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Advanced Pharmacy Technician

Employer
USAJobs
Location
Baltimore, Maryland
Closing date
Jul 6, 2022
Duties

Major Duties of GS7 Advanced Pharmacy Technician may include but are not limited to:
  • Performing (CLIA-waivered) Point of Care (POC) testing to obtain International Normalized Ratios (INRs) on anticoagulated inpatient/outpatients managed by scoped Pharmacists at the Loch Raven Community Living Center (LR CLC), Perry Point Community Living Center (PP CLC), medical centers, and/or Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs) within VAMHCS daily
  • Using computer systems and software to maintain reports and produce records
  • Maintaining and overseeing all pharmacy automated dispensing equipment/systems within VAMHCS campus location(s) as assigned
  • Assuring secure, accurate and accountable distribution of DEA Schedule II through V controlled substances to a variety of patient care nursing areas throughout designated VAMHCS campus location(s) as assigned. Delivers and loads the controlled substances into their respective ADCs; Returning controlled substances from the ADCs and preparing and maintaining related documentation.
  • Filling inpatient/outpatient medication orders
  • Serving as back-up for procurement activities
  • Maintaining appropriate stock levels of medications in pharmacy areas and institution automated medication dispensing cabinets
  • Maintaining proper records of medications and supplies issued to provide data for reports as needed (i.e. changing use patterns)
  • Filling, replenishing, packaging, and/or exchanging medications in unit dose carts, emergency crash carts, medication storage areas, and automated dispensing cabinets
  • Checking medication expiration dates in unit dose carts, emergency crash carts, medication storage areas, and automated dispensing cabinets and document as indicated
  • Maintaining accountability of daily purchases and coordinating receipt, controlling budget ledger, assuring consistent delivery schedules are employed and handled in a manner mutually beneficial to Supply Chain and Pharmacy Service, and appropriately disperses stock into designated storage areas.
  • Accepting pharmaceutical deliveries validating quantities ordered on invoice versus quantities received along with other information notifying procurement technician or appropriate supervisor of any discrepancies.
  • Notifying Supervisor or other designated person of actual or anticipated shortages of medications and supplies
  • Answering telephone calls responding to inquiries and triaging as appropriate
  • Assisting in maintaining the orderliness and cleanliness of the Pharmacy
  • Assisting in Drug recall and CACHE activities
  • Performing other duties as assigned

Work Schedule: All shifts are determined or approved by management and based on service needs.
Telework: Not eligible
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 000000
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Pharmacy technicians are essential employees and follow VA Maryland Health Care System guidances, rules, policies, directives, and/or other notifications for essential employees during emergency and/or inclement weather.

Requirements

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.
  • Must pass pre-employment physical examination.
  • 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

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.

HPT - (NOTE: This applies to the past, current, and upcoming VA Health Professional Trainees (HPT) only. HPT is an individual appointed to temporary positions in one or more VHA medical facilities performing clinical or research training experiences to satisfy program or degree requirements or receiving VA Health Professional Scholarship Program. HPTs can be either VA-paid or Without Compensation (WOC).)

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 Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates:

GS-7:

(a) 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 (*):

(b) 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.

Preferred Experience: Two or more years of experience with the following:
- Hospital (inpatient) pharmacy, AND
- Automated Dispensing Cabinets (namely Omnicell), AND
- Preparing Controlled Substances for Automated Dispensing Cabinet restock, AND
- Pharmacy Inventory Management and Medication/Supply Procurement.

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-7.

References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/15, PART II, APPENDIX G28, Dated March 17, 2006.

Physical Requirements: Physical demands of the position require regular and recurring physical exertion, involving standing for prolonged periods of time, lifting/carrying of pharmaceutical supplies weighing up to 40 pounds, pushing and pulling of large carts. The job may include significant time at a computer terminal.

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 .

Additional information

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.

This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.

VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority.

Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process.

If you are unable to apply online or need to fax a document you do not have in electronic form, view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application .

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