Clarification from the agency

This job is open to current permanent Department of Veteran Affairs employees only. Facility applicants have first area of consideration. This occupation is listed on the OIG Determination of Veterans Health Administration's Occupational Staffing Shortages Fiscal Year (FY25). Therefore, this vacancy announcement is exempt from Veterans Preference.

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Pharmacy Technicians above the full performance level can mentor and train lower grade technicians in the practice setting. The employee will assist the pharmacist in providing optimal care and timely service in accordance with the mission, vision, and goals of the North Florida / South Georgia VA Health System and Pharmacy. Pharmacy Technicians are expected to accomplish all duties related to stocking, delivering, inventory, inspections, assembling ward orders, prescription assembly, controlled substances distribution, sterile compounding (including hazardous drugs), unit-dose drug packaging, dispensing, distribution, and any other function related to pharmaceutical practices.

Functions of the Pharmacy Technician include, but are not limited to:

• Accurately interpret, fill, and prepare prescriptions with appropriate medications and/or medical supplies for the Pharmacist verification.
• Maintain work area in a clean and orderly condition by assuring that all stock and equipment are in assigned places and all shelves and counters are free of dust and debris in order to create an optional work area.
• Record expiration dates in the automatic prescription dispensing system upon receipt.
• Perform monthly inspections to assigned areas to ensure proper storage of medications and soon to expire drugs are removed.
• Demonstrate the ability to work under a variety of circumstances to maximize group productivity and quality.
• Assume an active role in the overall pharmacy-training program consisting of students, externs, interns, residents, and professional and non-professional staff members.
• Completes all National, VISN, local, and Pharmacy mandatory training in a timely manner.
• Complies with all VHA, Medical Center, and Pharmacy regulations, directives, policies, and procedures.
• Compounds and/or reconstitutes oral or external medications (non-sterile). This includes calculating and converting to proper weights and measures the amount of drug or solution to be used for final pharmacist verification.
• Performs duties of all lower grade technicians as needed.

Controlled Substances Activities

• Document all controlled substance items in automated secured cabinets (i.e Pyxis) in pharmacy or throughout medical center, as assigned.
• Ensure that proper handoffs occur when receiving or delivering controlled substances, assuring that at all times these medications are never left unsecured.
• Report unresolvable discrepancies to immediate supervisor for resolution. Assist with investigating, witnessing, and resolving discrepancies

Inpatient Pharmacy Activities:

• Consist with displaying competence with good manufacturing practice and sterile technique through demonstration and/or work performance.
• Prepares medications for dispensing to clinic before submitting for final check, prior to distribution to clinic areas.
• Operates and maintains automated dispensing unit dose systems.
• Inspects packaged items for accuracy and suitability before submitting for final check, prior to distribution to hospital areas.
• Follow USP 795/797/800 guidelines for the compounding of all sterile preparation and non-sterile preparation.

Outpatient Pharmacy Activities:

• Assemble prescription properly with correct drug, strength, quantity, auxiliary labels, and prescription labels for dispensing.
• Verify that patient receives the correct prescription by using VA software.
• Package prescriptions correctly, as to assure packages are not damaged within transit.
• Utilize and comprehend the mail shipping programs.
• Perform searches, update patient information, and generate shipping reports.

Work Schedule: An 8-hour tour between the hours of 7:00am - 7:00pm Sunday - Saturday (Rotating hours/holidays/weekends/evenings/nights)
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #:55348F
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Conditions of employment

• 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.
• You may be required to serve a trial period.
• 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 dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Must pass pre-employment physical examination.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).

Qualifications

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

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 VA policy.)

English Language Proficiency. Pharmacy technicians appointed to direct patient care positions must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 2, section D, paragraph 5a of VA Handbook 5005.

Experience and/or Education. None required.

Certification-Documentation Submitted. 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 Health career 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).

Grade Determinations: In addition to meeting the basic requirements stated above, the following qualifications criteria must be met in determining the appropriate grade assignment of candidates.

Pharmacy Technician, GS-7Experience. Candidates must possess one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level. (Examples of experience include filling orders, dispense/deliver medications using automated systems or provide technical customer service to Veterans related to prescription needs. Duties will include delivery of medications to floors/patients, filling medications for the pharmacist to review, checking for expired medications, answering phones with appropriate disposition, preparing sterile products (when applicable) and assisting with basic inventory management such as putting up stock and identifying when medications need to be ordered).

Certification-Documentation Submitted. 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 Health career Association (NHA), Certified Pharmacy Technician(ExCPT).

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs) GS-7. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:

1. Knowledge of pharmacy technician principles, practices, concepts and theories providing for sound independent work.
2. Knowledge of the computerized prescription process and input of prescriptions and medication orders or electronic equivalent.
3. Ability to resolve pharmacy/medication issues with other members of he healthcare team, Veterans and external customers.
4. Ability to train developmental pharmacy technicians and students.
5. Ability to dispense medication or sterile products following all regulations, policies and procedures to ensure safe medication distribution.
6. Ability to troubleshoot automated dispensing equipment (ADE) or technology platforms/databases.

Preferred Experience: At least 3 years of outpatient or retail pharmacy, automation, controlled substances, prescription packaging and inventory stock control experience. Strong customer service skills.

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

Physical Requirements: : The work requires regular and recurring physical exertion, involving standing or sitting for prolonged periods of time, typing, walking distances within the medical center, lifting/ carrying (up to 40 pounds) of pharmaceutical supplies and bending/stooping/stretching.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

Area of Consideration - Eligible applications will be reviewed and referred in the following order:
1. Current permanent VA employees of the facility.
2. All other VA employees.


IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, resume, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.