Pharmacy Technician (Outpatient)

DutiesSummary

This is an Outpatient Pharmacy Technician position that supports all areas of Pharmacy Service. Responsibilities include receiving, filling, and distributing medication orders; daily operation and maintenance of automated equipment; participation in inventory control; and collection of data for reports or statistical purposes. A lead technician and/or Pharmacy Supervisor is available for guidance. Technicians at the GS 6 level must have and maintain a Pharmacy Technician Board Certification.


Responsibilities

Some of the duties and responsibilities of the outpatient pharmacy technician include:

• Read and interpret prescriptions and obtain proper medication or material in the proper strength and dosage form.
• Determine proper amounts and count, pour, or measure medications.
• Affix proper labels.
• Record required data on the Pharmacy's copy of prescription/order.
• Prepare prescriptions per established procedures and protocols and dispense medication after a final check by a pharmacist.
• Provide phone coverage for the Pharmacy ensuring timely and accurate information is given to the Veteran.
• Provide patient education on pharmacy topics such as the process to request refills and drug information sheets and relay clinical patient questions to the pharmacist.
• Operate and maintain pharmacy equipment as assigned.
• Answer questions from pharmacy and non-pharmacy personnel regarding drug distribution.
• Identify basic therapeutic problems such as duplicate therapy with drugs in the same class and alert the pharmacist to the possible need for clinical intervention.
• Conduct periodic inventory inspection of assigned pharmacy and non-pharmacy medication areas with completed reports.
• Maintain perpetual inventory of controlled substances and work in the pharmacy vault as assigned.
• Complete any repackaging of medication following pharmacy policies, including unit-of-use medications.
• Process mail-out prescriptions.
• Monitor and document refrigerator temperature within the pharmacy and ensure clinic areas follow policy as it relates to their refrigerator logs.
• Inventory and replenish assigned patient care areas.
• Stock Omnicells according to par levels set by the Chief of Pharmacy or designee.
Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00 am - 4:30 pm.
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required
Travel Required

Not required

Supervisory status

No

Promotion Potential

None

• Job family (Series)

  0661 Pharmacy Technician

  Similar jobs
  • Pharmacist Technicians
  • Pharmacy Technicians
  • Technicians, Pharmacist
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• Requirements

  RequirementsConditions of Employment
  • You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job
  • Designated and/or random drug testing may be required
  • Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
  • You may be required to serve a probationary period
  • Subject to a background/security investigation
  • Must be proficient in written and spoken English
  • Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process
  QualificationsBasic Requirements:
  1. Citizenship. Citizen of the United States. (Noncitizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3g, this part.)
  
  2. Education or Experience. A high school diploma or equivalent; or at least 3 months experience.
  
  3. Certification. Certification by the National Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) is required at grades GS-6 and above.
  
  Grade Determinations: GS-6.
  1. Experience. One year experience at the next lower level, and must fully meet the KSAs at the next lower level. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following technical KSAs:
  
  2. Certification. PTCB certification is required at this grade level and above.
  
  3. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
  (a) Ability to solve problems and make recommendations, e.g., troubleshoot operational problems and refer for appropriate action.
  (b) Knowledge of the operation and care of automated equipment.
  (c) Knowledge of, and ability to follow, written instructions for compounding with aseptic technique for hazardous materials such as oncology agents.
  (d) Knowledge, and ability to perform, compounding with aseptic technique for routine sterile products.
  (e) Knowledge of policies and procedures for inventory management in specialized areas such as emergency carts.
  (f) Knowledge of the computerized prescription process demonstrated by the ability to input prescriptions and medication orders.
  
  Reference: VA Handbook 5005/15, Part II, Appendix G28
  
  The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-6.
  
  Physical Requirements:
  Walking, bending, stooping, sitting and standing for long periods of time are required. Lifting, moving, stacking or otherwise manipulating packages weighing up to 45 pounds may be required. Electronic data entry and reading and working with figures for prolonged periods may also be required.
  
  Work Environment:
  Work is performed in the environment of a large hospital outpatient pharmacy. Special precautions and safety measures are required in the handling of chemotherapeutic agents and RCRA hazardous (P, U, and D) meds. Education

  IMPORTANT: An Official transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.
  
  Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.

  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. VA may offer newly-appointed Federal employee's credit for their job-related non-federal experience or active duty uniformed military service. 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.
  
  This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.
  
  It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.
  
  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.
  
  Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.
  
  If you are unable to apply online view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application.

  
  How You Will Be Evaluated

  You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

  IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, résumé, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.
  
  Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
  

  Background checks and security clearanceSecurity clearance

  Other

  Drug test required

  Yes

  Position sensitivity and risk

  Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk

  Trust determination process

  Suitability/Fitness, Credentialing

• Required Documents

  Required Documents

  To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:
  

  • VA Application 10-2850
  • Resume
  • Transcript
  
  
  VA Form 10-2850c Application for Associated Health Occupations can be found at: http://www.va.gov/vaforms/search_action.asp?FormNo=2850&tkey=&Action=Search.
  
  The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position. Please use this checklist to ensure you have included all documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), SF-50's (current/former Federal employees), etc.
  
  
  • Cover Letter
  • DD-214/ Statement of Service
  • Disability Letter (Schedule A)
  • Disability Letter (VA)
  • OF-306
  • VA Application 10-2850
  • Other (2)
  • Other (3)
  • PCS Orders
  • Performance Appraisal
  • Professional Certification
  • Resume
  • Separation Notice (RIF)
  • SF-15
  • SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
  • Transcript
  
  
  Veterans' Preference: When applying for Federal Jobs, eligible Veterans should claim preference for 5pt (TP), 10pt (CP/CPS/XP), or for Sole Survivor Preference (SSP) in the questionnaire. You must provide a legible copy of your DD214(s) which shows dates and character of service (honorable, general, etc.). If you are currently serving on active duty and expect to be released or discharged within 120 days you must submit documentation related to your active duty service which reflects the dates of service, character of service (honorable, general, etc.), and dates of impending separation. Additionally, disabled veterans and others eligible for 10-point preference (such as widows or mothers of eligible Veterans) must also submit an SF-15 "Application for 10 Point Veteran Preference" with required proof as stated on the form. Documentation is required to award preference. For more information on Veterans' Preference, please visit http://www.fedshirevets.gov/job/vetpref/index.aspx.
  If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

  Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

  Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.

• Benefits

  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. Learn 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.

• Federal employees - Competitive service

  Current or former competitive service federal employees.

• Federal employees - Excepted service

  Current excepted service federal employees.

• The public

  U.S. citizens, nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.

• Veterans

THIS IS A TEMPORARY APPOINTMENT NOT TO EXCEED 09/30/2021. Areas of Consideration are as follows: 1. Current Permanent Federal Employees 2. Veterans 3. US Citizens