Pharmacy Technician

Clarification from the agency

NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position.

1. Accurately interpret, fills, and prepares prescriptions with appropriate medications and or medical supplies for pharmacist verification.
2. Maintains work areas in a clean and orderly condition by assuring that all stock and equipment are in assigned places and all shelves and counters are free of dust and debris in order to create optional work areas.
3. Assures drugs and supplies are appropriately stored and secured according to USP and VA guidelines, including the storage of high-risk, look a-like sound a-like, hazardous, controlled substances, corrosive chemicals, flammable liquids, and refrigerated items.
4. Receives, checks, rotates, and places in stock all items received from pharmacy procurement section and identifies and reconciles any discrepancies to assure correct items have been received.
5. Utilizes automation dispensing equipment available to the pharmacy staff following all safety and QA procedures. Reports automation malfunctions timely the supervisor as appropriate.
6. Records expiration dates in the automatic prescription dispensing system upon receipt.
7. Perform monthly inspections to assigned areas to ensure proper storage of medications and soon to expired drugs are removed. Completes inspection reports in compliance with regulatory requirements.
8. Compounds and/or reconstitutes oral or external medications (non-sterile). This includes calculating and converting to proper weights and measures the amount of drug or solution to be used for final pharmacist verification.

a. Manufactures products requiring compounding, whether made in large batches for more than one patient or in small batches to fill a single prescription or drug order.
b. Correctly interprets physician orders, selects, and measures appropriate ingredients, mixes ingredients in a safe and effective manner, inspects the final product for accuracy.

Unit Dose Medication Management:

1. The incumbent fills patient specific medication independently utilizing order copies or pick lists. Reviews and coordinates orders and pick lists to provide proper dosage making corrections as required. Inputs, updates and edits pick list to provide accurate and timely dispensing record.
2. The incumbent maintains unit dose inventories. Conducts monthly ward inspections. Provides proper labeling of stock in wards and clinics. Routinely monitors expiration dates of all stock and reports shortages and out-of stock conditions as they are discovered.
3. The incumbent determines prepackaging needs for unit dose medications and ward stock products for use in clinics. Properly packages, labels, documents and verifies accuracy of finished product. Assures deliveries to inpatient areas and clinics are made timely.
4. Operates and maintains complicated pharmacy equipment including robotic dispensing, automated counting, and bar code re-labeling equipment
5. Maintains inventory for the unit dose packaging system. Documents all medications used in the unit dose packaging system and verifies work of other technicians/students.
6. Compounds and/or reconstitutes oral or external medications. This includes calculating and converting to proper weights and measures the amount of drug or solution to be used.
7. After orders are reviewed by a pharmacist for therapeutic propriety, the technician reviews orders for technical accuracy and converts the order, if necessary, so that the item dispensed corresponds to the drug and dose ordered.
8. Monitors inventory needs, relays this information to appropriate pharmacy personnel. This also includes completing monthly storage inspections as assigned.
9. Answers questions from pharmacy and non-pharmacy staff regarding drug distribution. Identifies basic therapeutic problems, such as duplicate therapy with drugs in the same class, and alerts the pharmacist to the possible need for clinical intervention.
10. Assists in total quality improvement activities by participating in medical center and service process assessment and action teams and continually seeks to improve services.

Work Schedule: Part Time: Sunday-Saturday rotational 8 hour tours 6:00AM-6:30PM.

Financial Disclosure Report: Not required.

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job
• Designated and/or random drug testing may be required
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
• You may be required to serve a probationary period
• Subject to a background/security investigation
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process

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.
• Education or Experience: A high school diploma or equivalent; or at least 3 months experience.
• Certification by the National Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) is required at grades GS-6 and above.
• English Language Proficiency: Pharmacy technicians appointed to direct patient care positions must be proficient in spoken and written English.

Grade Determinations: GS-6 To qualify, applicants must have one year experience at the next lower level, and must fully meet the KSAs at the next lower level. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following technical 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

VA experience preferred, inpatient and outpatient experience preferred. Minimum of 3 years of pharmacy experience.

References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix 28, Pharmacy Technician, GS-661, Qualification Standard http://vaww.va.gov/OHRM/Directives-Handbooks/Documents/5005.pdf.

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-6. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-6.

Physical Requirements: Principle duties require repetitive use of hands and fingers. May require lifting and carrying light loads (up to 44lbs.), e.g., to pick up items from the floor, remove and replace items on lower shelves, sitting, walking, or standing for long periods of time . Normal ranges of hearing and vision are required to perform work and communicate effectively; must have the visual ability to distinguish between basic colors and shades of color. An ability to perform tasks requiring rapid mental and muscular coordination functions simultaneously is necessary. Must be physically capable of operating various types of equipment used for the job.

Selected applicants may be required to complete an online onboarding process.

How you will be evaluated

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:



The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position. Please 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
• Disability Letter (Schedule A)
• Disability Letter (VA)
• License
• Long-form resume/Curriculum vitae (CV)
• Other (1)
• PCS Orders
• Performance Appraisal
• Professional Certification
• Separation Notice (RIF)
• SF-15
• SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
• Transcript

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