Pharmacy Technician - Outpatient

Department of Veterans Affairs

Outpatient Pharmacy Technician The outpatient pharmacy distributes acute and chronic medications and supplies or other direct patient care services unique to the VA health care model. Must possess knowledge of the laws, regulations and official policy concerning drug distribution, procurement, and security measures to conform to legal and professional requirements of pharmacy practice.

• Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Duties include, but are not limited to: Medication Distribution System 1) Reads and interprets prescriptions from the Veteran electronic health record (EHR) or in written format. 2) Reviews prescription orders for technical accuracy. 3) Prepares medications and ensures the orderable item matches the item being dispensed with regard to drug, strength, quantity, or appropriate supply item. 4) Dispenses medications following all regulations, policies, and procedures for safe medication distribution. 5) Uses automation (ie. ScriptPro) to fill, label and batch medications. 6) Executes contingency plans to maintain operations during outages. 7) Maintains highly sophisticated pharmacy equipment. This includes cleaning procedures and maintenance of ScriptPro, ScriptCenter and other counting machines. Troubleshoots equipment and databases when needed. 8) Assists with automated or manual inventory processes that include but are not limited to inventory counts, medication ordering, stocking, check and appropriately manage expired and nearly expiring medications, pulling recalled medications, or any other activity related to the supply of medications. 9) Accurately fills prescription items for wards using Automatic Replenishment reports. 10) Subject matter expert of ScriptCenter. Troubleshooting and addressing technical issues where needed. 11) Verifies linking of the ScriptCenter batched medications are done appropriately and accurately. 12) Verifies that the patients have picked up their medications in a timely manner. 13) Contacts patients if their packages have been in the ScriptCenter for more than 3 days and coordinates other arrangements for dispensing (i.e., sending back to main site for mail out options or returning to stock). 14) Accurately interprets EHR patient medication profiles. Can confirm prescription information in the pharmacy computer packages. Able to execute refills or other technician duties within the pharmacy software. 15) Accurately updates patient information in the many pharmacy software packages. 16) Accurately enters notes into the EHR using pharmacy templates or blank forms. 17) Communicates with procurement staff to effectively facilitate acquisition of medications. 18) Assists pharmacy management team in data tracking and reporting as assigned. 19) Prioritizes workload to complete assignments on time. 20) Maintains a safe orderly and clean working environment. 21) Ensures all look alike, sound alike, high alert and refrigerated medications are stored properly according to manufacturer's recommendations and National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) requirement. 22) Maintains adaptability and flexibility for various emerging roles and responsibilities in the medication distribution system including new equipment, assignments, and changes in pharmacy workflow. 23) Accurately mails medications in accordance with pharmacy procedures. 24) Assists with other medication distribution activities as directed by pharmacist, supervisor or as delineated as part of the shift responsibility. Pharmacy Phone System 1) Able to use the current facility phone system. 2) Maintains appropriate phone etiquette and professionalism. 3) Accurately collects and clarifies patient information. 4) Capable of triaging patient information to identify basic therapeutic, distributive, or medication related problems. 5) Understands when to alert pharmacists for problems. 6) Communicates information accurately in the EHR or other formats. 7) Completes calls and as needed follow up in a timely manner. Medication Management System 1) Assists the pharmacist with problem solving patient care or medication issues. 2) Assists in quality improvement projects as an individual or on assigned teams to improve pharmacy service. Work Schedule: Full-time; Monday-Friday, 8:00am-4:30pm 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 available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000

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