Summary

The Cheyenne VA Health Care System is hiring for one GS-7 Pharmacy Technician.

Qualifications

Applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

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
• For positions above the full performance level - the employee must pass a national certification exam and hold an active national certification through either: PTCB as a CPhT OR NHA as a 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)
• Grade Determinations for GS-7 Pharmacy Technician: (a) Experience: One year experience at the next lower level (GS-6) and must fully meet the Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities (KSAs) at the next lower level
• In addition - the candidate must demonstrate the following technical KSAs
• (b) Demonstrated KSAs: 1
• Potential to acquire the ability to evaluate - analyze workflow - and coordinate work activities
• 2
• Ability to independently gather - evaluate - and analyze data to generate reports and/or for other projects/statistical purposes
• 3
• Knowledge of pharmacy policies and procedures sufficient to train and orient new employees and other staff
• 4
• Comprehensive knowledge of the operation and care of specialized pharmaceutical equipment
• 5
• Comprehensive knowledge of the procurement and formulary process
• 6
• Comprehensive knowledge of investigational drug policies and procedures
• 7
• Comprehensive knowledge of controlled substance policies and procedures - and the ability to identify and investigate discrepancies in these policies and procedures
• 8
• Comprehensive knowledge of - and ability to - analyze data in VA information systems
• Preferred Experience: Outpatient and/or Inpatient experience as a Certified Pharmacy Technician References: VA Handbook 5005 - Part II - Appendix G28 - Pharmacy Technician Qualification Standards The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-7. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019

Duties

• VA Careers - Pharmacy: https://youtube.com/embed/Fn_ickNBEwsTotal-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 Pharmacy technicians at this level are nationally certified and can work autonomously using independent judgement to perform a full range of duties
• These pharmacy technicians mentor and train lower graded pharmacy technicians in the practice setting
• They assist advanced/specialized pharmacy technicians and participate in performance improvement initiatives
• At this level - pharmacy technicians use independent judgement to perform the full range of duties in the pharmacy
• They also function as staff pharmacy technicians in various locations of the pharmacy - including pharmacy contact centers and other non-traditional pharmacy locations - with minimal oversight
• Other duties include - but are not limited to: Accurately interpret - fills - and prepares prescriptions with appropriate medications and or medical supplies for pharmacist verification including controlled substances
• All discrepancies are addressed within a timely manner with clear documentation
• Maintains work areas 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 optional work areas
• Assures drugs and supplies are appropriately stored and secured according to USP and VA guidelines - including the storage of high-risk - look a-like sound a-like - hazardous - controlled substances - corrosive chemical - flammable liquids - and refrigerated items
• Receives - checks - rotates - and places in stock all items received from pharmacy procurement section and identifies and reconciles any discrepancies to assure correct items have been received
• Utilizes automation dispensing equipment available to the pharmacy staff following all safety and QA procedures
• Reports automation malfunctions timely the supervisor as appropriate
• Records expiration dates in the automatic prescription dispensing system upon receipt
• Completes inspection reports in compliance with regulatory requirements
• 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 for final pharmacist verification
• Correctly interprets physician orders - selects - and measures appropriate ingredients - mixes ingredients in a safe and effective manner - inspects the final product for accuracy - labels the product - maintains records of the manufacturing process - and attains a final check by a pharmacist
• Uses standard protocols to determine an accurate expiration date for each compound prepared
• Proficiently operates equipment including but not limited to balance and mixing machines in the routing of manufacturing pharmaceutical products
• Inventories and replenishes emergency trays
• Operates and maintains automated dispensing unit dose systems
• Inspects packaged items for accuracy and suitability before submitting for final check - prior to distribution to hospital areas
• Assures repackaged dosage forms are labeled according to USP and VA standards and attains a final review by a pharmacist
• Maintains repackaging records that assures all regulatory and review standards are met
• Trouble-shoots minor mechanical problems of all automated systems as they occur and coordinates resolution of more involved mechanical or software problems with Supervisor - vendor help desk - ADPAC - etc
• as appropriate
• Work Schedule: Full-time - Monday-Friday - 1:00p.m.-9:00p.m
• Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases
• When setting pay - a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade)
• 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) Functional Statement #: PD59138A