Summary
This position functions primarily in patient care areas and Pharmacy Service within the Eastern Kansas Health Care System.
Clarification from the agency
In accordance with Office of the Chief Human Capital Officer (OCHCO) Bulletin, Annual Determination of Staffing Shortages dated October 3, 2023, veteran's preference will be waived for this position.
Duties
As a Pharmacy Technician, major duties include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Reads and interprets prescriptions, obtains proper medication or material in the proper strength and dosage form; determines proper amount and counts, pours, or measures the medications; affixes proper label; and records required data on Pharmacy's copy of prescription/order. After a final check by a pharmacist, dispenses medication in ambulatory care or discharge situations.
- For unit dose medications, independently fills without routine secondary review first dose medications, missing doses, and unit dose carts for inpatient areas.
- Performs final review of unit dose medications that are repackaged or dispensed by lower graded technicians. Repackages medications in unit-of-use packaging, obtains proper medication or material in the proper strength and dosage form; determines proper amount and counts, pours, or measures the medications; affixes proper label including barcodes; and records required data on Pharmacy's replenishment/repackaging logs.
- Prepares all IV admixtures, including cytotoxic agents, investigational drugs,and other hazardous medications, in accordance with established policy and procedures.
- Adheres to appropriate aseptic technique and sterile procedures in preparing and handling of sterile products.
- Maintains pre-determined levels of automatic replenishment/ward stock medications for patient care areas.
- Independently restocks without routine secondary review the patient care areas to established inventory levels.
- Obtains the correct medications or items for restocking, affixes proper label including barcodes, and delivers the medication to the appropriate patient care area.
- Assists with inventory management by ensuring that adequate, in date stocks of medications and supplies for dispensing are maintained in the pharmacy. Orders inventory needs during the absence of the Inventory Management Technician.
- Maintains work areas in a clean and orderly condition.
- Compounds and/or reconstitutes simple oral or external medications (non-sterile). This includes calculating and converting to proper weights and measures the drug or solution to be used. Performs final review of simple, non-sterile compounds prepared by lower graded technicians.
- Receives new stock of controlled substances in accordance with VHA regulations. Records all transactions in the VistA Controlled Substances Software package. Ensures the receipt is witnessed by an accountable officer, or designee.
- Operates and performs preventive maintenance on complicated pharmacy equipment. Provides technical assistance to biomedical and manufacturer service technicians when equipment requires repair or replacement.
- Coordinates the completion of all monthly ward inspections. Performs ward inspections as assigned on a monthly basis.
- Provide patient education on pharmacy topics such as the requesting refill process, drug information sheets, and relaying judgmental questions to the pharmacist.
- Maintains a training/education manual for the focus area assigned. Provides training to new or existing staff so that these competencies are maintained.
- As deemed necessary by the pharmacy supervisor, assists in other patient care areas to maintain the consistency of overall pharmacy services.
Work Schedule: The work schedule is intermittent (no set work schedule). This position requires work on irregular tours including nights, weekends and holidays. There are no benefits with this position.
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 000000 Pharmacy Technician
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required
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.
- 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:
- U.S. citizenship. Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
- English language proficiency. Pharmacy technicians appointed to direct patient care positions must be proficient in spoken and written English.
- Must have a high school diploma or equivalent (proof of graduation or equivalent required) or at least 3 months of experience. To be creditable, the experience must have required the use of knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics associated with the scope of pharmacy technician practice. Part-time experience as a pharmacy technician is credited according to its relationship the full-time work week. For example, a pharmacy technician would receive 1 week of full-time credit for each 2 weeks of half-time work. Preferred
- Experience: Experience in a hospital pharmacy setting is preferred, but not required. 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; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
Grade Determinations:GS-2: (Entry Level) Experience: None beyond the basic requirement.
GS-3: Education or Experience: Completion of 1 year of post-high school course work related to medicine (e.g. chemistry, biology, college mathematics, etc.), or successful completion of a 1 year accredited pharmacy technician training program, or 6 months of general experience, that may have included experience in another medical field(licensed practical nurse, laboratory technology, etc.).
In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:
1.Ability to maintain appropriate files
2.Ability to prepare sterile compounds under supervision
3.Ability to communicate with patients and other health profession
GS-4: Education or Experience: Successful completion of 2 years above high school with courses related to pharmacy or pharmacy technology, or 1 year of general experience that may have included experience in another medical field (licensed practical nurse, laboratory technology, etc.) Successful completion of a course for medical technicians, hospital corpsmen, medical service specialists, or hospital training obtained in a training program conducted by the Armed Forces or the U.S. Maritime Service under close medical and professional supervision is creditable on a month-for-month basis for general experience.
