Summary

This position is for a certified pharmacy technician above the full performance level GS-7 at the VA Caribbean Healthcare System (VACHS). Pharmacy technicians at this grade level are nationally certified by Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) and can work autonomously - using independent judgement to perform a full range of duties. Pharmacy technicians above the full performance level can mentor and train lower grade technicians in the practice setting.

Qualifications

Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met.

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)
• 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-Documentation Submitted: For positions above the full performance level - the employee must pass a national certification exam and hold an active national certification through either: Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) - Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT)
• OR National Healthcareer Association (NHA) - Certified Pharmacy Technician (ExCPT)
• May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria)
• Grade Determinations: GS-07 Experience
• Candidates must possess one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level
• Certification-Documentation Submitted
• For positions above the full performance level - the employee must pass a national certification exam and hold an active national certification through either: PTCB as a CPhT
• OR NHA as a ExCPT 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
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• This above the full performance level of this vacancy is GS-07
• Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019 - Employee Occupational Health Service.

Duties

• VA Careers - Pharmacy: https://youtube.com/embed/Fn_ickNBEws Major duties but not limited to: Dispensing Prepare - fill - and dispense controlled substances according to policies and procedures
• Inventory/Inspections Conducts scheduled inventories as needed according to regulations and policies
• Maintains - verifies - stocks - and replaces outdated CS medications from stock - including inpatient wards - inpatient/outpatient storage cabinets - vaults
• Maintains accurate electronic inventory through deducting prescriptions - entering received inventory - transferring to automated dispensing cabinets - dispensing on green sheets - and transferring to other dispensing vaults
• Assists - reviews - and makes recommendation in inventory control of controlled substances
• Resolves inventory discrepancies immediately when discovered by reviewing reports and contacting appropriate patients when needed
• Reports discrepancies to pharmacy supervisor for follow up
• Assists the Controlled Substance Compliance Inspectors to complete the monthly inspections
• Follows policies and procedures for handling the destruction and return of controlled substance medication
• Monitors - analyzes orders - and usage/distribution patterns for questionable circumstances or unusual trends
• Communicates potential problems to the supervisor and/or in-charge pharmacist
• Procurement Works with pharmacy procurement personnel by providing information regarding medications and supplies needed from the wholesaler based on items used
• Training Provides training for pharmacists - interns - technicians - inspectors - students - and others in controlled substance accountability procedures
• Preparation Ability to evaluate - analyze - and coordinate workflow independently in the assigned area
• Compounds physician orders for hazardous and non-hazardous medications
• Shows advance 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
• Competencies Follows proper aseptic preparation techniques when compounding hazardous and non-hazardous medications
• Cleaning/Inventory Management Cleans and decontaminates the compounding area following processes and procedures outlined in the SOP
• Maintains Chemo/IV room medication inventory - compounding supplies - and cleaning products to ensure availability and minimize waste
• Documentation/Regulatory Requirements Assists in maintaining all required records related to sterile compounding and cleaning tasks are documented in electronic platform in a timely manner
• Training Assists in maintaining a training /education manual for the focus area assigned
• Investigational Drugs Assists pharmacists and physicians by maintaining Investigational drug information files
• Maintains and manages Investigational drug dispensing records
• Automated Dispensing Equipment Oversees all operational aspects of the pharmacy automation equipment used or provided by pharmacy service
• Equipment includes but is not limited to: Automated Dispensing Cabinets (ADCs) - Prepackaging and outpatient/inpatient dispensing machines
• Outpatient/Inpatient Functions Accurately interpret - fills - and prepares prescriptions with appropriate medications and or medical supplies for pharmacist verification Work Schedule: Monday to Friday 3:00pm- 11:30pm and /or 11:00pm-7:00am
• Requires to works weekends - Holidays and On-call
• May require to work day shift: 7:00am- 3:30pm/or 8:00am-4:30pm
• Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 61268F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized