Clarification from the agency

NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position. For more information, refer to Required Documents below. This Vacancy is open to all United States Citizens. Current Department of Veteran Affairs employees should apply to Vacancy 12983324. Veterans' preference waived for this announcement.

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Automation (Automated Dispensing, Outpatient, and Inpatient/Clinic) Duties include, but not limited to:

Duties include but not limited to:
(1) Provides for the security of controlled substances by controlling access to storage areas, and by ensuring that controlled substances are always kept in the locked, supervised area, specifically designated for controlled substance storage (hereafter referred to as the "cage" or "vault").
(2) Prepares, fills, and dispenses inpatient/clinic (where applicable) and outpatient orders and requests for controlled substances. Incumbent is responsible for transferring controlled substances from the designated pharmacy vault to designated areas to include but not limited to outpatient pharmacy working stock, and to all inpatient and outpatient clinic CS cabinets or Pyxis machines, on a regular basis to assure that an adequate working stock is maintained in each area. Dispensing actions require 100% accuracy and must be carried out in a timely fashion.
(3) Where applicable, the incumbent fills prescriptions for controlled substances for patients being discharged from the inpatient/clinic units.
(4) Prepares order requests for the controlled substances necessary to maintain proper stock levels to prevent both shortages and over-stock situations and accurately records receipt of new stock and returned stock into inventory. Removes outdated CS medications from stock - including inpatient wards, inpatient/outpatient storage cabinets, vaults following proper procedures for return/disposal.
(5) Conducts all inventories required by federal regulations and as described in VHA Handbooks 1108.01 and 1108.02 for the site of responsibility, including the biennial inventory, and the bi-weekly or 72-hour inventories. The incumbent, as designee of the Chief of Pharmacy, is present at the monthly, unannounced inspection of the Pharmacy controlled substance vault area. Paperwork for scheduled inventories and monthly inspections will be filled out completely and signed by both the CS technician and a pharmacist.
(6) Coordinates the holding and destruction of unusable controlled substances maintaining proper electronic records and security per VHA policy and Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) requirements.
(7) Maintains a comprehensive knowledge on tracking and accounting for controlled substance medications from receipt to use or destruction through use of manual and/or automated systems, coordinating and completing audits as necessary.
(8) Seeks personal and professional development opportunities which enhance personal wellbeing, customer service skills, and technical expertise. Educates non-pharmacy personnel and patients regarding Pharmacy Service's procedures, policies, and processes. Serves as trainer for pharmacy technician students.
(9) Monitors and analyzes orders and usage patterns for questionable circumstances or aberrant trends in usage. Communicates potential problems to supervisor.
(10) Researches and resolves issues related to mailed outpatient scheduled prescriptions according to resources through the U.S. Postal Service or United Postal Service, using computer or available resources.

Other Pharmacy technician duties, as assigned.

Work Schedule: 8 hour shifts including rotating, weekends, holidays, evening and nights as needed by the service
Recruitment Incentive (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)
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.
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): 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.
• 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 examination.
• 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.

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:

• 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. (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 Health career Association (NHA), Certified Pharmacy Technician (ExCPT).

Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements for appointment in paragraph 5, VA HR staff must use the following criteria to determine the appropriate grade assignment of candidates.

Pharmacy Technician, GS-08.
(1) Experience. Candidates must possess one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level and demonstrate the KSAs below.
(2) 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.
(3) 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.

Preferred Experience: Prior Automation and Controlled Substance Experience.

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

Physical Requirements: 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.

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.