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Pharmacy Technician (Community Care)

Department of Veterans Affairs
Veterans Health Administration
Richmond VA Medical Center
This job announcement has closed

Summary

This position functions in the Pharmacy Service Community Care Section specifically related to Community Care duties. The clinical pharmacy technician is a certified pharmacy technician with advanced skills who will provide administrative, clerical, and clinical support to the Pharmacy Community Care Pharmacist Program Manager(s). Responsibilities will also include a full range of technical support functions related to VA's Community Care program as it related to Pharmacy Service.

Overview

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Hiring complete
Open & closing dates
07/09/2025 to 07/16/2025
Salary
$63,108 to - $82,047 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 8
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Richmond, VA
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
No
Travel Required
Not required
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Excepted
Promotion potential
None
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Not Required
Drug test
Yes
Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk
Trust determination process
Financial disclosure
No
Bargaining unit status
Yes
Announcement number
CBTA-12760066-25-KEJ
Control number
840361600

Videos

Duties

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Duties include but not limited to the following:

Eligibility Determination

  • Review electronic health record (EHR) to determine patient's eligibility to have non-VA prescriptions filled at the VA Pharmacy under a variety of situations including but not limited to eligible Community Care prescriptions, eligible "urgent care" benefit prescriptions, emergency room prescriptions, and outside hospital discharge prescriptions.
  • Understand the Community Care consulting process workflow.
  • Review JLV (Joint Longitudinal Viewer) to determine if patient has received care elsewhere and if patient's Community Care eligibility for a particular type of care is at another VA location.
  • Contacts and collaborates with other healthcare providers in and outside the facility as deemed appropriate.
Clinical
  • Call both patients and providers as necessary to address eligibility concerns, formulary status/alternatives, and any necessary questions regarding non-VA prescriptions.
  • Document adverse reactions and allergies when necessary, as reported by patient.
  • Process hardcopy prescriptions, faxed prescriptions, and electronic prescriptions (via Vista's eRx Queue and OERR Queue) as necessary while determining appropriate patient, provider, medication, etc. After processing, alerting a pharmacist for final verification of the entry.
  • Document pertinent findings and situations via CPRS and Vista's eRx queue, as needed.
Technical
  • Acts as a resource person for planning, reviewing, or revising pharmacy policies and/or procedures.
  • Must possess extensive knowledge of all pharmacy computer packages/programs which include but not limited to:
    a. Microsoft Windows Programs; Computerized Patient Records Systems (CPRS, VistA, JLV, etc.); Must have comprehensive knowledge of how these computer packages interact with various disciplines within the organization; Omnicell/OmniCenter Remote Desktop
  • Extensive knowledge of non-formulary drug statuses, National Drug Formulary, Formulary Advisor, P& T process, etc.
  • Extensive knowledge of pertinent pharmacy laws as it relates to prescriptions especially those associated with the Community Care program and controlled substances.

VA Careers - Pharmacy: https://youtube.com/embed/Fn_ickNBEws

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 7-3:30 pm
Functional Statement #: 00000
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

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.
  • You may be required to serve a probationary period.
  • Subject to background/security investigation.
  • Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.
  • 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).
  • Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details.

Qualifications

Basic Requirements:

  • United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
  • English proficiency
  • PTCB certification or NHA certification
May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria).

Grade Determinations: Candidates must possess one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-7) and demonstrate the KSAs below.
  1. 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.
  2. Skill in training and orienting new and existing pharmacy facility employees and students on proper policies and procedures.
  3. Ability to evaluate, analyze and coordinate workflow and work activities within a specialized area or section of the pharmacy
Preferred Experience: Outpatient pharmacy experience preferred. Experience handling community care prescriptions also preferred

References: VA Handbook 5005/15, Part II, Appendix G28.

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS 8.

Physical Requirements:
The work requires regular and recurring physical exertion, involving standing or sitting for prolonged periods of time, typing, walking distances within the medical center, lifting/carrying (up to 40 pounds) of pharmaceutical supplies, and
bending/stooping/stretching.

Education

No education substitution

Additional information

Receiving Service Credit or 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.

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.

How you will be evaluated

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.

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