Duties
- Dispenses medication or sterile products following all regulations, policies, and procedures to ensure safe mediation distribution.
- Resolves pharmacy/medication issues with members of the healthcare team, Veterans, and external customers.
- Responsible for computerized prescription process and input of prescriptions and medication orders or electronic equivalent.
- Recognizes and solves problems, makes recommendations to avoid potential problems, and refers appropriate concerns to Lead Technician/Procurement Technician or supervising Pharmacist.
- Uses knowledge of policies and procedures for inventory management to receive and inventory pharmacy stock, relay inventory information to the Lead Technician/Procurement Technician, and to obtain additional medication and supplies from our prime vendor when Lead Technician/Procurement Technician is unavailable.
- Protects patient sensitive information, electronic and print in accordance with the provisions of the Privacy Act of 1974, Federal Regulations, VA statutes and policy, and VHA policy.
- Troubleshoots, operates and cares for automated Pharmacy equipment; specifically, the Omnicell, Script Pro, and UNIT DOSE pre-packing machines.
- Compounds medications for inpatient & outpatient use, following written instructions and using proper aseptic technique without a second review.
- Conducts monthly ward and clinic inspection per VAMC policies and procedures. Replaces outdated drugs in all patient care areas.
- Inspects all emergency carts in facility replacing any outdated or short dated drugs.
- Communicates with facility personnel regarding drug distribution.
- Monitors all Pharmacy refrigerator and freezer temperatures.
- Receives and inventories drug stock from prime vendor including controlled substances.
- Trains developmental pharmacy technicians and students.
- Completes assigned ward inspections accurately and timely.
- Dusts/cleans shelves and rearranges drugs storage as directed.
- Assists with drug recall process.
- Cleans workstation to minimize disease.
- Safely and accurately cleans IV Hoods and prepares IVs and routine sterile products using proper aseptic technique.
- Performs complex calculations to ensure proper dose is prepared.
- Accurately and safely compounds chemotherapy and hazardous products using aseptic technique. Uses appropriate personal protective equipment.
- Runs daily IV Admixture picklist.
- Maintains and operates Omnicell automated dispensing system and restocks on a regular basis without a pharmacist review.
- Maintains Unit Dose prepacking machine.
- Responsible for pre-packing oral tablet and capsules for use in Unit Dose area, and for relabeling injectable, topical, and other items with BCMA labels for use by inpatients, using accurate quality control measures.
- Performs final check of unit dose carts prepared by other Pharmacy Technicians.
- Responsible for outpatient Pharmacy Call Center telephone calls, processes prescription renewals, refill, and partial requests in VISTA and follows up each telephone calls, enters prescription renewal requests into Access program. Refers inquires of a professional nature to a pharmacist as appropriate.
- Maintains and operates Script Pro automated equipment.
- Packages medication and supplies for mailing, observing special considerations for controlled substances, and items that require refrigeration or special handling. Takes precautions to ensure only medications for the addressee are in the package, the mailing address is correct and the routing/delivery method is appropriate.
- Dispenses prescriptions using proper procedure to ensure identification of recipient including verifying photo indentification and use of Script Pro dispensing station.
Work Schedule: Varied 8-hour shifts, to include weekends and holidays.
Telework: Not available.
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 59279-A
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized.
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized.
Requirements
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.
- You may be required to serve a trial period.
- 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 (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification 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).
Qualifications
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. Be a citizen of the United States. Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with 38 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.
Certification. For positions above the full performance level (GS-06), 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).
Grade Determinations: Pharmacy Technician, GS-07 (above full-performance)
Experience. Candidates must possess one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-06).
Assignments at the GS-06 level. Fill orders, dispense/deliver medications using automated systems or provide technical customer service to Veterans related to prescription needs. Duties will include delivery of medications to floors/patients, filling medications for the pharmacist to review, checking for expired medications, answering phones with appropriate disposition, preparing sterile products (when applicable) and assisting with basic inventory management such as putting up stock and identifying when medications need to be ordered.
Assignments at the GS-07 level. The higher-level duties must consist of significant scope, complexity and range of variety and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time. Pharmacy technicians at this level are nationally certified and can work autonomously using independent judgement to perform a full range of duties. These pharmacy technicians mentor and train lower graded pharmacy technicians in the practice setting. They assist advanced/ specialized pharmacy technicians and participate in performance improvement initiatives. At this level, pharmacy technicians use independent judgement to perform the full range of duties in the pharmacy. They also function as staff pharmacy technicians in various locations of the pharmacy, including pharmacy contact centers and other non-traditional pharmacy locations, with minimal oversight.
Certification. Must hold an active national certification through either:
OR
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:
- (a) Knowledge of pharmacy technician principles, practices, concepts and theories providing for sound independent work.
- (b) Knowledge of the computerized prescription process and input of prescriptions and medication orders or electronic equivalent.
- (c) Ability to resolve pharmacy/medication issues with other members of the healthcare team, Veterans and external customers.
- (d) Ability to train developmental pharmacy technicians and students.
- (e) Ability to dispense medication or sterile products following all regulations, policies and procedures to ensure safe medication distribution.
- (f) Ability to troubleshoot automated dispensing equipment (ADE) or technology platforms/databases.
Preferred Experience:
- Completion of a formal pharmacy technician training program or equivalent experience.
- Prior work experience as a pharmacy technician, preferably in a healthcare or hospital setting.
- Strong knowledge of pharmaceutical terminology, medications, and basic pharmacology.
- Inventory management, ordering supplies, and experience in record-keeping.
- Attention to detail.
- Excellent communication & interpersonal skills for interacting with healthcare providers and veterans.
- HIPAA regulations and ability to handle PHI & sensitive data responsibly.
- Automated medication dispensing machines.
Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit
https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.
The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-7.
Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.
Education
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: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. 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: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.
Benefits
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.
Review our 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.
How You Will Be Evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, resume, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.
Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.
It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.
Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.
Required Documents
To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:
- Professional Certification
- Resume
The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position. Please ensure you have included all documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), SF-50's (current/former Federal employees), etc.
- Cover Letter
- Other (1)
- Professional Certification
- Resume
- SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
- Transcript
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from
schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
How to Apply
All applicants are encouraged to apply online. To apply for this position, you must complete the full questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 08/28/2025 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12782091.
- To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USA JOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire.
- Click Submit My Answers to submit your application package.
NOTE: It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date.
Next steps
Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. After we receive application packages (including all required documents) and the vacancy announcement closes, we will review applications to ensure qualification and eligibility requirements are met. After the review is complete, a referral certificate(s) is issued and applicants will be notified of their status by email. Referred applicants will be notified as such and may be contacted directly by the hiring office for an interview. All referred applicants receive a final notification once a selection decision has been made.
You may check the status of your application at any time by logging into your USA Jobs account and clicking on Applications. Information regarding your application status can be found in the USAJobs Help Center.
NOTE: Participation in the seasonal influenza program is a condition of employment and a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). It is a requirement that all HCP to receive annual seasonal influenza vaccination or obtain an exemption for medical or religious reasons. Wearing a face mask is required when an exemption to the influenza vaccination has been granted. HCP in violation of this directive may face disciplinary action up to and including removal from federal service. HCP are individuals who, during the influenza season, work in VHA locations or who come into contact with VA patients or other HCP as part of their duties. VHA locations include, but are not limited to, VA hospitals and associated clinics, community living centers (CLCs), community-based outpatient clinics (CBOCs), domiciliary units, Vet centers and VA-leased medical facilities. HCP include all VA licensed and unlicensed, clinical and administrative, remote and onsite, paid and without compensation, full- and part-time employees, intermittent employees, fee basis employees, VA contractors, researchers, volunteers and health professions trainees (HPTs) who are expected to perform any or all of their work at these facilities. HPTs may be paid or unpaid and include residents, interns, fellows and students. HCP also includes VHA personnel providing home-based care to Veterans and drivers and other personnel whose duties put them in contact with patients outside VA medical facilities.