VA Careers - Pharmacy: https://youtube.com/embed/Fn_ickNBEws

Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional

Duties:

Prescription Dispensing

• Accurately fills prescription medication, which may include controlled substances, and supplies into quantities and containers convenient for dispensing to outpatients whether for mailing or window pick-up.
• Fills prescriptions by obtaining the correct stock container or pre-pack, counting the correct amount of medication or medical supplies, placing them in the correct dispensing container, and affixing the prescription labels including auxiliary stickers identified on the printed prescription label.
• Ensures that completed prescriptions, computer turn around documents, and used bulk stock bottles are set aside for final required check by the pharmacist before the prescriptions can be released to the patient.
• Maintain security of controlled substances by controlling access to storage areas, and by ensuring that controlled substances are always kept in the locked, supervised area, specifically designated for controlled substance storage.
• Mailed prescriptions are wrapped and logged, ready for mailing after the final check is completed by a pharmacist.
• Follows required procedures in maintaining replenishment of the pharmacy automation system.

Telephone Triage/Call Center Referrals

• Answers telephone calls in a courteous and helpful manner and appropriately triages customer questions and/or medication problems including calls concerning service-connected medication and co-pay bills.
• Refers highly technical calls or those that he/she determines need professional assistance to the appropriate staff member.
• Retrieves prescription information from the computer to answer routine calls/inquiries from patients, patient representatives and Medical Center Staff.
• Tracks prescriptions through the filling and mailing process in order to answer Veteran inquiries on whether the prescription is a local or Consolidated Mail Outpatient Pharmacy (CMOP) fill.

Outpatient Pharmacy Window Dispensing

• Rotates coverage for Window Dispensing.
• Consistently and thoroughly checks for and verify two forms of patient identification prior to handing out completed prescription.
• Ensures that all ordered medication is given to the patient (Controlled Substances, refrigerated items, bulk items, etc.).
• Assures all prescriptions are signed for using digital signing technology for proof of patient pick up.
• Answers routine customer questions and uses judgment and pharmacy program knowledge when referring problems to a pharmacist.
• Apply aseptic techniques to maintain work areas in clean and orderly condition.
• Accesses information on the computer as a reference while assisting patients or ordering refills.
• Ensures all stock and equipment are in assigned places, shelves and counters are free of dust and debris, and that prescriptions are handled appropriately to create optimal, safe work areas and a sterile work environment when needed.
• Ensures productivity is maintained at the established level for the program for which he/she is responsible.

Other Duties

• Technicians conduct periodic ward inspection of clinical care areas and/or nursing medication rooms.
• Maintain, verify, stock, and replace outdates in patient care area automated dispensing machines and assist with inventory management, maintaining stock levels, and ordering of medications or supplies.
• May be assigned to work in other areas of Pharmacy Service (inpatient, outpatient, clinical, etc) as deemed necessary by the Chief, Pharmacy Service, or Supervisor.
• Pharmacy Technicians will perform all other related duties as assigned by pharmacy supervisor or designee.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 0800- 1630 with rotating evenings, weekends, and holidays
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 Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #:11655-F

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.
• You may be required to serve a trial period.
• 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.
• Must pass pre-employment physical examination.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).

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.

Education or Experience. (1) None required. (2) 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: 4 (1) Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB), Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT). OR (2) National Healthcareer 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). 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: (1) 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. (2) 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. (3) 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. (4) 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. (5) 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.

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).

Grade Determinations GS-7:

1. In addition to meeting the basic requirements, to qualify for the GS-07 you must possess at least 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-06).

2. Certification: For positions above the full performance level, the employee must pass a national certification exam and hold an active national certification through either:

a. Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB), Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT).

b. National Health career Association (NHA), Certified Pharmacy Technician (ExCPT).

3. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following technical KSAs:

a. Knowledge of pharmacy technician principles, practices, concepts and theories providing for sound independent work.

b. Knowledge of the computerized prescription process and input of prescriptions and medication orders or electronic equivalent.

c. Ability to resolve pharmacy/medication issues with other members of the healthcare team, Veterans and external customers.

d. Ability to train developmental pharmacy technicians and students.

e. Ability to dispense medication or sterile products following all regulations, policies and procedures to ensure safe medication distribution.

f. Ability to troubleshoot automated dispensing equipment (ADE) or technology platforms/databases.

Preferred Experience: Outpatient pharmacy experience

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

Physical Requirements: See VA Handbook 5019.

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, resume, 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.

The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

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.

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

• Resume

The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position. Please 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)
• License
• Other (1)
• PCS Orders
• Professional Certification
• Resume
• SF-15
• SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
• Transcript

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