Pharmacy Technician- Outpatient

This Pharmacy Technician- Outpatient position is with Veterans Health Administration (Department of Veterans Affairs) in Phoenix, AZ. This position is for a certified pharmacy technician above the full performance level at the Phoenix VA Healthcare System. Pharmacy technicians at this grade level are nationally certified by PTCB or ExCPT and can work autonomously, using independent judgement to perform a full range of duties. Pharmacy technicians above the full performance level can mentor and train lower grade technicians in the practice setting. Key duties: • 30 Day Hiring Model The Department of Veterans Affairs is implementing a streamlined 30-Day Hiring Model designed to accelerate hiring while maintaining the highest standards of merit-based selection. This improved process reduces traditional hiring timelines by integrating early coordination, faster assessments, and efficient pre-employment actions. Applicants can expect a more transparent, predictable, and efficient hiring journey from announcement to entry on duty. What Applicants Can Expect Expedited Candidate Review Once the announcement closes, Human Resources will quickly review applications, issue certificates of eligible candidates the day after the announcement closes and refer applicants for hiring manager consideration. Quick Interviews & References HR may arrange interviews and will request references within 3-5 days after being referred to the hiring manager. Streamlined Pre-Employment Requirements: Following a tentative offer, applicants should be prepared to complete required steps, such as fingerprinting and background check, credentialing, and medical examination within 3 days of the offer. Clear and Timely Communication: Applicants will receive clear communication at key milestones, including referral, tentative offer, and onboarding instructions. After meeting pre-employment requirements, candidates will receive a final job offer and start date. Onboarding tasks may continue after starting, with HR ensuring timely completion for a smooth transition into VA service. If selected, applicants should be prepared to come onboard within 30 days of the announcement closing. 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 optimal work areas. 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. Stock rotation includes placing items expiring first in front to be used first. Utilizes automation dispensing equipment available to the pharmacy staff following all safety and QA procedures. Reports and triages automation malfunctions in a timely manner with the vendor and notifies the area manager as appropriate. Enters expiration dates in the automatic prescription dispensing system upon receipt when appropriate. 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. Reconstitutes oral or external medications (non-sterile). This includes measuring the right amount of solution to be used for final pharmacist verification. 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. Accurately fills prescription items for wards and other medication use areas using Automatic Replenishment reports or generated restock report from automation dispensing systems. Complies with all laws, regulations, directives, policies, and procedures applying to the dispensing, storage, transfer, inventory, and accountability of controlled substances. Ensures that proper handoff occurs when receiving or delivering controlled substances, assuring that at all times these medications are never left unsecured. Assists inspectors with the inventory and accountability inspections within the pharmacy and pharmacy managed areas. Documents all controlled substance related transactions as indicated by VA and DEA guidelines. Assists higher level technicians as needed. 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. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 11:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized Telework: No Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 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: Pharmacy Technician candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f). 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: 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). OR 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). Grade Determinations: GS-07 Experience: Candidates must possess one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-06). AND Certification: Must pass a national certification exam and hold an active national certification through either: PTCB as a CPhT. OR NHA as a ExCPT. AND Applicant must meet the knowledge, skills, and abilities listed below: 1. Knowledge of pharmacy technician principles, practices, concepts and theories providing for sound independent work. 2. Knowledge of the computerized prescription process and input of prescriptions and medication orders or electronic equivalent. 3. Ability to resolve pharmacy/medication issues with other members of the healthcare team, Veterans and external customers. 4. Ability to train developmental pharmacy technicians and students. 5. Ability to dispense medication or sterile products following all regulations, policies and procedures to ensure safe medication distribution. 6. Ability to troubleshoot automated dispensing equipment (ADE) or technology platforms/databases. 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-07. Physical Requirements: The work requires regular and recurring physical exertion, involving standing or sitting for prolonged periods of time, typing, walking distances within the medical center, lifting/carrying (45 pounds and greater) of pharmaceutical supplies, and pushing/bending/stooping/stretching. View the full announcement and apply on USAJOBS.gov.