About This Position
The incumbent will serve as a pharmacy technician at the Butler VA Healthcare System and is responsible for assuring facility compliance with all applicable laws, regulations, directives, policies and procedures. The incumbent must be familiar and knowledgeable with the technical and administrative aspects of all areas of pharmacy practice. Rotational tours of duty are necessary for the continuity of patient care.
Qualifications
Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met. 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. Education or Experience. None required. For all grade levels and positions that accept both education and experience to qualify, equivalent combinations of qualifying education and experience that total at least 100% are qualifying. The combined percentage is determined by adding total qualifying experience as a percentage of the experience required for the grade level to the education as a percentage of the education required for the grade level. 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), Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT). National Healthcareer Association (NHA), Certified Pharmacy Technician (ExCPT). 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). Grade Determinations: Pharmacy Technician, GS-07. Experience. Candidates must possess one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level. Certification. For positions above the full performance level, the employee must pass a national certification exam and hold an active national certification through either: PTCB as a CPhT. NHA as a ExCPT. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: 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: National Pharmacy Technician Certification Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.
Major Duties
VA Careers - Physical Therapy: https://youtube.com/embed/Gi2hoFqIoqY Major Duties: Performs final review of medication to be dispensed to inpatient areas (unit dose carts) utilizing the tech-check-tech methodology. Operates all pharmacy equipment in assigned areas. Assumes the initiative in this function, keeping equipment neat and orderly at all times. Fills ward orders initiated by nurses and automatic replenishment orders initiated by a pharmacy technician. Answers questions from pharmacy and non-pharmacy personnel regarding drug distribution. Inventories and replenishes emergency carts (crash carts) and automated dispensing machines making sure all drugs are in date, intact, and suitable for administration. Compounds and/or reconstitutes oral or external medications (non-sterile) without a second review. This includes calculating and converting to proper weights and measures so that the correct amount of drug ingredients and/or solutions is used. Follows all guidelines for Bar Code Label Requirements. Scans and verifies barcodes on a daily basis. Prepares bar codes used for IV therapy, unit dose packaging, and printer labeling, records and tabulates data for quality control. Uses tech-check-tech function when checking another pharmacy technician's work, being sure appropriate drug strength, quality, and labeling is accurate for inpatient distribution without a final check by a pharmacist. Is responsible for all aspects of the automatic replenishment/ward stock program without a final review. This includes making sure all drugs are in date and suitable for administration. Is responsible for the delivery of all inpatient drugs to the unit areas, including unit dose, IV's automatic replenishment medications, controlled substances, and narcotics, and the safety and security of medications in transit. Independently completes all ward inspections and pharmacy stock inspections monthly, assuring all aspects of TJC requirements are met which includes outdated drugs in storage areas. Is responsible for the repackaging of medication consistent with usage requirements and maintaining the appropriate records. This includes making sure proper and legal packaging requirements are met for unit dose drugs. Is proficient in conversion of drug brand names and generic names. Accurately prepares Intravenous Piggybacks, admixtures, large volume IV's daily and in sufficient quantity to cover the period over which these medications will be required and within appropriate expiration dates. Uses either standard protocols or judgment to determine an accurate expiration date for each batch prepared. Consistently displays competency with good manufacturing practices and sterile technique through demonstration and/or actual work performance. This involves interpretation of provider's orders, selecting and measuring appropriate ingredients, mixing ingredients in a safe and effective manner, inspecting the final product for accuracy and suitability, labeling the product, maintaining records of the manufacturing process, and supplying the product for delivery within a time frame consistent with administration requirements. Uses standard protocols and judgment to determine and accurate expiration date for each compound prepared. Is able to read, interpret, and fill prescriptions under the direct supervision of the legally responsible pharmacist. The incumbent is able to identify basic therapeutic problems such as duplicate therapy with drugs in the same class and alerts the pharmacist to the possible need for intervention. This is done with notification to the pharmacist so that time requirements for the order can be achieved. Fully proficient in the use of ScriptPro equipment used for daily filling of patient medications employing proper labeling requirements, operating procedures, robot maintenance, and utilization of corresponding documentation logs. Maintains proper documentation with verification by a pharmacist inspecting the medicine before loading into the robot. Assists the pharmacists in all aspects of this program and assumes initiative in solving problems that do not require licensure. Appropriately labeling all prescriptions filled including all prescription paperwork. Packages prescriptions to be mailed to patients, ensuring paperwork and prescriptions are complete. Operates and maintains complicated pharmacy equipment including the ScriptPro Robotics, ScriptTalk printers, computer equipment and label/paperwork printers, and fax machines. Maintains stock levels of bulk drugs, units of use, and materials for prescription filling, consistent with usage. Orders, receives, and checks in pharmacy medications and supplies according to established policies and procedures. Work Schedule: Fulltime; Monday- Friday; 8:00am- 4:30pm/ 8:30am- 5:00pm Compressed/Flexible: Not Authorized Telework: Not Authorized Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Conditions of Employment
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 (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. Must pass pre-employment physical 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. 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. In 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.
