Pharmacy Technician

VA Careers - Pharmacy: Rewards of a Allied Health Professional

Major Duties:
The incumbent must have knowledge of Pharmacy Service the Medical Center VHA and federal/state regulations/policies and procedures that affect Pharmacy Service: Prescription Processing; Filling; Ward-Stock/Inventory Management;Non-Hazardous Sterile/Extemporaneous Compounding; Automation; Controlled Substances; Dispensing; Procurement; Administrative.

• Ability to prepare all sterile compounding using aseptic technique in accordance with facility standing operating procedures. Competency must be maintained every 6 months to perform the assigned duty.
• Ability to interpret IV (ie. admixtures piggybacks syringes TPNs etc..) medication order request by selecting measuring and mixing appropriate ingredients safely and aseptically inspecting the final product for accuracy labeling the product recording all pertinent information for record of the preparation of the product and delivering the product after final verification by a pharmacist.
• Understands and navigates basic automation package functions.
• Performs basic cleaning and maintenance of automation equipment.
• Possess a thorough knowledge of principles relating to controlled substances and the requirements of medical center policy and federal and state regulations that apply to these medications.
• Assure compliance with all applicable laws regulations directives policies and procedures applying to the dispensing storage transfer inventory and accountability of controlled substances.
• Accurately identify patients and dispense medications appropriately.
• Ability to properly package prescription medications for dispensation.
• Demonstrate ability to accurately navigate and utilize VistA CPRS and any other patient databases necessary to perform the job
• Establish patient eligibility status.
• Possess an advanced technical knowledge of drug and medication brand names generic names/chemical names general and special storage requirements expiration date requirements manufacturer/distributor sources dosage forms basic pharmaceutical calculations applicable systems of weights and measures and medical terminology to interpret providers orders and verify correct drug dosage form strength and dose is prepared and/or distributed.
• Possess working knowledge of drug use and dosage forms available to be able to screen drug orders and assist the pharmacist in solving potential drug related problems.
• Fills on-demand clinic request for hospital ward or clinic stock.
• Inventory and restock hospital and inpatient pharmacy code blue crash carts/kits and other specialty emergency kits.

• 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 identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• 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.

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.
• 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 (GS-07 and above). 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).

• Experience. Candidates must possess one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-06).
• In addition to the experience above the candidate must demonstrate all of the following Knowledge Skills and Abilities (KSAs):
  1. Knowledge of pharmacy technician principles practices concepts and theories providing for sound independent work.
  2. Knowledge of the computerized prescription process and input of prescriptions and medication orders or electronic equivalent.
  3. Ability to resolve pharmacy/medication issues with other members of the healthcare team Veterans and external customers.
  4. Ability to train developmental pharmacy technicians and students.
  5. Ability to dispense medication or sterile products following all regulations policies and procedures to ensure safe medication distribution.
  6. Ability to troubleshoot automated dispensing equipment (ADE) or technology platforms/databases.

1. Minimum of 1-year previous experience with Pharmacy Automation to include Inventory Management. Examples of Automation (Scriptpro OPTI Omnicell).
2. Use of Endicia for mailing out medications; CMOP tracking of prescriptions.
3. Knowledge of brand/generic mediation names.
4. Ward stock inspections and ability/knowledge to fill Omnicell stock.
5. Ability/knowledge of communication on Microsoft Teams and CCC PowerApp.
6. Knowledge of handling control medications.