Pharmacy Technician

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.

01Basic 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: 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 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).

02Grade Determinations

Pharmacy Technician GS-0661-07 Experience: Candidates must possess one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level.

03Certification

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 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. Assignment: Pharmacy technicians at the GS-07 level are nationally certified and can work autonomously using independent judgement to perform a full range of duties. These pharmacy technicians 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.

04Preferred Experience

Hospital pharmacy technician experience including automation, controlled substance and sterile compounding. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

05Physical Requirements

Principal duties of this position require repetitive use of hands and fingers (e.g., preparing prescriptions, use of a computer keyboard, etc.). May require lifting and carrying light loads (up to 44lbs.), including boxes, equipment, medical supplies, stock boxes etc.; stooping or kneeling (e.g., to pick up items from the floor, remove and replace items on lower shelves, and to file documents in lower file drawers, etc.); sitting, walking, or standing for long periods of time (4-8 hours).

Ability to operate automation. Normal ranges of hearing and vision are required to perform work and communicate effectively. An ability to perform tasks.

***THIS OPEN & CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT (OCA) ESTABLISHES A STANDING REGISTER OF ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS, which closes on 12/28/2026. The initial cut-off date for referral of eligible applications will be on or about October 13, 2026 with subsequent reviews every other week, as additional vacancies occur, or on an as-needed basis, until positions are filled.

Please see the "What To Expect Next" area of the announcement which provides additional information on the referral process for this type of announcement.*** VA Careers - Pharmacy: https://youtube.com/embed/Fn_ickNBEws Pharmacy Technician GS-0661-07 Under the supervision of a Pharmacist, or Supervisory Pharmacy Technician, pharmacy technicians perform routine pharmacy functions including receiving prescriptions from patients in writing or electronically from physicians.

Pharmacy technicians prepare prescriptions by counting, pouring, weighing, measuring, and mixing the medication if necessary. Pharmacy technicians maintain patient profiles, prepare insurance claim forms, stock, and take inventory of medications. Pharmacy technicians prepare medications for inpatients in various settings, including sterile product preparation. Pharmacy technicians at the GS-07 level are nationally certified and can work autonomously using independent judgement to perform a full range of duties.

These pharmacy technicians mentor and train lower graded pharmacy technicians in the practice setting. They assist advanced/ specialized pharmacy technicians and participate in performance improvement initiatives. At the GS-07 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.

Multiple Work Schedules Available: 7 on 7 Off Evening Shifts: Primarily 7 on 7 off with Monday-Thursday as 11-hour shifts of 9:30am to 9:00pm, 12-hour shifts of 8:30am to 9:00pm Friday, and 12 hour shifts Saturday-Sunday to include the hours of 6:30am to 7:00pm with rotating nights, weekends, and holidays per medical center need. Day Shifts: Primarily weekday 8 hour daytime shifts between the hours of 6:30 am to 3:30 pm, with rotating nights, weekends, and holidays per medical center needs. Telework: Not Available.

Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: F06757 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized. Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized.