Pharmacy Technician

Veterans Health Administration • San Juan, PR

4d • Onsite

About The Position

This position is for a certified pharmacy technician above the full performance level GS-7 at the VA Caribbean Healthcare System (VACHS). Pharmacy technicians at this grade level are nationally certified by Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) and can work autonomously, using independent judgement to perform a full range of duties. Pharmacy technicians above the full performance level can mentor and train lower grade technicians in the practice setting.

Requirements

• 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 ( https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents ).
• 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.
• Must pass pre-employment physical evaluation/examination.
• 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.
• Spanish proficiency
• 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.
• 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).
• 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).
• Foreign Education: To be creditable, education completed outside the U.S. must be deemed at least equivalent to that gained in a conventional U.S. program by a private organization specializing in the interpretation of foreign educational credentials.
• 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).
• GS-07: Experience. Candidates must possess one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level. Experience includes: delivery of medications to floors/patients, filling medications for the pharmacist to review, checking for expired medications, answering phones with appropriate disposition, preparing sterile products (when applicable) and assisting with basic inventory management such as putting up stock and identifying when medications need to be ordered.
• In addition to the English Language Proficiency, you must also be proficient in basic written and spoken Spanish in order to perform the duties of this position.
• The work requires regular and recurring physical exertion, involving standing for prolonged time period of time, lifting/carrying of pharmaceutical supplies weighting up to 40 lbs., pushing and pulling of large medication carts, and bending/stooping.

Nice To Haves

• The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-07 to GS-07.

Responsibilities

• Performs general and specialized pharmacy technicians duties related to stocking, delivering, inventory management, inspections, IV and hazardous drug compounding, and unit dose packaging.
• Process refills requests and filling outpatient prescriptions for scheduled and non-scheduled drugs, medical devices, over-the counter products and supply items
• Maintenance and troubleshooting of automated dispensing equipment
• Performs all technical management of all patient care assistance activities regarding Pharmacy Service.
• Conducts scheduled inventories as needed according to regulations and policies.
• Maintains, verifies, stocks, and replaces outdated controlled substances and non-controlled substances medications from stock, including inpatient wards, inpatient/outpatient storage cabinets, vaults..
• Assists, reviews, and makes recommendation in inventory.
• Resolves inventory discrepancies immediately when discovered by reviewing reports and contacting appropriate patients when needed.
• Reports discrepancies to pharmacy supervisor for follow up.
• Follows policies and procedures established in the institution and within Pharmacy Service.

Benefits

• A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package.
• As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding.
• Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent.
• Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed