supplies/related products, operation of various technologies/automation, entering patient chart notes, and other technical functions under the supervision of a pharmacist.

All requirements must be met at the time of the announcement closing.

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). OR National Healthcareer Association (NHA), Certified Pharmacy Technician (ExCPT).

Grandfathering Provision

Pharmacy technicians employed in VHA on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the title, series and grade held, including positive education and licensure/certification/registration that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation. For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements in this standard but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it, the following provisions apply: Employees may be reassigned, promoted up to and including the full performance (journey) level or changed to lower grade within the occupation but may not be promoted beyond the journeyman level or placed in supervisory or managerial positions. Employees in an occupation that requires a licensure/certification/ registration only at higher grade levels must meet the licensure/ certification/registration requirement before they can be promoted to those higher grade levels. Employees who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed on a temporary or permanent basis until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard. Employees who are converted to title 38 hybrid status under this provision and subsequently leave the occupation lose protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of re-entry to the occupation. Employees initially grandfathered into this occupation who subsequently obtain additional education and/or licensure/certification/registration that meet all the basic requirements of this qualification standard must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment in the occupation.

Foreign Education

To be creditable, education completed outside the U.S. must be deemed at least equivalent to that gained in a conventional U.S. program by a private organization specializing in the interpretation of foreign educational credentials.

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). 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:Pharmacy Technician, GS-07

Experience. Candidates must possess one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-06) and demonstrate the KSAs below. 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 the following KSAs for ALL GS-07 assignments and meet any additional KSAs for the assignment, if indicated: 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 regulati