Pharmacy Technician

Clarification from the agency

This job is open to current permanent employees of the VA Maine Healthcare System, Augusta, ME location only. NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position.

The Pharmacy Technician position is responsible for assisting the pharmacist in managing inventory control, dispensing of controlled drugs, and security of controlled substances for the Pharmacy Duties include, but are not limited to:

• Preparing and filling all inpatient and outpatient orders/requests for controlled substances. All prescriptions for outpatients will be checked by a pharmacist. Responsible for properly packaging, labeling of outpatient controlled substances and inpatient/clinic ward orders for controlled substances. Maintains database for Federal Express for shipping of controlled substances from the Pharmacy.
• Receives new stock and returned stock into inventory, ensuring the accuracy of controlled drug records. Utilizes the VISTA Controlled Substance package exclusively to maintain an accurate inventory of drugs in vault.
• Conducts regularly scheduled inventories twice weekly and daily if needed. Resolves inventory discrepancies immediately when discovered by reviewing VISTA reports and contacting appropriate persons when needed. Reports discrepancies to pharmacy supervisor for follow up. Interacts with controlled substance inspection officials, assisting with the inventory, review of invoices and VISTA reports. The incumbent(s) is responsible to resolve and answer discrepancies/questions resulting from the inspection team report.
• Is authorized and executes authority to initiate and complete all orders for controlled drugs, including local requirements, VACO directives, DEA requirements (including completing DEA forms), and other state and local requirements that apply.
• Monitors and analyzes orders and distribution patterns to identify questionable circumstances or unusual trends. Communicates potential problems to supervisor.
• Monitors controlled substances stock levels, maintaining an appropriate level of stock to provide good patient care without excess stock. Assures that the vault stock is in date and stored according to recommendations of manufacturer and USP.
• Provides controlled substance training for technicians, pharmacists, inspectors, students, residents, and others as needed.
• Performs all the duties of a Pharmacy Technician at lower grades as assigned. Assists in inpatient and outpatient section as time permits performing all other duties as assigned to maintain the consistency of overall pharmacy services.

Work Schedule: Full Time - Schedule varies
Compressed/Flexible:Not authorized
Telework: Ad-hoc
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not authorized
Functional Statement #: F06865
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized
PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not authorized

Notifications:

• This position is in the Excepted Service.
• This position is in an AFGE Bargaining Unit.
• This position is covered by a special salary rate.
• Veterans' preference does not apply for internal or other current permanent Federal agency employees.
• The incumbent may be required to travel to other VA campuses and CBOC's.
• Current and former Federal employees must submit copies of their most recent SF-50, (Notice of Personnel Action). The SF-50 must identify the position title, series, grade, step, tenure and type of service (Competitive or Excepted). In some cases, more than one SF-50 may be required to show a higher grade previously held. No award SF50's will be accepted.
• Narrative responses to the knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs) may be required from the selectee in order to proceed with the appointment.

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 identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• May be subject to satisfactory completion of our credentialing process.
• 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

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).

Certification: For positions above the full performance level, 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 Health career Association (NHA), Certified Pharmacy Technician (ExCPT)

NOTE: A copy of your certification must be included with your application.

Grade Determination:

GS 8 Experience: In addition to meeting the basic requirements, you must possess at least one (1) year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-07). Experience includes but is not limited to: 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.

(2) 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.

Assignment: Pharmacy technicians at this level have a higher level of responsibility for specialized areas of pharmacy and are expected to independently carry out assigned tasks of considerable difficulty.

In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:

(a) Comprehensive knowledge of concepts, principles, methodology and policies in a specialized area or section of pharmacy (such as sterile compounding, controlled substances, automation, clinical pharmacy, contact center, etc.) Note: See Specialized Area.in the Definitions Section.
(b) Skill in training and orienting new and existing pharmacy facility employees and students on proper policies and procedures.
(c) Ability to evaluate, analyze and coordinate workflow and work activities within a specialized area or section of the pharmacy.

References: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

Physical Requirements: See VA Handbook 5019

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:

• Long-form resume/Curriculum vitae (CV)
• Professional Certification
• SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action

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
• Long-form resume/Curriculum vitae (CV)
• Other (1)
• Professional Certification
• SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
• Transcript

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