Pharmacy Technician

US-Department-of-Veterans-Affair; Lubbock (TX); On-site; USD 29,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is seeking a Pharmacy Technician at the Lubbock, Texas HCC to support procurement, inventory management, and dispensing of medications. Responsibilities include stocking automated cabinets, quality control inspections, and training fellow staff.

The role spans GS-03 through GS-06 with development potential. Applicants must meet basic requirements including U.S. citizenship and English proficiency; various education/experience paths qualify for different

Qualifications

• Citizenship: United States
• English language proficiency required
• GS-03/GS-04/GS-05/GS-06 education/experience requirements outlined in the vacancy

Responsibilities

• Procurement and inventory activities for the Lubbock, TX site.
• Dispensing medications, stocking, and restocking automated dispensing cabinets
• Quality control inspections and training of staff
• Other duties as assigned by supervisors

Skills

Pharmacy operations

Patient communication

Policies and procedures

Pharmacy info systems

Prescription filling

Education

One year of post-secondary education

Two years of post-secondary coursework related to pharmacy

Completion of a recognized pharmacy tech program

Tools

Pharmacy dispensing software

Pharmacy dispensing equipment

Automated dispensing cabinets

Job description

This position is responsible for procurement and inventory activities at the Lubbock, Texas HCC. Pharmacy technicians may be assigned expanded distributive function assignments (i.e. filling of controlled substances). Functions include: dispensing of medications, stocking, and restocking of automated dispensing cabinets and other ward stock areas, maintaining quality control practices, and assigned quality control inspections, training of fellow staff, and other duties as assigned. 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. HPTs who are on track to graduate/complete the requirements should respond as if they have met the requirements. Provide details in the narrative sections of the assessment.

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: Must be proficient in written and spoken English

Grade Determinations

Pharmacy Technician, GS-03.

(1) Education and Experience.(a) One year of post-secondary education.

OR

(b) Six months of general experience.

OR

(c) Student Technician. A student enrolled in an approved nationally accredited pharmacy technician program for an occupation identified in 38 U.S.C. 7405(a)(1)(A) or (B) may be appointed on a temporary full-time, part-time or intermittent basis under the provisions of 38 U.S.C. 7405(a)(1)(D) for a period not to exceed two years or the duration of the individual's program.

Pharmacy Technician, GS-04.

(1) Education and Experience.

(a) Completion of two years of post-secondary coursework related to pharmacy (e.g., 12 semester hours of science and mathematics courses).

OR

(b) Completion of one of the following:

• Six months of experience, that demonstrated knowledge of medication or medical field practice. OR
• Successful completion of a military or nationally recognized pharmacy technician education/training program. American Society of Health System Pharmacists® (ASHP), American Pharmacist Association (APHA), Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), PTCB or NHA are examples of acceptable professional organizations recognizing such training programs. NOTE: Training courses recognized by PTCB and NHA are not actual certifications. OR
• One year of experience equivalent to next lower grade level, GS-3, Reference, GS-3 Assignment: Employees at the entry-level are developmental trainees. The pharmacy technician trainee is performing routine pharmacy duties under direct supervision of higher graded technicians to learn the basic functions of pharmacy operations.

(2) Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to the education or experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:

(a) Ability to follow policies and procedures.

(b) Ability to maintain appropriate files.

(c) Ability to communicate with patients and other health professionals.

(d) Ability to follow both written and verbal instructions.

(e) Ability to operate office software/equipment to include, computers, software applications and printers.

Pharmacy Technician, GS-05.

(1) Education or Experience.

(a) Successful completion of four years post-secondary education with courses related to pharmacy (e.g., 48 semester hours of science, mathematics, pharmacy) or a bachelor's degree.

OR

(b) An associate's degree in pharmacy technician or technology (48 semester hours of concentrated pharmacy technician training).

OR

(c) One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level, GS-4, Reference, GS-4 Assignment: Employees at this grade level serve in a pharmacy technician developmental position. Pharmacy technicians at this level perform duties such as dispensing prescriptions at the pharmacy window and prepacking medications.

(2) Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to the education or experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:

(a) Knowledge of basic pharmacy operations.

(b) Knowledge of pharmaceuticals to perform duties in pharmacy functional areas.

(c) Knowledge of pharmaceutical nomenclature (including generic, chemical and proprietary names of drug).

(d) Ability to fill prescriptions.

(e) Ability to use pharmacy information systems or basic pharmacy dispensing equipment with oversight.

Pharmacy Technician, GS-06.

(1) Education or Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the next lower level, GS-5, Reference, GS-5 Assignment: Pharmacy technicians at this developmental level perform all duties expected of employees at lower grade levels; however, they are expected to exercise greater judgement, require less supervision and operate in accordance with all established policies and procedures. Pharmacy technicians at this grade level will fill orders and dispense/ deliver medications using automated systems. These technicians require oversight of assigned duties by full performance level technicians and or pharmacists.

(2) Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs). In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:

(a) Knowledge of Federal and state laws related to pharmacy practice.

(b) Knowledge of preparation, storage and distribution of medication products including those requiring special handling and documentation.

(c) Ability to use pharmacy information systems or operate pharmacy dispensing equipment.

(d) Knowledge of basic inventory procedures.

(e) Ability to communicate with patients and staff and direct questions to appropriate personnel.

Preferred Experience

• National Pharmacy Technician certification:
  • Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB), Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT) OR
  • National Healthcareer Association (NHA), Certified Pharmacy Technician (ExCPT)
• Previous VA experience
• Experience working in a retail pharmacy
• Experience working with automation

Reference can be found at the VA Qualification Repository, VA Qualifications Standards - Office of the Chief Human Capital Officer (OCHCO) GS-0661 Pharmacy Technician VA Qualification Standard dated November 7, 2023

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-6. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-3 to GS-6.

Physical Requirements: The incumbent must be able to lift and carry moderate amounts (15-44 pounds), have use of fingers, be able to walk for less than 2 hours and stand for less than 4. The incumbent must have near and far vision corrected, depth perception, be able to distinguish basic colors and shades of colors. Must be able to hear (hearing aid permitted) and be emotionally and mentally stable.