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:
- Citizenship. Citizen of the United States. (Noncitizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3g, this part.)
- Education or Experience. A high school diploma or equivalent; or at least 3 months experience.
- Certification. Certification by the National Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) is required at grades GS-7 and above.
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 employment, the following criteria must be met for this position.
Lead Pharmacy Technician, GS-8
Experience: One year of leadership/management experience.
Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following technical KSAs:
- Ability to evaluate, analyze workflow, and coordinate work activities.
- Ability to independently gather, evaluate, and analyze data to generate reports and/or for other projects/statistical purposes.
- Knowledge of pharmacy policies and procedures sufficient to train and orient new employees and other staff.
- Comprehensive knowledge of the operation and care of specialized pharmaceutical equipment.
- Comprehensive knowledge of the procurement and formulary process.
- Comprehensive knowledge of investigational drug policies and procedures.
- Comprehensive knowledge of controlled substance policies and procedures, and the ability to identify and investigate discrepancies in these policies and procedures.
- Comprehensive knowledge of , and ability to, analyze data in VA information systems.
Assignments. For all assignments above the full performance level, the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope, complexity (difficulty), and range of variety, and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time. Pharmacy technicians at this grade level may be assigned as a supervisor; lead technician in a particular area of the pharmacy; a controlled substance technician; an investigational drug technician; a procurement/inventory management technician; a clinical pharmacy technician; or similar assignment with this level of complexity. The GS-7 level is for select, complex pharmacy technician positions, as established by each health care facility. To be advanced, employees must meet all of the following standards, provided the standard is part of their assignment.
Determinations concerning placement of positions at this grade level shall take into consideration the skill mix and the availability of supervision in the work unit. Although these positions are under the supervision of a pharmacist, employees in such settings successfully and consistently demonstrate the exercise of independent technical judgment (without the need for readily available supervision) as well as comprehensive and thorough working knowledge of the most complex or difficult practices and procedures. Such individuals may also serve as leaders or co-leaders in a Pharmacy Service or for a specific unit or section.
References: VA Handbook 5005/15, Part II, Appendix G28, Pharmacy Technician, Qualification Standard, GS-0661, Veterans Health Administration.
The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-08.
Physical Requirements: There may be some walking, standing, bending, and carrying of light item