Pharmacy Technician

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

Job summary

The US Department of Veterans Affairs is seeking a Pharmacy Technician at the GS-07 level for the Clement J. Zablocki VA Healthcare System. The role requires national certification (PTCB or ExCPT) and the ability to work with independence and sound judgement in a clinical pharmacy setting.

Minimum qualifications include U.S. citizenship, English proficiency, and at least 1 year of relevant experience. Candidates must meet specialty and certification requirements prior to appointment and may be

Qualifications

• U.S. citizenship verification is required or grandfathering Provisions apply per VA policy.
• English language proficiency for spoken and written communication.
• Active national certification (CPhT through PTCB or ExCPT through NHA) is required for GS-07 and above.
• At least 1 year of experience at GS-06 level or equivalent to qualify for GS-07.

Skills

Independent judgement

Pharmacy operations

English proficiency

Education

PTCB Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT)

ExCPT Certification (NHA)

Job description

This position is for a certified pharmacy technician above the full performance level GS-7 at the Clement J. Zablocki VA Healthcare System. Pharmacy technicians at this grade level are nationally certified by PTCB or ExCPT and can work autonomously, using independent judgement to perform a full range of duties.

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.

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).
• 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 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).

Pharmacy Technician, GS-07

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) Federal or Non Federal.

Grade Determinations

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.

Reference

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

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-07.

Physical Requirements

Work is performed primarily in the inpatient pharmacy and outpatient care areas, where there is a potential for exposure to communicable diseases. Such areas are adequately heated and ventilated, and safety precautions are required. In some cases, dealing with anti-neoplastic drugs may expose the incumbent to hazardous and toxic agents. The incumbent works with drugs/chemicals and must exercise precautions to avoid accidental contact to the skin, eyes, and lungs.