Pharmacy Technicians may be assigned to any area of the pharmacy including expanded distributive function assignments in inpatient pharmacy, outpatient pharmacy, medication and fluid storage areas, and patient care areas. The incumbent provides various support services within the pharmacy department. This is an Open Continuous Announcement (OCA) until June 1, 2023; and may be extended or closed as needed. Qualified applicants will be considered and referred as vacancies become available. 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. 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: Preferred Experience: GS-06 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 (*): Certification. PTCB certification is required at this grade level and above. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Ability to solve problems and make recommendations, e.g., troubleshoot operational problems and refer for appropriate action. Knowledge of the operation and care of automated equipment. Knowledge of, and ability to follow, written instructions for compounding with aseptic technique for hazardous materials such as oncology agents. Knowledge, and ability to perform, compounding with aseptic technique for routine sterile products. Knowledge of policies and procedures for inventory management in specialized areas such as emergency carts. Knowledge of the computerized prescription process demonstrated by the ability to input prescriptions and medication order References: VA Handbook 5005/15; Part II, Appendix G28. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-06. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019 ["This is an Open Continuous Announcement (OCA) and may be extended or closed as needed. Qualified applicants will be considered and referred as vacancies become available. The Pharmacy Technicians may be selected to work in various areas of the pharmacy (eg. inpatient pharmacy, outpatient pharmacy, chemotherapy satellite, various storage areas, offices and patient care areas etc).The Pharmacy Technician must possess the skills to perform a full range of technical pharmacy duties as well as associated administrative duties in an independent manner to support the pharmaceutical care of the Veterans. The Pharmacy Technician will work with multiple professions within the medical center to assure patient and customer medication needs are met. Obtains proper medication or material in the proper strength and dosage form, determines proper amount and counts, pours, or measures the medication; affixes proper label. After a final check by a pharmacist, dispenses medication in ambulatory care or discharge situations. Ambulatory care service includes preparation of temperature and light sensitive products, and damage proof packaging for shipment to patients. For unit-dose medications, performs final review of medication when prepared by another technician, to be dispensed to inpatient areas (med-carts, ward stock), and/or fills unit-dose carts independently without secondary review when necessary. Prepares inpatient drug orders including all medicinal dosage forms such as chemotherapy, intravenous admixtures, oral solids, etc., according to established procedures and protocols. Prepares sterile products using aseptic technique, in accordance with USP standards for preparing sterile products. Inventories and replenishes emergency carts. 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. Maintains, verifies, replenishes, and replaces outdates in patient care area automated machines. Work Schedule: Full time; various tours with rotations to early morning, evening, night, weekend and holiday shifts. Will provide cross coverage to alternate locations as needed. Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 21266-A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]
The Veterans Health Administration is America’s largest integrated health care system, providing care at 1,298 health care facilities, including 171 medical centers and 1,113 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics), serving 9 million enrolled Veterans each year.
