Clarification from the agency

NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this occupational series. For more information, refer to Required Documents below.

Although the primary assignment of work schedule and tours may be in either the Inpatient or the Outpatient Pharmacy service area, the incumbent will be trained and expected to function and maintain competency in both areas as needed and assigned. As deemed necessary by the Pharmacy Supervisor(s) in order to meet the needs of the service; the incumbent may be assigned to work in any Pharmacy service area, may be assigned any duties, and may be periodically asked to volunteer or be assigned to work irregular shifts, weekends, holidays, or be called back in for emergencies.

The physical demands of the work environment may involve prolonged standing and/or walking. Time will be spent with VistA order entry. Work involves some sitting and lifting, pushing, or pulling of weights up to 50 pounds. The incumbent will be subjected to bending and stooping. The incumbent is responsible for providing a full range of pharmaceutical service functions including:

• Answers pharmacy phone calls timely and triages them appropriately.
• Collects, trends and reports drug use evaluation (DUE) data for quality improvement purposes as required. Actively assists in quality improvement activities by participating in Medical Center and service-level process assessment and action teams and continually seeks to improve services.
• Identifies basic therapeutic problems such as duplicate therapy with drugs in the same class and alerts the Clinical Pharmacist (CP) to the possible need for clinical intervention.
• Assists with inventory management and procurement of medicines, monitors inventory and relays information to the Pharmacy procurement staff. This also includes placing stock in proper storage areas, rotating stock on shelves as required, and removing/replacing outdated items and notifying procurement for replacement.
• Provides training to new or existing Pharmacy staff to ensure competencies are developed and maintained.
• Compounds and/or reconstitutes oral or external medications (non-sterile). This includes calculating and converting to proper weights and measurements for the amount of drug or solution to be used/dispensed.
• Possess an advanced technical knowledge of drug and medication brand names, generic/chemical names, general and special storage requirements, expiration date requirements, manufacturer and distributor sources, dosage forms, applicable systems of weights and measures.
• Conducts monthly ward inspections of patient care areas.
• Assists with adverse drug event reporting in VA Adverse Drug Event Reporting System (VAADERs).
• Performs all the duties of lower graded technicians, as required.

VA Careers - Pharmacy: https://youtube.com/embed/Fn_ickNBEws


Work Schedule: Tuesday - Friday 2:30pm - 11:00pm and Every Other Weekend.
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #:
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Financial Disclosure Report: Not Required

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

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:

• 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.

Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

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:

• United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
• 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).

Grade Determinations: Pharmacy Technician GS-7

Experience. Candidates must possess one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level GS-6, such as but not limited to: filling orders, dispense/deliver medications using automated systems or provide technical customer service to Veterans related to prescription needs. 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.

Certification. For positions above the full performance level, the employee must pass a national certification exam and hold an active national certification through either: (a) PTCB as a CPhT. OR (b) NHA as a ExCPT.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs). In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:

(a) Knowledge of Federal and state laws related to pharmacy practice.
(b) Knowledge of preparation, storage and distribution of medication products including those requiring special handling and documentation.
(c) Ability to use pharmacy information systems or operate pharmacy dispensing equipment.
(d) Knowledge of basic inventory procedures.
(e) Ability to communicate with patients and staff and direct questions to appropriate personnel.

Preferred Experience: Experience in hospital settings. PTCB Certification Necessary.

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-06. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-07.

Physical Requirements: This position requires prolonged standing and walking with a moderate amount of stooping, reaching and lifting, and pushing and pulling. A technician may be required to lift, push/pull up to 40lbs. A dispensing system may be used for varying lengths of time. Pharmacy technicians may be required to work irregular tours, weekends, and the holidays as assigned.

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.

To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:

• Resume

Special Note for Applications: To complete your application, please use the following link https://vacareers.va.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/Resume.docx to download the standard Clinical Resume Document. This one-page document does not need to be modified and must be uploaded into the two-page restricted 'Resume' document upload field.

Your full resume/CV may be uploaded without page limitation into the 'Other' document upload field.

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
• DD-214/ Statement of Service
• Disability Letter (Schedule A)
• Disability Letter (VA)
• License
• Other (1)
• Other (2)
• Performance Appraisal
• Professional Certification
• Resume
• Separation Notice (RIF)
• SF-15
• SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
• Transcript

Veterans' Preference: When applying for Federal Jobs, eligible Veterans should claim preference for 5pt (TP), 10pt (CP/CPS/XP), or for Sole Survivor Preference (SSP) in the questionnaire. You must provide a legible copy of your DD214(s) which shows dates and character of service (honorable, general, etc.). If you are currently serving on active duty and expect to be released or discharged within 120 days you must submit documentation related to your active duty service which reflects the dates of service, character of service (honorable, general, etc.), and dates of impending separation. Additionally, disabled veterans and others eligible for 10-point preference (such as widows or mothers of eligible Veterans) must also submit an SF-15 "Application for 10 Point Veteran Preference" with required proof as stated on the form. Documentation is required to award preference. For more information on Veterans' Preference, please visit Feds Hire Vets - Veterans - Job Seekers - Veterans' Preference.

Veterans' preference does not apply for internal or other current permanent Federal agency employees.

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