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The Pharmacy Technician is responsible for managing ALL Pharmacy Automated Dispensing Equipment including maintenance, programming, functioning, quality, troubleshooting and oversight of automated dispensing equipment technology including but not limited to Script-Talk, Q-Flow, Script Clip, Opti-Fill, Endicia and other automation as assigned. The Pharmacy Technician functions above the full performance level for Certified Pharmacy Technicians.
04/30/2025 to 05/08/2025
$55,328 - $71,932 per year
GS 8
1 vacancy in the following location:
No
Yes—Ad-Hoc, as determined by the agency policy.
Not required
No
Permanent
Full-time
Excepted
None
No
Yes
CAZM-12731330-25-AM
836193900
This is announcement is open to current permanent facility employees of the El Paso VA Healthcare System.
Total-Rewards-of-an-Allied-Health-VA-Career-Brochure.pdf
Filling
1. Demonstrate ability to accurately navigate and utilize basic pharmacy functions in VistA, CPRS, and automation packages.
2. Able to communicate medication errors, adverse events, allergies, non-formulary/restricted status, and any other medication order related problems for clarification to the pharmacist and/or supervisor.
3. Reads and interprets medication orders and VISTA/CPRS medication distribution reports, 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 Pharmacy record. Prepares patient specific products for final review by a pharmacist.
Dispensing
1. Possess a working knowledge of VISTA, CPRS, and automation applications to accurately identify patients and dispense medications appropriately. 2. Adds medications and supplies to pharmacy inventory and ward stock areas by rotating stock and stocking items in appropriate locations within a reasonable time after receipt.
Automation Support
1. Perform or schedule basic/routine daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly maintenance per all equipment labeling and operating manual instructions to ensure equipment is in a clean and operable state.
2. Set up, adjust, and maintain medications, accessories, and supplies for the automation. This includes making decisions to alter the mix of medications stocked in the automation machine based on current medication order patterns and perform the necessary settings to these devices based on the individual characteristics of dispensed medication.
3. Restock medications in the automated equipment.
4. Recalibrate automation cassettes/canisters as necessary.
Controlled Substances
1.Possess a thorough knowledge of principles relating to controlled substances, and the requirements of medical center policy and federal and state regulations that apply to these drugs.
2. Monitor and maintain appropriate controlled substance stock par levels to balance patient care needs with inventory management best practices.
3. Accurately conduct prime vendor ordering of controlled substances.
4. Remove outdated/expired and unusable controlled substances from medication distribution and process for destruction with appropriate documentation.
5. Prepare DEA and VA Forms for the proper destruction of non-usable controlled substances.
6. Receive new and returned controlled substance stock into inventory and ensure the accuracy of electronic and hardcopy records as required by VHA, DEA, and STVHCS policy.
7. Maintain appropriate security and storage of controlled substances according to manufacturer recommendations.
8. Participate in 72-hour vault inventory and monthly unannounced inventories utilizing appropriate inventory and accountability software.
Administrative
1. Actively participate in writing, updating, training, and implementation of facility policy and procedures pertaining to automation.
2. Run, review, and maintain automation reports and reviews this information with the pharmacy supervisor to assist in.
Work Schedule: Monday - Friday; 8:00am - 4:45pm
Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): 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: Available; Ad-Hoc, as determined by the agency policy.
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 53791F
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.
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/.
Note: If your school has changed names, or is no longer in existence, you must provide this information in your application.
During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions.
This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.
This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.
VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority.
If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.
Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, resume, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.
Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.
It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.
Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.
To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:
Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
All applicants are encouraged to apply online. To apply for this position, you must complete the full questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 05/08/2025 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12731330.
Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. After we receive application packages (including all required documents) and the vacancy announcement closes, we will review applications to ensure qualification and eligibility requirements are met. After the review is complete, a referral certificate(s) is issued and applicants will be notified of their status by email. Referred applicants will be notified as such and may be contacted directly by the hiring office for an interview. All referred applicants receive a final notification once a selection decision has been made.
You may check the status of your application at any time by logging into your USA Jobs account and clicking on Applications. Information regarding your application status can be found in the USAJobs Help Center.
NOTE: Participation in the seasonal influenza program is a condition of employment and a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). It is a requirement that all HCP to receive annual seasonal influenza vaccination or obtain an exemption for medical or religious reasons. Wearing a face mask is required when an exemption to the influenza vaccination has been granted. HCP in violation of this directive may face disciplinary action up to and including removal from federal service. HCP are individuals who, during the influenza season, work in VHA locations or who come into contact with VA patients or other HCP as part of their duties. VHA locations include, but are not limited to, VA hospitals and associated clinics, community living centers (CLCs), community-based outpatient clinics (CBOCs), domiciliary units, Vet centers and VA-leased medical facilities. HCP include all VA licensed and unlicensed, clinical and administrative, remote and onsite, paid and without compensation, full- and part-time employees, intermittent employees, fee basis employees, VA contractors, researchers, volunteers and health professions trainees (HPTs) who are expected to perform any or all of their work at these facilities. HPTs may be paid or unpaid and include residents, interns, fellows and students. HCP also includes VHA personnel providing home-based care to Veterans and drivers and other personnel whose duties put them in contact with patients outside VA medical facilities.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
This job originated on www.usajobs.gov. For the full announcement and to apply, visit www.usajobs.gov/job/836193900. Only resumes submitted according to the instructions on the job announcement listed at www.usajobs.gov will be considered.