Pharmacy Technician (Outpatient)

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement. 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). May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria). Grade Determinations: Pharmacy Technician, GS-07 Experience: Candidates must possess one year of experience equivalent to the next lower 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: (a) PTCB as a CPhT. OR (b) NHA as a ExCPT. AND Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs): In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: (a) Knowledge of pharmacy technician principles, practices, concepts and theories providing for sound independent work. (b) Knowledge of the computerized prescription process and input of prescriptions and medication orders or electronic equivalent. (c) Ability to resolve pharmacy/medication issues with other members of the healthcare team, Veterans and external customers. (d) Ability to train developmental pharmacy technicians and students. (e) Ability to dispense medication or sterile products following all regulations, policies and procedures to ensure safe medication distribution. (f) Ability to troubleshoot automated dispensing equipment (ADE) or technology platforms/databases. References: FORMER VA HANDBOOK REFERENCE: PART II APPENDIX G28 EFFECTIVE DATE: November 07, 2023 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-7. Physical Requirements: Moderate lifting (15-44 pounds), Light lifting (under 15 pounds), Moderate carrying (15-44 pounds), Light carrying (under 15 pounds), Reaching above shoulder, Use of fingers, Both hands required, Standing (8 hours), Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously, Near vision correctable at 13″ to 16″ to Jaeger 1 to 4 Environmental Factors: Dry atmospheric conditions, Constant noise, Working closely with others, Working alone.
This position is for a certified pharmacy technician above the full performance level GS-7 at the Alaska VA Healthcare System. 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 duties. Pharmacy technicians above full performance level can mentor and train lower grade technicians in the practice setting.