Duties
Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional
The incumbent serves as a subject matter expert for areas of Inpatient Pharmacy including, but not limited to dispensing workflows, integration of automation into dispensing, and the roles and responsibilities of all inpatient pharmacy technicians, leads, and supervisors. This includes providing guidance, support, and oversight to the IV and unit dose (UD) focused pharmacy technician supervisors and their work areas. Responsibilities also include leading change through innovation and adaption, leading people effectively, promoting quality improvement initiatives, and collaboration with other stakeholders within the Pharmacy Department and throughout the Medical Center.
The incumbent must have and maintain Pharmacy Technician Certification Board credentials and at least one year of experience equivalent to a GS-8. The incumbent must also meet the characteristics as outlined in VA Handbook 5005/55, Part II, Appendix G28, Pharmacy Technician Qualification Standard, GS-661.
The duties and responsibilities of the Inpatient Pharmacy Technician Supervisor include but are not limited to the following:
A. Program Management
1. Provides coordination of day-to-day activities of pharmacy supervisors and lead technicians and any other learners or volunteers assigned in Inpatient Pharmacy. Oversees the daily operations of Inpatient Pharmacy services as it related to pharmacy technician work.
2. Assumes responsibility for the overall planning, operation and evaluation of Inpatient dispensing delivered to the care teams and veterans. Collaborates with the inpatient pharmacist supervisors to establish program goals and develop the operational plans and policies to achieve them.
3. Assesses, plans, and evaluates Inpatient Pharmacy technician staff roles and workflow to ensure positive impact on patient care.
4. Works with other services to develop and sustain systems that promote the highest quality, most cost-effective and efficient patient care.
5. Reviews, analyzes, and acts upon Inpatient Pharmacy workload statistics, quality assurance data, and productivity and workflow reports.
6. Actively participates in the Medical Center or VISN committees as assigned and represents the Inpatient Pharmacy service to all levels of management. This includes the ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
7. Assists the Chief of Pharmacy and the pharmacy management team in establishing and accomplishing the Pharmacy Department's mission and goals.
B. Administration/Supervisory
1. Directly supervises activities of the Inpatient dispensing and replenishment processes and dispensing areas.
2. Responsible for overall oversight of the inpatient IV and UD pharmacy technician supervisors and leads as they maintain smooth workflow of day-to-day activities and assume responsibility of workflow performed under their supervision.
3. Assures quality control of the work of those under supervision through spot inspection of completed work. This includes ensuring any gaps in compliance within programs monitored by leads or focused inpatient supervisors are reported to the supervisor team including the associate chief, remediation actions are taken, and processes are developed to prevent similar issues from reoccurring. Examples include, but not limited to, programs related to ward stock inspection processes, hazardous drug identification, and cleaning documentation of compounding areas.
4. Acts as a pharmacy patient representative to resolve Inpatient Pharmacy dispensing or customer service concerns.
5. Prepares and maintains the master Inpatient Pharmacy technician schedule and the Inpatient Pharmacy technician leave calendar. This also includes evaluating and approving Inpatient Pharmacy technicians' leave requests, and developing coverage plans for annual and emergent leave situations for Inpatient Pharmacy staff.
6. Approves/disapproves leave requests, develops performance standards, trains or retrains, counsels, disciplines, evaluates and recommends employees for awards.
7. Responsible for performance reviews for staff as assigned.
8. Shares responsibility for the establishment, revision of, and adherence to the policies and procedures necessary to provide the smooth and effective services in all technical or operational focused areas of the Pharmacy Department.
C. Other Significant Responsibilities:
- May perform other duties as assigned.
Work Schedule: Full-Time, Administrative days (Monday - Friday)
Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized
Telework: Telework, if approved, will be on an Ad-Hoc basis only
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 000000
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:
- United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
- 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, 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).
- Grandfathering Provision. Pharmacy technicians employed in VHA on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the title, series and grade held, including positive education and licensure/certification/registration that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation. For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements in this standard but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it, the following provisions apply:
- Employees may be reassigned, promoted up to and including the full performance (journey) level or changed to lower grade within the occupation but may not be promoted beyond the journeyman level or placed in supervisory or managerial positions.
- Employees in an occupation that requires a licensure/certification/ registration only at higher grade levels must meet the licensure/ certification/registration requirement before they can be promoted to those higher grade levels.
- Employees who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed on a temporary or permanent basis until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard.
- Employees who are converted to title 38 hybrid status under this provision and subsequently leave the occupation lose protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of re-entry to the occupation.
- Employees initially grandfathered into this occupation who subsequently obtain additional education and/or licensure/certification/registration that meet all the basic requirements of this qualification standard must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment in the occupation.
- Foreign Education. To be creditable, education completed outside the U.S. must be deemed at least equivalent to that gained in a conventional U.S. program by a private organization specializing in the interpretation of foreign educational credentials.
- 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).
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-09:
- Experience. Candidates must possess one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-08) and demonstrate the KSAs below.
- Certification. For positions above the full performance level, the employee must pass a national certification exam and hold an active national certification through either:
- PTCB as a CPhT. OR
- NHA as a ExCPT.
- Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs for ALL GS-09 assignments and meet any additional KSAs for the assignment, if indicated:
- Expert knowledge serving as a key resource advising others in their particular specialty area or section of the pharmacy (such as procurement, sterile compounding (USP compounding standards),controlled substances DEA, automation, clinical pharmacy, lead tech, contact center, etc.).
- Skill in analyzing data for self-driven (independent) performance improvement projects, workload analysis and statistical reports.
- Skill in solving problems and implementing corrective actions to maximize outcomes in their program area.
- Ability to maintain special accreditations and prepare for national reviews/inspections (e.g., The Joint Commission, Inspector General, American Society of Health System Pharmacists®, controlled substance inspections).
- Ability to develop training programs and material for orientation, competency development and educational needs for regulatory requirements within the specialized pharmacy program area.
- Supervisory Pharmacy Technician. Supervisory pharmacy technicians are responsible for management and supervision of at least three GS-08 pharmacy technicians. These positions require significant independent technical judgement and expertise in complex areas of pharmacy practice, regulatory requirements and quality standards. They organize, coordinate and manage programs for the pharmacy service at the facility level. These pharmacy technicians will be responsible for communicating with VISN or national pharmacy leadership as well as individual facility leadership and staff.
- Additional Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs).
- Skill in interpersonal relationships in dealing with employees, team leaders and managers.
- Ability to utilize staffing methodology principles to determine adequate staffing to coordinate and manage workflow and work activities within pharmacy.
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-09.
Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.
1. Principle duties require lifting, pushing, pulling, and carrying up to 50 pounds, sitting, walking, or standing for long periods of time (up to 8 hours), repetitive use of hands and fingers, reaching, bending stooping, and kneeling. Normal ranges of hearing and vision required to perform work and communicate effectively; must have visual ability to distinguish small numbers, basic colors and shades of color. The incumbent must be
physically capable to operate various type of equipment used for the job.
2. The work environment involves everyday risks or discomforts which require normal safety precautions typical in a clinical pharmaceutical setting. Employees may be required to use protective gear such as masks, gowns, gloves, goggles, or shields to minimize risks.
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.
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 09/22/2025 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12797675.
- 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.