Pharmacy Aid/Pharmacy Technician

To qualify for this position, your resume must state sufficient experience and/or education, to perform the duties of the specific position for which you are applying. 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; religious; spiritual; community; social). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer and part time experience. You must clearly identify the duties and responsibilities in each position held and the total number of hours per week. BASIC REQUIREMENT(S): Pharmacy Technician Series 0661 (opm.gov) Individual Occupational Requirements For positions at GS-4 and above: Qualifying specialized experience may have been gained in hospital pharmacies, retail pharmacies, or in pharmaceutical firms or laboratories. Experience must have provided a basic knowledge of: Pharmaceutical nomenclature; Characteristics, strengths, and dosage forms of pharmaceuticals; Pharmaceutical systems of weights and measures; and the Variety of procedures and techniques involved in the care, storage, repackaging, bulk compounding, and distribution of pharmaceuticals. OR Education and Training For GS-3: Successful completion of 1 year of study that included a course in biology, chemistry, or physics. For GS-4: Successful completion of 2 years of study in pharmacy or pharmacy technology that included at least 12 semester hours in courses in the care, storage, distribution, and preparation of pharmaceuticals, and appropriate laboratory work. For GS-5: Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study leading to a bachelor’s degree with major study in pharmacy, or that included at least 24 semester hours in pharmacy-related courses. Successful completion of a course for medical technicians, hospital corpsmen, medical service specialists, or hospital training obtained in a training program given by the Armed Forces or the U.S. Maritime Service under close medical and professional supervision is creditable on a month-for-month basis for general experience. Successful completion of pertinent specialized training courses in pharmaceutical and pharmacy practices while serving in the Armed Forces is creditable on a month-for-month basis up to the 1 year of specialized experience required for GS-5. In addition, to the Basic Requirements, you must also meet the Minimum Qualifications stated below- MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Minimum Qualifications for GS-3: 6 months of General Experience OR 1 year of education above high school with course(s) related to the occupation. General Experience is defined as any type of work that demonstrates the applicant’s ability to perform the work of the position, or experience that provided a familiarity with the subject matter or processes of the broad subject area of the occupation. Minimum Qualifications for GS-4: 6 months of General Experience and 6 months of Specialized Experience OR 2 years of education above high school with courses related to the occupation. Specialized Experience is defined as experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSA’s) to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled. Specialized experience include experience gained in hospital pharmacy or retail pharmacy, or in a pharmaceutical firm or laboratory performs such duties as filling prescription utilizing automated dispensing equipment; and distributing pharmaceuticals. Minimum Qualifications for GS-5: 1 year of Specialized Experience equivalent to at least the GS-4 grade level OR 4-year course of study above high school leading to a bachelor’s degree with courses related to the occupation. Examples of Specialized Experience equivalent to at least the GS-4 grade level include experience gained in hospital pharmacy or retail pharmacy, or in a pharmaceutical firm or laboratory performs such duties as filling prescription utilizing automated dispensing equipment; and distributing pharmaceuticals. Minimum Qualifications for GS-6: 1 year of Specialized Experience equivalent to at least the GS-5 grade level OR 6 months (9 semester hours) of graduate education that is directly related to the work of the position. Examples of Specialized Experience equivalent to at least the GS-5 grade level include perform a variety of complex technical functions in the pharmacy which require application of an extensive knowledge of pharmaceuticals and pharmacy practices and apply judgment based on substantial experience in the pharmacy. Example of work at this level Filling prescriptions utilizing automated dispensing equipment; distributing pharmaceuticals; utilizing pharmacy based computer systems; working with insurance claims to bill for pharmaceuticals and resolve any billing issues; and performing pharmaceutical procurement and inventory management CONDITION OF EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENT FOR GS-03 or GS-04 Grades: Achieve Pharmacy Technician License within 18 months after entrance on duty. FOR GS-05: Achieve Pharmacy Technician License within 12 months after entrance on duty.
The position help pharmacists dispense prescription medication to customers or health professionals. This position is being announced concurrently under Excepted Service Examining Plan/Merit Promotion Plan (ESEP/MPP) procedures. Please review vacancy announcement number IHS-25-WR-12430709-ESEP/MP Pharmacy Technician Certification and License is required for GS-04, GS-05 and GS-06. If hired at GS-03, you may work toward achieving certification and license.