Pharmacy Technician (Outpatient Pharmacy)

Major DutiesReviews, interprets, and processes outpatient prescriptions received from authorized healthcare providers in accordance with established pharmacy policies and procedures.Dispenses medications and supplies after final verification by a pharmacist, ensuring proper patient identification and compliance with all applicable regulations.Delivers finished prescriptions to patients and/or caregivers using established patient identification procedures and customer service standards.Correctly packages and prepares prescriptions and pharmaceutical products for mailing and distribution.Assists with receiving, unpacking, stocking, rotating, and organizing medications and pharmaceutical supplies.Maintains cleanliness, organization, and operational readiness of assigned pharmacy work areas.Identifies, reports, and assists in resolving equipment malfunctions, automation issues, and workflow concerns.Fills prescriptions utilizing robotics, prescription packaging systems, automated dispensing equipment, and other pharmacy technology resources when assigned.Compounds and/or reconstitutes oral or external medications that do not require pharmacist review and performs calculations and conversions necessary to prepare medications accurately.Answers routine pharmaceutical and non-pharmaceutical inquiries regarding medication availability, prescription status, and pharmacy services, referring clinical questions to a pharmacist when appropriate.Responds to patient telephone inquiries and prescription-related questions using established pharmacy procedures and customer service practices.Assists in training and orienting lower-graded pharmacy technicians, students, and new staff members within the outpatient pharmacy.Processes prescription refill requests utilizing VistA and other VA pharmacy information systems while ensuring data accuracy and completeness.Files, retrieves, and maintains prescription records and related pharmacy documentation in accordance with record management requirements.Performs duties associated with inventory management, including receipt, storage, stocking, rotation, and monitoring of pharmaceutical inventory levels.Communicates stock shortages, backorders, and inventory concerns to procurement personnel and pharmacy leadership to minimize interruptions in patient care.Receives and stores pharmaceuticals in accordance with manufacturer requirements, federal regulations, and VA policy.Removes unusable, expired, recalled, or deteriorated stock from active inventory and coordinates appropriate disposition procedures.Conducts and documents monthly inventory inspections, including stock rotation, outdate reviews, and inventory control activities.Utilizes automated pharmacy systems and pharmacy software applications to support prescription processing, inventory management, reporting, and workload documentation.Protects sensitive patient information and maintains compliance with privacy, information security, and confidentiality requirements.Ensures compliance with all applicable VA policies, Pharmacy Service procedures, federal and state regulations, Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requirements, DEA regulations, and medication safety standards.Participates in quality improvement initiatives, patient safety activities, and pharmacy service performance improvement efforts designed to enhance medication management and customer service outcomes.Performs other duties as assigned in support of pharmacy operations and the mission of the Department of Veterans Affairs.