Pharmacy Technician

Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional

Informatics/Automation (Automated Dispensing Outpatient Inpatient):

Coordinates the technical aspects of pharmacy drug distribution activities to ensure standard operating procedures are in alignment with both pharmacy computer systems/software and automation capabilities so that efficiencies are maximized.

Evaluates and analyzes workflow and coordinates all work activities involved with pharmacy automation.

Ensures that automated dispensing data is archived within established guidelines for each type of equipment.

Trains and orients pharmacy staff and other medical center staff involved in operating the automation.

Ability to participate in process actions teams to improve automation quality and safety continually seeking ways to improve the service provided to patients and other customers.

Pharmacy Operations:

Assists in the quality management of Pharmacy Service by participating in process action teams and continually seeking ways to improve the service provided to patients and other customers.

Uses knowledge of policies and procedures for inventory management to receive and inventory pharmacy stock relay inventory information to the Procurement Technician.

Ability to recognize and solve problems makes recommendations to avoid potential problems and refers appropriate concerns to Procurement Technician or supervising Pharmacist.

Perform other duties as assigned.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00am to 4:30pm
Recruitment/Relocation Incentives (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 $144000 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 #: 08054F
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

• 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.
• Must pass pre-employment physical evaluation.
• 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.

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: Pharmacists must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d) and 7407(d).

Education or Experience:

(1) None required.

(2) 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 Healthcareer 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).

GS-08 Grade Determinations: In addition to meeting the Basic Requirements listed above you must meet the following:

EXPERINCE: Candidates must possess one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-07). Experience includes: plans designs analyzes acquires documents tests implements integrates maintains or modifies computer systems or software; Evaluates and analyzes workflow coordinates work activities; outpatient prescription filling; narcotic vault assignments; maintenance; Trains and orients pharmacy staff; archive automated dispensing data.

AND

In addition to the experience above the candidate must demonstrated the following Knowledge Skills and Abilities (KSAs):

1. 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.)

2. Skill in training and orienting new and existing pharmacy facility employees and students on proper policies and procedures.

3. Ability to evaluate analyze and coordinate workflow and work activities within a specialized area or section of the pharmacy.

Preferred Experience: Previous experience as a pharmacy technician usually a minimum of 4 years in a health system or retail pharmacy setting.
1. Experience with pharmacy automation such as Pyxis ScriptPro Parata etc.
2. Understanding of pharmacy software systems- Prior pharmacy technician management lead technician or role in training staff preferred.
3. Prior experience with Cerner/Oracle Health preferred

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard please visit full performance level of this vacancy is GS-08. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-08.

Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.