Pharmacy Technician

Major duties include but are not limited to the following:

• Pharmacy Dispensing/Distribution Services: The Pharmacy Technician will be involved in assuring appropriate safe and accurate medications are dispensed to veterans in an efficient manner. The pharmacy technician will provide a range of medication management and administrative services. These activities include:
  • Maintains workflow patterns that assure timely delivery of pharmacy services and ensures accurate documentation and dispensing of pharmaceuticals.
  • Effectively organizes workload solves problems and achieves established goals.
  • Provides patient care utilizing an in-depth knowledge of specialized areas of pharmacy practice. Maintains and understands the operation of pharmacy equipment and automation such as ScriptPro TCG-Rx BD Cato and Pyxis.
  • Assists staff and patients either by phone or in person concerning drug distribution refill requests mail and general triaging of requests for the pharmacists. Documents patient requests as necessary in CPRS and alerts the appropriate provider.
  • Assists in assuring that pharmacy programs are compliant with all regulatory and accrediting body requirements (i.e. Joint Commission FDA ASHP DEA OIG etc.).
  • Actively participates in the procurement process supporting just in time inventory management. This may include serving as a back-up procurement technician where responsibilities may include ordering or receiving product. This may also include processing of invoices using the VistA Drug Accountability system.
  • Inspects all areas of the facility outside of the pharmacy where medications are dispensed administered or stored including medication carts automated medication dispensing cabinets (Pyxis Medstations) physical cabinets and drawers supply carts refrigerators crash carts and emergency kits.
  • Distributive
    • Interprets pharmacy orders; obtains medication in the correct strength and dosage form; determines proper amount and prepares product; affixes proper label; and documents proper information.
    • Prepares non-sterile compounds independently for dispensing to patients or other health care providers for use in clinical areas.
    • Compounds sterile products to be delivered in the form of large volume small volume and other complex pharmaceuticals such as chemotherapy. Completes documentation and uses knowledge of safe handling and disposition of hazardous materials used in pharmacy.
    • Dispenses controlled substances according to current policies and procedures and standards established by DEA FDA VA and Joint Commission.
  • Controlled substances:
    • Accurately interpret fills and readies prescriptions with appropriate medications for pharmacist verification
    • Appropriately restocks controlled substances items in automated secured cabinets (i.e. Pyxis) in pharmacy or throughout medical center as assigned.
    • Documents all controlled substance related transactions as indicated by VA and DEA guidelines.
    • Assures that inventory counts are correct at the time of restocking.
    • Ensures that proper handoff occurs when receiving or delivering controlled substances always assuring that these medications are never left unsecured.
    • Reports unresolvable discrepancies to immediate area supervisor for resolution. Assist in investigating witnessing and resolving discrepancies.
    • Complies with all laws regulations directives policies and procedures applying to the dispensing storage transfer inventory and accountability of controlled substances. h) Assists inspectors with the inventory and accountability inspections.

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.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements ( Effective May 7 2025 drivers licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• 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).
• Complete all application requirements detailed in the Required Documents section of this announcement.

• your performance and conduct;
• the needs and interests of the agency;
• whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
• whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

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 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:
  • Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT). OR
  • National Healthcareer Association (NHA) Certified Pharmacy Technician (ExCPT).

• Experience: Candidates must possess one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-6) GS-6 level experience includes: Knowledge of Federal and state laws related to pharmacy practice. Knowledge of preparation storage and distribution of medication products including those requiring special handling and documentation. Ability to use pharmacy information systems or operate pharmacy dispensing equipment. Knowledge of basic inventory procedures. Ability to communicate with patients and staff and direct questions to appropriate personnel.
• Certification: For positions above the full performance level the employee must pass a national certification exam and hold an active national certification through either:
  • PTCB as a CPhT. OR
  • NHA as a 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.