The incumbent serves as an inpatient pharmacy technician working under the supervision of the inpatient pharmacy supervisor or designee. The incumbent performs specialized technical duties of a distributive nature in the Inpatient Section of Pharmacy. To qualify for this position, applicants must meet basic requirements AND grade determination by the closing date of this announcement: 12/31/2023 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. Candidates must possess a high school diploma, or equivalent; OR at least three (3) months experience. Candidates must be certified by the National Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) is required for this position. (Must be submitted with application. Copies can be obtained through www.ptcb.org). English Language Proficiency. Pharmacy Technicians appointed to direct patient care positions must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Handbook 5005, Chapter 2, Section D, paragraph 5a. Preferred Experience: Inpatient experience, Controlled Substance experience, Automated Dispensing Cabinets, IV Compounding Grade Determinations: GS-06 Level: Candidates must have one year of experience at the next lower level (GS-5), have a current, active PTCB Certification -AND- must fully meet the following Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities as determined from your supporting documents: 1. Ability to solve problems and make recommendations, e.g., troubleshoot operational problems and refer for appropriate actions. 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 G28 Pharmacy Technician Qualification Standard Physical Requirements: The work is primarily performed while sitting, though some work may require periods of standing. The regular and recurring work of this position involves sitting at a desk, conferences, meetings, etc. Frequent use of automobile and public conveyances may be required. Occasional lifting of boxes is also required. ["Functions: Unit Dose Dispensing Fills and delivers all pre-exchange doses, STAT/NOW and ONE TIME unit dose orders to appropriate areas after they are checked by a pharmacist hourly throughout day shift tour. Fills individual patient medication drawers from the inpatient dispensing pharmacy according to the computer generated pick list Mon. - Sat. Assures that only bar coded medications are dispensed to inpatients. Fills all missing dose requests within one hour of receipt. Perform a final review of medication (prepared by another technician) to be dispensed to inpatient areas (unit dose carts) and/or fill unit dose carts independently without a second review. Inventories and replenishes emergency carts within or without a second review. Assists in filling controlled substances for inpatient areas and clinics in the absence of the controlled substance technician. Assists in the Medical Center Monthly Controlled Substance inspection and the bi-weekly internal inspection in the absence of the controlled substance technician. Prescription Processing Selects proper medications, counts or measures proper quantities, places drugs in appropriate container(s), affixes required and appropriate labels to drug containers and records required dispensing information on prescription to provide accurate medications for patients. Stocking and Packaging Inventories and restocks inpatient dispensing wall, utilizing the ATC Profile machine, to maintain adequate stock levels for dispensing needs using a knowledge of pharmacy procedures, formulary medications, and stock usage rates. Reviews medications in the inpatient dispensing area and in patient care areas for outdates and pulls and returns outdated or unusable stock based on knowledge of medication characteristics and Pharmacy procedures. Inventories, assesses and determines the medication needs for the ATC Profile machine and fills machine using strict sterile procedures to preserve and protect the products. Receives, fills and delivers ward stock orders (to include large volume IV's) in accordance with the ward stock policy and electronically enters orders to maintain drug accountability. Restocks unit dose medications returned to pharmacy unused from cart-fill on floors to the inpatient dispensing wall and shelving units. Maintains records required for repackaging/unit dose bar coding to comply with safety and quality assurance mechanisms in pharmacy. Assists in the pre-packaging of controlled substances for unit dose distribution utilizing the ATC machine, in the absence of the controlled substance technician. Cleans ATC Profile machine daily and documents on ATC Profile Cleaning Log. Compounding Selects, assembles and compounds all ingredients in the required amounts according to master formulas and special requests, for all bulk compounding to ensure that adequate quantities are available using an extensive knowledge of ingredient properties and characteristics, computational ability, measuring systems and devices, sterile technique, pharmacy procedures and necessary equipment. All work is given a final check by the pharmacist. Coordinates supply and inventory levels of compounded stock to prioritize activities using knowledge of usage rates, procedures, formulary medications, and product characteristics. Documents all required data for each compounded product to establish accurate records and audit trails of all compounded transactions. Inspects all products for deterioration and proper pharmaceutical characteristics to ensure high quality products, using an extensive knowledge and experience of a large variety of compounded products. Sterile Parenteral Solution Preparation Calculates and converts to metric measures the quantity of drug to be used for making IV medication. Selects proper medication, dose, strength, solution and admixes per established procedures, reconstituting as required to prepare IV medication, using strict aseptic technique, with reference to a pharmacist for final check. Completes all work using knowledge of pharmacy policies and procedures, techniques, measuring systems, equipment, medication properties and arithmetic computations. Uses standard protocol to determine an accurate expiration date for each batch prepared. Consistently displays competency with good manufacturing practices and sterile technique through demonstration and/or actual work performance. Responsible for manufacturing uncomplicated parenteral admixtures to be delivered in the form of large volume and small volume bags. Responsible for manufacturing sterile pharmaceuticals associated with a high degree of toxicity, specifically antineoplastic agents. Work Schedule: Possible TOD: Monday-Sunday 7:00am-10:00pm with rotational shift on holidays Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Title/Functional Statement #:Pharmacy Technician/PD000000 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.
