Pharmacy Technician

About the role

This Pharmacy Technician position is within the Pharmacy Service at VA White River Junction Healthcare System in White River Junction, Vermont.

Responsibilities

• Prepare medications by counting, pouring, weighing, measuring, and mixing or compounding oral and intravenous medications.
• Prepare medications for distribution to inpatient wards, clinics, and outpatients for pickup and mailing.
• Work under the supervision of a Pharmacist or Supervisory Pharmacy Technician to perform routine pharmacy functions, including receiving prescriptions from patients in writing or electronically from physicians.
• Maintain patient profiles, prepare insurance claim forms, stock, and take inventory of medications.
• Prepare medications for inpatients in various settings, including sterile product preparation.
• Perform additional duties as assigned.

Requirements

United States Citizenship required (non‑citizens may be appointed only when qualified citizens cannot be recruited per VA policy).

No specific education or experience is required; qualifying combinations of education and experience that total at least 100% are acceptable.

For GS‑09 level, one year of progressively complex experience equivalent to the GS‑08 level is required.

Certification: Must pass a national certification exam and hold an active national certification through either PTCB (CPhT) or NHA (ExCPT).

English language proficiency in spoken and written English is required.

Qualifications

Preferred experience includes advanced computer skills and Microsoft Office proficiency.

Skills

• Expert knowledge serving as a key resource advising others in specialty areas (e.g., procurement, sterile compounding per USP standards, controlled substances DEA, automation, clinical pharmacy, lead tech, contact center).
• Skill in analyzing data for self‑driven performance improvement projects, workload analysis, and statistical reports.
• Skill in solving problems and implementing corrective actions to maximize outcomes in the program area.
• Ability to maintain special accreditations and prepare for national reviews/inspections (e.g., The Joint Commission, Inspector General, ASHP, controlled substance inspections).
• Ability to develop training programs and material for orientation, competency development, and educational needs for regulatory requirements within the specialized pharmacy program area.

Benefits

• Paid Time Off: 37‑50 days of annual paid time off per year (13‑26 days annual leave, 13 days sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays).
• Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment, up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave for birth, adoption, or foster care placement.
• Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment, full‑time employees with total family income below $144,000 may be eligible for a subsidy up to 25% of eligible childcare costs, with a monthly maximum of $416.66.
• Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5‑year vesting) and federal 401(k) with up to 5% matching contributions by VA.
• Insurance: Federal health, vision, dental, term life, and long‑term care (many programs portable into retirement).

Pay

Competitive salary with regular salary increases; a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be granted after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade).

Schedule

Full‑time, rotating 8‑hour shifts; some weekends and holidays required; primarily day shift with some evening shifts. Telework not available.