Pharmacy Technician (Inpatient)

Summary The Primary Purpose of the Position is: To accomplish all duties related to stocking, delivering, inventory, inspections, assembling ward orders, controlled substances distribution, unit-dose drug packaging, dispensing, distribution, and any other functions related to pharmaceutical practices for inpatient care areas. Responsibilities The inpatient pharmacy technician performs all duties under the general supervision of a licensed pharmacist and is expected to acquire and maintain a high degree of accurate productivity, performance, and customer service. Pharmacy technicians at this grade level are nationally certified by PTCB or ExCPT and can work autonomously, using independent judgement to perform a full range of designated duties. The employee will assist the pharmacist in providing optimal care and timely service in accordance with the mission, vision, and goals of the VA North Texas Health Care System and Pharmacy Service. Major Duties and Responsibilities Pharmaceutical Care Interprets, prepares, and dispenses medications and medical supplies with high accuracy, following established VA policies and safety standards. Ensures proper storage, handling, and inventory control of medications, including high-risk, refrigerated, and look-alike/sound-alike items in compliance with USP and VA guidelines. Operates and maintains automated dispensing and unit dose packaging systems; identifies and resolves minor technical issues and escalates complex problems appropriately. Provides patient education within technician scope and responds to routine medication distribution inquiries from healthcare personnel. Medication Order Fulfillment Prepares medication orders with correct drug, strength, dosage form, quantity, and labeling using established verification and safety checks. Inspects and verifies accuracy of packaged medications prior to pharmacist review. Supports timely and efficient medication distribution, completing orders promptly and supplementing automated processes as needed. Ward and Clinic Stock Management Performs ward and clinic inventory assessments, determines replenishment needs, and maintains appropriate stock levels based on usage reports and policies. Conducts inspections of medication storage areas, ensuring compliance with security, environmental, and expiration standards. Removes expired or compromised drugs and ensures consistent adherence to VA and regulatory requirements. Sterile Compounding Assists in the preparation of sterile products-including IV admixtures, syringes, TPN, ophthalmic preparations, and hazardous. medications-using proper aseptic technique and USP 797/800 guidelines. Interprets medication orders, performs calculations, selects appropriate ingredients, and documents compounding processes accurately. Inspects final sterile products for accuracy and quality and ensures appropriate beyond-use dating and recordkeeping. Controlled Substances Accountability Competencies Documents controlled substance transactions accurately in accordance with VA and DEA regulations. Ensures secure storage, proper inventory counts, and compliant handoffs during restocking or transport. Identifies and reports discrepancies, assists investigations, and maintains strict accountability throughout controlled substance workflows. Administrative, Training, and Quality Improvement Maintains a clean, organized, and compliant work environment. Assists in training and onboarding of new technicians, interns, and students. Uses VA software systems (VistA, CPRS, and related tools) for clinical and administrative tasks. Participates in performance improvement, quality assurance reviews, and mandatory training requirements. Provides adaptable support in multiple pharmacy areas as assigned by leadership. Communication Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with pharmacists, providers, nursing staff, and other departments. Communicates clearly and professionally to resolve issues and support positive outcomes for internal and external customers. Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Work Schedule: Monday-Friday (7:00am-3:30pm or 2:30pm-11:00pm) with rotating weekends and holidays. Tour and hours may be extended or modified to meet patient care needs. Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases. 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. Functional Statement #: 51416-F Requirements 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 ( 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. 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. English Language Proficiency - You must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7403(f). Education or Experience: None required. 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 (GS-07 and above): For positions above the full performance level, the employee must pass a national certification exam and hold an active national certification through either: Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB), Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT). National Health-career Association (NHA), Certified Pharmacy Technician (ExCPT). Grandfather Provision. A Pharmacy Technician employed in VHA on the effective date of the qualification standard (11/7/2023) are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the title, series and grade held, including positive education and licensure/certification/registration that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation. For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements in this standard but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it, the following provisions apply: Employees may be reassigned, promoted up to and including the full performance (journey) level or changed to lower grade within the occupation but may not be promoted beyond the journeyman level or placed in supervisory or managerial positions. Employees in an occupation that requires a licensure/certification/ registration only at higher grade levels must meet the licensure/ certification/registration requirement before they can be promoted to those higher grade levels. Employees who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed on a temporary or permanent basis until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard. Employees who are converted to title 38 hybrid status under this provision and subsequently leave the occupation lose protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of re-entry to the occupation. Employees initially grandfathered into this occupation who subsequently obtain additional education and/or licensure/certification/registration that meet all the basic requirements of this qualification standard must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment in the occupation. Pharmacy Technician GS-7 Grade Determination: In addition to meeting the basic requirements, to qualify for the GS-07 you must possess at least 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-06). Pharmacy technicians may fill 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: For positions above the full performance level, the employee must pass a national certification exam and hold an active national certification through either: Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB), Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT). National Health-career Association (NHA), Certified Pharmacy Technician (ExCPT). Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following technical KSAs: Knowledge of pharmacy technician principles, practices, concepts and theories providing for sound independent work. Knowledge of the computerized prescription process and input of prescriptions and medication orders or electronic equivalent. Ability to resolve pharmacy/medication issues with other members of the healthcare team, Veterans and external customers. Ability to train developmental pharmacy technicians and students. Ability to dispense medication or sterile products following all regulations, policies and procedures to ensure safe medication distribution. Ability to troubleshoot automated dispensing equipment (ADE) or technology platforms/databases. Assignments. For all assignments above the full performance level, the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope, complexity and range of variety and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time. Pharmacy technicians at this level are nationally certified and can work autonomously using independent judgement to perform a full range of duties. These pharmacy technicians mentor and train lower graded pharmacy technicians in the practice setting. They assist advanced/specialized pharmacy technicians and participate in performance improvement initiatives. At this level, pharmacy technicians use independent judgement to perform the full range of duties in the pharmacy. They also function as staff pharmacy technicians in various locations of the pharmacy, including pharmacy contact centers and other non-traditional pharmacy locations, with minimal oversight. Preferred Experience: Minimum of 1-year previous inpatient hospital pharmacy experience Experience with pharmacy automation Knowledge and experience with pharmacy information/operating system Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-07. Physical Requirements: Moderate lifting: (15-44 pounds); Moderate Carrying (15-44 pounds); Straight Pulling (less than 30 minutes); Pushing (less than 30 minutes); Reaching above shoulder; Use of fingers; Both hands required; Walking (up to 6 hours); Standing (up to 6 hours); Repeated bending (up to 1 hour); Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; Near vision correctable at 13" to 16"; Hearing (aid permitted). Patient Safety Competency Statement: The incumbent will be responsible for promoting a culture of safety and will fully cooperate in efforts to improve patient safety and eradicate potential events including the reporting of events resulting in actual or potential injury to a patient. The incumbent must demonstrate knowledge of the reporting procedures involving safety issues relating to patients. Education GS-7: There is no educational substitution at this grade level. Additional Information During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status. VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement. Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.