This is an open continuous announcement, applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis and qualified candidates will be considered as vacancies become available. This position will support the Federal Government's response efforts to COVID-19. Incumbent participates in the technical product dispensing and pharmacy operational support functions under the general supervision To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 09/18/2022 Basic Requirements for Pharmacy Technician: United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. Education or Experience: A high school diploma or equivalent; or at least 3 months experience. Certification: Certification by the National Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) is required at grades GS-6 and above. Loss of Credential: An employee in this occupation who fails to obtain licensure/certification/registration within the required time frame, or who fails to maintain the required licensure/certification/ registration must be removed from the occupation, which may also result in termination of employment. For occupations which require an active credential (licensure/certification/registration) at all grade levels, at the discretion of the appointing official, an employee may be reassigned to another occupation for which he/she qualifies if a placement opportunity exists. For occupations which require an active credential (licensure/certification/registration) in assignments above the full-performance level only, at the discretion of the appointing official, an employee may remain at an appropriate lower grade level in the occupation when both of the following apply: the credential is not a requirement and a placement opportunity exists". Grandfathering Provision: The following is the standard grandfathering policy for all Title 38 hybrid qualification standards. Some of these provisions may not apply to this occupation. Please carefully review the qualification standard to determine the specific education and/or licensure / certification / registration requirements that apply to this occupation. All persons employed in VHA in this occupation on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the title, series and grade held, including positive education and licensure / certification / registration that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation. For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements required in this standard, but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it, the following provisions apply: Such employees in an occupation that does not require a licensure / certification / registration, may be reassigned, promoted, or demoted within the occupation.-Such employees in an occupation that requires a licensure/certification/registration, may be reassigned, promoted up to and including the full performance (journey) level, or demoted within the occupation, but may not be promoted beyond the journey level or placed in supervisory or managerial positions. Such employees in an occupation that requires a licensure/certification/registration only at higher grade levels must meet the licensure/certification/registration requirement before they can be promoted to those higher grade levels. Employees who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed, on a temporary or permanent basis, until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard. Employees initially grandfathered into this occupation, who subsequently obtain additional education and/or licensure / certification / registration that meet all the basic requirements of this qualification standard must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment in the occupation. If an employee who was retained in an occupation listed in 38 U.S.C. § 7401(3) under this provision leaves that occupation, the employee loses protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of reentry to the occupation. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019. English Language Proficiency: Pharmacy technicians appointed to direct patient care positions must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Policy. Qualifications: VA HANDBOOK 5005/15, PART II, APPENDIX G28. GS-3 Education or Experience: Completion of 1 year of post-high school coursework related to medicine (e.g. chemistry, biology, college mathematics, etc.), OR successful completion of a 1 year accredited pharmacy technician training program, OR 6 months of general experience, that may have included experience in another medical field (licensed practical nurse, laboratory technology, etc.). In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Ability to maintain appropriate files. Ability to prepare sterile compounds under supervision. Ability to communicate with patients and other health professions. Assignments: Employees at this grade level serve in a pharmacy technician/aide training level position. GS-4 Education or Experience: Successful completion of 2 years above high school with courses related to pharmacy or pharmacy technology, OR 1 year of general experience that may have included experience in another medical field (licensed practical nurse, laboratory technology, etc.) Successful completion of a course for medical technicians, hospital corpsmen, medical service specialists, or hospital training obtained in a training program conducted 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. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Ability to process and fill prescriptions under supervision. Ability to operate and maintain dispensing equipment. Ability to operate pharmacy information systems. Ability to maintain appropriate files. Ability to prepare sterile compounds under supervision. Assignments: Pharmacy technicians at the GS-4 level perform all duties expected of employees at the GS-3 level; however, they are expected to exercise greater judgment, require less supervision, and to operate in accordance with all established policies, procedures, and techniques. GS-5 Education or Experience: Successful completion of a 4-year course of study above high school leading to a bachelor's degree that included at least 24 semester hours of courses related to pharmacy or pharmacy technology; successful completion of pertinent specialized training courses in pharmaceutical and pharmacy services while serving in the Armed Forces is creditable on a month-for-month basis up to the 1 year of experience required for the GS-5 level; OR at least 1 year of experience at the next lower level that demonstrates the core competencies (KSAs) described at the GS-4 level. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Ability to operate and care for automated dispensing devices and equipment. Knowledge of, and ability to perform, aseptic technique. Knowledge of basic inventory procedures. Knowledge of pharmacy information systems. Assignments: This is the full performance level for pharmacy technicians. Employees at this grade level serve as staff pharmacy technicians receiving little guidance from more experienced staff members for more complex patients and procedures, and require minimal supervision. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-5. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-3 to GS-5. ["The Pharmacy Technician serves in the Consolidated Mail Outpatient Pharmacy (CMOP) and participates in the technical product dispensing and pharmacy operational support functions. Pharmacy Technicians will be assigned to interested facilities throughout VHA in support of COVID-19 operations and may temporarily appointed on an intermittent, part-time or full-time schedule in support of the VA facilities across the Nation. Under the supervision of a pharmacist, pharmacy technicians perform routine pharmacy functions including receiving prescriptions from patients in writing or electronically from physicians. Pharmacy technicians prepare prescriptions by counting, pouring, weighing, measuring, and mixing the medication if necessary. Pharmacy technicians maintain patient profiles, prepare insurance claim forms, stock, and take inventory of medications. Pharmacy technicians prepare medications for inpatients in various settings, including sterile product preparation. Major duties include, but are not limited to the following: Employees at this grade level serve as staff pharmacy technicians receiving guidance from more experienced staff members for more complex patients and procedures. Work Schedule: Varies based upon facility needs\nTelework: Not available\nVirtual: This is not a virtual position.\nPosition Title/Functional Statement #:Pharmacy Technician/PD00001A, PD00002A, and PD00003A"]