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Pharmacy Technician

Department of Veterans Affairs
Veterans Health Administration
This job announcement has closed

Summary

OUR MISSION: To fulfill President Lincoln's promise - "To care for him who shall have borne the battle and for his widow, and his orphan" - by serving and honoring the men and women who are America's Veterans. How would you like to become a part of a team providing compassionate care to Veterans?

Overview

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Job canceled
Open & closing dates
10/10/2019 to 10/31/2019
Salary
$39,449 to - $51,289 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 6
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Milwaukee, WI
Telework eligible
No
Travel Required
Not required
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-Time
Service
Excepted
Promotion potential
None
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Other
Drug test
Yes
Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk
Trust determination process
Announcement number
ML-10624825-20-LL
Control number
548372900

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

Current, permanent VA employees of VISN 12.

Duties

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This position is organizationally located in the Pharmacy Division at the Clement J. Zablocki VA Medical Center in Milwaukee, WI. The incumbent performs all duties expected of pharmacy technician employees at lower GS levels; however, they are expected to work on an independent level and to operate in accordance with all established policies, procedures, and techniques. The incumbent possesses advanced technical skills and expertise allowing them to serve as pharmacy trainers for other technician staff. Additionally, they possess the education and experience to exercise judgment and solve problems.

Major Duties:

  • Possesses an advanced technical knowledge of drug and medication generic names/chemical names.
  • Accurately fills outpatient medication requests in a timely manner using appropriate equipment including computer systems, software applications, counting machines and automated dispensing equipment.
  • Understands specific handling considerations, storage, distribution, and disposal of medications.
  • Maintains an exact perpetual inventory of all narcotic and controlled substances. Recognizes and promptly resolves any discrepancies or irregularities in inventory, inventory records, inventory balances, or order. Promptly informs the pharmacy or pharmacy supervisor for follow-up.
  • Prepares and fills all orders and requests for controlled substances, ensuring accuracy and completion of all documentation in accordance with policies and procedures.
  • Adheres to all policies and procedures for handling and dispensing of controlled substances and station policies relating to security, key control, badge access and vault access.
  • Correctly interprets orders, selects and measures appropriate ingredients, mixes ingredients in a safe and effective manner, inspects the final product for accuracy, suitability and elegance, labels the product, maintains records of the manufacturing process and supplies the product for delivery.
  • Serves as a pharmacy representative in support of the Milwaukee Area Technical College externship program. Trains and orientates technician students and provides performance feedback to pharmacy management.
  • Possesses a technical working knowledge of equipment and supplies used in compounding sterile products including but not limited to: laminar flow hoods, admixing pumps, needles, syringes and, various compounding supplies, etc.
Certification by the National Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) is required.

Work Schedule: 3:30pm-12:00am, working every other weekend. Note: training (potentially approximately 6 months) will take place on 1st shift, 7:30am-4:00pm.
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required
Recruitment/Relocation Incentives are not authorized.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job
  • Designated and/or random drug testing may be required
  • Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
  • You may be required to serve a probationary period
  • Subject to a background/security investigation
  • Must be proficient in written and spoken English
  • Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement.

BASIC REQUIREMENTS
U.S. Citizenship: Must be a citizen of the United States. Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.

English Language Proficiency: Must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Handbook 5005, part II, chapter 2, section D, paragraph 5a.

Education or Experience: A high school diploma or equivalent; or at least 3 months experience associated with the scope of Pharmacy Technician practice.

Certification: Certification by the National Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) is required at the GS-6 level and above. A COPY OF YOUR CERTIFICATION MUST BE SUBMITTED WITH YOUR APPLICATION.

In addition to meeting the Basic Requirements listed above, you must meet the following GRADE REQUIREMENTS:

GS-6 GRADE REQUIREMENTS
Specialized Experience: Must have one year of experience equivalent to at least the next lower level (GS-5) that equipped you with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled. You must fully meet the KSAs at the GS-5 level which includes: ability to operate and care for automated dispensing devices and equipment; knowledge of, and ability to perform, aseptic technique; knowledge of basic inventory procedures; and knowledge of pharmacy information systems.
AND
You must demonstrate the following Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
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.

NOTE: You must have a certification by the National Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) to qualify at the GS-6 level. (Copy of certification required)


References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G28 - (Pharmacy Technician Qualification Standard).

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-6.

Physical Requirements: For the most part the incumbent will perform the duties of this assignment in a standing, bending, stooping or sitting position. Some climbing on stools or ladders may be necessary. From time to time it may be necessary to transport moderate to heavy case items (20-60 pounds) to wards, around the medical center, and pharmacy areas to replenish stock.

Education

IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.

Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.

Additional information

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.

VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority.

Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.

If you are unable to apply online view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, résumé, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.

NOTE: The Professional Standards Board (a peer-review group) will review the selected candidate's education and experience and recommend the grade and salary at which the candidate will be placed. For internal selectees eligible for promotion, the board will recommend grade and HR will determine step in accordance with policy.

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.

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