Summary

This Pharmacy Technician position is located at Cape Coral - FL. At this grade level - technicians are nationally certified by PTCB or ExCTP and can work independent judgement to perform a full range of duties. Pharmacy technicians at the GS-7 level can mentor or train lower grade technicians in the practice setting. Assigned work areas are not restricted to the inpatient or outpatient pharmacies. The technician may be assigned to expanded Pharmacy Service areas as deemed by the Chief.

Qualifications

Applicants must meet the requirements by the closing date of this announcement 09/15/2025

Basic Requirements:

• Citizenship
• Be a citizen of the United States
• (Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA policy.) English Language Proficiency
• Pharmacy technicians appointed to direct patient care positions must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 2 - section D - paragraph 5a of VA Handbook 5005
• Experience and/or Education
• None required
• 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) as a Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT) OR National Health career Association (NHA) as a Certified Pharmacy Technician (ExCPT)
• MUST SUBMIT WITH APPLICATION
• Pharmacy Technician - GS-07 GRADE DETERMINATIONS In addition to meeting the basic requirements stated above - the following qualifications criteria must be met in determining the appropriate grade assignment of candidates
• Experience
• Candidates must possess one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-6) Examples of experience include filling orders - dispense/deliver medications using automated systems or provide technical customer service to Veterans related to prescription needs
• Duties will include 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
• Certification
• For this grade level - all applicants must pass a national certification exam and hold an active national certification through either: Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) - as a Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT) - OR National Health career Association (NHA) - as a Certified Pharmacy Technician (ExCPT)
• MUST SUBMIT DOCUMENTS WITH APPLICATION
• While we no longer require essay-style responses to our Knowledge's Skills - Abilities - and Other Characteristics (KSAOs) - you must be able to demonstrate that you possess the (below) competencies which are necessary to perform the work of the position
• Please ensure your resume/CV/application contains sufficient information to support the level of experience/education/training
• otherwise - we will not be able to award you credit for the experience/education/training you claim
• If selected - you may be required to submit narrative responses then
• These are the KSA's for this position and grade level: Knowledge of pharmacy technician principles - practices - concepts and theories providing for sound independent work
• Knowledge of the computerized prescription process and input of prescriptions and medication orders or electronic equivalent
• Ability to resolve pharmacy/medication issues with other members of the healthcare team - Veterans and external customers
• Ability to train developmental pharmacy technicians and students
• Ability to dispense medication or sterile products following all regulations - policies and procedures to ensure safe medication distribution
• Ability to troubleshoot automated dispensing equipment (ADE) or technology platforms/databases
• Preferred Experience: Experience compounding sterile products using aseptic technique
• Demonstrated competency in preparing sterile medications accurately and safely - following stringent aseptic guidelines
• Experience filling and troubleshooting Pyxis
• Proficiency with Pyxis automated dispensing systems - including the ability to effectively fill - pend - load - manage inventories - utilize reports - and troubleshoot any operational issues
• Experience working in a large - complex hospital medical center as a pharmacy technician - with outpatient experience
• Experience preparing and dispensing medications
• Current active Florida Pharmacy Technician License Competence in preparing and dispensing unit dose medications accurately and efficiently
• This includes ensuring proper labeling - prepackaging - and adherence to protocols and regulations
• Physical Requirements: Heavy lifting (45 pounds and over) - Moderate lifting (15-44 pounds) - Light lifting (under 15 pounds) - Heavy carrying (45 pounds and over) - Moderate carrying (15-44 pounds) - Light carrying (under 15 pounds) - Straight pulling (2 hours) - Pushing - Reaching above shoulder - Use of fingers - Both hands required - Walking (up to 4 hours) - Standing (prolonged) - Repeated bending - Climbing - use of legs and arms (infrequent) - Operation of motor vehicle - Near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4 - Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other - Specific visual requirement (Ability to read fine print on labels) - Depth perception - Ability to distinguish basic colors - Hearing (aid permitted) - Clear Speech - Emotional Stability - Good Dexterity The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-7. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-7. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

Duties

• Pharmacy Technicians are expected to accomplish all duties related to stocking - delivering - inventory - inspections - assembling ward orders - prescription assembly - controlled substances distribution - sterile compounding (including hazardous drugs) - unit-dose drug packaging - dispensing - distribution - and any other function related to pharmaceutical practices
• Pharmacy technicians at this level function in various areas of the pharmacy - e.g. - inpatient - outpatient pharmacy and other patient care areas
• Pharmacy technicians typically carry out the full range of technical support functions including - but are not limited to - processing and filling outpatient prescriptions for scheduled and non-scheduled federal legend drugs - medical devices - over-the-counter products - and supply items
• The employee will assist the pharmacist in providing optimal care and timely service in accordance with the mission - vision and goals of the Bay Pines VA Healthcare system
• Functions of the Pharmacy Technician include - but are not limited to: Accurately interpret - fill - and prepare prescriptions with appropriate medications and/or medical supplies for the Pharmacist verification
• Maintain work area in a clean and orderly condition by assuring that all stock and equipment are in assigned places and all shelves and counters are free of dust and debris in order to create an optional work area
• Record expiration dates in the automatic prescription dispensing system upon receipt
• Perform monthly inspections to assigned areas to ensure proper storage of medications and soon to expire drugs are removed
• Assume an active role in the overall pharmacy-training program consisting of students - externs - interns - residents - and professional and non-professional staff members
• Completes all National - VISN - local - and Pharmacy mandatory training in a timely manner
• Complies with all VHA - Medical Center - and Pharmacy regulations - directives - policies - and procedures
• Compounds and/or reconstitutes oral or external medications (non-sterile)
• This includes calculating and converting to proper weights and measures the amount of drug or solution to be used for final pharmacist verification
• Performs duties of all lower grade technicians as needed
• Controlled Substances Activities Document all controlled substance items in automated secured cabinets (i.e Pyxis) in pharmacy or throughout medical center - as assigned
• Ensure that proper handoffs occur when receiving or delivering controlled substances - assuring that at all times these medications are never left unsecured
• Report unresolvable discrepancies to immediate supervisor for resolution
• Assist with investigating - witnessing - and resolving discrepancies Sterile Compounding Activities: Consist with displaying competence with good manufacturing practice and sterile technique through demonstration and/or work performance
• Follow USP 795/797/800 guidelines for the compounding of all sterile preparation and non-sterile preparation
• Outpatient Pharmacy Activities: Assemble prescription properly with correct drug - strength - quantity - auxiliary labels - and prescription labels for dispensing
• Verify that patient receives the correct prescription by using VA software
• Package prescriptions correctly - as to assure packages are not damaged within transit
• Utilize and comprehend the mail shipping programs
• Perform searches - update patient information - and generate shipping reports
• ***Valid Drivers license required to travel to provide coverage located at the State Veterans' Nursing Home in Port Charlotte - Florida
• Work Schedule: Current schedule is between the hours of 7am-6pm Monday through Friday
• Saturdays are 730am - 4pm
• (Subject to changes based on needs of the service) Telework: Not Available EDRP Authorized: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required Additional Benefits Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment - full time employees with a total family income below $144 -000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66
• Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave - 13 days of sick leave - 11 paid Federal holidays per year) Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment - up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth - adoption - or foster care placement of a child
• Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional