The Inpatient/Outpatient Pharmacy Technicians at this grade must be certified by the National Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) or National Heath career Association (NHA) and work autonomously using independent judgement to perform a full range of duties in pharmacy and applies standards relating to all aspects of distribution and control of scheduled and non-scheduled drugs.
Major duties include, but are not limited to: Accurately interpret, fills, and prepares prescriptions with appropriate medications and or medical supplies for pharmacist verification. Maintains work areas in a clean and orderly condition by assuring that all stock and equipment are in assigned places and all shelves and counters are free of dust and debris in order to create optional work areas.
Assures drugs and supplies are appropriately stored and secured according to USP and VA guidelines, including the storage of high-risk, look a-like sound alike, hazardous, controlled substances, corrosive chemical, flammable liquids, and refrigerated items. Receives, checks, rotates, and places in stock all items received from pharmacy procurement section and identifies and reconciles any discrepancies to assure correct items have been received.
Utilizes automation dispensing equipment available to the pharmacy staff following all safety and QA procedures. Reports automation malfunctions timely the supervisor as appropriate. Records expiration dates in the automatic prescription dispensing system upon receipt. Perform monthly inspections to assigned areas to ensure proper storage of medications and soon to expired drugs are removed. Completes inspection reports in compliance with regulatory requirements.
Compounds and/or reconstitutes oral or external medications (non-sterile). This includes calculating and converting to proper weights and measures the amount of drug or solution to be used for final pharmacist verification. a. Manufactures products requiring compounding, whether made in large batches for more than one patient or in small batches to fill a single prescription or drug order. b.
Correctly interprets physician orders, selects, and measures appropriate ingredients, mixes ingredients in a safe and effective manner, inspects the final product for accuracy, labels the product, maintains records of the manufacturing process, and attains a final check by a pharmacist. c. Uses standard protocols to determine an accurate expiration date for each batch prepared. d.
Proficiently operates equipment including but not limited to balances and mixing machines in the routing of manufacturing pharmaceutical products. Answers questions from pharmacy and non-pharmacy personnel regarding drug distribution. Identifies basic therapeutic problems, such as duplicate therapy with drugs in the same class and alerts the pharmacist to the possible need for clinical intervention.
Assists in training and orientation of new staff technicians, interns, and students. Assumes an active role in the overall pharmacy-training program consisting of students, externs, interns, residents, and professional and non-professional staff members. Demonstrates the ability to work under a variety of circumstances to maximize group productivity and quality. Performs duties of all lower grade technicians as needed.
Participate in performance improvement initiatives for pharmacy. Assists in quality improvement activities by participating in assessment and action teams that will improve service as assigned. Assists higher level technicians as needed. Completes all National, VISN, local, and Pharmacy mandatory trainings in a timely manner. Complies with all VHA, Medical Center, and Pharmacy regulations, directives, policies, and procedures.
May be assigned to work in any area of the pharmacy service as deemed necessary by the Chief, Pharmacy Service or Supervisor. Work Schedule: Dayshift; tour/schedule will be discussed and determined by supervisor based on needs of the Service, Facility, and/or Agency. Telework: Not available. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 688-24092-F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized.
alicia.ferrante@va.gov · (410) 605-7000
This position is with Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs.
The posted pay range is $66814 – $86860/yr.
Applications close on 2026-10-15.
This position is open under the 'Fed Internal Search' hiring path.
Source: USAJOBS.gov — U.S. Federal Government
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