This position will support the Federal Government's response efforts to COVID-19. Please ensure you review the announcement in its entirety for required skills, documents and eligibility. The incumbent is a specialized pharmacy technician responsible for providing first line support, to include operation, preventive maintenance, and repair for pharmacy automation equipment. The incumbent demonstrates a comprehensive understanding of the operation and capabilities of pharmacy automation. To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 06/06/2022 Basic Requirements for Pharmacy Technician: 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. Loss of Credential: An employee in this occupation who fails to obtain licensure/certification/registration within the required time frame, or who fails to maintain the required licensure/certification/ registration must be removed from the occupation, which may also result in termination of employment. For occupations which require an active credential (licensure/certification/registration) at all grade levels, at the discretion of the appointing official, an employee may be reassigned to another occupation for which he/she qualifies if a placement opportunity exists. For occupations which require an active credential (licensure/certification/registration) in assignments above the full-performance level only, at the discretion of the appointing official, an employee may remain at an appropriate lower grade level in the occupation when both of the following apply: the credential is not a requirement and a placement opportunity exists". Grandfathering Provision: The following is the standard grandfathering policy for all Title 38 hybrid qualification standards. Some of these provisions may not apply to this occupation. Please carefully review the qualification standard to determine the specific education and/or licensure / certification / registration requirements that apply to this occupation. All persons employed in VHA in this occupation on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the title, series and grade held, including positive education and licensure / certification / registration that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation. For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements required in this standard, but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it, the following provisions apply: -Such employees in an occupation that does not require a licensure / certification / registration, may be reassigned, promoted, or demoted within the occupation.-Such employees in an occupation that requires a licensure/certification/registration, may be reassigned, promoted up to and including the full performance (journey) level, or demoted within the occupation, but may not be promoted beyond the journey level or placed in supervisory or managerial positions. -Such employees in an occupation that requires a licensure/certification/registration only at higher grade levels must meet the licensure/certification/registration requirement before they can be promoted to those higher grade levels. -Employees who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed, on a temporary or permanent basis, until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard. -Employees initially grandfathered into this occupation, who subsequently obtain additional education and/or licensure / certification / registration that meet all the basic requirements of this qualification standard must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment in the occupation. -If an employee who was retained in an occupation listed in 38 U.S.C. § 7401(3) under this provision leaves that occupation, the employee loses protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of reentry to the occupation. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019. English Language Proficiency: Pharmacy technicians appointed to direct patient care positions must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Policy. Qualifications: VA HANDBOOK 5005/15, PART II, APPENDIX G28. GS-6 Pharmacy Technician Requirements: Experience: 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 and the potential to acquire the assignment specific KSAs designated by an asterisk (*): GS-6 Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: 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. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-06. ["Although not required, preferred experience, concentration, or a candidate's area of interest: Pharmacy Automation and Operations Inventory Management Major duties include, but are not limited to: Pharmacy Dispensing Prepares and completes prescription orders utilizing either automated dispensing system or manual fill processes. Ensures correct product, correct dispense quantity, and compliance with established labeling guidelines. Performs tasks required for automated replenishment and restocks products and supplies in assigned area. These tasks require regular and recurring physical exertion involving standing for long periods of time, lifting/carrying pharmaceutical supplies weighing up to 50 pounds and bending, stooping, and reaching. Assists with the evaluation of workflow and coordination of automation-related work activities to accomplish daily production goals. Processes pharmaceutical returns according to established local procedures in a timely manner. Works with area leads and inventory management specialists to identify and prioritize processing of aging orders. Assists with inventory cycle counts. Demonstrates or verbalizes understanding of hazardous materials in immediate work area, appropriate handling of hazardous materials, use of suggested Personal Protection Equipment (PPE), proper storage of hazardous waste, and protocol for cleanup/disposal/recycling of hazardous waste. Knows location and proper use of the SDS and Hazardous Drug Lists (NIOSH,RCRA). Automation Support Performs set up, calibration, routine adjustment, cleaning, preventive maintenance and basic repair for pharmacy automation. These tasks require regular and recurring physical exertion involving standing for long periods of time, bending, stooping and reaching as well as the ability to distinguish shades of color and corrected/uncorrected vision sufficient to read Jaeger type 2 at 14 inches. Assists with the evaluation of workflow and coordination of automation-related work activities to accomplish daily production goals. Collaborates with the Product Line and Supervisory Pharmacists to ensure dispensing assignments align with product usage patterns and that dispenser settings are based on the unique characteristics of dispensed medication. Adds and removes inventory from dispensing systems to maintain optimal system throughput and physical/electronic accountability for product. Collects unit performance data through reports provided through the automated system or managers and general knowledge of the system for review by Pharmacy Management. Tests new or upgraded hardware/software for assigned unit to identify concerns related to changes in quality, performance, or safety. Recommends and assists with implementation of approved changes for the improvement of workflow, work methods and work priorities within the automated pharmacy system. Serves as technical advisor and trainer for basic users in the routine operation, calibration and maintenance of automated pharmacy equipment and devices. As front-line equipment operator assists engineering with maintenance of an accurate equipment parts list. As a unit subject matter expert, may be requested to collaborate with external partners (CMOPs, VAMCs, CMOP National Office staff, automation vendor consultants, university students, VISN PBM, etc.) on implementation issues, upgrades, performance improvement and safety related projects associated with pharmacy automation. Other duties as assigned PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:\nWork is performed in a highly mechanized warehouse setting around production machinery with moderate noise and traffic requiring attention to safety. Work areas require exercise of safety precautions when operating or working around the automated equipment (i.e., accumulators, moving belts, etc.) Wearing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is mandatory when handling specific medications. The work requires regular and recurring physical exertion, involving standing for prolonged periods of time, lifting/carrying of pharmaceutical supplies weighing up to 50 lbs. and bending/stooping/reaching. This position requires the ability to distinguish shades of color by color plate test and corrected or uncorrected vision must be sufficient to read Jaeger type 2 at 14 inches to successfully and satisfactorily perform the duties. HAZARDOUS DRUGS:\nThe incumbent may be exposed to hazardous drugs in final dosage form at this workplace, particularly in areas where routine pharmacy tasks, such as handling stock bottles, opening bottles to count tablets or capsules, preparation of prescriptions for dispensing, waste disposal, and spill response are performed. Work Schedule: Monday to Friday, 40 hrs per week based upon the organizational needs.\nPosition Description Title/FS#: Pharmacy Technician - FS #19573A\nCompressed/Flexible Schedule: Not Available\nTelework: Not Available\nVirtual: Not Available"]