Performs advanced pharmacy tech duties including prescription entry, filling, sterile compounding, inventory control, automation, controlled substances handling, and patient medication dispensing. Applies VA policy knowledge, ensures regulatory compliance, supports pharmacists, maintains clean/secure workspaces, and provides customer service across various pharmacy functions.
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. 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 this position, 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). 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-07. Experience. Candidates must possess one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level. Certification. For this position, 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). 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, conceptsand 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 allregulations, policies and procedures to ensure safe medicationdistribution. Ability to troubleshoot automated dispensing equipment (ADE) or technology platforms/databases. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. This position is above the full performance level. Physical Requirements: Moderate lifting, 15-44 pounds Light, Moderate carrying, 15-44 pounds, Straight pulling (3 hours), Pushing (3 hours), Reaching above shoulder, Use of fingers, Both hands required, Walking (8 hours), Standing (8 hours), Kneeling (1 hours), Repeated bending (1 hour), Both legs required, Near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4, Specific visual requirement (specify) DVA Correctable to 20/40, Both eyes required, Ability to distinguish basic colors, Hearing (aid may be permitted)
VA Careers - Pharmacy: https://youtube.com/embed/Fn_ickNBEws Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional This GS-07 Pharmacy Technician position in the Pharmacy Service operates above the full performance level, supporting a high-volume department with minimal supervision. Major duties include prescription processing, sterile/non-sterile compounding, automation support, inventory and controlled substance management, and outpatient dispensing. No on-call requirements. Scope includes independent technical and administrative work to ensure safe, accurate, and timely medication distribution across inpatient and outpatient settings. Major Duties: Process and fill outpatient/inpatient prescriptions accurately using VistA, CPRS, and other systems Perform full administrative and technical review of medication orders and patient profiles Prepare sterile and non-sterile compounded medications per SOPs using aseptic technique Manage controlled substances in compliance with federal/VA regulations Maintain and restock automated dispensing cabinets and ward stock; monitor for expirations Support pharmacy automation systems including troubleshooting, loading, and cleaning Perform inventory control, stock rotation, and removal/disposal of expired meds Dispense medications to patients via mail or window, ensuring proper packaging and patient identification Provide customer service and patient education on medication-related processes Assist in procurement activities and maintain clean, compliant work areas Work Schedule: 9:00am - 5:30pm, with the possibility of rotation to 8:00am - 4:30pm Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year) Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment, up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child. Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment, full time employees with a total family income below $144,000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66. Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 51444 Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized