Clinical Pharmacy Technician
Pharmacy Technician
Summary
The Clinical Pharmacy Technician functions in various areas of the pharmacy, inpatient & outpatient pharmacy, various storage areas, offices, and patient care areas, under the supervision of the outpatient or inpatient pharmacy supervisor, depending upon the area of administrative assignment of the incumbent. The incumbent at this level has a higher level of responsibility to the pharmacy clinical program area and expected to carry out assigned tasks of considerable difficulty independently.
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Duties
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Clinical Activities
All duties of the Clinical Pharmacy Technician will be performed under the direct supervision of the assigned Clinical Pharmacy Specialist. All clinical decision-making will be in accordance with the clinic protocol and will first be reviewed by the Clinical Pharmacy Specialist. The Clinical Pharmacy Technician's responsibilities include:
Computer Data Entry/Management
The Clinical Pharmacy Technician will be responsible for accurate and timely computer data entry. These duties may include:
Vaccinations
Hospital Discharges
Work Schedule: Usually Monday-Friday, the schedule is rotating evenings and weekends at the needs of the Service.
Functional Statement #: 71171F
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorize
Requirements
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Conditions of employment
As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:
Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.
Qualifications
BASIC REQUIREMENTS
Citizenship. Be a citizen of the United States. Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens.
English Language Proficiency. Pharmacy Technician candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed.
GRADE DETERMINATIONS
Pharmacy Technician, GS-08
Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the next lower (GS-07) level.
Certification-Documentation Supplied. For positions above the full performance level, the employee must pass a national certification exam and hold an active national certification through either:
OR
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to the education or experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:
Physical Requirements: Physical aspects associated with work required of this assignment are typical for the occupation, see Duties section for essential job duties of the position. May require standing, lifting, carrying, sitting, stooping, bending, pulling, and pushing. May be required to wear personal protective equipment and undergo annual TB screening or testing as conditions of employment.
Work Environment: Work is performed in an office/clinic setting with minimal risks that requires normal safety precautions; the area is adequately lighted, heated, and ventilated. However, the work environment requires someone with the ability to handle several tasks at once in sometimes stressful situations. Work includes the safe handling and manipulation of hazardous medications.
Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.
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-qualification….
Additional information
Receiving Service Credit for Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed.
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.
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Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.
Benefits
Help
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Review our benefits
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
The Clinical Pharmacy Technician functions in various areas of the pharmacy, inpatient & outpatient pharmacy, various storage areas, offices, and patient care areas, under the supervision of the outpatient or inpatient pharmacy supervisor, depending upon the area of administrative assignment of the incumbent. The incumbent at this level has a higher level of responsibility to the pharmacy clinical program area and expected to carry out assigned tasks of considerable difficulty independently.
Learn more about this agency
Duties
Help
Clinical Activities
All duties of the Clinical Pharmacy Technician will be performed under the direct supervision of the assigned Clinical Pharmacy Specialist. All clinical decision-making will be in accordance with the clinic protocol and will first be reviewed by the Clinical Pharmacy Specialist. The Clinical Pharmacy Technician's responsibilities include:
- Reviews supply prior authorizations for pharmacy service. Collects all pertinent information reviewing chart. Will contact providers and/or patients to obtain proper information for review of prior authorization.
- Routinely obtains and reviews laboratory or medical information as assigned by the Clinical Pharmacy Specialist and reports all values beyond normal limits to the Clinical Pharmacy Specialist for review.
- Make clinical assessments, document all clinical activities, update problem list and update medication allergy information in the medical record.
- Interview patients to ascertain significant medical & medication
- history/reconciliation. Evaluate medication regimens for appropriateness, drug interactions, therapeutic duplications, noncompliance, and adverse drug events. Enter other appropriate diagnostic test/procedures for Clinical Pharmacy Specialist. Make recommendations to medical staff and refer patient to appropriate services as needed for patient care.
- Participates in team and committee meetings as assigned.
Computer Data Entry/Management
The Clinical Pharmacy Technician will be responsible for accurate and timely computer data entry. These duties may include:
- Enters accurate progress notes into the patient's medical record using computer templates and information obtained directly from the patient.
- Prioritizes operational and assigned clinical functions to provide the highest level of patient care.
- Reports all potential patient or pharmacy distributions problems and assists the Clinical Pharmacy Specialist in reporting adverse drug reactions, medication errors, and near misses.
Vaccinations
- Administers, prepares, documents, dispense and deliver vaccinations.
- Transports vaccinations and other supplies in a government vehicle
- Lift boxes, supplies, etc.
- Assists with vaccine inventory management and ordering of necessary supplies for vaccinations.
- Assist staff with scheduling appointments.
- Provides reminder phone calls to patients.
- Restock pharmacy and clinic areas with necessary supplies for vaccine preparation and administration.
- Trains pharmacy staff on vaccine preparation.
- Instruct nursing staff on inventory management, aseptic technique, and vaccine preparation.
Hospital Discharges
- Prepare discharge medications after prescription/order(s) are reviewed by a pharmacist for therapeutic propriety, reviews orders for technical accuracy and converts the order, if necessary, so that the item dispensed corresponds to the drug and dose 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 Pharmacy's copy of prescription/order.
- After a final check by a pharmacist, dispenses and/or delivers medication in ambulatory care or discharge situations.
- Assists decentralized pharmacists and other members of the interdisciplinary health care team in ensuring safe and effective care transitions and patient satisfaction throughout the discharge process.
Work Schedule: Usually Monday-Friday, the schedule is rotating evenings and weekends at the needs of the Service.
Functional Statement #: 71171F
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorize
Requirements
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Conditions of employment
- You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
- All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
- Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
- Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
- Subject to background/security investigation.
- Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
- Must pass pre-employment physical examination.
- Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
- Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.
As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:
- your performance and conduct;
- the needs and interests of the agency;
- whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
- whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.
Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.
Qualifications
BASIC REQUIREMENTS
Citizenship. Be a citizen of the United States. Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens.
English Language Proficiency. Pharmacy Technician candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed.
GRADE DETERMINATIONS
Pharmacy Technician, GS-08
Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the next lower (GS-07) level.
Certification-Documentation Supplied. For positions above the full performance level, the employee must pass a national certification exam and hold an active national certification through either:
- PTCB as a CPhT.
OR
- NHA as a ExCPT.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to the education or experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:
- Comprehensive knowledge of concepts, principles, methodology and policies in a specialized area or section of pharmacy (such as sterile compounding, controlled substances, automation, clinical pharmacy, contact center, etc.) Note: See Specialized Area.in the Definitions Section.
- Skill in training and orienting new and existing pharmacy facility employees and students on proper policies and procedures.
- Ability to evaluate, analyze and coordinate workflow and work activities within a specialized area or section of the pharmacy.
Physical Requirements: Physical aspects associated with work required of this assignment are typical for the occupation, see Duties section for essential job duties of the position. May require standing, lifting, carrying, sitting, stooping, bending, pulling, and pushing. May be required to wear personal protective equipment and undergo annual TB screening or testing as conditions of employment.
Work Environment: Work is performed in an office/clinic setting with minimal risks that requires normal safety precautions; the area is adequately lighted, heated, and ventilated. However, the work environment requires someone with the ability to handle several tasks at once in sometimes stressful situations. Work includes the safe handling and manipulation of hazardous medications.
Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.
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-qualification….
Additional information
Receiving Service Credit for Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed.
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.
Expand Hide additional information
Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.
Benefits
Help
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Review our benefits
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.