The Controlled Substance Pharmacy Technician provides the technical and ancillary support to the professional staff to fill controlled substance outpatient prescriptions and/or inpatient orders. The purpose of the work is to provide significant technical expertise and support of the pharmacy operation and enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of the staff.
The Controlled Substance pharmacy technician ensures controlled substances are purchased, dispensed, and always secured appropriately.
30 Day Hiring Model The Department of Veterans Affairs is implementing a streamlined 30-Day Hiring Model designed to accelerate hiring while maintaining the highest standards of merit-based selection. This improved process reduces traditional hiring timelines by integrating early coordination, faster assessments, and efficient pre-employment actions. Applicants can expect a more transparent, predictable, and efficient hiring journey from announcement to entry on duty.
What Applicants Can Expect Expedited Candidate Review Once the announcement closes, Human Resources will quickly review applications, issue certificates of eligible candidates the day after the announcement closes and refer applicants for hiring manager consideration. Quick Interviews & References HR may arrange interviews and will request references within 3-5 days after being referred to the hiring manager.
Streamlined Pre-Employment Requirements: Following a tentative offer, applicants should be prepared to complete required steps, such as fingerprinting and background check, credentialing, and medical examination within 3 days of the offer. Clear and Timely Communication: Applicants will receive clear communication at key milestones, including referral, tentative offer, and onboarding instructions.
After meeting pre-employment requirements, candidates will receive a final job offer and start date. Onboarding tasks may continue after starting, with HR ensuring timely completion for a smooth transition into VA service. If selected, applicants should be prepared to come onboard within 30 days of the announcement closing.
Major duties include but are not limited to: Routinely fills Schedule II through Schedule V controlled substance prescriptions and/or orders for Phoenix VA patients. In outpatient setting, routinely prepares controlled substance prescriptions for mailing and ensures accurate documentation of shipping.
Utilizes VistA controlled substance and automation inventory software packages to account for each dose of controlled substance from the time it is received into the vault to the time it is dispensed to the patient. Also utilizes software packages to expedite the ordering and dispensing process and keep inventory current, sufficiently supplied, and always indate. Routinely utilizes pharmacy automation and understands how to troubleshoot these systems.
This includes report generation, transaction review, and any other duties that may be required to handle controlled substance inventory. Follows VA and facility policy to ensure separation of duties for ordering, receipt, and stocking of controlled substance medications. As directed by supervisor, helps perform routine audits of medication usage.
Prepares monitors, evaluates, and analyzes drug usage reports of controlled substances, considering various factors, including the type of patients, questionable circumstances, or unusual trends. Communicates potential problems or deviations in normal use to the supervisor or pharmacist-in-charge.
Provides guidance to nursing, pharmacy, and medical center staff on administrative procedures and medical center policies as they apply to controlled substance use and accountability. Proficient in the use of pharmacy automation and count verification systems. Responsible for all security pertaining to controlled substances including reporting discrepancies promptly to supervisors and VA Police as noted by facility and VA policies/directives.
Skills utilizing the VA computerized data processing system will have been developed such that information will be accurately entered or modified. Provides and documents training and guidance to other employees engaged in controlled substance use and accountability. This includes new pharmacy employee orientation, training backup-controlled substance.
Orders and maintains appropriate stock levels of all controlled substances stored in the vault and ensures that all expired or unusable controlled substances are removed from the active vault stock, properly stored and destroyed. Ensures proper storage of perishable medications and other drugs requiring special handling, which may include narcotic/non-narcotic investigational drugs.
Conducts regularly scheduled inventories and interacts with controlled substance inspection officials. Ensures that inventories of pharmacy controlled substances stock are conducted, in keeping with medical center. Provides for the security of controlled substances by enforcing all access restrictions, immediately reporting any shortages or suspected diversions, and ensuring that controlled substances are properly always secured and accounted for.
Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
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/.
tempest.price@va.gov · 478-272-1210 X72383
This position is with Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs.
The posted pay range is $76381 – $99291/yr.
Applications close on 2026-10-16.
This position is open under the 'Fed Internal Search' hiring path.
Source: USAJOBS.gov — U.S. Federal Government · Retrieved 2026-10-09 · Not affiliated with or endorsed by OPM or USAJOBS.gov
Apply on official site →