An official website of the United States government
The Pharmacy Technician is responsible for assisting in providing and coordinating complete pharmaceutical care activities in the Outpatient Pharmacy and provides coverage as needed in the Inpatient Pharmacy and other medication-related areas in agreement with the mission, vision, and goals of the VA Sierra Nevada Health Care System (VASNHCS).
04/23/2025 to 05/07/2025
$62,741 - $81,562 per year
GS 8
1 vacancy in the following location:
No
No
25% or less - You may be expected to travel for this position.
No
Permanent
Full-time
Excepted
8
No
Yes
CBSW-12728386-25-HR
835799100
Controlled Substances Inventory Management:
(1) All controlled substances in the section are secured and controlled according to applicable laws, rules and regulations and department policy. Access to the controlled substance storage areas/cabinets are monitored to ensure limited access requirements are met. Accurate physical count, documentation, and administrative requirements (per VHA Directive 1108.01(2), Controlled Substances Management) are consistently and thoroughly maintained.
(2) All physical inventories, including the biennial, biweekly (every 72-hours), and other required counts, of all controlled substances are performed accurately, timely.
(3) Inventory management duties include maintenance of adequate stock levels by communicating needs to the procurement technician and removing outdated medications from stock.
(4) Unusable controlled substances are processed for destruction in accordance with policies and procedures and prepared for reverse distribution when appropriate.
Controlled Substance Procurement:
(1) Orders are placed with the VASNHCS Procurement Team in an accurate and timely manner.
(2) Excess drugs and inaccurately ordered items are returned in a timely manner for credit. Par levels are monitored and adjusted routinely. Controlled substances awaiting return are secured and maintained in the vault to reduce the possibility of fraud in accordance with VHA Directive 2008-021, Patient Transportation Program.
(3) Recall notification for controlled substances are acted upon immediately and communicated to appropriate personnel, and all documentation is completed per policies and procedures.
Controlled Substance Medication Order/Prescription Preparation:
(1) Controlled substances are filled accurately in accordance with current state and federal laws/regulations and checked and initialed by a pharmacist before dispensing to the ward/clinic.
(2) Medications are accurately repackaged to prepare unit dose medications that are consistent with policy and procedures. All necessary information (e.g., manufacturer, lot number, expiration date, etc.) is entered in the automation database or on the generated paperwork. Bulk liquid medications are accurately repackaged into specified unit dose volumes and quantities using various containers, typically oral syringes, or cups. Opened bulk liquid-controlled substances are transferred into containers with a measuring scale.
(3) When assigned, prescriptions prepared for mailing are wrapped and packaged properly and all necessary forms are completed for the shipper.
Controlled Substance Medication Stock and Storage:
(1) Adequate stock of pharmaceuticals and supplies for the vault area is maintained by communicating with the procurement personnel for items that are below par levels or out of stock. Par levels of controlled substances in areas assigned and in automation devices are monitored and adjusted appropriately. In addition, out of stock medications are communicated to the pharmacist at the time of discovery so that pharmacists can follow up with the prescribing provider in a timely manner.
(2) All controlled substances delivered to automated dispensing cabinets are checked for accuracy and completeness by a pharmacist prior to replenishing. Automated dispensing cabinets are replenished in the presence of a licensed nurse or authorized Narcotic Area of Use (NAOU) manager, who serves as a witness. Nursing staff is assisted with the resolution of controlled substance discrepancies at automated dispensing cabinets.
(3) Automated dispensing cabinets are routinely optimized (e.g., medications are restocked or removed as warranted, par levels are adjusted, etc.) in a timely manner to ensure appropriate availability of medications. All pharmacy automation reports are reviewed to ensure no stock-outs occur.
(4) All controlled substances delivered to nursing units/clinics have signed documentation of the chain of custody.
(5) All controlled substance prescriptions prepared for mail via USPS in the outpatient narcotic vault anteroom are picked up by a USPS postal worker during normal hours of operation. Vault staff will remain with the USPS postal worker in the anteroom of the vault during the scanning process. Signed documentation of the chain of custody is maintained and filed in accordance with policy and procedure.
Training and Education:
(1) Assists with the training, orientation, and re-training of employees to Outpatient Pharmacy Service policies and procedures.
(2) Assists supervisor with competencies within applicable areas of assignment on an annual basis for outpatient pharmacy.
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: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.
This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.
This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.
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.
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 05/07/2025 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12728386.
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/835799100. Only resumes submitted according to the instructions on the job announcement listed at www.usajobs.gov will be considered.