The Pharmacy Technician (Outpatient) provides support to all pharmacy operations in a variety of settings. This includes patient care activities in the main outpatient dispensing pharmacy, inpatient ,outpatient ,and fluid room, or other area as assigned by the supervisor.
FUNCTIONS OR SCOPES OF PRACTICE: Fills controlled substance medications in accordance with description provided in the medication distribution section. Accurately maintains a rolling inventory in automation and performs a complete inventory every 72 hours per VA guidelines. Able to run reports such as "Monthly CII Script Processing Detail Reports" or other reports as needed. Assists the Controlled Substance Compliance Inspectors to complete the monthly inspections.
Effectively coordinates, manages, completes, and documents the purchasing of all prescription and non-prescription drug products and supplies by maintaining a comprehensive knowledge of the procurement and formulary process. Maintains accurate electronic inventory through decrementing prescriptions, entering received inventory, transferring to automated dispensing cabinets, dispensing on green sheets, and transferring to other dispensing vaults.
Works with pharmacy procurement personnel by providing information regarding medications and supplies needed from the warehouse or wholesaler based on items used. Maintains file of hard copy of hand-written CII-V prescriptions. Accurately stocks Automatic Dispensing Machines (ADM) with new inventory.
Assists with automated or manual inventory processes that include but are not limited to inventory counts, medication ordering, stocking, checking for outdates, pulling outdates, pulling recalled medications, inspections or any other activity related to the supply of VA medications. Maintains adaptability and flexibility for various emerging roles and responsibilities in the medication distribution system including new equipment, assignments, and changes in pharmacy workflow.
Medication Management: Reads and interprets prescriptions accurately, 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 electronically or via the Pharmacy's copy of prescription/order. After a final check by a pharmacist, dispenses medication correctly per protocols.
Ensure deliveries of medications are made prior to the specified times outlined by the supervisor or pharmacist. If unable to complete by specified time, communicates to appropriate peer, pharmacist, or supervisor prior to the deadline. Compounds and/or reconstitutes oral or external medications (non-sterile) without a second review and in accordance with facility policy.
This includes calculating and converting to proper weights and measures the amount of drug or solution to be used. Routinely delivers to all medication areas within the Hines Campus and Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOC)s. Properly handles medications by ensuring high alert, hazardous, refrigerated, and controlled substance medications are handled/stored appropriately and legally.
Performs all duties of lower graded technicians, or controlled substance technician if required. Procurement Stock and Maintenance: Utilize appropriate inventory measures such as just-in-time, usage rates, stock levels, contract adherence, return of expired medications, and inventory turns to limit medication waste and comply with all applicable policies. Routinely monitor and report any possible drug discrepancies or diversion to appropriate supervisor or pharmacist.
Check for outdated/expired medications prior to dispensing or compounding and as outlined by pharmacy service. If outdated/expired medications are found, promptly removes from services, and wastes accordingly. Responsible for appropriately restocking various assigned stations satisfactorily prior to shift end. Education: Interfaces with other health-care providers and administrators to ensure compliance with established pharmacy and medical center policies and procedures.
Routinely identify areas of improvement and participates in change management and implementation. Infection Control: Demonstrates infection control practices for disease preventions (i.e., hand washing, universal precautions/ isolation procedures, including TB requirement/ precautions).
Understands and complies with federal, state, and local environmental laws and other requirements, preventing pollution, minimizing waste, conserving cultural and natural resources, and continually improving environmental programs. Administration/Technical Support: Perform clerical or other functions as requested. Plan and complete tasks based upon established protocols, standard operating procedures, individual instructions, and/or accepted pharmacy practices.
VA Careers - Pharmacy: https://youtube.com/embed/Fn_ickNBEws Work Schedule: Full Time Mon-Fri 08:00am-4:30pm, 09:30am-6:00pm. (Rotating weekends and holidays) Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
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/.
Jeremy.Burton1@va.gov · 708-202-8387 X21341
This position is with Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs.
The posted pay range is $61592 – $80007/yr.
Applications close on 2026-11-09.
This position is open under the 'Fed Internal Search' hiring path.
Source: USAJOBS.gov — U.S. Federal Government · Retrieved 2026-10-31 · Not affiliated with or endorsed by OPM or USAJOBS.gov
Apply on official site →