Pharmacy Technician - Outpatient

US-Department-of-Veterans-Affair; Hot Springs (SD); On-site; USD 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is seeking a Pharmacy Technician for outpatient services within the VA health care system. The role involves handling acute and chronic medications, understanding drug distribution laws, and ensuring compliance with policy and safety standards.

Candidates must meet citizenship and certification requirements, demonstrate English proficiency, and have GS-7 level experience as specified. Pre-employment physicals may be required.

Qualifications

• United States Citizenship required for appointment.
• Active national certification (PTCB/CPhT or NHA/ExCPT) is required.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English is required.

Skills

Pharmacy knowledge

English proficiency

Certification readiness

Tools

PTCB/CPhT certification

NHA ExCPT certification

Job description

Outpatient Pharmacy Technician

The outpatient pharmacy distributes acute and chronic medications and supplies or other direct patient care services unique to the VA health care model. Must possess knowledge of the laws, regulations and official policy concerning drug distribution, procurement, and security measures to conform to legal and professional requirements of pharmacy practice.

All requirements must be met by the close date of this announcement, 10/01/2026.

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.
• 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).

• 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-7 Pharmacy Technician

Experience: Candidates must possess one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level, GS-6. 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. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs): In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: (a) Knowledge of pharmacy technician principles, practices, concepts and theories providing for sound independent work. (b) Knowledge of the computerized prescription process and input of prescriptions and medication orders or electronic equivalent. (c) Ability to resolve pharmacy/medication issues with other members of the healthcare team, Veterans and external customers. (d) Ability to train developmental pharmacy technicians and students. (e) Ability to dispense medication or sterile products following all regulations, policies and procedures to ensure safe medication distribution. (f) 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-7.

Physical Requirements: You will be asked to participate in a pre-employment examination or evaluation as part of the pre-employment process for this position. Questions about physical demands or environmental factors may be addressed at the time of evaluation or examination.