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Pharmacy Technician

Employer
USAJobs
Location
Washington, D.C
Closing date
Dec 8, 2021
Duties

Provide technical support services such as processing, filling and distributing outpatient prescriptions

Interprets and Identifies providers' orders and verifying correct drug, dosage form, strength and dose preparation and distribution

Provides over the counter products and supply items

Provides guidance of drug use and dosage forms available in the screening of drug orders for propriety and assisting the pharmacist in solving potential drug related problems

Provides basic information regarding availability of drugs and dosage forms stocked in the pharmacy, location and status of previously requested refills, handing completed prescriptions to patients/caregivers and informing patients on the procedures to obtain prescriptions

Prepares and coordinates prescriptions to be mailed to patients via US Postal Service or UPS and ensuring appropriate paperwork and chain of custody are maintained

Utilizes hospital computer systems specific too VISTA, CPRS and Class-III software applications and processing options ( e.g. BCMA, until dose, outpatient prescription processing including P2000, IV admixtures)

Operation and basic daily maintenance and minor repair of automated dispensing equipment
Utilizes aseptic techniques in the preparation of pharmaceuticals for parenteral administration

Responsible for administration routes for various parenteral pharmaceuticals and special preparation in handling, storage, distribution and disposal

Works with equipment and supplies used in the preparation of intravenous admixtures to include horizontal laminar flow hoods, admixing pumps, needles, syringes, and various drug reservoirs

Utilizes principles relating to controlled substances and the requirements of Medical Center policy and state of Federal regulations which apply to these drugs.

Selects medications from the shelf, counting the correct number of medications or medical supplies, prepackaging, reconstituting non-sterile compounds, and labeling as indicated to prepare prescriptions for dispensing.

Re-Stocks and troubleshoots automated dispensing equipment

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00am-4:30pm
Compressed/Flexible:Not Available
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Position Title/Functional Statement #:Pharmacy Technician/FS#0000
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

  • You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job
  • 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 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 Department of Veterans Affairs Personnel


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:
  • United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
  • English Language Proficiency: In accordance with 38 U.S.C 7402(d) no person shall serve in direct patient care positions unless they are proficient in basic written and spoken English.
  • 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."
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).

Grandfathering Provision. The following is the standard grandfathering policy for all Title 38
hybrid qualification standards. Some of these provisions may not apply to this occupation. Please carefully
review the qualification standard to determine the specific education and/or licensure/certification/
registration requirements that apply to this occupation.

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 does not require licensure/certification/registration, may be reassigned, promoted, or demoted within the occupation.
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.
Such employees in an occupation that requires a licensure/certification/registration only at higher grade
levels must meet the licensure/certification/registration requirement before they can be promoted to
those higher grade levels. Employees who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed, on a temporary or permanent basis, until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard.

Employees initially grandfathered into this occupation, who subsequently obtain additional education
and/or licensure/certification/registration that meet all the basic requirements of this qualification
standard must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment in the occupation.
If an employee who was retained in an occupation listed in 38 U.S.C. § 7401(3) under this provision
leaves that occupation, the employee loses protected status and must meet the full VA qualification
standard requirements in effect at the time of reentry to the occupation.

Grade Determinations: GS-6
Experience. One year experience at the next lower level, and must fully meet the KSAs at the next
lower level. Examples of experience at the next lower level include but not limed to: Ability to operate and care for automated dispensing devices and equipment; Knowledge of and ability to perform, aseptic technique; Knowledge of basic inventory procedure; and Knowledge of pharmacy information systems

In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following technical KSAs and the potential to
acquire the assignment specific KSAs
:
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.

References: VA Handbook 5005/15 Part II APPENDIX G-28. PHARMACY TECHNICIAN QUALIFICATION STANDARD

Physical Requirements: Use of hands and fingers. Lifting and carrying light loads up to 44lbs, Stooping or kneeling, Sitting walking, or standing for long period of time (4-8 hours). 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.

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

Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. VA may offer newly-appointed Federal employee's credit for their job-related non-federal experience or active duty uniformed military service. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed.

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 .

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