Pharmacy Technician

• 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 drivers 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 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.

To qualify for this position applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement 09/17/2026.
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: Must be proficient in written and spoken English

Grade Determinations:

Pharmacy Technician GS-03.
(1) Education and Experience.(a) One year of post-secondary education.
OR
(b) Six months of general experience.
OR
(c) Student Technician. A student enrolled in an approved nationally accredited pharmacy technician program for an occupation identified in 38 U.S.C. 7405(a)(1)(A) or (B) may be appointed on a temporary full-time part-time or intermittent basis under the provisions of 38 U.S.C. 7405(a)(1)(D) for a period not to exceed two years or the duration of the individuals program.

Pharmacy Technician GS-04.
(1) Education and Experience.
(a) Completion of two years of post-secondary coursework related to pharmacy (e.g. 12 semester hours of science and mathematics courses).
OR
(b) Completion of one of the following:

• Six months of experience that demonstrated knowledge of medication or medical field practice. OR
• Successful completion of a military or nationally recognized pharmacy technician education/training program. American Society of Health System Pharmacists (ASHP) American Pharmacist Association (APHA) Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) PTCB or NHA are examples of acceptable professional organizations recognizing such training programs. NOTE: Training courses recognized by PTCB and NHA are not actual certifications. OR
• One year of experience equivalent to next lower grade level GS-3 Reference GS-3 Assignment: Employees at the entry-level are developmental trainees. The pharmacy technician trainee is performing routine pharmacy duties under direct supervision of higher graded technicians to learn the basic functions of pharmacy operations.

(2) Knowledge Skills and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to the education or experience above the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:
(a) Ability to follow policies and procedures.
(b) Ability to maintain appropriate files.
(c) Ability to communicate with patients and other health professionals.
(d) Ability to follow both written and verbal instructions.
(e) Ability to operate office software/equipment to include computers software applications and printers.

Pharmacy Technician GS-05.
(1) Education or Experience.
(a) Successful completion of four years post-secondary education with courses related to pharmacy (e.g. 48 semester hours of science mathematics pharmacy) or a bachelors degree.
OR
(b) An associates degree in pharmacy technician or technology (48 semester hours of concentrated pharmacy technician training).
OR
(c) One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level GS-4 Reference GS-4 Assignment: Employees at this grade level serve in a pharmacy technician developmental position. Pharmacy technicians at this level perform duties such as dispensing prescriptions at the pharmacy window and prepacking medications.

(2) Knowledge Skills and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to the education or experience above the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:
(a) Knowledge of basic pharmacy operations.
(b) Knowledge of pharmaceuticals to perform duties in pharmacy functional areas.
(c) Knowledge of pharmaceutical nomenclature (including generic chemical and proprietary names of drug).
(d) Ability to fill prescriptions.
(e) Ability to use pharmacy information systems or basic pharmacy dispensing equipment with oversight.

Pharmacy Technician GS-06.
(1) Education or Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the next lower level GS-5 Reference GS-5 Assignment: Pharmacy technicians at this developmental level perform all duties expected of employees at lower grade levels; however they are expected to exercise greater judgement require less supervision and operate in accordance with all established policies and procedures. Pharmacy technicians at this grade level will fill orders and dispense/ deliver medications using automated systems. These technicians require oversight of assigned duties by full performance level technicians and or pharmacists.

(2) Knowledge Skills and Abilities (KSAs). In addition the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:
(a) Knowledge of Federal and state laws related to pharmacy practice.
(b) Knowledge of preparation storage and distribution of medication products including those requiring special handling and documentation.
(c) Ability to use pharmacy information systems or operate pharmacy dispensing equipment.
(d) Knowledge of basic inventory procedures.
(e) Ability to communicate with patients and staff and direct questions to appropriate personnel.

Preferred Experience:

• National Pharmacy Technician certification:
  • Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT) OR
  • National Healthcareer Association (NHA) Certified Pharmacy Technician (ExCPT)
• Previous VA experience
• Experience working in a retail pharmacy
• Experience working with automation

Reference can be found at the VA Qualification Repository VA Qualifications Standards - Office of the Chief Human Capital Officer (OCHCO) GS-0661 Pharmacy Technician VA Qualification Standard dated November 7 2023

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-6. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-3 to GS-6.

Physical Requirements: The incumbent must be able to lift and carry moderate amounts (15-44 pounds) have use of fingers be able to walk for less than 2 hours and stand for less than 4. The incumbent must have near and far vision corrected depth perception be able to distinguish basic colors and shades of colors. Must be able to hear (hearing aid permitted) and be emotionally and mentally stable.