Pharmacy Technician

At the Indian Health Service, Pharmacy Technicians do more than support the Pharmacy Department. Guided by our mission to raise the health of American Indian and Alaska Native people, you'll deliver compassionate care where it's needed most.

A REAL ID will be required beginning May 7, 2025, in accordance with 6 C.F.R. 37.5 (2021).

All Grade levels MAY NOT be available at all locations.

• Performs full-performance prescription preparation by selecting, counting, measuring, and packaging medications in the correct dosage forms and strengths.
• Operates automated dispensing, printing, labeling, and packaging systems and resolves routine equipment or workflow issues.
• Maintains pharmacy inventory by monitoring stock levels, rotating products, identifying shortages or overages, checking expiration dates, and recording discrepancies.
• Communicates clearly and professionally while maintaining confidentiality and referring all medication related clinical questions to a pharmacist.

Total Compensation Package - Check out IHS's outstanding total compensation package for this job:

Pharmacy Technician Total Compensation

To qualify for this position, your resume must state sufficient experience and/or education, to perform the duties of the specific position for which you are applying.

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; religious; spiritual; community; social). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer and part time experience. You must clearly identify the duties and responsibilities in each position held and the total number of hours per week.

BASIC REQUIREMENT(S):

Individual Occupational Requirements
Specialized Experience

For positions at GS-4 and above: Qualifying specialized experience may have been gained in hospital pharmacies, retail pharmacies, or in pharmaceutical firms or laboratories. Experience must have provided a basic knowledge of:

• Pharmaceutical nomenclature;
• Characteristics, strengths, and dosage forms of pharmaceuticals;
• Pharmaceutical systems of weights and measures; and the
• Variety of procedures and techniques involved in the care, storage, repackaging, bulk compounding, and distribution of pharmaceuticals.

OR

Education and Training

For GS-4: Successful completion of 2 years of study in pharmacy or pharmacy technology that included at least 12 semester hours in courses in the care, storage, distribution, and preparation of pharmaceuticals, and appropriate laboratory work.

For GS-5: Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree with major study in pharmacy, or that included at least 24 semester hours in pharmacy-related courses.

In addition to the Individual Occupational Requirements Specialized Experience, you must also meet the Minimum Qualifications stated below.

Minimum Qualifications, GS-0661-04:
Six (6) months of general experience AND six (6) months of specialized experience. Specialized experience must have equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to successfully perform the duties of the position and must be related to the work of the position. Qualifying specialized experience must provide basic knowledge of pharmaceutical nomenclature; characteristics, strengths, and dosage forms of pharmaceuticals; pharmaceutical systems of weights and measures; and procedures and techniques involved in the care, storage, repackaging, bulk compounding, and distribution of pharmaceuticals.

OR

Successful completion of 2 years of study above high school in pharmacy or pharmacy technology that included at least 12 semester hours in courses in the care, storage, distribution, and preparation of pharmaceuticals, and appropriate laboratory work.

OR

A combination of education and experience that when combined fully meet the minimum qualifications for this position. The total percentage equals at least 100 percent to qualify for this GS-4 grade level.

Minimum Qualifications, GS-0661-05:
Your resume must demonstrate at least one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level in the Federal service obtained in either the private or public sector performing the following type of work and/or tasks: Maintaining pharmacy storeroom and hospital drug stocks. Recognizing appropriate auxiliary warnings and packaging requirements of drugs dispensed. Assisting pharmacy staff in filling out outpatient prescriptions under a pharmacist's supervision.

OR

Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree with major study in pharmacy, or that included at least 24 semester hours in pharmacy related courses OR I have successfully completed pertinent, specialized training courses in pharmaceutical and pharmacy practices while serving in the Armed Forces which is creditable on a month-for-month basis up to the 1 year of specialized experience.

OR

A combination of education and experience that when combined fully meet the minimum qualifications for this position. The total percentage equals at least 100 percent to qualify for this GS-5 grade level.

Minimum Qualifications, GS-0661-06:
Your resume must demonstrate at least one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level in the Federal service obtained in either the private or public sector performing the following type of work and/or tasks: Performing pharmaceutical procurement and inventory management. Filling prescriptions utilizing automated dispensing equipment. Calculating doses to match physician's order with pharmacy stocks and filling prescriptions.

Time In Grade
Federal employees in the competitive service are also subject to the Time-In-Grade Requirements: Merit Promotion (status) candidates must have completed one year of service at the next lower grade level. Time-In-Grade provisions do not apply under the Excepted Service Examining Plan (ESEP).

You must meet all qualification requirements by the respective cutoff day of rating to be eligible for consideration. The first cutoff date will be October 23, 2026, at 11:59 pm EST. Future cutoff dates will be each Friday thereafter at 11:59 pm EST until the closing date. Your application will remain active for 90 days from the submission of application.

You are strongly encouraged to submit a copy of your transcripts or a list of your courses including titles, credit hours completed, and grades. Unofficial transcripts will be accepted in the application package. Official transcripts will be required from all selectees prior to receiving an official offer.

Only attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education may be credited. Applicants can verify accreditation at the following website: https://www.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/.

Selectee may be subject to a probationary period
ESEP appointees typically serve a two year trial period
U.S. Citizenship is required
Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959

This is a designated position covered by Public Law 101-630, requiring contact or control over Indian children. Due to this requirement, the agency must ensure that persons hired for these positions have not been found guilty of or pleaded nolo contendere or guilty to certain crimes.

IHS Selectees whose duties and responsibilities require them to work permanently, temporarily, or occasionally in an IHS healthcare facility must comply with the IHS Employee Immunization Policy related to vaccine-preventable diseases, consistent with recommendations for healthcare workers. Vaccine exemption requests may be available, as outlined in the IHS Employee Immunization Policy and facility guidance.

Confidential Financial Disclosure Form required.

The selected individual is required to obtain and maintain medical staff clinical privileges, including any licensure requirements. If privileges are not obtained or maintained during employment, the employee will be subject to adverse actions, up to and including removal from Federal service.

Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit www.dhs.gov/E-Verify/.


You will need to set up direct deposit so we can pay you.

Background Investigation Requirement:

This position requires the successful completion of a federal background investigation as a condition of employment.

A background investigation is a standard process used by the Federal Government to verify an individual's identity, employment history, education, and other relevant information to determine suitability for Federal service.

Upon receipt of instructions, applicants must complete all required background investigation forms within five (5) calendar days of issuance. Timely completion is critical to avoid delays in processing or a determination of unsuitability.

Applicants are strongly encouraged to prioritize this requirement and to maintain regular communication with their assigned Personnel Security Specialist throughout the process.

Prior to the appointment, candidates must present two valid forms of identification. If one of the documents is a state-issued ID or driver's license, it must be REAL ID-compliant.