Pharmacy Technician
Job Location:
Walla Walla, WA - USA
Yearly Salary:
Posted:
Application Deadline:
Vacancies:
Job Summary
Pharmacy Technicians fill orders and dispense and deliver medications using automated systems. Duties include basic inventory management such as physically receiving daily prime vendor medication delivery receiving DME (Durable Medical Equipment) supplies throughout the day monthly medication and DME outdate checks and scan and label prescription mail packages.
The duties listed are GS-6 Full Performance Level GS-3 GS-4 and GS-5 duties will differ in complexity and level of supervision.
Functions include:
- Receive daily medication orders from pharmacy prime vendor and DME supplies.
- Accurately account for prime vendor medication order electronically in Cerner.
- Identify prescriptions OOS (Out of Stock) and accurately pair OOS paperwork with received medication.
- Verify accuracy of medication quantity received per vendor invoices.
- Accurately label medication stock bottles with high alert and NIOSH stickers as appropriate and stock medication in designated locations.
- Notify Logistics Department when controlled substance order is ready for check in.
- Accurately fill medication utilizing ScriptPro robotics and manual fill with Kirby counting system.
- Batch prescriptions to correct location choosing window mail UPS and RRU.
- Process prescription refill and renewal request slips in Cerner.
- Generate match and affix postage labels to packages for mail out.
- Print end of day receipts and coordinate handoff of mailed prescriptions with appropriate carrier.
- Dispense window routed prescriptions to patients and approved caregivers with (2) approved forms of ID.
- Monthly medication and supply outdated checks on all pharmacy stock excluding controlled substances.
- Assist with inventory management maintain stock levels by alerting Pharmacy Procurement Team of needed medication/supply items.
- May be required to travel to CBOC locations to restock Omnicell medication storage units.
- Assist in training for lower graded technicians and volunteers.
- Perform all duties of lower graded technician functions as needed.
- Provide coverage to next higher-grade technician as needed for short staffing situations not to exceed more than 25% of employee workload.
- Keep workstations clean stocked and organized.
Work Schedule: Mon - Fri 8:00am to 4:30pm.
Recruitment/Relocation Incentives (Sign-on Bonus): Not authorized.
Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases.
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).
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 #: 80817-F.
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/examination.
- Ability to operate and drive a government vehicle as determined by an Occupational Health driving physical examination.
- A valid state issued drivers license with a clean driving history in accordance with VA Policy to drive a government vehicle.
- 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.
To qualify for this position applicants must meet all requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement.
Basic requirements:
Citizenship: Be a citizen of the United States. Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with38 U.S.C. 7407(a).
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.
- Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT).
- National Healthcareer Association (NHA) Certified Pharmacy Technician(ExCPT).
Foreign Education: To be creditable education completed outside the U.S. must be deemed at least equivalent to that gained in a conventional U.S. program by a private organization specializing in the interpretation of foreign educational credentials.
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.In addition to the basic requirements for appointment above VA HR staff must use the following criteria to determine the appropriate grade assignment of candidates.
Pharmacy Technician GS-03.
Education and Experience:
- One year of post-secondary education. OR
- Six months of general experience. OR
- Student Technician. A student enrolled in an approved nationally accredited pharmacy technician program for an occupation identified in 38 U.S.C. 7405(a)(1)(A) or (B) may be appointed on a temporary full-time part-time or intermittent basis under the provisions of 38 U.S.C. 7405(a)(1)(D) for a period not to exceed two years or the duration of the individuals program.
Pharmacy Technician GS-04.
Education and Experience:
- Completion of two years of post-secondary coursework related to pharmacy (e.g. 12 semester hours of science and mathematics courses). OR
- Completion of one of the following:
- Six months of experience that demonstrated knowledge of medication or medical field practice.OR
- Successful completion of a military or nationally recognized pharmacy technician education/training program. American Society of Health System Pharmacists (ASHP) American Pharmacist Association (APHA) Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) PTCB or NHA are examples of acceptable professional organizations recognizing such training programs. NOTE: Training courses recognized by PTCB and NHA are not actual certifications.OR
- One year of experience equivalent to next lower grade level.
- Ability to follow policies and procedures.
- Ability to maintain appropriate files.
- Ability to communicate with patients and other health professionals.
- Ability to follow both written and verbal instructions.
- Ability to operate office software/equipment to include computers software applications and printers.
Pharmacy Technician GS-05.
Education or Experience:
- Successful completion of four years post-secondary education with courses related to pharmacy (e.g. 48 semester hours of science mathematics pharmacy) or a bachelors degree. OR
- An associates degree in pharmacy technician or technology (48 semester hours of concentrated pharmacy technician training). OR
- One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level.
- Knowledge of basic pharmacy operations.
- Knowledge of pharmaceuticals to perform duties in pharmacy functional areas.
- Knowledge of pharmaceutical nomenclature (including generic chemical and proprietary names of drug).
- Ability to fill prescriptions.
- Ability to use pharmacy information systems or basic pharmacy dispensing equipment with oversight.
Pharmacy Technician GS-06.
Education or Experience: One year of experience equivalent to the next lower level.
* In addition the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:
- 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.
Preferred Experience: In addition to the basic Pharmacy Technician qualification standards preferred experience includes:
- An active Pharmacy Technician license or certification.
Physical Requirements: The work requires light lifting and carrying (under 15 pounds); reaching above the shoulder; use of fingers; walking (1-8 hours; standing (1-8 hours); kneeling; operation of a motor vehicle; near vision correctable at 13 to 16 to Jaeger 1 to 4; the ability to distinguish basic colors; and hearing (aid may be permitted).
IMPORTANT: If basing your qualifications on education you must submit a copy of all relevant transcripts with your application. An unofficial copy of college transcripts showing completion of the degree or program is required and must include the name of the school your name date conferred or completed and degree or certificate type. Your transcript will be reviewed for relevant coursework; therefore the uploaded copy must be legible.
Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges universities schools or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information visit:
Receiving Service Credit for Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed.
During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions.
This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.
This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.
VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38 and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority.
If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.
Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicants criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations Security and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.
Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government passionate about the ideals of our American republic and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
Required Experience:
IC
