Pharmacy Technician

US-Department-of-Veterans-Affair; Harlingen (TX); On-site; USD 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is seeking a Certified Pharmacy Technician to support dispensing, inventory, and medication distribution within the VA healthcare system.

The role involves assembling automated dispensing orders, prescription processing, and units-dose packaging in a regulated environment. Candidates must have national certification, knowledge of pharmacy principles, and experience with VA pharmacy systems.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of pharmacy technician principles and practices.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Strong ability to communicate with healthcare team and patients.

Responsibilities

• Stock, deliver, and inventory medications and supplies.
• Inspect shipments and manage controlled substances distribution.
• Assemble automated dispensing orders and unit-dose packaging.
• Process prescriptions and ensure safe distribution of medications.
• Support with distribution of medications and pharmacy workflow.

Skills

Pharmacy principles

Independent work

Teamwork

Problem solving

Tools

CPRS/VistA

BCMA

ScriptPro

Job description

The Certified Pharmacy Technician accomplishes duties related to stocking, delivering, inventory, inspections, assembling automated dispensing orders, prescription assembly, controlled substances distribution, unit-dose drug packaging, dispensing, distribution, and any other function related to pharmaceutical practices.

Basic 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 - You must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7403(f).
• Education or Experience:
  1. None required.
  2. 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 (GS-07 and above): For positions above the full performance level, the employee must pass a national certification exam and hold an active national certification through either:
  1. Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB), Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT).
  2. 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).

Grade Determinations

Pharmacy Technician, GS-661-7

1. In addition to meeting the basic requirements, to qualify for the GS-07 you must possess at least 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-06).
2. Certification: For positions above the full performance level, the employee must pass a national certification exam and hold an active national certification through either:
   1. Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB), Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT).
   2. National Healthcareer Association (NHA), Certified Pharmacy Technician (ExCPT).
3. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following technical KSAs:
   1. Knowledge of pharmacy technician principles, practices, concepts and theories providing for sound independent work.
   2. Knowledge of the computerized prescription process and input of prescriptions and medication orders or electronic equivalent.
   3. Ability to resolve pharmacy/medication issues with other members of the healthcare team, Veterans and external customers.
   4. Ability to train developmental pharmacy technicians and students.
   5. Ability to dispense medication or sterile products following all regulations, policies and procedures to ensure safe medication distribution.
   6. Ability to troubleshoot automated dispensing equipment (ADE) or technology platforms/databases.

Preferred Experience

• Demonstrated ability to work independently with minimal supervision, especially during evening or reduced staff hours.
• Experience supporting clinical pharmacy functions such as assisting with MTM workflow, identifying medication related issues, or communicating relevant information to a pharmacist.
• Proficiency in conducting drug utilization review support tasks, assisting with medication reconciliation activities, and ensuring safe and accurate medication handling.
• Experience with high volume prescription processing, including filling, counting, labeling, and managing evening workflow while maintaining accuracy under time pressure.
• Strong communication skills for interacting with patients, providers, and interdisciplinary staff, including those contacting the pharmacy after clinic hours.
• Experience using VA pharmacy systems such as CPRS, VistA, or BCMA for prescription processing, patient lookup, medication administration histories, or workflow support. Proficiency with ScriptPro automation, including operating, loading, troubleshooting basic issues, and supporting workflow continuity.
• Experience with prepacking and preparing unit dose medications in accordance with VA policies and safety standards.
• Experience assisting with prior authorization workflows, including gathering documentation, initiating requests, communicating with direct care staff, and communicating relevant information to pharmacists.
• Proficiency with processing VA Community Care prescriptions, including verifying information, preparing fills accurately, and coordinating with pharmacist review.
• Proficiency with doing quality assurance tasks including medication storage area inspections, beyond use dating, tracers, and similar reviews.
• Demonstrated commitment to customer service and resolving issues promptly during independently staffed shifts.

Reference

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

The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-07.

Physical Requirements

Physical aspects associated with work required of this assignment are typical for the occupation and would generally not require a pre-placement examination.