Technicians are to assist pharmacists as needed. Basic Requirements: Citizenship. Citizenship of the United States. (Noncitizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3g, this part.) 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. Certification by the National Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) is required at grades GS-6 and above. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience Preferred Experience: Hospital experience Grade Determinations: One year experience at the next lower level (GS-5), and must fully meet the KSAs at this lower level which are; 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. This can be found in the local Human Resources Office. Physical Requirements: Duties may require sitting, standing, walking, bending, stooping, or kneeling for extended periods of time. Ability to lift/push/pull light loads (carts weighing 40 pounds or more). Ability in an environment that requires rapid mental and muscular coordination. Correctible to within usual range of vision, including the ability to discern color. ["Reads and interprets inpatient and outpatient orders, obtains proper medication or material in the proper strength and dosage form; determines proper amount and counts, pours, or measures the medications; affixes proper label; and records required data on Pharmacy's copy of prescription/order. After a final check by a pharmacist, dispenses medication in ambulatory care, pass or discharge situations. Inventories and replenishes emergency carts. Collects drug use evaluation data for quality improvement purposes as required. Operates complicated pharmacy equipment. 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. Answers questions from pharmacy and non-pharmacy personnel regarding drug distribution. Identifies basic therapeutic problems such as duplicate therapy with drugs in the same class and alerts the pharmacist to the possible need for clinical intervention. Assists in total quality improvement activities by participating in medical center and service process assessment and action teams and continually seeks to improve services. Conducts monthly ward inspection of patient care areas. Monitors inventory needs in patient care areas (ward stock/ automatic replenishment). This includes placing stock in proper storage areas, rotating stock on shelves, and removing/replacing outdated items. Assists in other patient care areas as deemed necessary to maintain the consistency of overall pharmacy services. Assists pharmacist with regularly scheduled inventories and interacts with controlled substance inspection officials. Packages mail prescriptions in the proper containers and follows individual packaging and shipping procedures. Work Schedule: Primarily M-F, weekends and holidays may be required. Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]