Pharmacy Technician

US-Department-of-Veterans-Affair; Shorewood Hills (WI); On-site; USD 42,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

The US Department of Veterans Affairs seeks a CSP Chemotherapy/Controlled Substance Pharmacy Technician to handle sterile preparations, manage controlled substances, and support pharmacists in a high‑risk, high‑volume environment.

Role requires independent judgment, comprehensive sterile preparation knowledge, and compliance with DEA regulations. GS-08 level; candidates may be referred pending licensure/certification requirements.

Qualifications

• Experience in sterile compounding and controlled substances handling.
• Certification as a Pharmacy Technician (CPhT or ExCPT).
• Ability to work in high-volume, high-risk preparation areas.

Responsibilities

• Perform compounding of sterile products, including chemotherapy preparations.
• Fill controlled substance prescriptions in compliance with DEA regulations.
• Take medication histories and counsel patients.
• Manage automation and workflow in the CSP/pharmacy setting.
• Train and orient staff in the specialized area.

Skills

Sterile compounding

Controlled substances handling

Dea compliance

High-risk preparation

Education

CPhT Certification (PTCB)

ExCPT Certification (NHA)

Job description

The Compound Sterile Product (CSP) Chemotherapy/Controlled Substance Pharmacy Technician is a highly specialized technician, who will perform a variety of complex functions in the preparation of chemotherapeutic agents and management of controlled substances. The incumbent will consistently demonstrate independent technical judgement and comprehensive working knowledge of sterile preparations. This position has responsibility for the handling and timely filling of controlled substance orders. 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:

GS-08 Pharmacy Technician Grade Determinations:

Experience: Candidates must possess one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level and demonstrate the KSAs below.

Certification: For positions above the full performance level, the employee must pass a national certification exam and hold an active national certification through either: (a) PTCB as a CPhT. OR (b) NHA as a ExCPT.

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSA):

• Comprehensive knowledge of concepts, principles, methodology and policies in a specialized area or section of pharmacy (such as sterile compounding, controlled substances, automation, clinical pharmacy, contact center, etc.

Note: See Specialized Area.in the Definitions Section.

• Skill in training and orienting new and existing pharmacy facility employees and students on proper policies and procedures.
• Ability to evaluate, analyze and coordinate workflow and work activities within a specialized area or section of the pharmacy.

Pharmacy technicians in this assignment specialize in areas such as sterile compounding, oncology, controlled substances, medication history review, clinical specialist (anticoagulation, pain, infectious diseases), clinical informatics, automation, immunizations and any other specialized area in the advancement of the profession. The pharmacy technician will serve as a subject matter expert and key resource in the day-to-day technician duties of the specialized area. The technician will be performing assignments such as compounding sterile products, filling controlled substance prescriptions while maintaining compliance with Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) regulations, taking medication histories and counseling patients, managing automation, managing workflow and training and orienting staff in the specialized area.

Preferred Experience

• Experience preparing sterile IV products in compliance with USP <797> cleanroom standards.
• Prior hands-on experience compounding hazardous drugs, including chemotherapy,.
• Experience working in a controlled-substance vault or performing day-to-day controlled substance accountability.
• Familiarity with DEA handling requirements and inventory procedures.
• Strong communication skills and experience working alongside pharmacists and other technicians in high-volume, high-risk preparation areas.
• Ability to multitask and maintain accuracy under time-sensitive conditions (e.g., STAT IVs, infusion clinic deadlines).

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

The full performance level of this vacancy is 8.

Physical Requirements: Refence VA Directive and Handbook 5019.