This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT and will remain open until July 28th, 2025. The initial cut-off date for referral of eligible applications will be August 5th, 2024, with subsequent cut-off dates every 8 days. Eligible applications received after that date will be referred at regular intervals or as additional vacancies occur on an as-needed basis until positions are filled. Currently hiring for: Out patient Pharmacy Technicians 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. (1) None required. (2) For all grade levels and positions that accept both education and experience to qualify, equivalent combinations of qualifying education and experience that total at least 100% are qualifying. The combined percentage is determined by adding total qualifying experience as a percentage of the experience required for the grade level to the education as a percentage of the education required for the grade level. Certification. For positions above the full performance level, the employee must pass a national certification exam and hold an active national certification through either: (1) Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB), Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT). OR (2) National Health career Association (NHA), Certified Pharmacy Technician (ExCPT). 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. Pharmacy technicians employed in VHA 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 in this standard but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it, the following provisions apply: (1) Employees may be reassigned, promoted up to and including the full performance (journey) level or changed to lower grade within the occupation but may not be promoted beyond the journeyman level or placed in supervisory or managerial positions. (2) 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. (3) 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. (4) Employees who are converted to title 38 hybrid status under this provision and subsequently leave the occupation lose protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of re-entry to the occupation. (5) 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 Grade Determinations: Pharmacy Technician, GS-07 (1) Experience. Candidates must possess one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level. Knowledge of Federal and state laws related to pharmacy practice. (GS06 Full performance level) (b) Knowledge of preparation, storage and distribution of medication products including those requiring special handling and documentation. (c) Ability to use pharmacy information systems or operate pharmacy dispensing equipment. (d) Knowledge of basic inventory procedures. (e) Ability to communicate with patients and staff and direct questions to appropriate personnel. (2) Certification. For positions above the full performance level, the employee must pass a national certification exam and hold an active national certification through either: (a) PTCB as a CPhT. OR (b) NHA as a ExCPT. (3) Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: (a) Knowledge of pharmacy technician principles, practices, concepts and theories providing for sound independent work. (b) Knowledge of the computerized prescription process and input of prescriptions and medication orders or electronic equivalent. (c) Ability to resolve pharmacy/medication issues with other members of the healthcare team, Veterans and external customers. (d) Ability to train developmental pharmacy technicians and students. (e) Ability to dispense medication or sterile products following all regulations, policies and procedures to ensure safe medication distribution. (f) Ability to troubleshoot automated dispensing equipment (ADE) or technology platforms/databases. References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/159 November 07, 2023PART IIAPPENDIX G28G28-1APPENDIX G28. PHARMACY TECHNICIAN QUALIFICATION STANDARD GS-0661 VETERANS HEALTH ADMINISTRATION The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-6. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is a GS-07. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service. ["This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application. VA Careers - Pharmacy: https://youtube.com/embed/Fn_ickNBEws Total-Rewards-of-an-Allied-Health-VA-Career-Brochure.pdf Pharmacy Technician: vacareers.va.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/Total-Rewards-of-a-Pharmacy-Technician-Career-Flyer.pdf This position serves as a certified Pharmacy Technician with the Orlando VA healthcare System. Pharmacy Technicians at this grade level are nationally certified by PTCB or ExECPT and are above the full performance level. They work autonomously, using independent judgement to perform a full range of duties. Pharmacy technicians above the fully performance level can mentor or train lower grade technicians in the practice setting. Assist the Pharmacist in providing optimal care and timely service in accordance with the mission, vision, and goals of the Orlando VHA system and Pharmacy. Duties that are expected to be accomplished: Accurately interpret, fill, and prepare prescriptions with appropriate medications and/or medical supplies for the Pharmacist verification. Maintain work area in a clean and orderly condition by assuring that all stock and equipment are in assigned places and all shelves and counters are free of dust and debris in order to create an optional work area. Record expiration dates in the automatic prescription dispensing system upon receipt. Perform monthly inspections to assigned areas to ensure proper storage of medications and soon to expire drugs are removed. Demonstrate the ability to work under a variety of circumstances to maximize group productivity and quality. Assume an active role in the overall pharmacy-training program consisting of students, externs, interns, residents, and professional and non-professional staff members. Completes all National, VISN, local, and Pharmacy mandatory training in a timely manner. Complies with all VHA, Medical Center, and Pharmacy regulations, directives, policies, and procedures. Controlled Substances Activities Document all controlled substance items in automated secured cabinets (i.e Pyxis) in pharmacy or throughout medical center, as assigned. Ensure that proper handoffs occur when receiving or delivering controlled substances, assuring that at all times these medications are never left unsecured. Report unresolvable discrepancies to immediate supervisor for resolution. Assist with investigating, witnessing, and resolving discrepancies Inpatient Pharmacy Activities: Consist with displaying competence with good manufacturing practice and sterile technique through demonstration and/or work performance. Follow USP 797/800 guidelines for the compounding of all sterile preparation. Outpatient Pharmacy Activities: Assemble prescription properly with correct drug, strength, quantity, auxiliary labels, and prescription labels for dispensing. Verify that patient receives the correct prescription by using VA software. Package prescriptions correctly, as to assure packages are not damaged with in transit. Utilize and comprehend the mail shipping programs. Perform searches, update patient information, and generate shipping reports. Work Schedule: Rotating Tours Recruitment Incentive : Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not authorized EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact: adam.blas-rodriguez@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year) Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior [work experience] or military service experience. Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment, up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child. Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment, full time employees with a total family income below $144,000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66. Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 81990F Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]
