Pharmacy Technician

Summary

The Pharmacy Technician (Informatics/Automation) position functions as the informatics/automation specialist in all the patient care areas of pharmacy service with primary focus in both the inpatient and outpatient pharmacy service. The Pharmacy Technician is responsible for the daily maintenance and oversight of all inpatient and outpatient pharmacy automated dispensing equipment.

Duties

• Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Informatics/Automation (Automated Dispensing, Outpatient, Inpatient): Coordinates the technical aspects of pharmacy drug distribution activities to ensure standard operating procedures are in alignment with both pharmacy computer systems/software and automation capabilities so that efficiencies are maximized. Evaluates and analyzes workflow and coordinates all work activities involved with pharmacy automation. Ensures that automated dispensing data is archived within established guidelines for each type of equipment. Trains and orients pharmacy staff, and other medical center staff involved in operating the automation. Ability to participate in process actions teams to improve automation quality and safety, continually seeking ways to improve the service provided to patients and other customers. Pharmacy Operations: Assists in the quality management of Pharmacy Service by participating in process action teams and continually seeking ways to improve the service provided to patients and other customers. Uses knowledge of policies and procedures for inventory management to receive and inventory pharmacy stock, relay inventory information to the Procurement Technician. Ability to recognize and solve problems, makes recommendations to avoid potential problems, and refers appropriate concerns to Procurement Technician or supervising Pharmacist. Perform other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00am to 4:30pm 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 #: 08054F Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Qualifications

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. English Language Proficiency: Pharmacists must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), and 7407(d). 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). 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). GS-08 Grade Determinations: In addition to meeting the Basic Requirements listed above, you must meet the following: EXPERINCE: Candidates must possess one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-07). Experience includes: plans, designs, analyzes, acquires, documents, tests, implements, integrates, maintains, or modifies computer systems or software; Evaluates and analyzes workflow, coordinates work activities; outpatient prescription filling; narcotic vault assignments; maintenance; Trains and orients pharmacy staff; archive automated dispensing data. AND, In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrated the following Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs): 1. 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.) 2. Skill in training and orienting new and existing pharmacy facility employees and students on proper policies and procedures. 3. Ability to evaluate, analyze and coordinate workflow and work activities within a specialized area or section of the pharmacy. Preferred Experience: Previous experience as a pharmacy technician, usually a minimum of 4 years in a health system or retail pharmacy setting. 1. Experience with pharmacy automation such as Pyxis, ScriptPro, Parata, etc. 2. Understanding of pharmacy software systems- Prior pharmacy technician management, lead technician, or role in training staff preferred. 3. Prior experience with Cerner/Oracle Health preferred 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-08. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-08. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.

Requirements

You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job. All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959. Must be proficient in written and spoken English. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. Must pass pre-employment physical evaluation. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

Education

Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

How to apply

All applicants are encouraged to apply online. To apply for this position, you must complete the full questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 09/22/2026 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13060087. To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USA JOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire. Click Submit My Answers to submit your application package. NOTE: It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date.