Pharmacy Technician

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Harlingen (TX); On-site; USD 42,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid Time Off

Parental Leave

Federal pension

Job summary

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is seeking a Certified Pharmacy Technician at the Harlingen VA Clinic. The role involves stocking, dispensing, and overall pharmaceutical support under pharmacist supervision, with emphasis on accuracy and patient safety.

The position requires U.S. citizenship and English proficiency. Certification (PTCB/CPhT or ExCPT) is preferred, and the GS-07 level requires practical experience. Staff work schedules may vary and involve typical clinic hours.

Qualifications

• Citizenship required; English proficiency required.
• Education or experience: none required.
• National certification required for higher grades; PTCB/CPhT or ExCPT preferred.
• GS-07 requires 1 year of experience at GS-06 or equivalent.

Responsibilities

• Interpret, fill, and prepare prescriptions for pharmacist verification.
• Maintain clean, organized work areas and secure storage per guidelines.
• Operate and troubleshoot automation dispensing equipment as directed.
• Record expiration dates and perform regular stock checks.
• Assist in training new staff technicians and students.
• Support pharmacy QA and performance improvement initiatives.
• Handle high-volume prescription processing with accuracy under time pressure.
• Respond to questions from staff and patients regarding medication distribution.

Skills

English language proficiency

Certification (PTCB/CPhT)

National certification (ExCPT)

Knowledge of pharmacy technician

Dispensing medications safely

Train staff and students

Job description

Summary

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.

Qualifications

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: 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 (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: Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) - Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT)
• 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 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)
• 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)
• National Healthcareer Association (NHA) - Certified Pharmacy Technician (ExCPT)
• Knowledge - Skills and Abilities (KSAs)
• In addition to the experience above - the candidate must demonstrate the following technical 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
• 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.

Duties

• Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional The Pharmacy Technician: Accurately interpret - keys - fills - and prepares prescriptions with appropriate medications and or medical supplies for pharmacist verification
• Maintains work areas in a clean and orderly condition by assuring that all stock and equipment are in assigned places and all shelves and counters etc are free of dust (high and low) and debris to create optional work areas
• Assures drugs and supplies are appropriately stored and secured according to USP and VA guidelines - including the storage of high-risk - look a-like sound a- like - hazardous - controlled substances - corrosive chemical - flammable liquids - and refrigerated items
• Receives - checks - rotates - and places in stock all items received from pharmacy procurement section and identifies and reconciles any discrepancies to assure correct items have been received
• Utilizes automation dispensing equipment available to the pharmacy staff following all safety and QA procedures
• Reports automation malfunctions timely to the supervisor as appropriate Records expiration dates in the automatic prescription dispensing system upon receipt
• Performs monthly inspections to assigned areas to ensure proper storage of medications and soon to expired drugs are removed
• Completes inspection reports in compliance with regulatory requirements
• Reconstitutes oral or external medications (non-sterile)
• This includes calculating and converting to proper weights and measures the amount of drug or solution to be used for final pharmacist verification
• Answers questions from pharmacy and non-pharmacy personnel regarding drug distribution
• Identifies basic therapeutic problems - such as duplicate therapy with drugs in the same class and alerts the pharmacist to the possible need for clinical intervention
• Assists in training and orientation of new staff technicians - interns - and students
• Assumes an active role in the overall pharmacy-training program consisting of students - externs - interns - residents - and professional and non-professional staff members
• Demonstrates the ability to work under a variety of circumstances to maximize group productivity and quality
• Performs duties of all lower grade technicians as needed
• Participate in performance improvement initiatives for pharmacy
• Assists in quality improvement activities by participating in assessment and action teams that will improve service as assigned
• Assists higher level technicians as needed
• Completes all National - VISN - local - and Pharmacy mandatory trainings in a timely manner
• Maintains national certification with PTCB and CPhT or NHA as a ExCPT
• Complies with all VHA - Medical Center - and Pharmacy regulations - directives - policies - and procedures
• May be assigned to work in other areas/clinics of pharmacy service as deemed necessary by the Chief - Pharmacy Service or Supervisor
• Receives orders into VistA computer system on arrival
• Duties are continued in the Education Section
• Work Schedule: Harlingen-Treasure Hills VA Clinic: Alternating tours - 8 AM - 4:30 PM and 7 AM - 3:30 PM 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 for individuals not currently in this occupation - 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 #: 53559-F Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized