The hybrid lead specialized pharmacy technicial utilizes different abilities and knowledge to staff in various areas of both inpatient and outpatient pharmacy. Under the supervision of the appropriate technician supervisor or pharmacist (in the absence of supervisor), the lead specialized provides a variety of pharmacy support services based off daily assignments. 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. Education or Experience. A high school diploma or equivalent; or at least 3 months experience. Certification. Certification by the National Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) is required at grades GS-6 and above. Loss of Credential. An employee in this occupation who fails to obtain licensure/certification/ registration within the required time frame, or who fails to maintain the required licensure/certification/ registration must be removed from the occupation, which may also result in termination of employment. For occupations which require an active credential (licensure/certification/registration) at all grade levels, at the discretion of the appointing official, an employee may be reassigned to another occupation for which he/she qualifies if a placement opportunity exists. For occupations which require an active credential (licensure/certification/registration) in assignments above the full-performance level only, at the discretion of the appointing official, an employee may remain at an appropriate lower grade level in the occupation when both of the following apply: the credential is not a requirement and a placement opportunity exists." Grade Determination: Experience. One year experience at the next lower level Gs6, and must fully meet the KSAs at the next lower level. Certification. PTCB certification is required at this grade level and above. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following technical KSAs: Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities 1. Ability to solve problems and make recommendations, e.g., troubleshoot operational problems and refer for appropriate action. 2. Knowledge of the operation and care of automated equipment. 3. Knowledge of, and ability to follow, written instructions for compounding with aseptic technique for hazardous materials such as oncology agents. 4. Knowledge, and ability to perform, compounding with aseptic technique for routine sterile products. 5. Knowledge of policies and procedures for inventory management in specialized areas such as emergency carts. 6. Knowledge of the computerized prescription process demonstrated by the ability to input prescriptions and medication orders. Experience. 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 and the potential to acquire the assignment specific KSAs designated by an asterisk (*): Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities *1. Ability to evaluate, analyze workflow, and coordinate work activities. 2. Ability to independently gather, evaluate, and analyze data to generate reports and/or for other projects/statistical purposes. 3. Knowledge of pharmacy policies and procedures sufficient to train and orient new employees and other staff 4. Comprehensive knowledge of the operation and care of specialized pharmaceutical equipment. 5. Comprehensive knowledge of the procurement and formulary process. 6. Comprehensive knowledge of investigational drug policies and procedures. 7. Comprehensive knowledge of controlled substance policies and procedures, and the ability to identify and investigate discrepancies in these policies and procedures. 8. Comprehensive knowledge of, and ability to, analyze data in VA information systems. Assignments. Pharmacy technicians may be assigned to any area of the pharmacy including expanded distributive function assignments; for example assignment as team leaders for specific process improvement teams involving technical areas or performing more highly complex duties including preparation of oncology agents for clinical pharmacy specialists. For all assignments above the full performance level, the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope, complexity (difficulty), and range of variety, and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time. References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/15 PART II APPENDIX G28 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-7. Physical Requirements: The work requires regular and recurring physical exertion, involving standing/sitting for prolonged periods of time, considerable walking, frequent twisting/turning, and bending/stooping. Principle duties require repetitive use of hands and fingers when compounding or manipulating medications. The incumbent must be able to perform lifting/carrying, pushing, or pulling different types of equipment such as cabinets, carts or supplies weighing at minimum 50 pounds through various terrains. Must be physically capable of operating various types of equipment used on the job in the areas as assigned. ["VA Careers - Pharmacy: https://youtube.com/embed/Fn_ickNBEwsThe functions of this position may include but is not limited to: -Ordering, preparing, compounding and dispensing of hazardous/non-hazardous controls and non-control medications in both inpatient and outpatient pharmacy. Requiring knowledge of pharmaceuticals, intravenous solutions and pharmacy practices. -Assist the procurement technician in all aspects of pharmaceutical and supply order initiations, receiving shipments of goods, ensuring compliance with storage requirements and inventory control through perpetual analysis. -Responsible for all ongoing inventories of drug products and supplies and cost effective turn over must be consistently identified and maintained. -Provide on the job developmental training to co-worker technicians, volunteers and students in accordance with established plans and practices.-Delivery of medications (control, non-control, hazardous, non-hazardous) to inpatient, outpatient, ambulatory care clinics, and community based outpatient clinics (CBOCs) as assigned. -Must be able to handle emergency deliveries and pick up new orders and replenish needed supplies on his/her own initiative or as directed by lead/ supervisor technician or the pharmacist. -Provides exceptional customer service to all stakeholders involved -Ability to perform record keeping functions associated with the unit dose/IV distribution system, prepacking, compounding, dispensing, floor stock and automatic replenishment. -Independently works in all activities of this centralized intravenous admixture where he/she receives and reviews physicians order forms and is responsible for the preparation of all of the products prepared in the IV room. -Ability to perform basic mathematical skills in order to calculate dosages, prepare complex solutions and make appropriate adjustments in the ingredients of the compound preparations based on quantity needed. -Monitors refrigerator temperature on a daily basis in the pharmacy and remotely via temperature monitoring software. -Carefully and accurately receives new stock and processes returns. -Performs ward inspections and assist with resolution of identified issues. -Troubleshoot system problems and provide detailed analysis to Pharmacy Management with regards to pharmacy automation. -Performs other duties as assigned -Communicates verbally and in writing with other services, agencies, and vendors to produce prompt and accurate information for dissemination according to VHA guidelines. -Coordinates activities with other areas of Pharmacy Service and key personnel in other services to assure effective integration of patient safety and quality assurance processes to current activities to meet the patient care mission. -Manages outpatient inventory of controlled substances with procurement staff, includes ensuring adequate on-hand amount of controlled substances. -Interpret orders, assembles materials, prepares, packages, labels, completes required documentation, includes required handouts, and sets up the finished controlled substance prescriptions and investigational medication prescriptions in an organized manner for check by pharmacist. -Monitors expiration dates of all products. -Maintains accurate inventories of all controlled substances medications, as dispensed, and insures secure distribution of non-controlled items maintained in the vault. -Reports all count discrepancies to supervisor immediately, and initiates prescription and record reviews. NOTE: This position rotates between inpatient and outpatient pharmacy. Work Schedule: M-F, days, nights, rotating weekends and holidays (tours/hours will be discussed during interview) Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position .Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]
About Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration
Providing Health Care for Veterans: The Veterans Health Administration is America’s largest integrated health care system, providing care at 1,255 health care facilities, including 170 medical centers and 1,074 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics), serving 9 million enrolled Veterans each year.
