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Pharmacy Technician (Hiring Fair)

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

Summary

*****The Los Angeles VA Health Care is Seeking Highly Energetic Candidates***** The Pharmacy is located at the Los Angeles VA. They're members of an interdisciplinary team that processes medication orders, controlled substance processing, inventory management, sterile product compounding, and unit dose processing. The inpatient pharmacy provides services 24 hours a day, seven days a week, so the incumbent may work evenings, nights, weekends, holidays, etc.

Overview

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Hiring complete
Open & closing dates
04/26/2023 to 05/24/2023
Salary
$60,958 to - $79,241 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 6
Location
Many vacancies in the following location:
Los Angeles, CA
Remote job
No
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
CBSX-11945624-23-HL
Control number
722189800

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

Open to all US Citizens

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Duties

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*****The Los Angeles VA Health Care is Seeking Highly Energetic Candidates*****

This vacancy is a solicitation for a Hiring Fair Event, which will be on an invite only basis once the position qualifications have been met. If you receive an invitation, you will be required to attend in person on:

  • Date: Saturday, June 10, 2023
  • Time: 8:00 AM. - 3:00 PM.
  • Location of Hiring Event: Greater Los Angeles VA Hospital- (Address and map of hiring fair location will be provided to candidates who have met minimum qualifications for invitation)
You will be notified of your qualifications and if determined to be minimally qualified, you will receive an invitation for interview and MUST RSVP no later than 06/06/2023. Applicants should plan for a long day if selected, as there are several pre-employment stations to clear.

Requirements for Pre-Employment Screening:
  • Fingerprints (Two forms of ID required)
  • Security background
  • Immunizations (Immunization records preferred)
______________________________________________________________________________
Duties include but are not limited to:
  • Performs duties involved in all facets of unit dose drug distribution, in all areas of the inpatient pharmacy.
  • Conducts controlled substance inventories and maintains inventory records. Assures medical center inspectors complete all assignments and notifies area program manager of any delinquent situations.
  • Maintains good workflow patterns to keep outpatient prescription waiting time to an average of 30 minutes or less.
  • Establishes and maintains appropriate ordering intervals and inventory levels based on budget, seasonal variations in drug usage, changing patterns of medical practice, etc. Modifies ordering intervals and inventory levels as needed to ensure proper levels of supplies.
  • Compares interpreted and reviewed prescriptions with self-prepared/prepared typed labels, selects correct medications, counts/measures proper quantities, places in appropriate containers, attaches required labels (including auxiliary labels), and records required dispensing information on prescriptions for clinical pharmacist checking.
  • Initials, dates, and obtains clinical pharmacist countersignature or initials on all documents or labels required, prior to delivering medications.
  • Orders a variety of pharmaceutical products including those provided by the prime vendor or other pharmaceutical supplier. Using the prime vendor data base, determines the most appropriate product to order based on requirements. If an item is unavailable, incumbent communicates with the Manager or designee on equivalent generic substitution, different strength, and/or different bottle sizes.
  • Establishes direct contact with the prime vendor. Responsible for the placement and receipt of drug orders after an assessment of the various contracts available and selection of the most cost effective item.

Work Schedule: Monday thru Friday: 8:00am - 4:30pm; rotating shifts; must be able to work weekends, nights, and holidays; Full-time, part-time (unit specific part time hours range 8 to 72 per pay period), and intermittent/PRN. Assigned schedule corresponds to specific clinic (Some clinics require days, nights, weekends, rotating shifts and holidays).
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 000000
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
  • All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
  • Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
  • Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
  • You may be required to serve a probationary period.
  • Subject to background/security investigation.
  • Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.
  • Must pass pre-employment physical examination.
  • Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
  • Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details.

Qualifications

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.
  • 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). All persons employed in VHA in this occupation on March 17, 2006 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.

Grade Determinations:
GS-06
  • Experience: One year experience at the next lower level, and must fully meet the KSAs at the next lower level.
AND
  • Certification: PTCB certification is required at this grade level and above.
AND

Applicant must meet the knowledge, skills, and abilities listed below
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 5005/15, Part II, Appendix G28The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-06.

Physical Requirements: The work requires regular and recurring physical exertion, involving standing/sitting for prolonged periods of time, lifting/carrying of pharmaceutical supplies weighing up to 50 lbs., and bending/stooping. The work may entail repetitive wrist movement while using various size syringes, vial cap removal, and typing.

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.

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.

Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process.

If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.

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.

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.

The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.

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

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.

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