Pharmacy Technician

Full Job Description

Pharmacy Technicians have become a vital component of medication distribution in the VA, and the need for fully functional and reliable personnel is critical to our mission.

Pharmacy technicians at this level have a major impact on the operational aspects of the Pharmacy Service for providing timely, efficient, and accurate prescription filling and dispensing with minimal need of supervision.

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 04/10/2026.

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. Experience: None required.

For all grade levels and positions that accept both education and experience to qualify, equivalent combinations of qualifying education and experience that total at least 100% are qualifying.

The combined percentage is determined by adding total qualifying experience as a percentage of the experience required for the grade level to the education as a percentage of the education required for the grade level.

Certification.

For this position, the employee must pass a national certification exam and hold an active national certification through either: Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB), Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT).

OR, National Health career Association (NHA), Certified Pharmacy Technician (ExCPT).

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: Pharmacy Technician, GS-07. Experience. Candidates must possess one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level. Certification.

For positions above the full performance level, the employee must pass a national certification exam and hold an active national certification through either: Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB), Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT).

OR, National Health career Association (NHA), Certified Pharmacy Technician (ExCPT). Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs).

In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs Knowledge of pharmacy technician principles, practices, concepts and theories providing for sound independent work.

Knowledge of the computerized prescription process and input of prescriptions and medication orders or electronic equivalent.

Ability to resolve pharmacy/medication issues with other members of the healthcare team, Veterans and external customers. Ability to train developmental pharmacy technicians and students.

Ability to dispense medication or sterile products following all regulations, policies and procedures to ensure safe medication distribution.

Ability to troubleshoot automated dispensing equipment (ADE) or technology platforms/databases. Preferred Experience: 1 Year Experience with Pharmacy Automation to include Inventory Management.

Examples of Automation (Scriptpro, Optifill, FastPak, Omnicell) 1 Year Experience with Controlled Substances 1 Year Experience with Record Management for Pharmacy & Procurement 1 Year Experience with troubleshooting Automation and placing tickets for repair 1 year of supervisory experience.

2 Years experience in outpatient Pharmacy 1 Year experience in Inpatient Pharmacy The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-07.

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

Physical Requirements: Moderate lifting, 15-44 pounds Light, Moderate carrying, 15-44 pounds, Straight pulling (3 hours), Pushing (3 hours), Reaching above shoulder, Use of fingers, Both hands required, Walking (8 hours), Standing (8 hours), Kneeling (1 hours), Repeated bending (1 hour), Both legs required, Near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4, Specific visual requirement (specify) DVA Correctable to 20/40, Both eyes required, Ability to distinguish basic colors, Hearing (aid may be permitted) Major Duties:

VA Careers - Pharmacy: https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/Fn_ickNBEws Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Major Duties: Process and fill outpatient/inpatient prescriptions accurately using VistA, CPRS, and other systems Perform full administrative and technical review of medication orders and patient profiles Prepare sterile and non-sterile compounded medications per SOPs using aseptic technique Manage controlled substances in compliance with federal/VA regulations Maintain and restock automated dispensing cabinets and ward stock; monitor for expirations Support pharmacy automation systems including troubleshooting, loading, and cleaning Perform inventory control, stock rotation, and removal/disposal of expired meds Dispense medications to patients via mail or window, ensuring proper packaging and patient identification Provide customer service and patient education on medication-related processes Assist in procurement activities and maintain clean, compliant work areas Work Schedule: 9am - 5:30p with the possibility of rotation 8am - 4:30pm Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases When setting pay, a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade).

Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year) Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior [work experience] or military service experience.

Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment, up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child.

Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment, full time employees with a total family income below $144,000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66.

Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Functional Statement #: 54617F Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized