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Summary The Pharmacy Technician is responsible for managing ALL Pharmacy Automated Dispensing Equipment including maintenance, programming, functioning, quality, troubleshooting and oversight of automated dispensing equipment technology including but not limited to Script-Talk, Q-Flow, Script Clip, Opti-Fill, Endicia and other automation as assigned. The Pharmacy Technician functions above the full performance level for Certified Pharmacy Technicians. Responsibilities Total-Rewards-of-an-Allied-Health-VA-Career-Brochure.pdf Filling 1. Demonstrate ability to accurately navigate and utilize basic pharmacy functions in VistA, CPRS, and automation packages. 2. Able to communicate medication errors, adverse events, allergies, non-formulary/restricted status, and any other medication order related problems for clarification to the pharmacist and/or supervisor. 3. Reads and interprets medication orders and VISTA/CPRS medication distribution reports, obtains proper medication or material in the proper strength and dosage form; determines proper amount and counts, pours, or measures the medications; affixes proper label; and records required data on Pharmacy record. Prepares patient specific products for final review by a pharmacist. Dispensing 1. Possess a working knowledge of VISTA, CPRS, and automation applications to accurately identify patients and dispense medications appropriately. 2. Adds medications and supplies to pharmacy inventory and ward stock areas by rotating stock and stocking items in appropriate locations within a reasonable time after receipt. Automation Support 1. Perform or schedule basic/routine daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly maintenance per all equipment labeling and operating manual instructions to ensure equipment is in a clean and operable state. 2. Set up, adjust, and maintain medications, accessories, and supplies for the automation. This includes making decisions to alter the mix of medications stocked in the automation machine based on current medication order patterns and perform the necessary settings to these devices based on the individual characteristics of dispensed medication. 3. Restock medications in the automated equipment. 4. Recalibrate automation cassettes/canisters as necessary. Controlled Substances 1.Possess a thorough knowledge of principles relating to controlled substances, and the requirements of medical center policy and federal and state regulations that apply to these drugs. 2. Monitor and maintain appropriate controlled substance stock par levels to balance patient care needs with inventory management best practices. 3. Accurately conduct prime vendor ordering of controlled substances. 4. Remove outdated/expired and unusable controlled substances from medication distribution and process for destruction with appropriate documentation. 5. Prepare DEA and VA Forms for the proper destruction of non-usable controlled substances. 6. Receive new and returned controlled substance stock into inventory and ensure the accuracy of electronic and hardcopy records as required by VHA, DEA, and STVHCS policy. 7. Maintain appropriate security and storage of controlled substances according to manufacturer recommendations. 8. Participate in 72-hour vault inventory and monthly unannounced inventories utilizing appropriate inventory and accountability software. Administrative 1. Actively participate in writing, updating, training, and implementation of facility policy and procedures pertaining to automation. 2. Run, review, and maintain automation reports and reviews this information with the pharmacy supervisor to assist in. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday; 8:00am - 4:45pm Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases When setting pay, a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade). 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) Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior [work experience] or military service experience. 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: Available; Ad-Hoc, as determined by the agency policy. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 53791F Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Requirements 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 probationary 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. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Qualifications 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. English Language Proficiency - You must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), and 7407(d) 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 (GS-7 and above): 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 Healthcareer Association (NHA), Certified Pharmacy Technician (ExCPT). Physical Requirements. See physical requirements listed below. Grade Determinations: In addition to meeting the basic requirements above, to qualify for the GS-8 you must possess at least 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-7) AND all demonstrate the KSAs below. GS-8 Experience: You must possess at least 1 year of experience at the GS-07 level must include examples of: Mentoring and training lower graded pharmacy technicians in the practice setting. Assisting advanced/ specialized pharmacy technicians and participating in performance improvement initiatives. Using independent judgement to perform the full range of duties in the pharmacy. Functioning as staff pharmacy technicians in various locations of the pharmacy, including pharmacy contact centers and other non-traditional pharmacy locations, with minimal oversight. GS-8 Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to the experience above, the candidate must possess and demonstrate ALL the following KSAs in their resume: Comprehensive knowledge of concepts, principles, methodology and policies in a specialized area or section of pharmacy (such as sterile compounding, controlled substances, automation, clinical pharmacy, contact center, etc.) Skill in training and orienting new and existing pharmacy facility employees and students on proper policies and procedures. Ability to evaluate, analyze and coordinate workflow and work activities within a specialized area or section of the pharmacy. Preferred Experience: Work independently with little to no supervision. Troubleshooting hardware/software issues, recalibration, minor repairs, and routine maintenance. Knowledge of policies, procedures, inventory management, brand names, generic names, and all pharmacy technician positions. 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-08. Education IMPORTANT: A 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: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/. Note: If your school has changed names, or is no longer in existence, you must provide this information in your application. Additional Information During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. 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. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement. Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.