Education
Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.
How You Will Be Evaluated
IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, resume, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment. 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; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position. It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment. Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.
Additional Information
Receiving Service Credit for Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed. During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status. VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement. Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.
How to Apply
All applicants are encouraged to apply online. To apply for this position, you must complete the full questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 02/27/2026 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12886232. To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USA JOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire. Click Submit My Answers to submit your application package. NOTE: It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date.
Required Documents
To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes: Resume Special Note for Applications: To complete your application, please use the following link https://vacareers.va.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/Resume.docx to download the standard Clinical Resume Document. This one-page document does not need to be modified and must be uploaded into the two-page restricted 'Resume' document upload field. Your full resume/CV may be uploaded without page limitation into the 'Other' document upload field. The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position. Please ensure you have included all documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), SF-50's (current/former Federal employees), etc. Cover Letter DD-214/ Statement of Service Disability Letter (Schedule A) Disability Letter (VA) License Other (1) Performance Appraisal Professional Certification Resume Separation Notice (RIF) SF-15 SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action Transcript Veterans' Preference: When applying for Federal Jobs, eligible Veterans should claim preference for 5pt (TP), 10pt (CP/CPS/XP), or for Sole Survivor Preference (SSP) in the questionnaire. You must provide a legible copy of your DD214(s) which shows dates and character of service (honorable, general, etc.). If you are currently serving on active duty and expect to be released or discharged within 120 days you must submit documentation related to your active duty service which reflects the dates of service, character of service (honorable, general, etc.), and dates of impending separation. Additionally, disabled veterans and others eligible for 10-point preference (such as widows or mothers of eligible Veterans) must also submit an SF-15 "Application for 10 Point Veteran Preference" with required proof as stated on the form. Documentation is required to award preference. For more information on Veterans' Preference, please visit Feds Hire Vets - Veterans - Job Seekers - Veterans' Preference. Veterans' preference does not apply for internal or other current permanent Federal agency employees.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the salary for the Pharmacy Technician position at Veterans Health Administration?
The salary range for this position is $57,077 - $74,201/yr. This is a GS-7 position on the General Schedule pay scale. Actual pay may vary based on locality adjustments.
Where is the Pharmacy Technician job located?
This position is located in Butler, Pennsylvania. This is an on-site position.
What qualifications do I need?
Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met. 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...
How do I apply for this position?
Apply through USAJobs.gov by clicking the 'Apply on USAJobs' button. You'll need a USAJobs account, a federal-style resume, and supporting documents. The deadline is Feb 27, 2026.
Is a security clearance required?
No security clearance is required for this position.
What does GS-7 mean?
GS-7 refers to the General Schedule grade level. Higher grades require more experience and offer higher pay. Visit our GS Pay Scale page for full salary tables by grade and locality.
What benefits do federal employees receive?
Federal employees receive comprehensive benefits including health insurance (FEHB), retirement through FERS, Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) with government matching, paid annual and sick leave, paid parental leave, life insurance, and student loan repayment programs.