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. 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.
GRADE DETERMINATIONS
Pharmacy Technician, GS-07
- Experience. Candidates must possess one full year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade (GS-6) level which are:
- 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.
- Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:
- Knowledge of pharmacy technician principles, practices, concepts and theories providing for sound independent work.
- Knowledge of the computerized prescription process and input of prescriptions and medication orders or electronic equivalent.
- Ability to resolve pharmacy/medication issues with other members of the healthcare team, Veterans and external customers.
- Ability to train developmental pharmacy technicians and students.
- Ability to dispense medication or sterile products following all regulations, policies and procedures to ensure safe medication distribution.
- Ability to troubleshoot automated dispensing equipment (ADE) or technology platforms/databases.
Certification-Documentation Submitted. This position is above the full performance level and the employee must pass a national certification exam and hold an active national certification through either:
- The Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB), as a Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT). or,
- The National Healthcareer Association (NHA), as a Certified Pharmacy Technician (ExCPT).
Preferred Experience:
- A minimum of 1 year of outpatient experience. Experience working in a large, complex VA medical center as a pharmacy technician.
- Experience preparing and dispensing medications. Competence in preparing and dispensing unit dose medications accurately and efficiently. This includes ensuring proper labeling, prepackaging, and adherence to protocols and regulations.
- A minimum of 1 year of experience filling and troubleshooting Pyxis and ScriptPro. Proficiency with automated Pharmacy dispensing systems, including the ability to effectively fill, manage inventories, utilize reports, and troubleshoot any operational issues.
- A minimum of 1 year of experience working at a State Veteran Nursing Home.
- A minimum of 1 year of experience compounding sterile products using aseptic technique. Demonstrated competency in preparing sterile medications accurately and safely, following stringent aseptic guidelines.
- A current and active Florida Pharmacy Technician License for working at the State Veteran Nursing Home.
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-07.
Physical Requirements: Heavy lifting (45 pounds and over), Moderate lifting (15-44 pounds), Light lifting (under 15 pounds), Heavy carrying (45 pounds and over), Moderate carrying (15-44 pounds), Light carrying (under 15 pounds), Straight pulling (2 hours), Pushing, Reaching above shoulder, Use of fingers, Both hands required, Walking (up to 4 hours), Standing (prolonged), Repeated bending, Climbing, use of legs and arms (infrequent), Operation of motor vehicle, Near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4, Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other, Specific visual requirement (Ability to read fine print on labels), Depth perception, Ability to distinguish basic colors, Hearing (aid permitted), Clear Speech, Emotional Stability, Good Dexterity