Pharmacy Technician

US-Department-of-Veterans-Affair; Topeka (KS); On-site; USD 45,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs in Topeka, Kansas seeks a Pharmacy Technician, GS-06, to support inpatient and outpatient services. The role requires compliance with federal qualification standards and KSAs, including knowledge of laws, medication handling, and dispensing systems.

The position involves following established procedures for medication preparation, storage, and documentation with emphasis on patient and staff communication and safety.

Qualifications

• KSAs include knowledge of pharmacy laws and regulatory compliance.
• Experience with medication preparation, storage, and documentation.
• Ability to use pharmacy information systems and dispensing equipment.
• Understanding of basic inventory procedures.
• Ability to communicate with patients and staff.

Skills

Knowledge of Federal and state laws

Knowledge of preparation, storage and

Ability to use pharmacy information

Knowledge of basic inventory

Ability to communicate with patients

Job description

Basic Requirements

Citizenship. Be a citizen of the United States. Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7407(a).

Education or Experience. (1) None required. (2) 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:

• (1) Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB), Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT).
• OR (2) National Healthcareer Association (NHA), Certified Pharmacy Technician (ExCPT).

Grandfathering Provision. Pharmacy technicians employed in VHA on the effective date of this qualification standard 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: (1) 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. (2) 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. (3) 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. (4) 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. (5) Employees initially grandfathered into this occupation who subsequently 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.

Foreign Education. To be creditable, education completed outside the U.S. must be deemed at least equivalent to that gained in a conventional U.S. program by a private organization specializing in the interpretation of foreign educational credentials.

Grade Determinations

Pharmacy Technician, GS-06.

(1) Education or Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the next lower level.

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

• Knowledge of Federal and state laws related to pharmacy practice.
• Knowledge of preparation, storage and distribution of medication products including those requiring special handling and documentation.
• Ability to use pharmacy information systems or operate pharmacy dispensing equipment.
• Knowledge of basic inventory procedures.
• Ability to communicate with patients and staff and direct questions to appropriate personnel.

Preferred Experience

Inpatient and Outpatient experience

Reference

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

Physical Requirements

See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service.