Pharmacy Technician

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. 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.

02Certification

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). 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).

03Grade Determinations

GS-08 Pharmacy Technician- Experience: Candidates must possess one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level and demonstrate the KSAs below.

04Certification

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-08 assignments and meet any additional KSAs for the assignment, if indicated: (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.

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

Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Duties include but are not limited to the following: Understands and applies DEA regulations, VHA Directives, Medical Center policies, and facility standard operating procedures governing controlled substance management and general pharmacy operations. Communicates effectively with pharmacists, pharmacy leadership, nursing staff, providers, and other healthcare personnel regarding controlled substance and operational pharmacy matters.

Manages and triages EHR and controlled substance tracking system communications related to controlled substance orders, requests, and accountability activities. Stores controlled substances in the vault and cage in accordance with DEA scheduling requirements, facility security standards, and applicable VHA Directives, ensuring accurate physical organization and separation by schedule and product.

Prepares and fills controlled substance medication orders under authorized prescriptions and in accordance with facility protocols, for pharmacist verification prior to dispensing. Prepares and maintains controlled substance emergency kits, floor stock supplies, and automated dispensing cabinet (ADC) loads for controlled substances, ensuring accurate quantities, documentation, and pharmacist verification prior to release.

Restocks and reconciles controlled substance automated dispensing cabinets, verifying physical counts against electronic ADC records and documenting discrepancies in accordance with facility policy. Coordinates controlled substance returns, reverse distribution, and destruction activities in accordance with DEA regulations and VHA Directives, maintaining complete documentation of all disposal activities.

Conducts scheduled and unscheduled controlled substance counts, including daily balance counts, periodic perpetual inventory reconciliations, and required audit cycles, in accordance with DEA regulations, VHA Directives, and facility policy. Supports the facility controlled substance inspection program by preparing records, facilitating counts, and providing documentation to the pharmacist-designated controlled substance inspector in accordance with VHA Directive requirements.

Performs technician order entry autonomously, independently evaluating and processing medication orders for completeness and processability in accordance with VHA policy, facility procedures, and pharmacist-established parameters. Prepares and fills unit dose medication cassettes, blister packs, and related unit dose packaging in accordance with facility procedures and under pharmacist oversight.

Operates fill stations, accurately counting, labeling, and packaging outpatient prescriptions for pharmacist verification in accordance with facility workflow and accuracy standards. Provides telephone and intake triage support in the operational pharmacy, addressing Veteran and caregiver inquiries within the pharmacy technician scope, and routing clinical questions or concerns to the pharmacist.

Supports automated dispensing equipment (ADE) operations in non-controlled-substance areas, including restocking, troubleshooting, and reconciliation, in accordance with facility procedures. Performs returns processing, inventory management support, and other operational assignments as directed by the supervisory pharmacy technician or designated pharmacy supervisor.

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:00 am to 4:30 pm (PST) Recruitment/Relocation Incentives (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases When setting pay, a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade).

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) Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior [work experience] or military service experience. 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 #:90588F Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized