Pharmacy Technician - Outpatient

Department of Veterans Affairs

Primary assignments will be in the Outpatient Pharmacy, while also providing support in other areas as needed, including Inpatient Pharmacy and with controlled substance activities. Pharmacy Techs 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: General Accurately interprets, fills and prepares prescriptions with appropriate medications and/or medical supplies for Pharmacist verification. Maintains work area 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. Assures drugs and supplies are appropriately stored and secured according to USP and VA guidelines, including the storage of high-risk, look-alike/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 automated dispensing equipment available to the Pharmacy staff following all safety and QA procedures. Reports automation malfunctions timely to the supervisor, as appropriate. Records expiration dates in the automated prescription dispensing system upon receipt. Performs monthly inspections of assigned areas to ensure proper storage of medications and soon-to-be expired drugs are removed. Completes inspection reports in compliance with regulatory compliance. 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. Participates in performance improvement initiatives in Pharmacy. Assists in quality improvement activities by participating in assessment and action teams as assigned. Assists higher level Technicians as needed. May be assigned to work in other areas of Pharmacy service as deemed necessary by the Chief of Pharmacy Services or supervisor. Outpatient Pharmacy Activities Assembles prescriptions properly with the correct drug, strength, quantity, auxiliary labels, prescription labels, and correct batching labels for window dispensing, mail delivery, or internal delivery to inpatient wards and other clinics within the Medical Center. Assures that the correct medication is filled by using bar code scanning on stock bottles. Supports automation by manually completing prescriptions not processed through the automated dispensing machine. Works with the automated prescription dispensing machine by performing daily and routine maintenance, operating the machine to fill prescriptions, troubleshooting issues as needed, and ensuring efficient operation. Assures the timely completion of all prescriptions. Verifies patient's identification following the Medical Center policies during order dispensing. Verifies that the patient receives the correct prescriptions using software. Verifies that the patient has received all prescriptions, to include refrigerated, controlled substances, bulk medications, etc. Utilizes and comprehends the facility's mail shipping programs for the delivery of prescriptions, including controlled and non-controlled medications, as well as supplies. Determines whether patients have opted in for automated text alerts regarding the mailing of their prescriptions, and calls patients to arrange delivery of refrigerated prescriptions and verify patient addresses when needed. Manages and triages telephone calls received by Pharmacy. Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Work Schedule: Primarily Monday-Friday with rotating shifts of 7:30am-4:00pm 8:00am-4:30pm and 9:30am-6:00pm; 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

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