The primary assignments for this position will be in either the Inpatient or Outpatient Pharmacy, with the incumbent also providing support in other pharmacy areas as needed.
Pharmacy Technicians at this level are expected to accomplish all duties related to stocking, delivery, inventory, inspections, assembling ward orders, prescription assembly, controlled substances distribution, unit-dose drug packaging, dispensing, distribution, and any other function related to pharmaceutical practice.
Major duties include, but are not limited to the following: Inpatient Pharmacy Activities Accurately interprets, fills, and prepares prescription stock utilizing automated replenishment reports. For unit-dose medications, conducts the final review of medications prepared by other technicians prior to dispensing to inpatient areas , and independently fills unit-dose carts without secondary review as appropriate.
Maintains, verifies, stocks, and replaces outdated medications in patient care areas and automated dispensing machines. Monitors medication inventory needs in patient care areas and communicates requirements to appropriate pharmacy personnel. . Inventories and replenishes emergency medication carts as required. Operates and maintains complex pharmacy equipment, including unit dose prepackaging machines, automated dispensing machines, and other pharmacy technologies.
Inspects packaged items for accuracy and suitability prior to submitting them for final pharmacist check before distribution to Medical Center areas. Ensures repackaged dosage forms are labeled according to USP and VA standards, with final review and approval by a pharmacist. Maintains comprehensive repackaging records to ensure compliance with all regulatory and review standards.
Troubleshoots minor mechanical issues for automated systems and coordinates resolution of more significant problems with the supervisor, vendor help desk, ADPAC, or other appropriate channels. Ensures all inspected areas comply with established standards for appropriate drug storage and security. Demonstrates thorough understanding of requirements for USP 795, USP 797, USP 800, hazardous materials disposal, safe medication distribution, and electronic prescription processing.
Controlled Substances Maintains accurate electronic inventory through decrementing prescriptions, entering received inventory and transferring to automated dispensing cabinets. Appropriately restocks controlled substance items in automated medication dispensing systems (AMDS) in Pharmacy and throughout the Medical Center. Follows policies and procedures for handling the destruction and return of controlled medications.
Monitors and analyzes orders and usage/distribution patterns for questionable circumstances or unusual trends and communicates potential problems to supervisor. Maintains file of hard copy CII-V prescriptions. Resolves inventory discrepancies immediately when discovered by reviewing reports and contacting appropriate people when needed. Reports discrepancies to supervisor, when appropriate.
Ensures all controlled substance procedures abide by all local, state and national requirements. Outpatient Pharmacy Activities Assembles and fills prescriptions accurately, ensuring the correct drug, strength, quantity, auxiliary labels, and prescription labels. Dispenses medications directly to patients at the outpatient pharmacy window, verifying patient identification and providing medication counseling as needed.
Ensures the correct medication is dispensed by utilizing bar code scanning on stock bottles. Supports pharmacy automation by manually processing prescriptions not handled by automated dispensing machines. Operates automated dispensing machines to fill prescriptions, performing daily and routine maintenance, troubleshooting issues, and ensuring efficient and accurate operation.
Ensures timely completion and dispensing of all prescriptions to the appropriate location, including window, mail, and internal delivery. Verifies patient identification in accordance with policies. Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Work Schedule: Primarily Monday-Friday with rotating shifts of 7:30am-4:00pm and 8:00am-4:30pm; includes weekend and holiday rotations with an 8:30am-5:00pm shift.
Recruitment/Relocation Incentives (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized 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 eligible Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
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/.
kira.fischer@va.gov · 3193380581 X636737
This position is with Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs.
The posted pay range is $62478 – $81223/yr.
Applications close on 2026-09-09.
This position is open under the 'Fed Internal Search' hiring path.
Source: USAJOBS.gov — U.S. Federal Government
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