The Safety Clinical Pharmacy Technician works semi-independently to support NCPS operations. Major functions include operation, analytical and evaluative support to NCPS pharmacy staff members. The clinical technician assists the NCPS Pharmacy Workstream in meeting team goals, enhancing processes, and organizing work. 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. 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. 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-7 Experience: One year experience at the next lower level and must fully meet the KSAs at the next lower level. Examples of experience include performing assignments 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. Also, Must fully meet the KSAs at the next lower level. 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. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following technical KSAs and the potential to acquire the assignment specific KSAs designated by an asterisk (*): Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: *1. 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: CPhT Certified with hospital experience References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/15, PART II, APPENDIX G28 Physical Requirements: The work is primarily performed while sitting, though some work may require periods of standing. The regular and recurring work of this position involves sitting at a desk. ["Duties will include: Provides support to the VHA National Patient Safety Program medication safety program: Data-mining of SPOT for medication-related RCAs for pharmacist review and consultation Conducts JPSR searches for medication-related events Pulls various data warehouse reports for medication safety related initiatives Coordinates and schedules meetings with facility safety personnel as requested. Provides support to pharmacist team as it relates to student or resident orientation Serves as an information resource on VHA medical center operating procedures to NCPS staff, responding to all inquiries within the employee's degree of expertise in a professional manner and referring all other inquiries to an appropriate individual. Provides support to the pharmacist work stream in preparation for site visits, large training events and on-site conferences. Maintains the email roster of medication safety program managers and list of POCs for patient safety and medication safety nationally. Maintains the Medication safety SharePoint for the pharmacist work stream. Assists in the revision of policies and procedures relating to the Pharmacy Workstream in NCPS. Provides input to NCPS pharmacists on optimal utilization of both time and materials. Collects, evaluates, and analyzes data to assist NCPS in obtaining short- and long-range objectives/goals. Assists in workstream improvement activities by participating in work groups and continually seeks to improve services. Completes annual mandatory training and education on time and as required. Works closely with the statisticians and the JPSR staff and helps other workstreams with data pulls or projects as requested. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday; 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM Telework: Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]

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