This is the full performance level for Pharmacy technicians. Employees at the full performance level may fill orders, dispense/deliver medications using automated systems, or provide technical customer service to Veterans related to prescription needs. Duties will include delivery of medications to floors/ patients, filling medications for the pharmacist to review, checking for expired medications, answering phones with appropriate disposition, preparing sterile products (when applicable). 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. Foreign Education. To be creditable, education completed outside the U.S. must be deemed at least equivalent to that gained in a conventional U.S. program by a private organization specializing in the interpretation of foreign educational credentials. Physical Requirements. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service. English Language Proficiency. Pharmacy Technician candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f) GS-06. Education or Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the next lower level. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: (a) Knowledge of Federal and state laws related to pharmacy practice. (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. Certification: PTCB Certification is required for positions above the full performance level. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-06. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-06. Physical Requirements: : The work requires regular and recurring physical exertion, involving standing for prolonged time period of time, lifting/carrying of pharmaceutical supplies weighting up to 40 lbs., pushing and pulling of large medication carts, and bending/stooping. This position is Veteran's Preference waived FY 2025 VHA Shortage Occupations approved (OCHCO Bulletin ,October 1, 2024) ["Medication Management a. Reads and interprets prescriptions, obtains proper medication or material in the proper strength and dosage form; determines proper amount and counts, pours, or measures the medications; affixes proper auxiliary label; and records required data on electronically or via the Pharmacy's copy of prescription/order. Assures timely completion of all prescriptions. b. Verifies the patient's identification following the medical center's policy for double patient identifiers. Verifies that the patient receives all prescriptions by utilizing VA software capabilities. c.Inventories replenished emergency carts, when assigned. Collects drug use evaluation data for quality improvement purposes, when assigned. d.After prescription/order(s) are reviewed by pharmacist for therapeutic propiety, reviews orders for technical accuracy and converts the order, if nessessary , so that the item dispensed corresponds to the drug and dose ordered. e. Answers questions from pharmacy and non-pharmacy personnel regarding drug distribution. f.Conducts mandatory periodic ward inspections of clinic care areas and/or nursing medication rooms. Sterile Product Compounding a.Accurately prepares IV admixtures utilizing strict aseptic technique and proper gowning/garbing procedure under the direct supervision of a registered pharmacist and in accordance with established policies and procedures, VHA and USP <797> and USP <800> guidelines. b.Demonstrates a comprehensive knowledge of pharmaceutical nomenclature including generic, chemical, and trade names, medical abbreviations, dosage forms, drug strengths, formulations, calculations, and English-Metric equivalencies. c.Presents in clean, appropriate attire and manner without cosmetics or jewelry worn, no excessive facial hair and does not bring electronic devices, food, or beverages into classified areas. d.Selects and measures appropriate ingredients needed to compound IV admixtures, TPN solutions, ophthalmic preparations, and cardioplegia solutions. Mixes the ingredients in a sterile environment safely and effectively, inspects the final product for accuracy, suitability, and elegance, and properly labels all products. Unit Dose Medication Management a.Accurately inventories and replenishes emergency trays and other kits prepared by the pharmacy prior to pharmacist verification. When available, utilizes automation for kit replenishment b.Proficiently operates equipment including but not limited to balances and mixing machines in the routing of manufacturing pharmaceutical products and automation. c.Responsible for the prepacking of unit dose solids and liquids and assures appropriate labeling according to USP standards, dispensed by Pharmacy Service to the nursing staff for patient administration for review by a pharmacist. Controlled Substances Activities a.These functions will be supported in the absence of the controlled substance technician (i.e., after hours, weekends, and leave).Appropriately restocks controlled substances items in automated secured cabinets (i.e., Pyxis) throughout medical center, as assigned. b.Documents all controlled substance related transactions as indicated by VA and DEA guidelines.Maintains confidentiality of access codes. Bulk Compounding and Extemporaneous Compounding : a.Manufactures all products requiring compounding, whether made in large batches for more than one patient or in small batches to fill a single prescription or drug order. Ward Stock Replenishment: a.Operates and maintains automated unit dose systems (e.g., Pyxis automated dispensing system). b.Correctly inventories, assesses and determines the need for floor stock and external medication. Follows established policies and procedures, schedules, inventory levels, and usage rate reports to determine appropriate stock levels for specific areas of use. Effectively generates and uses Pyxis reports as needed. Quality Assurance: a.Accurately provides quality pharmaceutical services to all patients and assures that all medication orders are accurately prepared on a timely basis. b.Effectively develops techniques and methods for preventing repackaging, compounding, stocking, and filling errors and consistently provides pharmaceuticals with complete accuracy. Pharmacy Technician: vacareers.va.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/Total-Rewards-of-a-Pharmacy-Technician-Career-Flyer.pdf Work Schedule: 7:00am-3:30pm includes weekend and holiday rotations Compressed/Flexible: Not Available Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized Telework: Not Authorized Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 30069F Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized Total-Rewards-of-an-Allied-Health-VA-Career-Brochure.pdf"]
