Pharmacy Technician

US-Department-of-Veterans-Affair; White City (OR); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

US Department of Veterans Affairs in the United States is seeking a Pharmacy Technician (Advanced Operations) to provide advanced operational support across the full spectrum of pharmacy services. The role covers controlled substances, unit dose prep, technician order entry, outpatient dispensing, window operations, fill stations, mailing, and automation.

May support clinical program initiatives as assigned.

Qualifications

• Must be a United States citizen.
• Certification required for higher levels: PTCB-CPhT or ExCPT.
• Education or experience combinations must total 100% for grade eligibility.

Responsibilities

• Provide advanced operational pharmacy support across the full range of functions.
• Assist in controlled substance management, unit dose preparation, order entry, and outpatient dispensing.
• Support window operations, fill stations, mailing, and automated dispensing equipment; assist clinical initiatives as assigned.

Skills

Pharmacy operations

Unit dose preparation

Controlled substances

Certification knowledge

Tools

Automated dispensing equipment

Job description

The Pharmacy Technician (Advanced Operations) provides advanced operational pharmacy support across the full range of pharmacy service functions. The incumbent works across all areas of the operational pharmacy, including controlled substance management, unit dose preparation, technician order entry, outpatient dispensing and window operations, fill stations, mailing, and automated dispensing equipment, and may provide directed support to clinical pharmacy program initiatives as assigned.

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).

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.
• 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). OR
  • National Healthcareer Association (NHA), Certified Pharmacy Technician (ExCPT).
• English Language Proficiency: Pharmacy Technician candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f).

Grade Determinations:

GS-08 Pharmacy Technician-

• 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:
  • PTCB as a CPhT. OR
  • NHA as a ExCPT.
• Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs): In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs for all GS-08 assignments and meet any additional KSAs for the assignment, if indicated:
  • (a) 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.
  • (b) Skill in training and orienting new and existing pharmacy facility employees and students on proper policies and procedures.
  • (c) Ability to evaluate, analyze and coordinate workflow and work activities within a specialized area or section of the pharmacy.

Reference:

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