Careers

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. 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. 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 of 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 in accordance with chapter 2, section D, paragraph 5a, this part. 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). Grade Determinations: GS-6 Experience. One year of experience at the next lower grade level (GS-5) and must fully meet the Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) at the next lower grade level: (1)Ability to operate and care automated dispensing devices and equipment. (2)Knowledge of, and ability to perform aseptic technique. (3) Knowledge of basic inventory procedures. (4) Knowledge of pharmacy information systems. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the requirements above, the candidate must demonstrate the following technical KSAs: Ability to solve problems and make recommendations, e.g., troubleshoot operational problems and refer for appropriate action. Knowledge of the operation and care of automated equipment Knowledge of, and ability to follow, written instructions for compounding with aseptic technique for hazardous materials such as oncology agents. Knowledge, and ability to perform, compounding with aseptic technique for routine sterile products. Knowledge of policies and procedures for inventory management in specialized areas such as emergency carts. 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 Standard dated March 17, 2006. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-6. Physical Requirements: The work involves regular and recurring physical exertion including walking, bending, prolonged standing, stooping, lifting and carrying packages weighing up to 40 pounds. Dexterity is required for the operation of Pharmacy equipment. ["This is an OPEN CONTINOUS ANNOUNCEMENT and will remain open until September 15, 2023. The initial cut-off date for referral of eligible applications will be December 15th, 2022, with subsequent dates every two weeks. Eligible applications will be referred at regular intervals until positions are filled. VA Careers - Pharmacy: https://youtube.com/embed/Fn_ickNBEws The duties of this position are performed in all areas of the Inpatient/Outpatient Pharmacy Section, Tennessee Valley Healthcare System (TVHS), Pharmacy Service. The incumbent is a rotating, generalized pharmacy technician, who, under the authority of the Chief, Pharmacy Service, is directly involved in all aspects of the preparation and dispensing of drug orders and prescription items. Duties include but are not limited to the following: Utilize automation to package unit of use drug doses. Stocks system in a safe and effective manner according to written procedures Inspects final packaged items for accuracy, suitability, and elegance. Inspects final packaged items to assure proper integrity of final product, including number of doses in packages, correct item in package, etc. Assures repackaged dosage forms are labeled according to USP/NF standards Maintains repackaging records that assure all regulatory and review standards are met. Trouble-shoots minor mechanical problems as they occur and coordinates resolution of more involved mechanical or software problems with Biomedical Engineering Service. Appropriately restocks medications in Pyxis cabinets throughout medical center. Maintains confidentiality of access codes and assures that inventory counts are corrected at the time of restocking. Reports discovered discrepancies to immediate area supervisor for resolution. Compounds and/or reconstitutes oral or external medications (non-sterile). This includes calculating and converting to proper weights and measures the amount of drug or solution to be used. Compounds uncomplicated and/or complicated parenteral admixtures to be delivered in the form of large volume, small volume, infusion syringe or other modality as required. Prepares sterile ophthalmic preparations and other complex sterile pharmaceuticals (e.g., cardioplegia solution). Correctly interprets physician orders, selects and measures appropriate ingredients, mixes ingredients in a safe and effective manner, inspects the final product for accuracy, suitability, and elegance, labels the product, maintains records of the manufacturing process and supplies the product for delivery. Uses standard protocols to determine an accurate beyond use date for each compounded preparation. Consistently displays competence with all sterile compounding practices and sterile technique through demonstration and/or actual work performance. Compounds 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. Correctly interprets physician orders, selects and measures appropriate ingredients, mixes ingredients in a safe and effective manner, inspects the final product for accuracy, suitability, and elegance, labels the product, maintains records of the compounding process, and supplies the product for delivery. Communicates directly with patient to ascertain needs, adjustments, etc. As necessary the incumbent will clarify prescriptions as appropriate/possible to meet specific patient care needs. Operates ScriptPro automated prescription filling system to process patient medication orders Undertakes appropriate start-up procedures and assures system is accurately calibrated and standardized. Utilizes inventory replacement scanner to verify canister refill accuracy. Performs routine canister maintenance and calibration to assure all units are fully operational. Completes quality assurance checks according to procedure. Independently completes ScriptPro operation and maintenance activities without secondary supervision. Delivers inpatient and outpatient orders and requests for controlled substances as required. Monitors and analyzes orders and distribution patterns to identify questionable circumstances or unusual trends. Communicates potential problems to supervisors. Work Schedule: Based on the needs of the service (the specific tours of duty will be discussed during the interview). May require overtime work, shift work and/or work on rotating shifts to include evenings, weekends and holidays. Telework: Not Available. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 00000- Inpatient/Outpatient - GS-0661-6 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Authorized for select positions. EDRP Authorized: Contact visn9hredrp@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized. Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]

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