Pharmacy Technician - Inpatient

Summary Pharmacy Technicians at this level are expected to accomplish all duties related to stocking, delivery, inventory, inspections, assembling ward orders, prescription assembly, controlled substances distribution, sterile compounding, unit-dose drug packaging, dispensing, distribution, and any other function related to pharmaceutical practice. The incumbent will perform work with oversight by Pharmacist while directly reporting to the Supervisory Pharmacy Technician. Responsibilities Primary assignments involve inpatient pharmacy services. Inpatient services may include such areas as aseptic admixture preparation, automatic and on-demand ward stock replenishment, maintenance and operation of automated prepackaging storage and dispensing equipment, assembly and documentation of controlled substance requests and properly packaging with documentation of single unit of use medications. Assists in other patient care areas (including outpatient pharmacy services) to maintain the consistency of overall pharmacy services when necessary. Major duties include, but are not limited to the following: Accurately interprets, fills, and prepares prescription stock utilizing automated replenishment reports. For unit-dose medications, conducts the final review of medications prepared by other technicians prior to dispensing to inpatient areas (e.g., medication carts, ward stock), and independently fills unit-dose carts without secondary review as appropriate. Maintains, verifies, stocks, and replaces outdated medications in patient care areas and automated dispensing machines. Monitors medication inventory needs in patient care areas and communicates requirements to appropriate pharmacy personnel. This includes properly placing stock in designated storage areas, rotating inventory, and removing or replacing outdated items. Inventories and replenishes emergency medication carts as required. Operates and maintains complex pharmacy equipment, including unit dose prepackaging machines, automated dispensing machines, IV compounding devices, and other pharmacy technologies. Troubleshoots operational issues and resolves problems with equipment, technology platforms, or databases as necessary. Inspects packaged items for accuracy and suitability prior to submitting them for final pharmacist check before distribution to Medical Center areas. Ensures repackaged dosage forms are labeled according to USP and VA standards, with final review and approval by a pharmacist. Maintains comprehensive repackaging records to ensure compliance with all regulatory and review standards. Troubleshoots minor mechanical issues for automated systems and coordinates resolution of more significant problems with the supervisor, vendor help desk, ADPAC, or other appropriate channels. Performs inventory assessments to determine the need for floor stock and external medications. Follows established policies, procedures, schedules, inventory levels, and usage reports to determine appropriate stock levels for specific areas. Performs and documents regular inspections of assigned Medical Center areas for proper medication storage. Removes all expired or deteriorated medications from automated dispensing stations, shelves, and unit dose systems. Ensures all inspected areas comply with established standards for appropriate drug storage and security. Demonstrates thorough understanding of requirements for USP 795, USP 797, USP 800, hazardous materials disposal, safe medication distribution, and electronic prescription processing. Maintains 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. Assures drugs and supplies are appropriately stored and secured according to USP and VA guidelines, including the storage of high-risk, look-alike/sound-alike, hazardous, controlled substances, corrosive chemical, flammable liquids and refrigerated items. Receives, checks, rotates and places in stock all items received from Pharmacy procurement section and identifies and reconciles any discrepancies to assure correct items have been received. Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Work Schedule: Compressed tour, shifts range from 6:30am-6:00pm with rotating weekend coverage Compressed: Available Recruitment/Relocation Incentives (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized 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 Eligible Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized 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. NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position. For more information, refer to Required Documents below 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 identification 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 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: Pharmacy Technician candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f). 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). OR National Healthcareer Association (NHA), Certified Pharmacy Technician (ExCPT). 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. Grade Determinations:Pharmacy Technician, GS-07: Experience: Candidates must possess one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-6). 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 as a CPhT. OR NHA as a ExCPT Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs): In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following 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. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-7. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-7. Physical Requirements: You will be asked to participate in a pre-employment examination or evaluation as part of the pre-employment process for this position. Questions about physical demands or environmental factors may be addressed at the time of evaluation or examination. 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: 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: Additional Information Receiving Service Credit for Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed. 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. The VA Midwest Health Care Network advocates for a Whole Health System of care in each of the Medical Centers. This is an approach to healthcare that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their lives to the fullest. As an employee operating in a Whole Health System of care, you will operate in a model with three core elements, seeking to create a personalized health plan for each Veteran. This is done in the context of healing relationships and healing environments and a connection back to the Veteran's community. This aligns with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Mission Statement to Honor America's Veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and well-being