Outpatient Pharmacy Technician (Rotational)

Quick Facts

• Role: Outpatient Rotational Pharmacy Technician
• Setting: Outpatient pharmacy distribution and rotational cross-coverage across multiple functional stations
• Schedule: Full-time, Monday through Friday; weekends and holidays required

Description

The Outpatient Rotational Pharmacy Technician supports accurate, efficient dispensing and distribution of medications and supplies in an outpatient pharmacy. The technician rotates through multiple stations (including automated dispensing equipment maintenance and controlled substance dispensing), uses electronic systems/EHR for documentation and prescription processing, and provides cross-coverage for clinical pharmacist support tasks such as CMOP reject handling, triage, and returned-mail workflows. Work is completed under pharmacist supervision with an emphasis on customer service and safe handling procedures for hazardous medications.

Responsibilities

• Maintain competence across outpatient pharmacy distribution operations and rotate through stations such as Fill Stations, Mail Packing, ADE maintenance, Window/Breaker/Triage, Community Care, and Controlled Substance Dispensing
• Accurately label and dispense medications; complete required dispensing documentation
• Prepare outgoing mail for daily pickup, including overnight/priority packages
• Monitor prescription out-of-stocks to ensure timely, accurate fulfillment
• Use EHR/computer systems and automated pharmacy equipment/software for prescription processing and documentation
• Follow safe handling procedures for hazardous medications (PPE, hazardous waste disposal, spill response) and reference MSDS
• Dispense controlled substances and monitor inventory in accordance with DEA, FDA, VA, and Joint Commission policies and standards
• Provide cross-coverage for Lead Controlled Substance Technician duties: fill prescriptions, complete record keeping, maintain inventory accuracy, and report discrepancies/unusual occurrences
• Support clinical pharmacy functions by processing reports, handling CMOP rejects (e.g., internet refills not processed, bad address rejects), and troubleshooting CMOP-related problems
• Troubleshoot automated dispensing equipment malfunctions; request vendor service/assistance
• Restock medications and conduct physical inventory to maintain stock levels; communicate issues to procurement
• Evaluate Community Care prescriptions for authorization and perform appropriate triage
• Process returned mail and triage orders for destruction or re-mailing; contact patients, update addresses, and document in the EHR where appropriate
• Serve as a point of contact for triaging outpatient pharmacy questions and communicate medication problems to the assigned pharmacist
• Interact with patients, caregivers, and healthcare professionals face-to-face and via phone/email/other media
• Assist with policy/procedure implementation and support technician orientation and training for the central outpatient pharmacy area

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship
• Proficiency in written and spoken English
• Subject to background/security investigation
• Selective Service registration required for males born after 12/31/1959
• Complete VA online onboarding and required pre-employment documentation (I-9)
• Urinalysis testing prior to appointment for testing-designated positions
• Comply with the seasonal influenza vaccination program requirement
• For GS-07: 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-06), or a qualifying education/experience combination meeting the required equivalency
• Active national certification for positions above full performance level: PTCB CPhT or NHA ExCPT

Benefits

• Comprehensive federal benefits package; eligibility depends on the specific position type (full-time/part-time/intermittent)