The John J. Pershing VA Medical Center is seeking to fill a full-time Pharmacy Technician for the John J. Pershing VA Medical Center. This position functions in areas of the pharmacy and performs a wide variety of complex technical procedures and is involved in the activities of all areas of the pharmacy on a rotating basis. 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: U.S. Citizenship. Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. English Language Proficiency. Pharmacists must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), and 7407(d). 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. Grade Requirements: (1) Creditable Experience. To be creditable, the experience must have required the use of knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics associated with the scope of pharmacy technician practice. (2) Quality of Experience. To be creditable, pharmacy technician experience must be documented on the application and verified in an employment reference, or through independent means. (3) Part-time Experience. Part-time experience as a pharmacy technician is credited according to its relationship to the full-time workweek. For example, a pharmacy technician would receive 1 week of full-time credit for every 2 weeks of half-time work. Grade Determinations: GS-6 Pharmacy Technician Experience. One year experience at the next lower level (GS-5), and must fully meet the KSAs at the next lower level. The GS-5 KSAs are: 1. Ability to operate and care for automated dispensing devices and equipment. 2. Knowledge of, and ability to perform, aseptic technique. 3. Knowledge of basic inventory procedures. 4. Knowledge of pharmacy information systems. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following technical KSAs and the potential to acquire the assignment specific KSAs. 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. References: VA Handbook 5005 Part II, Appendix G28, Pharmacy Technician Qualification Standards dated March 17, 2006. Physical Requirements: The work requires regular and recurring physical exertion, involves standing for prolonged period, lifting/carrying of pharmaceutical supplies weighting up to 40lbs., pushing and pulling of large medication carts, and bending/stooping. ["VA Careers - Pharmacy: https://youtube.com/embed/Fn_ickNBEws This position is assigned to Pharmacy Service. Incumbent functions in areas which serve inpatient and outpatient pharmacy, specialty clinic and the Community Based Outreach Clinics (CBOCs). Duties include but are not limited to: Unit Dose Medication Management: Performs initial review of medication to be dispensed to inpatient areas, and/ fills pyxis independently for a secondary review by pharmacist and delivers/loads into pyxis on floor. Inventories and replenishes emergency carts for final review by pharmacist Operates and maintains complicated pharmacy equipment such as the TCGRX, Script Pro, Laminar flow hoods, and Pyxis control dispensing units. Responsible for the automatic replenishment of oral, injectable and other medications. Responsible for and to complete monthly ward inspections to ensure approved ward stock drugs are properly stored. Answers questions from pharmacy and non-pharmacy personnel regarding drug distribution Prepares and fills inpatient and outpatient orders and requests for controlled substances, aids in scheduled and non-scheduled inventories, and interacts with CS inspection officials Sterile Product Compounding: Responsible for manufacturing uncomplicated parenteral admixtures to be delivered in the form of large volume, small volume, infusion syringe, other complex pharmaceuticals, etc. This involves interpretation of the physician's order, selecting and measuring appropriate ingredients, mixing ingredients in a safe and effective manner, inspecting the final product for accuracy, suitability and elegance, labeling the product, maintaining records of the manufacturing process, and supplying the product for delivery. Uses either standard protocol or judgment to determine an accurate expiration date for each batch prepared. Follows standardized formulas and procedures in weighing, measuring and mixing bulk and individual quantities of routinely used solutions, ointments, or powders. Uses stock. Ambulatory Care: Prepackages tablets, capsules, liquids and ointments. Courteously receives prescriptions and refill requests from veterans at the outpatient window and over the telephone. Answers most telephone calls. Has the ability to answer routine inquiries from doctors, nurses and other professional staff. Directs more complex questions to the pharmacist on duty. Prefills prescriptions for dispensing by a pharmacist. Sets up prescriptions. Reads prescription, retrieves repackaged, labeled container, or bulk stock container and measures proper amount into a smaller container. Pharmacists performs a final check of the work. Reads individual prescriptions and determines kind, strength and dosage of drug to be dispensed. Obtains correct stock container, counts or pours correct amount of medication, and placing medication in an appropriate sized container. Contents and labels are complete for a final check by the pharmacist. STERILE MANUFACTURING: Requires specialized technical working knowledge of sterile compounding techniques necessary for pharmaceuticals which will be administered by injection to patients. Requires advanced technical working knowledge of hazardous medications and chemicals which can pose a danger or threat to those who prepare, deliver, administer and/or who receive treatment. Knowledge includes appropriate receipt, storage, handling and disposal. Requires the knowledge to prepare complex solutions. Solutions must be prepared exactly as ordered due to their critical functions. Proper sterile technique must be used to ensure the solution is not contaminated and potentially dangerous to the patient. BULK COMPOUNDING: Requires specialized technical working knowledge of compounding techniques, process and protocols for the preparation of solutions, syrups, suppositories, and a wide variety of topical preparations. Receives, checks for accuracy, and puts daily order on shelves 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. 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. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 8AM-430PM WITH OCCASIONAL HOLIDAY AND OCCASIONAL WEEKENDS (OCCASIONAL LATE NIGHTS 9:30AM-6PM) Telework: Position Not Suitable for Telework Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]

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