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. INDIVIDUAL OCCUPATIONAL REQUIREMENTS(Education, Training, and Experience for Pharmacy Aid or Pharmacy Technician positions):Specialized ExperienceFor 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. MINIMUM QUALIFICATION FOR GS-03: Your resume must demonstrate at least six (6) months of General Experience.General Experience is (l) Any type of work that demonstrates the applicant’s ability to perform the work of the position, or (2) experience that provided a familiarity with the subject matter or processes of the broad subject area of the occupation. Examples of work at this level include clerical work in medical settings such as verifying accuracy of patient information, enter codes or other information into computers or enter information into databases or software programs or enter patient or treatment data into computers and interacting with customers in person to provide information of service. OR See the INDIVIDUAL OCCUPATIONAL REQUIREMENTS (Education, Training, and Experience for Pharmacy Aid or Pharmacy Technician positions) listed above for details regarding the type of required courses. MINIMUM QUALIFICATION FOR GS-04: Your resume must demonstrate at least six (6) months of general experience and six (6) months of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level in the Federal service obtained in either the private or public sector. This experience is related to the work of the position and equivalent to at least the GS-03 level in the Federal service. 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. Qualifying general experience: (l) Any type of work that demonstrates the applicant’s ability to perform the work of the position, or (2) experience that provided a familiarity with the subject matter or processes of the broad subject area of the occupation. Examples of work at this level include clerical work in medical settings such as verifying accuracy of patient information, enter codes or other information into computers or enter information into databases or software programs or enter patient or treatment data into computers and interacting with customers in person to provide information of service. OR See the INDIVIDUAL OCCUPATIONAL REQUIREMENTS (Education, Training, and Experience for Pharmacy Aid or Pharmacy Technician positions) listed above for details regarding the type of required courses. MINIMUM QUALIFICATION FOR GS-05: Your resume must demonstrate at least one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level in the Federal service obtained in either the private or public sector. This experience is related to the work of the position and equivalent to at least the GS-04 level in the Federal service. Examples of work at this 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. OR See the INDIVIDUAL OCCUPATIONAL REQUIREMENTS (Education, Training, and Experience for Pharmacy Aid or Pharmacy Technician positions) listed above for details regarding the type of required courses. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS FOR GS-06: Your resume must demonstrate at least one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level in the Federal service obtained in either the private or public sector. This experience is related to the work of the position and equivalent to at least the GS-05 level in the Federal service. The GS-05 grade is one grade lower to GS-06. Example of work at this level include 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. SELECTIVE PLACEMENT FACTOR REQUIREMENT for GRADES GS-05 or GS-06 Grade Level: In addition to the minimum requirements, the following certification is determined to be essential to perform the duties and responsibilities of the position. a current and active certification through Pharmacy Technician Certification Board or National Health career Association or similar certification AND an active Pharmacy Technician License or an active state Certified Pharmacy Technician License. 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. Time In Grade Federal employees in the competitive service are also subject to the Time-In-Grade Requirements: Merit Promotion (status) candidates must have completed one year of service at the next lower grade level. Time-In-Grade provisions do not apply under the Excepted Service Examining Plan (ESEP). You must meet all qualification requirements within 30 days of the closing date of the announcement.
The position help pharmacists dispense prescription medication to customers or health professionals. 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.