Duties

Summary

The duties of this position include but are not limited to: inpatient preparation and distribution of unit dose medications and ward stock items and intravenous admixtures including cytotoxic chemotherapy; stock management; operation, maintenance, re-stocking and troubleshooting of automated dispensing equipment; patient and customer relations; and preparation and maintenance of various logs, records and reports.
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Responsibilities

Pharmacy Technicians typically carry out the full range of technical support functions described below.

Inpatient and Outpatient
Pharmacy Technicians must possess an advanced technical knowledge of drug and medication brand names, generic names/chemical names, general and special storage requirements, expiration date requirements, manufacturer/distributor sources, dosage forms, applicable systems of weights and measures and medical terminology to interpret providers' orders and verify correct drug, dosage form, strength and dose is prepared and/or distributed; working knowledge of drug use and dosage forms available to be able to screen drug orders for propriety and assist the pharmacist in solving potential drug related problems; working knowledge of hospital computer system(s), specifically the applicable VISTA and CPRS and Class-III software applications and processing options (e.g., BCMA, unit dose, outpatient prescription processing including P2000, IV admixtures, etc.) and a thorough knowledge of the operation and basic daily maintenance and minor repair of automated dispensing equipment.

Intravenous Admixtures
Pharmacy Technicians require mastery of aseptic technique used in the preparation of pharmaceuticals for parenteral administration; advanced technical working knowledge of various administration routes for various parenteral pharmaceuticals and the special preparation considerations that must be taken into account in their preparation, handling, storage, distribution and disposal; advanced technical working knowledge of equipment and supplies used in the preparation of intravenous admixtures including but not limited to horizontal laminar flow hoods, admixing pumps, needles, syringes, various drug reservoirs, etc. Specialized knowledge regarding chemical and physical compatibilities is essential for the proper preparation of parenteral pharmaceuticals.

Controlled Substances
Pharmacy Technicians require advanced knowledge of principles relating to controlled substances and the requirements of Medical Center policy and state and Federal regulations, which apply to these drugs. Knowledge is required in the inventory and restocking of controlled substances located in the automated dispensing systems. Knowledge of trending and analysis is necessary to ensure that problems associated with waste, fraud, diversion or abuse are identified quickly and reported to appropriate supervisor(s).

Cytotoxic Chemotherapy
Pharmacy Technicians, in addition to the advanced technical working knowledge required for intravenous admixtures, require an advanced technical knowledge of hazards of cytotoxic chemotherapeutic agents, including but not limited to the dangers posed to those who prepare, deliver, administer and/or receive treatment with these agents; equipment and supplies used in the preparation of cytotoxic chemotherapy including but not limited to vertical laminar flow hoods and personal protective equipment, admixing pumps, needles, syringes, various drug reservoirs, etc.and advanced knowledge of specialized techniques and procedures required for safe handling of cytotoxic agents such as negative pressure technique, hazardous waste disposal, and cytotoxic spill response.

Stock Maintenance
Pharmacy Technicians require advanced technical knowledge of all aspects of drug characteristics and nomenclature including generic/chemical and brand names, dosage forms, various systems of weights and measures, drug product codes, drug interchangeability and therapeutic equivalence; characteristics of drug packaging; various uses for drugs; VA and regulatory agency requirements for drug storage; storage, distribution and handling of various classes of drugs. Complexity
Pharmacy Technicians perform advanced functions including intravenous admixture preparation and distribution, including cytotoxic chemotherapy, prescription filling of federally scheduled and non-scheduled drugs and supply items and distribution to patients with a secondary pharmacist check, unit dose, inpatient controlled substance stock maintenance functions without secondary pharmacist checks.

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8am-4:30pm
Compressed/Flexible:Unavailable
Telework: Unavailable
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Position Title/Functional Statement #:Pharmacy Technician/PD000000
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Travel Required

Not required

Supervisory status
No

Promotion Potential
None

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
• 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
• Participation in the seasonal influenza and Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Vaccination programs are requirements for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP)

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.

Basic Requirements

Citizen of the United States. (Noncitizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with the VA Handbook)

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.

Note: 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 ."

Grandfathering Provision. All persons employed in VHA in this occupation on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the title, series and grade held, including positive education and licensure/certification/registration that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation. For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements required in this standard, but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it, the following provisions apply: Such employees in an occupation that requires a licensure/certification/registration, may be reassigned, promoted up to and including the full performance (journey) level, or demoted within the occupation, but may not be promoted beyond the journey level or placed in supervisory or managerial positions.

Physical Requirements. Pre-employment, routine physical exam and drug test screening.

English Language Proficiency. Pharmacy technicians appointed to direct patient care positions must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with the VA Handbook.

Grade Requirements

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

GS-6

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

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 orders.

GS-5

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:

Ability to operate and care for automated dispensing devices and equipment.

Knowledge of, and ability to perform, aseptic technique.

Knowledge of basic inventory procedures.

Knowledge of pharmacy information systems.

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).

References: March 17,2006 VA Handbook 5005/15, Part II Appendix G28

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS06. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-6.

Physical Requirements: moderate lifting, 15-44 pounds, use of fingers, both hands required, standing (8 hours), both eyes required, ability to distinguish basic colors, 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 .

Additional information

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

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

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.

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.

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 .

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, résumé, 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.

Background checks and security clearance

Security clearance
Not Required

Drug test required
Yes

Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk

Trust determination process
Credentialing , Suitability/Fitness

Required Documents

To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:

Required
Resume
VA Form 10-2850c Application for Associated Health Occupations can be found at: https://www.va.gov/vaforms/medical/pdf/vha-10-2850c-fill.pdf . (Required)
Proof of licensure
SF 50

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
• Disability Letter (Schedule A)
• Disability Letter (VA)
• License
• OF-306
• VA Form 10-28/50c
• Other (2)
• Other (3)
• PCS Orders
• Performance Appraisal
• Professional Certification
• Proof of Enrollment
• Resume
• Separation Notice (RIF)
• SF-15
• SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
• Transcript

Veterans' Preference: When applying for Federal Jobs, eligible Veterans should claim preference for 5pt (TP), 10pt (CP/CPS/XP), or for Sole Survivor Preference (SSP) in the questionnaire. You must provide a legible copy of your DD214(s) which shows dates and character of service (honorable, general, etc.). If you are currently serving on active duty and expect to be released or discharged within 120 days you must submit documentation related to your active duty service which reflects the dates of service, character of service (honorable, general, etc.), and dates of impending separation. Additionally, disabled veterans and others eligible for 10-point preference (such as widows or mothers of eligible Veterans) must also submit an SF-15 "Application for 10 Point Veteran Preference" with required proof as stated on the form. Documentation is required to award preference. For more information on Veterans' Preference, please visit Feds Hire Vets - Veterans - Job Seekers - Veterans' Preference .

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.