Pharmacy Technicians function in various areas of the pharmacy, e.g. inpatient pharmacy, outpatient pharmacy (East and West campuses), chemotherapy infusion center, clinics, emergency department, surgery, wards, various storage areas, offices, and other patient care areas, under the supervision of the outpatient or inpatient pharmacy supervisor, depending upon the area of administrative assignment of the incumbent or a registered pharmacist in the absence of a pharmacy supervisor. Preferred Experience: Possess a current Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT) with an understanding of the goals, objectives and performance measures associated with Inpatient Pharmacy Operations. Pharmacy IV room operations and inpatient experiences preferred. 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: 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. English Language Proficiency: Pharmacy technicians appointed to direct patient care positions must be proficient in spoken and written English. Grade Determinations: GS-6 Level: 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. Certification: PTCB certification is required at this grade level and above. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: 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. Assignments: Pharmacy technicians may be assigned to any area of the pharmacy including expanded distributive function assignments; for example assignment as team leaders for specific process improvement teams involving technical areas or performing more highly complex duties including preparation of oncology agents for clinical pharmacy specialists. For all assignments above the full performance level, the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope, complexity (difficulty), and range of variety, and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time. References: VA Handbook 5005/15, Part II, Appendix G28. Pharmacy Technician Qualification Standards. Physical Requirements: Employees are typically expected to work forty hours per week. This may include evenings, midnights, weekends and/or holidays as assigned. Principle duties require repetitive use of hands and fingers (e.g., preparing IV admixtures, use of a computer keyboard, etc.). May require lifting and carrying light loads (up to 44Ibs.), including boxes, equipment, unit dose-cassettes, and IV solutions; stooping or kneeling (e.g., to pick up items from the floor, remove and replace items on lower shelves, and to file documents in lower file drawers, etc.); sitting, walking, or standing for long periods 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. An ability to perform tasks requiring rapid mental and muscular coordination functions simultaneously is necessary. Employees must be physically capable of operating various types of equipment used on the job. Employees may be required to work at various pharmacy locations as assigned. ["VISN 12 is committed to fostering and sustaining an environment which celebrates diversity, provides equitable opportunities for employment and promotion, and supports inclusiveness in our culture. Together, we strive to create and maintain working and learning environments that promote professional growth and teamwork, and are inclusive, equitable and welcoming. We embrace our differences as individuals and unite as a team toward a common goal: to serve our nation's Veterans. Incumbent will perform processing and filling of outpatient prescriptions for scheduled and non-scheduled federal legend drugs and medical devices, over-the-counter products and supply items; inpatient preparation and distribution of unit dose medications and ward stock items and intravenous admixtures including cytotoxic chemotherapy; crash cart maintenance; stock management; operation, maintenance, usage and troubleshooting of automated dispensing equipment; and preparation and maintenance of various logs, records and reports. Performs advanced functions including intravenous admixture preparation and distribution, including cytotoxic chemotherapy, prescription filling of federally scheduled and non-scheduled drugs and distribution to patients with a secondary pharmacist check, unit dose, inpatient controlled substance and ward stock processing and distribution, and independent procurement and stock maintenance functions without secondary pharmacist checks. The incumbent must possess an advanced technical knowledge of drug and medication brand names, generic names/chemical names, general and special storage requirements, and beyond use 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 AHLTA/CHCS, CPRS/VISTA, and Class-III software applications and processing options and a thorough knowledge of the operation and basic daily maintenance and minor repair of automated dispensing equipment. Sterile Compounding: Through use of aseptic technique, responsible for 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, labeling, 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 barrier isolators (CACI), biological safety cabinet, laminar airflow workbench, admixing pumps, syringes, connecting tubing, various drug reservoirs, etc. The incumbent will effectively operate and care for related compounding equipment. Specialized knowledge regarding chemical and physical compatibilities is essential for the proper preparation of parenteral pharmaceuticals. When assigned to the IV additive section, the incumbent will prepare or assist in the preparation of IV admixtures, piggybacks, and TPN's, ophthalmic preparations, investigational agents, PCA syringes, and epidural solutions. The incumbent is responsible to replenish IV additive section each shift. This includes checking freezer premixed antibiotics, pre-made or ready to use IV solutions, Mini-bag plus items, IV additives, and compounding supplies. Controlled Substances: Fills and dispenses prescriptions for controlled substances for both Inpatient and Outpatient beneficiaries. Incumbent performs controlled substances inventories as required. Incumbent is required to obtain a witness during Pyxis replenishment of controlled substances. The incumbent is required to possess advanced knowledge of principles relating to controlled substances and the requirements of FHCC and Network policy and state and Federal regulations, which apply to these drugs. Chemotherapy: Responsible for preparation and labeling of chemotherapeutic agents. Performs advanced functions including intravenous admixture preparation and distribution of cytotoxic chemotherapy, biosimilar products, and bladder irrigation solutions. The incumbent is expected to maintain a high degree of accurate productivity and performance while being extremely sensitive to the specific contribution to oncology service. Work Schedule: Rotating shifts, days, swings, evenings, weekends, holidays Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Title/Functional Statement #:Pharmacy Technician/PD000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]
About Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration
Providing Health Care for Veterans: The Veterans Health Administration is America’s largest integrated health care system, providing care at 1,255 health care facilities, including 170 medical centers and 1,074 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics), serving 9 million enrolled Veterans each year.
