Pharmacy Technician (Outpatient)

The Outpatient Pharmacy Technician works in the outpatient section of Pharmacy Service, processing, and filling outpatient prescriptions (medications, medical supplies, ostomy products, etc) at the Syracuse VA Medical Center. The Outpatient Pharmacy Technician works under the supervision of the Outpatient Pharmacy Supervisor or designee. Outpatient Pharmacists will provide direction to support personnel related to daily functions.

Allied VA Health Professional Total Rewards Package: Total-Rewards-of-an-Allied-Health-VA-Career-Brochure.pdf Pharmacy Technician Rewards Package: vacareers.va.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/Total-Rewards-of-a-Pharmacy-Technician-Career-Flyer.pdf About the position: The pharmacy technician independently performs duties and responsibilities by filling orders, dispensing/delivering medications using automated systems or provide technical customer service to Veterans related to prescription needs. Duties include but are not limited to: Delivery of medications to floors/ patients, filling medications for the pharmacist to review, checking for expired medications, answering phones with appropriate disposition, preparing sterile products (when applicable) and assisting with basic inventory management such as putting up stock and identifying when medications need to be ordered. Reads and interprets prescriptions, 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 in a clinic, ambulatory care, dispensing window, or discharge situations. Inventories replenished emergency carts without a second view. Collects drug use evaluation data for quality improvements purposes.

Operates and maintains complicated pharmacy equipment. Compounds and/or reconstitutes oral or external medications (non-sterile) without a second review. This includes calculating and converting to proper weights and measures the amount of drug or solution to be used.

As deemed necessary by the pharmacy supervisor, assists in other patient care areas to maintain the consistency of overall pharmacy services. Provides pharmacy phone support with other departments and patients. Will maintain the medication storage areas for compliance in drug outdates for the correct storage of medication asper the Joint Commission requirements.

Maintains, verifies, stocks, and replaces outdates in patient care area automated dispensing machines. Assists with inventory management, maintaining stock levels and ordering of medications. Properly handles medications by ensuring high alert, hazardous, refrigerated and controlled substance medications are handled/stored appropriately and legally.

Prepares medications that requires special handling and documentation. Assists in training for lower graded technicians and technician students. Performs all duties of lower graded technicians, if required.

Work Schedule: One night shift per week from 10:00AM - 6:30PM. All other shifts 8:00AM - 4:30PM Recruitment/Relocation Incentives (Sign-on Bonus): Not authorized. Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases.

When setting pay, a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade). 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). Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior [work experience] or military service experience. 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 #: 11655-F Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized.