Summary

This position functions in the Inpatient Pharmacy section - primarily in the unit dose and sterile compounding areas. Work includes preparing sterile hazardous and non-hazardous compounded sterile preparations - medication distribution and inventory control - emergency crash cart replenishment - daily maintenance of automated dispensing equipment - and interpreting data from pharmacy information systems. The position may also assist the ambulatory care pharmacy or controlled substances vault.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position - applicants must meet all requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement.

Basic Requirements:

• Citizenship
• Be a citizen of the United States
• Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with38 U.S.C. § 7407(a)
• Education or Experience
• (1) None required
• (2) 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: (1) Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) - Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT)
• OR (2) National Healthcareer Association (NHA) - Certified Pharmacy Technician(ExCPT)
• Foreign Education
• To be creditable - education completed outside the U.S. must be deemed at least equivalent to that gained in a conventional U.S. program by a private organization specializing in the interpretation of foreign educational credentials
• 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)
• GRADE DETERMINATIONS
• In addition to the basic requirements for appointment above - VA HR staff must use the following criteria to determine the appropriate grade assignment of candidates
• Pharmacy Technician - GS-03
• Education and Experience
• (a) One year of post-secondary education
• OR (b) Six months of general experience
• OR (c) Student Technician
• A student enrolled in an approved nationally accredited pharmacy technician program for an occupation identified in 38 U.S.C. 7405(a)(1)(A) or (B) may be appointed on a temporary full-time - part-time or intermittent basis under the provisions of 38 U.S.C. 7405(a)(1)(D) for a period not to exceed two years or the duration of the individual's program
• Pharmacy Technician - GS-04
• (1) Education and Experience
• (a) Completion of two years of post-secondary coursework related to pharmacy (e.g. - 12 semester hours of science and mathematics courses)
• OR (b) Completion of one of the following: Six months of experience - that demonstrated knowledge of medication or medical field practice
• OR Successful completion of a military or nationally recognized pharmacy technician education/training program
• American Society of Health System Pharmacists® (ASHP) - American Pharmacist Association (APHA) - Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) - PTCB or NHA are examples of acceptable professional organizations recognizing such training programs
• NOTE: Training courses recognized by PTCB and NHA are not actual certifications
• OR One year of experience equivalent to next lower grade level
• (2) Knowledge - Skills and Abilities (KSAs)
• In addition to the education or experience above - the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: (a) Ability to follow policies and procedures
• (b) Ability to maintain appropriate files
• (c) Ability to communicate with patients and other health professionals
• (d) Ability to follow both written and verbal instructions
• (e) Ability to operate office software/equipment to include - computers - software applications and printers
• Pharmacy Technician - GS-05
• (1) Education or Experience
• (a) Successful completion of four years post-secondary education with courses related to pharmacy (e.g. - 48 semester hours of science - mathematics - pharmacy) or a bachelor's degree
• OR (b) An associate's degree in pharmacy technician or technology (48semester hours of concentrated pharmacy technician training)
• OR (c) One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level
• (2) Knowledge - Skills and Abilities (KSAs)
• In addition to the education or experience above - the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs (a) Knowledge of basic pharmacy operations
• (b) Knowledge of pharmaceuticals to perform duties in pharmacy functional areas
• (c) Knowledge of pharmaceutical nomenclature (including generic - chemical and proprietary names of drug)
• (d) Ability to fill prescriptions
• (e) Ability to use pharmacy information systems or basic pharmacy dispensing equipment with oversight
• Pharmacy Technician - GS-06
• (1) Education or Experience
• One year of experience equivalent to the next lower level
• (2) Knowledge - Skills and Abilities (KSAs)
• In addition - the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: (a) Knowledge of Federal and state laws related to pharmacy practice
• (b) Knowledge of preparation - storage and distribution of medication products including those requiring special handling and documentation
• (c) Ability to use pharmacy information systems or operate pharmacy dispensing equipment
• (d) Knowledge of basic inventory procedures
• (e) Ability to communicate with patients and staff and direct questions to appropriate personnel
• Preferred Experience: In addition to the basic Pharmacy Technician qualification standards - preferred experience includes: Three years of Pharmacy Technician experience compounding sterile products in a hospital pharmacy setting
• Three years' experience using inpatient pharmacy equipment to include experience with Automated Dispensing Cabinets (Omnicell or Pyxis) - inpatient pharmacy robotic systems - or TPN compounding devices (BAXA - Pinnacle - etc.)
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-6. Physical Requirements: The work requires moderate lifting and carrying (15-44 pounds)
• reaching above the shoulder
• use of fingers
• standing (up to 6 hours)
• repeated bending (up to 2 hours)
• near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4
• the ability to distinguish basic colors
• and mental and emotional stability
• Environmental Factors: May be exposed to constant noise
• extensive keyboard and mouse use
• and you must be able to work alone and closely with others.

Duties

• This position is primarily responsible for performing distributive duties within the pharmacy and responding to general pharmacy questions - both of which require a working knowledge of the electronic health record (EHR) - pharmacy automation - and local policy and procedures
• The incumbent must possess exceptional customer service skills and the ability to follow verbal and written instruction
• The technician must maintain a high degree of accuracy - productivity - and attention to Veteran needs while following the VA ICARE values of integrity - commitment - advocacy - respect - and excellence
• Roles and duties include: Ensure all local - VHA - and DEA policies and regulations are adhered to with respect to inpatient pharmacy
• Keep up to date with local and national changes regarding storage - handling - prescribing - dispensing - and destruction of medications
• Maintain professional relationships and collaboration with other service lines involved in the process of distribution of medications to Veterans including nursing and providers - specialty services - patient advocates - and peers in Pharmacy
• Unit Dose Medication Management: Fill unit dose and automated dispensing cabinet orders
• Receive inventory from vendors using provided technology - apply barcode or other labeling as indicated and restock shelves
• Inventory and replenish emergency cart trays and carts
• Operate and provide routine maintenance for pharmacy equipment - such as automated dispensing machines and barcode label printers
• Repackage a wide variety of pharmaceuticals - label them properly - and leave them for final verification
• Perform automation replenishment and process requests for ward stock and perform record keeping for these activities
• Use proper inventory management of Omnicells and proper procedures when adding medications to the Omnicell
• Inspect ward stock supplies for unapproved items - storage practices - and outdates
• perform record keeping for these activities
• Sterile Compounding: Prepare sterile hazardous and non-hazardous compounded sterile preparations (CSP's) using aseptic technique and safe handling of hazardous medications described in chapters 797 and 800 of the US Pharmacopoeia
• Verify correct formulation and ingredients
• select and measure appropriate components
• mix components in a safe and appropriate manner
• inspect the final product for accuracy - appearance and pharmaceutical elegance
• label the product
• and ensure timely delivery
• Follow established protocols in determining appropriate beyond-use dates on all pharmaceuticals prepared
• Controlled Substances: Abide by all laws and regulations pertaining to controlled substances and follow all VHA - DEA and local facility requirements
• Know and follow standard operating procedures to maintain complete - accurate - and readily retrievable controlled drug accountability records
• Fill inpatient and clinic requests for controlled substances - fill outpatient prescriptions for controlled substances
• Participate in routine inventory counts and inspections - identify questionable circumstances or unusual trends in narcotic usage
• Immediately report discrepancies to the supervisor
• Prepare expired or unusable controlled substances for destruction
• General: Teach pharmacy technicians and students proper technique to prepare sterile products and teach procedures for the unit dose management system
• Interact with patients - pharmacists - nurses - and other clinical staff as required
• Prioritize and make appropriate decisions in urgent or fast-paced situations
• Notify supervisor of safety or quality concerns in a timely fashion
• Perform tasks unique to outpatient pharmacy as needed - including fill outpatient prescriptions - wrap mail - answer phones - dispense medications at the window - and work in the vault
• Work Schedule: Mon - Fri - 7:00am to 3:30pm - occasional holidays and weekends
• Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized
• Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized
• Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases
• Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave - 13 days of sick leave - 11 paid Federal holidays per year)
• Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment - up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth - adoption - or foster care placement of a child
• Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment - full time employees with a total family income below $144 -000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy
• Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA
• Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care
• Telework: Not Available
• Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 000000
• Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized.