Pharmacy Aid

Indian Health Service; Toppenish (WA); On-site; USD 40,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

The Indian Health Service is seeking a Pharmacy Aide/Pharmacy Technician to support the Pharmacy Department and deliver compassionate care to American Indian and Alaska Native communities. This federal role requires meeting procedures, maintaining stock, and assisting patients and staff with prescriptions and information on medication availability.

Candidates should be prepared for a rigorous background investigation and compliance with immunization and other federal requirements.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• One year of study above high school in biology, chemistry, or physics may suffice for higher grade level.

Responsibilities

• Prepare prescriptions by selecting, measuring, counting, and packaging medications following procedures.
• Set up individual prescription orders for commonly prescribed medications that are labeled and repackaged.
• Maintain stock levels by checking expiration dates, rotating inventory, and noting shortages.
• Provide service to patients and healthcare staff by locating prescriptions, processing refill requests, and informing on medication availability.

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

One year of study above high school in biology, chemistry, or physics

Job description

Summary

At the Indian Health Service, Pharmacy Aids do more than support the Pharmacy Department. Guided by our mission to raise the health of American Indian and Alaska Native people, you'll deliver compassionate care where it's needed most.

Summary

At the Indian Health Service, Pharmacy Aids do more than support the Pharmacy Department. Guided by our mission to raise the health of American Indian and Alaska Native people, you'll deliver compassionate care where it's needed most.

A REAL ID will be required beginning May 7, 2025, in accordance with 6 C.F.R. 37.5 (2021).

Duties

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• Performs prescription preparation by selecting, measuring, counting, and packaging medications in the correct dosage forms and strengths following established procedures.
• Sets up individual prescription orders for commonly prescribed medications that are already labeled and repackaged.
• Maintains stock levels by checking for expiration dates, rotating inventory, and noting shortages.
• Provides service to patients and healthcare staff by locating prescriptions, processing refill requests, and providing information on medication availability.

Total Compensation Package - Check out IHS's outstanding total compensation package for this job: Pharmacy Technician Total Compensation

This position is also being advertised under ESEP/MP announcement number IHS-27-HQ-13080855-ESEP/MP.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

Selectee may be subject to a probationary period

U.S. Citizenship is required

Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959

IHS Selectees whose duties and responsibilities require them to work permanently, temporarily, or occasionally in an IHS healthcare facility must comply with the IHS Employee Immunization Policy related to vaccine-preventable diseases, consistent with recommendations for healthcare workers. Vaccine exemption requests may be available, as outlined in the IHS Employee Immunization Policy and facility guidance.

This is a designated position covered by Public Law 101-630, requiring contact or control over Indian children. Due to this requirement, the agency must ensure that persons hired for these positions have not been found guilty of or pleaded nolo contendere or guilty to certain crimes.

On-call hours or standby duty may be required.

You will need to set up direct deposit so we can pay you.

Background Investigation Requirement

This position requires the successful completion of a federal background investigation as a condition of employment.

A background investigation is a standard process used by the Federal Government to verify an individual's identity, employment history, education, and other relevant information to determine suitability for Federal service.

Upon receipt of instructions, applicants must complete all required background investigation forms within five (5) calendar days of issuance. Timely completion is critical to avoid delays in processing or a determination of unsuitability.

Applicants are strongly encouraged to prioritize this requirement and to maintain regular communication with their assigned Personnel Security Specialist throughout the process.

Financial Suitability Requirement

This position requires a review of the applicant's financial history as part of the personnel security and suitability determination. Applicants must demonstrate financial responsibility, maintain good standing with creditors, and satisfy all legal financial obligations prior to applying.

Individuals with substantial delinquent or unresolved financial obligations-including, but not limited to, delinquent federal or state tax liabilities, defaulted federal student loans, court-ordered fines or fees, or child support arrears-may be deemed unsuitable for employment with the Indian Health Service (IHS).

Qualifications

This is a competitive vacancy announcement advertised under Delegated Examining Authority. Selections made under this vacancy announcement will be processed as new appointments to the civil service. Current civil service employees would therefore be given new appointments to the civil service; however, benefits, time served, and all other Federal entitlements would remain the same.

To qualify for this position, your resume must state sufficient experience and/or education, to perform the duties of the specific position for which you are applying. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; social). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer and part time experience. You must clearly identify the duties and responsibilities in each position held and the total number of hours per week.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

for the GS-0661-02, you must meet one of the requirements below:

Experience: Your resume must demonstrate 3 months of General Experience: General Experience is defined as any type of work that demonstrates the ability to perform the work of the position, or experience that provided familiarity with the subject matter or processes of the broad subject area of the occupation.

OR

Education: Successful completion of a high school education or equivalent.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS for the GS-0661-03, you must meet one of the requirements below:

Experience: Your resume must demonstrate 6 months of General Experience: General Experience is defined as any type of work that demonstrates the ability to perform the work of the position, or experience that provided familiarity with the subject matter or processes of the broad subject area of the occupation.

OR

Education: Successful completion of one year of study above high school that included a course in biology, chemistry, or physics.

OR

Combination of Education and Experience: A combination of education and experience that, when combined, fully meets the minimum qualifications for this position. The total percentage must equal at least 100 percent to qualify at the GS-03 grade level.

The first application cutoff date for referral consideration will be five business days after the announcement opens. Subsequent cutoff dates will be each Friday at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time through the announcement's closing date. Applicants must meet all qualification requirements and submit all required documents by the applicable cutoff date to receive consideration.

Education

You are strongly encouraged to submit a copy of your transcripts or a list of your courses including titles, credit hours completed, and grades. Unofficial transcripts will be accepted in the application package. Official transcripts will be required from all selectees prior to receiving an official offer.

Only attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education may be credited. Applicants can verify accreditation at the following website: https://www.ed.gov/accreditation.

If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

Additional information

Additional selection(s) of candidates may be possible within 90 days from the date the certificate of eligibles was issued for this announcement.

Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. IHS may offer newly-appointed Federal employees credit for their directly related previous non-federal experience or active duty uniformed military service. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave.

This position is covered by a Bargaining Unit.

Recruitment or relocation incentives may be authorized. At least a 1 year service agreement will be required.

This position has promotion potential to the GS-6 grade level. Promotion to the next grade level is at management's discretion and is based on your demonstrated ability to perform the higher level duties, the continuing need for the higher level duties, and "Regulatory/Administrative" approval. Promotion to the next higher grade level is not guaranteed and no promise of promotion is implied.

Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit www.dhs.gov/E-Verify/.

You will be evaluated for this position in accordance with the OPM Merit Hiring Plan. As part of the application process, you will be asked to provide short essay responses (200 words or less each) to the following four questions.

• How has your commitment to the Constitution and the founding principles of the United States inspired you to pursue this role within the Federal government?
• In this role, how would you use your skills and experience to improve government efficiency and effectiveness?
• In this role, you will be expected to professionally and efficiently implement executive direction. Provide an example where you implemented leadership direction on a strategy or policy decision that differed from your own recommendation.
• How has a strong work ethic contributed to your professional, academic or personal achievements?
• Your responses are optional and will not be scored.
• However, they may be reviewed by hiring managers and agency leadership (or designees) during the evaluation process.
• You will be asked to certify that your responses are written in your own words and that you did not use a consultant or artificial intelligence (AI) tool (such as ChatGPT or Copilot).

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

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A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

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Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.