Pharmacy Technician

Summary

This Pharmacy Technician position is located in the Pharmacy service at the VA Boston Healthcare System (three vacancies at West Roxbury – MA – and one vacancy at Brockton – MA).

COVERAGE. The following are requirements for appointment or placement as a Pharmacy Technician in Veterans Health Administration (VHA). The requirements will apply to all VHA pharmacy technicians employed in the General Schedule (GS) 0661 series performing a variety of pharmacy duties under the supervision of a pharmacist. Pharmacy technicians perform routine pharmacy functions including filling, preparation and dispensing of prescriptions, sterile compounding, management of automated dispensing equipment (ADE), inventory management, and multiple types of customer contact services.

Advanced pharmacy technicians serve in specialized roles and may be involved with program management of their specialty area.

• Citizenship:
  Be a citizen of the United States.
• 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.
• 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 – Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT) or NHA – Certified Pharmacy Technician (ExCPT).
• Physical Requirements:
  
  See VA Directive and Handbook 5019 – Employee Occupational Health Service.
• English Language Proficiency:
  Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. 7403.
• Additional criteria for grade assignment:
  • GS‑07: (1) Experience—one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level.
  • GS‑06:
    Full performance level duties and responsibilities.
  • KSAs—Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities must be demonstrated.

Preferred Experience:

Inpatient pharmacy, compounding of hazardous and non-hazardous medications, automation such as Omnicell.

Physical Requirements:

Repetitive use of hands and fingers, lifting and carrying light loads, stooping or kneeling, long periods of sitting, walking, or standing (4‑8 hours), ability to operate automation, wearing personal protective equipment.

• Maintain and manage pharmacy equipment, troubleshoot, and coordinate service requests.
• Act as subject matter expert and administrator for various systems, services, programs, and equipment.
• Collect and maintain staff training logs and other records.
• Prepare various reports for supervisors.
• Oversee compliance with procurement, reverse distribution, and formulary processes.
• Assist with investigational drug services and policies.
• Analyze data for reports and projects.
• Coordinate technician work activities and scheduling.
• Review and comply with all policies, procedures, handbooks, and guidance.
• Train and educate new employees and existing staff.
• Assist supervisor with administrative tasks and service requirements.
• Assist with interviewing potential candidates for employment.
• Coordinate educational programs for staff and patients.
• Serve as pharmacy vault technician, conduct daily controlled substance inventory, fill and mail prescriptions, manage inventory levels, and maintain DEA 222 records.
• Initiate investigations into vault discrepancies and cooperate with law enforcement as needed.
• Order medical supplies as per prescription information in Vista and external systems.
• Perform duties listed in GS‑03 to GS‑06 Pharmacy Technician Functional Statements.
• Work schedule:
  
  varied tours of duty including evenings, rotations of holidays and weekends.
• Pay:
  Competitive salary and regular increases; higher step rate may be determined for special qualifications.
• Paid Time Off: 37‑50 days of annual paid time.
• Parental Leave:
  Up to 12 weeks after 12 months of employment.
• Child Care Subsidy:
  Eligible for 25% subsidy after 60 days of employment for qualifying families.
• Retirement:
  Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and 401(k) with up to 5% VA contribution.
• Insurance:
  Federal health, vision, dental, term life, long-term care.
• Telework:
  Not available; this position is not virtual.
• Functional Statement #: 523‑F02993 Pharmacy Technician GS‑0661‑07.