Pharmacy Technician

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; San Antonio (TX); On-site; USD 42,000 - 64,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid time off

Federal benefits

Job summary

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs seeks an advanced Pharmacy Technician to support inpatient and outpatient operations. You will process prescriptions, prepare medications, assist with sterile and non-sterile compounding, and handle controlled substances under strict safety standards.

You will also manage inventory, support automation, perform quality checks, and deliver excellent customer service in a fast-paced VA environment, with a focus on accurate and timely medication distribution.

Qualifications

• Citizenship in the United States
• English proficiency in speaking and writing
• Certification: CPhT or ExCPT preferred for higher grades
• Education or Experience: None required
• Must meet VA qualification standards for the title/grade
• Physical requirements include lifting, standing, and repetitive motions

Responsibilities

• Process prescriptions and medication orders accurately
• Prepare medications and dispense them per pharmacist verification
• Perform sterile and non-sterile compounding per procedures
• Manage controlled substances and maintain accountability and security
• Maintain and operate pharmacy automation and inventory systems
• Provide patient-focused customer service and collaborate with healthcare team

Skills

Pharmacy principles

Sterile / non-sterile compounding

Prescription processing

Pharmacy automation

Customer service

Team collaboration

Tools

VistA system

Automated dispensing cabinets (ADE)

Omnicell

Job description

Summary

Serves as an advanced Pharmacy Technician supporting inpatient and outpatient pharmacy operations. Performs prescription processing - medication preparation and dispensing - sterile and non-sterile compounding - controlled substance handling - inventory management - automation support - quality checks - and customer service. Applies pharmacy policies - safety standards - and technical expertise to ensure accurate - timely medication distribution and effective pharmacy operations.

Summary

Serves as an advanced Pharmacy Technician supporting inpatient and outpatient pharmacy operations. Performs prescription processing - medication preparation and dispensing - sterile and non-sterile compounding - controlled substance handling - inventory management - automation support - quality checks - and customer service. Applies pharmacy policies - safety standards - and technical expertise to ensure accurate - timely medication distribution and effective pharmacy operations.

Qualifications

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

• To qualify for appointment to this position - all applicants must possess the following: Citizenship - You must be a citizen of the United States 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: 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)
• Grandfather Provision
• A Pharmacy Technician employed in VHA on the effective date of the qualification standard (11/7/2023) are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the title - series and grade held - including positive education and licensure/certification/registration that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation
• For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements in this standard but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it - the following provisions apply: Employees may be reassigned - promoted up to and including the full performance (journey) level or changed to lower grade within the occupation but may not be promoted beyond the journeyman level or placed in supervisory or managerial positions
• Employees in an occupation that requires a licensure/certification/ registration only at higher grade levels must meet the licensure/ certification/registration requirement before they can be promoted to those higher grade levels
• Employees who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed on a temporary or permanent basis until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard
• Employees who are converted to title 38 hybrid status under this provision and subsequently leave the occupation lose protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of re-entry to the occupation
• Employees initially grandfathered into this occupation who subsequent obtain additional education and/or licensure/certification/registration that meet all the basic requirements of this qualification standard must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment in the occupation
• Grade Determinations: 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: 1 year of experience with pharmacy automation - including troubleshooting - changing paper and ribbon - and cleaning automation
• 1 year of knowledge of controlled substances - including delivery to Omnicell units
• 1 year of knowledge and experience filling patient cassettes - ordering medications - and stocking medications on floors
• 1 year of experience compounding IV solutions - piggybacks - and similar preparations
• Knowledge of brand and generic medication names
• Knowledge of pulling medications for orders
• Knowledge of the VistA computer system
• 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: Moderate lifting - 15-44 pounds
• Moderate carrying - 15-44 pounds
• Straight pulling - 3 hours
• Pushing - 3 hours
• Reaching above shoulder
• Use of fingers
• Both hands required
• Walking - 8 hours
• Standing - 8 hours
• Kneeling - 1 hour
• Repeated bending - 1 hour
• Both legs required
• Near vision correctable at 13"" to 16"" to Jaeger 1 to 4
• Specific visual requirement: DVA correctable to 20/40
• Both eyes required
• Ability to distinguish basic colors
• Hearing - aid may be permitted.

Duties

• Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Major Duties Processes and prepares prescriptions and medication orders - ensuring accurate interpretation - entry - filling - labeling - and preparation for pharmacist verification
• Performs advanced medication preparation and dispensing - including selecting the correct drug - dosage form - strength - quantity - packaging - and labeling
• Prepares sterile and non-sterile compounded medications in accordance with established pharmacy procedures - standards - and safety requirements
• Conducts technical prescription and medication-order reviews - identifying potential discrepancies - errors - omissions - or problems requiring pharmacist intervention
• Maintains and operates pharmacy automation systems - including automated dispensing cabinets - prescription processing equipment - and related pharmacy technology
• Manages controlled substances and medication accountability - following applicable requirements for handling - storage - documentation - reconciliation - and security
• Maintains pharmacy inventory - including ordering - receiving - stocking - rotating - monitoring expiration dates - and ensuring medications and supplies are available when needed
• Performs pharmaceutical calculations involving dosages - quantities - concentrations - measurements - conversions - and preparation requirements
• Performs quality assurance and accuracy checks within the technician's authorized scope to support safe and accurate medication distribution
• Supports inpatient and outpatient pharmacy operations - adapting workload and technical functions to meet changing patient-care and pharmacy service needs
• Provides pharmacy customer service and resolves routine medication-related issues - working with patients - pharmacists - providers - nursing staff - and other customers
• Maintains required pharmacy records - documentation - security - and regulatory compliance - including protection of patient information and adherence to VA - federal - and facility requirements
• Other duties - as assigned
• Work Schedule: Monday-Friday - 7:30am to 4:00pm
• Rotating Weekends/Holidays
• Possibility of Evening Shifts 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 - 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 #: 55943-F Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized.