Pharmacy Technician

Summary The Inpatient Pharmacy Technician typically carry out the full range of technical support functions such as: processing and filling outpatient prescriptions for scheduled and non-scheduled federal legend drugs and medical devices, inpatient preparation and distribution of unit dose medications and ward stock items and intravenous admixtures including cytotoxic chemotherapy; stock management; operation, maintenance, re-stocking and troubleshooting of automated dispensing equipment etc. . Responsibilities Total-Rewards-of-an-Allied-Health-VA-Career-Brochure.pdf Pharmacy Technician: vacareers.va.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/Total-Rewards-of-a-Pharmacy-Technician-Career-Flyer.pdf Intravenous Admixtures: Pharmacy Technicians require mastery of aseptic technique used in the preparation of pharmaceuticals for parenteral administration; advanced technical working knowledge of various administration routes for various parenteral pharmaceuticals and the special preparation considerations that must be taken into account in their preparation, handling, storage, distribution and disposal; advanced technical working knowledge of equipment and supplies used in the preparation of intravenous admixtures including but not limited to horizontal laminar flow hoods, admixing pumps, needles, syringes, various drug reservoirs, etc. Controlled Substances: Pharmacy Technicians require advanced knowledge of principles relating to controlled substances and the requirements of Medical Center and Network policy and state and Federal regulations, which apply to these drugs. Knowledge of trending and analysis is necessary to ensure that problems associated with waste, fraud, diversion or abuse are identified quickly and reported to appropriate supervisor(s). Cytotoxic Chemotherapy: Pharmacy Technicians, in addition to the advanced technical working knowledge required for intravenous admixtures, require an advanced technical knowledge of hazards of cytotoxic chemotherapeutic agents, including but not limited to the dangers posed to those who prepare, deliver, administer and/or receive treatment with these agents; equipment and supplies used in the preparation of cytotoxic chemotherapy including but not limited to vertical laminar flow hoods and personal protective equipment, admixing pumps, needles, syringes, various drug reservoirs, etc. and advanced knowledge of specialized techniques and procedures required for safe handling of cytotoxic agents such as negative pressure technique, hazardous waste disposal, and cytotoxic spill response. Procurement and Stock Maintenance: Pharmacy Technicians require advanced technical knowledge of all aspects of drug characteristics and nomenclature including generic/chemical and brand names, dosage forms, various systems of weights and measures, drug product codes, drug interchangeability and therapeutic equivalence; characteristics of drug packaging; various uses for drugs; VA and regulatory agency requirements for drug storage; special requirements for procurement, storage, distribution and handling of various classes of drugs. An advanced technical working knowledge of usage rates, stock levels, inventory maintenance concepts including just-in-time inventory and inventory turns, equipment utilized for procurement, contract adherence sources is also required. Performed other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Day-shift: 6:00am - 2:30pm, 7:00 - 3:30 pm, 9:00am - 5:30pm, 11:00am - 7:30pm; rotating weekends and holidays; tour of duty subject to change based on needs of Pharmacy Service. Evening shift: 1:00pm - 9:30pm, 2:00pm - 10:30pm, 3:00pm - 11:30pm; rotating weekends and holidays and back-up for overnights; tour of duty subject to change based on needs of Pharmacy Service Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Requirements 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. You may be required to serve a probationary period. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. 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). Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details. Qualifications 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. English Language Proficiency: Pharmacy Technician candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f). Certification: For positions above the full performance level, the employee must pass a national certification exam and hold an active national certification through either: (1) Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB), Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT). OR, (2) National Healthcareer Association (NHA), Certified Pharmacy Technician (ExCPT). Grade Determinations: GS-07 Inpatient Pharmacy Technician Experience. Candidates must possess one (1) year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-06). GS-07 Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs): In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: (a) Knowledge of pharmacy technician principles, practices, concepts and theories providing for sound independent work. (b) Knowledge of the computerized prescription process and input of prescriptions and medication orders or electronic equivalent. (c) Ability to resolve pharmacy/medication issues with other members of the healthcare team, Veterans and external customers. (d) Ability to train developmental pharmacy technicians and students. (e) Ability to dispense medication or sterile products following all regulations, policies and procedures to ensure safe medication distribution. (f) Ability to troubleshoot automated dispensing equipment (ADE) or technology platforms/databases. Preferred Experience: 3-4 years of specialized experience References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/159 PART II APPENDIX G28, Pharmacy Technician Qualification Standard Dated 11/07/2023. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-07. Physical Requirements: There may be some walking, standing, sitting, bending, and carrying of light items. Education IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on 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/. Additional Information Receiving Service Credit or 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. 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. Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process. 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.