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:

• Certification: must 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).
  • A copy of your certification must be submitted with your application.

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-7

Experience.

Must possess one year of experience equivalent to the GS-6 level in the Federal service; filling orders, dispensing/delivering medications using automated systems or providing technical customer service related to prescription needs; delivery of medications to floors/patients, filling medications for the pharmacist to review, checking for expired medications, answering phones with appropriate disposition, preparing sterile products (when applicable), and assisting with basic inventory management such as putting up stock and identifying when medications need to be ordered

In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of following technical Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (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.

References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G28

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS 7.

Physical Requirements: Work is performed primarily in the inpatient pharmacy and outpatient care areas, where there is a potential for exposure to communicable diseases. Such areas are adequately heated and ventilated, and safety precautions are required. In some cases, dealing with anti-neoplastic drugs may expose the incumbent to hazardous and toxic agents. The incumbent works with drugs/chemicals and must exercise precautions to avoid accidental contact to the skin, eyes, and lungs.