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Posted: January 5, 2026 (9 days ago)

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Pharmacy Technician

Veterans Health Administration

Department of Veterans Affairs

Recent

Salary

$65,481 - $85,131

per year

Closes

January 12, 2026

GS-8 Pay Grade

Base salary range: $46,479 - $60,424

Typical requirements: 1 year specialized experience at GS-7. Graduate study or significant experience.

Note: Actual salary includes locality pay (15-40%+ depending on location).

Job Description

Summary

This job involves working as a pharmacy technician in a VA hospital, where you'll handle prescriptions from outside doctors, check if they're appropriate, enter them into the system, and help with approvals and patient communications.

It's a good fit for someone with at least a year of pharmacy experience who enjoys organizing workflows, training others, and supporting veterans' healthcare in a busy team environment.

Key Requirements

  • United States citizenship (non-citizens only if no qualified citizens available)
  • Proficiency in spoken and written English
  • One year of experience equivalent to GS-7 level in pharmacy
  • Active national certification as a Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT from PTCB or ExCPT from NHA)
  • Comprehensive knowledge of pharmacy concepts, principles, and policies in specialized areas
  • Skill in training and orienting pharmacy staff and students
  • Ability to evaluate, analyze, and coordinate workflow in a pharmacy section
  • Physical ability to stand for long periods, lift up to 50 lbs, and bend/stoop regularly

Full Job Description

The Community Care Pharmacy Technician is responsible for the receiving, assessing appropriateness, and processing of Community Care prescribed prescriptions for final review by pharmacist assigned to Community Care.

The Community Care Technician will assist in all daily tasks concerning prescriptions by non-VA providers about formulary alternatives and obtaining documentation needed to process prior authorization requests.

Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met.

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 Language Proficiency: Pharmacy Technician candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f).

Education or 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 positions above the full performance level, the employee must pass a national certification exam and hold an active national certification through either: 1.

Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB), Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT). OR, 2. National Health career Association (NHA), Certified Pharmacy Technician (ExCPT).

Grade Determinations: Pharmacy Technician, GS-8 Experience: Candidates must possess one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level and demonstrate the KSAs below.

In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs for all GS-08 assignments and meet any additional KSAs for the assignment, if indicated: (a) 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.).(b) Skill in training and orienting new and existing pharmacy facility employees and students on proper policies and procedures.(c) Ability to evaluate, analyze and coordinate workflow and work activities within a specialized area or section of the pharmacy.

Reference: VA HANDBOOK 5005/15PART IIAPPENDIX G28 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-08 Physical Requirements: The work requires regular and recurring physical exertion, involving standing for prolonged periods of time, lifting/carrying of pharmaceutical supplies weighing up to 50lbs, and bending/stooping.

Grandfathering Provision.

Pharmacy technicians employed in VHA on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the title, series and grade held, including positive education and licensure/certification/registration that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation.

Major Duties:

VA Careers - Pharmacy: https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/Fn_ickNBEws The duties include, but are not limited to: Receives faxed, mailed, electronically prescribed, or delivered prescriptions (including from CBOC locations) written by Community Care providers and documents all received prescriptions in Electronic Health Record (EHR).

Reviews EHR to determine authorization to receive Community Care.

Communicates with patients concerning prescriptions received from unauthorized provider visits and handles prescriptions appropriately, forwarding to primary care provider or returning to the patient.

Inputs authorized prescriptions or prepares electronically prescribed medications in EHR for the review and verification by the Community Care Clinical Care Pharmacist or representative.

Answers the Community Care questions and handles all phone calls not requiring a pharmacist. Documents all phone conversations in EHR for future reference.

Assists in training and orientation of new staff technicians, interns, and students.

Assumes an active role in the overall pharmacy-training program consisting of students, externs, interns, residents, professional and non-professional staff members.

Performs duties of all lower grade technicians as needed. Assists higher level technicians as needed Compiles with all VHA, Medical Center, and Pharmacy mandatory trainings in a timely manner.

Accurately interpret, fills, and readies prescriptions with appropriate medications for pharmacist verification. Reports unresolvable discrepancies to immediate area supervisor for resolution.

Assist in investigating, witnessing, and resolving discrepancies.

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, rotating shifts 8:am-4:30pm and 9:30am to 6:00pm including Weekends and Holidays Telework: Not Authorized Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Functional Statement #: 94471-A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized

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Posted on USAJOBS: 1/5/2026 | Added to FreshGovJobs: 1/6/2026

Source: USAJOBS | ID: CBSR-12858541-26-KN