In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:
1.Ability to process and fill prescriptions under supervision
2.Ability to operate and maintain dispensing equipment
3.Ability to operate pharmacy information systems
4.Ability to maintain appropriate files
5.Ability to prepare sterile compounds under supervision
GS-5: Education or Experience. Successful completion of a 4-year course of study above high school leading to a bachelor's degree that included at least 24 semester hours of courses related to pharmacy or pharmacy technology; successful completion of pertinent specialized training courses in pharmaceutical and pharmacy services while serving in the Armed Forces is creditable on a month-for-month basis up to the 1 year of experience required for the GS-5 level; or at least 1 year of experience at the next lower level that demonstrates the core competencies (KSAs) described at the GS-4 level.
In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:
1.Ability to operate and care for automated dispensing devices and equipment
2.Knowledge of, and ability to perform, aseptic technique
3.Knowledge of basic inventory procedures
4.Knowledge of pharmacy information systems
References: VA Handbook 5005/15, Part II, Appendix G28, PHARMACY TECHNICIAN QUALIFICATION STANDARD, dated March 2006. Reference is available in the local Human Resources Office.
The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-5. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-2 to GS-5.
Physical Requirements: This position requires heavy lifting (45lbs and over); reaching above shoulder; use of fingers; walking (3 hours per day); standing (8 hours per day); kneeling (2 hours per day); repeated bending (4 hours per day); both legs required; ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; near vision correctable to 13" to 16"; far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and 20/40 in the other; ability to distinguish shades of colors; hearing (aid permitted).
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: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.
Benefits
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Review our benefits
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, resume, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.
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; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.
It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.
Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.
To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:
- Resume
- SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
VA Form 10-2850c Application for Associated Health Occupations can be found at: About VA Form 10-2850C | Veterans Affairs.
The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position. Please use this checklist to ensure you have included all documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), SF-50's (current/former Federal employees), etc.
- Cover Letter
- DD-214/ Statement of Service
- License
- Other (1)
- Performance Appraisal
- Professional Certification
- Resume
- SF-15
- SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
- Transcript
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from
schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
All applicants are encouraged to apply online. To apply for this position, you must complete the full questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 10/11/2024 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12147918.
- To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USA JOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire.
- Click Submit My Answers to submit your application package.
NOTE: It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date.
To verify your application is complete, log into your USA JOBS account, https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login, select the Application Status link and then select the more information link for this position. The Details page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and any correspondence the agency has sent related to this application. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process. To return to an incomplete application, log into your USA JOBS account and click Update Application in the vacancy announcement. You must re-select your resume and/or other documents from your USA JOBS account or your application will be incomplete.
Next steps
Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. After we receive application packages (including all required documents) and the vacancy announcement closes, we will review applications to ensure qualification and eligibility requirements are met. After the review is complete, a referral certificate(s) is issued and applicants will be notified of their status by email. Referred applicants will be notified as such and may be contacted directly by the hiring office for an interview. All referred applicants receive a final notification once a selection decision has been made.
You may check the status of your application at any time by logging into your USA Jobs account and clicking on Applications. Information regarding your application status can be found in the USAJobs Help Center.
NOTE: Participation in the seasonal influenza program is a condition of employment and a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). It is a requirement that all HCP to receive annual seasonal influenza vaccination or obtain an exemption for medical or religious reasons. Wearing a face mask is required when an exemption to the influenza vaccination has been granted. HCP in violation of this directive may face disciplinary action up to and including removal from federal service. HCP are individuals who, during the influenza season, work in VHA locations or who come into contact with VA patients or other HCP as part of their duties. VHA locations include, but are not limited to, VA hospitals and associated clinics, community living centers (CLCs), community-based outpatient clinics (CBOCs), domiciliary units, Vet centers and VA-leased medical facilities. HCP include all VA licensed and unlicensed, clinical and administrative, remote and onsite, paid and without compensation, full- and part-time employees, intermittent employees, fee basis employees, VA contractors, researchers, volunteers and health professions trainees (HPTs) who are expected to perform any or all of their work at these facilities. HPTs may be paid or unpaid and include residents, interns, fellows and students. HCP also includes VHA personnel providing home-based care to Veterans and drivers and other personnel whose duties put them in contact with patients outside VA medical facilities.
|