This position functions primarily in Pharmacy Service and the outpatient care areas within the Northern California Health Care System: Chico, Martinez, Mather, McClellan, and Redding. 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. 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 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). Preferred Experience: Experience working in a hospital Outpatient setting is preferred. Grade Determinations:GS-7Experience. 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 (*): 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. Assignments. 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. Pharmacy technicians at this grade level may be assigned as a supervisor; lead technician in a particular area of the pharmacy; a controlled substance technician; an investigational drug technician; a procurement/inventory management technician; a clinical pharmacy technician; or similar assignment with this level of complexity. The GS-7 level is for select, complex pharmacy technician positions, as established by each health care facility. To be advanced, employees must meet all of the following standards, provided the standard is part of their assignment. Determinations concerning placement of positions at this grade level shall take into consideration the skill mix and the availability of supervision in the work unit. Although these positions are under the supervision of a pharmacist, employees in such settings successfully and consistently demonstrate the exercise of independent technical judgment (without the need for readily available supervision) as well as comprehensive and thorough working knowledge of the most complex or difficult practices and procedures. Such individuals may also serve as leaders or co-leaders in a Pharmacy Service or for a specific unit or section. References: VA Handbook 5005/15, Part II, Appendix G28, Pharmacy Technician Qualification, GS-661,dated March 17, 2006. This can be found in the local Human Resources Office. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-7. Physical Requirements: Moderate lifting, 15-44 pounds; Use of fingers; Both hands required; Walking (3 hours); Standing (4 hours); Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; Depth perception; Ability to distinguish basic colors; Hearing (aid permitted). ["Functions: Outpatient: Reads and interprets prescriptions, 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 or discharge situations. Possesses proficient clerical skills required for automatic data processing (ADP), prescription information entry, collating prescriptions or refill documents with ADP labels generated, record storage and retrieval. Procurement: Assists with inventory management. Orders inventory needs for outpatient operations; Position may be required to support other sites and/or inpatient and clinical services within Pharmacy on an as needed basis. This also includes placing stock in proper storage areas, rotating stock on shelves, and removing/replacing outdated items. Maintains accountability of daily purchases and coordinates receipt, controls budget ledger, assures consistent delivery schedules are employed and handled in a manner mutually beneficial to Logistics and Pharmacy Service, and appropriately disperses stock into designated storage areas. He/she must be familiar with catalog utilization, updated bulletin applicability, and prime vendor. Processes pharmacy procurement orders utilizing the government issued credit card, following all applicable rules and regulations. Keeps current on contracts, product availability, and prices to identify appropriate sources and ensures most cost-effective products are purchased through the Federal Supply Schedule (FSS). Utilizes the prime vendor to order FSS items, involving direct contact with the prime vendor via computer modem and placement and receipt of drug order after an assessment of the various contracts available and selection of the most cost-effective item. Reviews drug orders on computer screen/printed copy, verifying amount to be ordered and transmitting the order to the prime vendor. Using the prime vendor database, determines the cost differential to purchase from a different manufacturer, as well as the expected due-in date of the unavailable product at the prime vendor. Utilizes knowledge of available contract information and patent right limitations to switch to alternate generic products when available and has working knowledge of drug products. Reviews FDA Reports, Recall Alerts and Notifications to determine if any medications or pharmacy-stocked supplies are in use that require removal. Assists in the drug recall process by informing appropriate personnel, checking for applicable lots, sequestering recalled product as required and returning drugs for replacement and/or credit according to specifications of each recall announcement. Records of recall actions will be maintained. Assists pharmacists in determining high priority or emergency requirements and initiates procurement activity to local wholesale sources. Develops and/or executes of procedures to procure \"special order\" products available only through manufacturer-created specialty programs. Responds promptly to stock outages by making local purchases, arranging for inter-pharmacy transfer of products or prescription labels, use of pharmacist intervention, suggestions for product substitution, and borrowing to ensure that patient care needs are met. Ensures that incoming stock orders are checked for accuracy, that quantity received corresponds to quantity ordered, and that incoming orders are immediately signed for. Performs all the duties of lower graded technicians, as required. Performs any duties and special projects deemed necessary by the Chief, Pharmacy Service, for the proper operation of the Pharmacy Service VA Careers - Pharmacy: https://youtube.com/embed/Fn_ickNBEws Work Schedule: Between 8:30am to 6:00pm Telework: Not Eligible Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]

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