Pharmacy Technician

Summary

The Pharmacy Technician must be a nationally certified pharmacy technician who can work autonomously – utilizing independent technical judgment (without the need for readily available supervision) as well as with a comprehensive and thorough working knowledge of complex pharmacy principles and practices to perform a full range of duties. The pharmacy technician has operational responsibility in the inpatient and/or the outpatient pharmacy performing highly complex procedures.

• 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:
  Pharmacy Technician candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f)
• 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 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‑7:
  
  Experience:
  
  Candidates must possess one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS‑6). GS‑6 level experience includes:
  Knowledge of Federal and state laws related to pharmacy practice
• Knowledge of preparation – storage and distribution of medication products including those requiring special handling and documentation
• Ability to use pharmacy information systems or operate pharmacy dispensing equipment
• Knowledge of basic inventory procedures
• Ability to communicate with patients and staff and direct questions to appropriate personnel
• 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 an 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
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard – please visit https://(Use the "Apply for this Job" box below). Standards/
• Pharmacy Technician Qualification Standard The full performance level of this vacancy is GS‑7. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS‑7.
  
  Preferred Experience:
  
  Inpatient hospital pharmacy experience
  
  Physical Requirements:
  
  You will be asked to participate in a pre‑employment examination or evaluation as part of the pre‑employment process for this position
• Questions about physical demands or environmental factors may be addressed at the time of evaluation or examination

• NOTE:
  
  The 2‑page Resume requirement does not apply to this occupational series
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