Clarification from the agency

NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position. For more information, refer to Required Documents below. This position is only open to current /internal Birmingham Pharmacy Service employees.

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Duties for this pharmacy technician position includes but is not limited:

• Accurately interpret, fills, and prepares prescriptions with appropriate medications and or medical supplies for pharmacist verification.
• Assures drugs and supplies are appropriately stored and secured according to USP and VA guidelines, including the storage of high-risk, look a-like sound a-like, hazardous, controlled substances, corrosive chemical, flammable liquids, and refrigerated items.
• Receives, checks, rotates, and places in stock all items received from pharmacy procurement section and identifies and reconciles any discrepancies to assure correct items have been received.
• Utilizes automation dispensing equipment available to the pharmacy staff following all safety and QA procedures. Reports automation malfunctions timely to the supervisor as appropriate.
• Compounds and/or reconstitutes oral or external medications (non-sterile). This includes calculating and converting to proper weights and measures the amount of drug or solution to be used for final pharmacist verification.
• Proficiently operates equipment including but not limited to balances and mixing machines in the routing of manufacturing pharmaceutical products.
• Completes all National, VISN, local, and Pharmacy mandatory trainings in a timely manner.
• Provides technical customer service over the phone or in-person related to Veterans medications needs.
• Assists in unloading and stocking medications, fluids, supplies in appropriate pharmacy inventory and ward stock areas within a reasonable time after receiving and regularly rotates stock.
• May be assigned to work in other areas of pharmacy service as deemed necessary by the Chief, Pharmacy Service or Supervisor.
• Appropriately assigns and prints label for completed prescriptions notating if it's window, mail, UPS, refrigerated or non-refrigerated item.
• Packages prescriptions appropriately, as to ensure that packages are not damaged within transit (i.e., bubble wrap, ice blocks, insulated containers, etc.).
• Performs a review of medications prepared by another pharmacy employee to be dispensed to hospital areas.
• Performs a complete inventory and documents an inspection of assigned hospital areas for medication storage. Removes all expired and deteriorated drugs from the automated dispensing stations, stocks shelves, and the unit dose automated dispensing systems.
• Follow USP 797/800 Guidelines for the compounding of all sterile preparations, including ophthalmic, cardioplegic, TPN, hazardous, large & small volume IV solutions, PCAs, etc. Manufactures uncomplicated and/or complicated parenteral admixtures to be delivered in the form of large volume, small volume, infusion syringe or other as required.
• Provide support functions in the absence of the controlled substance technician by being able to accurately interpret, prepare, fill, and dispense controlled substances according to policies and procedures for pharmacist verification.
• Properly stores all pharmaceuticals, taking special precautions in handling of hazardous or perishable materials.
• Completes audits to ensure ward inspections are completed timely and accurately.
• Works closely with the reverse distribution vendor during site visits. This includes preparing non-controlled medications for schedule site visits, and remaining with the vendor to assist with the documentation and paperwork.
• Assist the GEMS coordinator with the non-hazardous medication not take by the reverse distribution vendor.
• Reconcile reports and completes audits to ensure processes and procedures are being followed.
• Serves as the primary POC for maintenance for the assigned system to include the following responsibilities but are not limited to: scheduled cleaning and maintenance checks, ability to trouble shoot and resolve mechanical problems for assigned systems.

Work Schedule: 8 hour shifts between 6:00am and 6:00pm, with rotating weekends, holidays, evening and night hours.
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 60072F
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized.
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized.

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.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Must pass pre-employment medical evaluation.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.

• your performance and conduct;
• the needs and interests of the agency;
• whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
• whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Qualifications

Basic Requirements:

• United States Citizenship: Must be a United States Citizen. Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
• Education or Experience. (1) None required. (2) For all grade levels and positions that accept both education and experience to qualify, equivalent combinations of qualifying education and experience that total at least 100% are qualifying. The combined percentage is determined by adding total qualifying experience as a percentage of the experience required for the grade level to the education as a percentage of the education required for the grade level.
• Certification. For positions above the full performance level GS-06, the employee must pass a national certification exam and hold an active national certification through either:
  • 1) Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB), Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT) OR
  • 2) National Healthcareer Association (NHA), Certified Pharmacy Technician (ExCPT).

1. Experience. Candidates must possess one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level- GS-06.
2. Certification. For positions above the full performance level, the employee must pass a national certification exam and hold an active national certification through either: PTCB as a CPhT or NHA as a ExCPT.
3. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:
   • Knowledge of pharmacy technician principles, practices, concepts and theories providing for sound independent work.
   • Knowledge of the computerized prescription process and input of prescriptions and medication orders or electronic equivalent.
   • Ability to resolve pharmacy/medication issues with other members of the healthcare team, Veterans and external customers.
   • Ability to train developmental pharmacy technicians and students.
   • Ability to dispense medication or sterile products following all regulations, policies and procedures to ensure safe medication distribution.
   • Ability to troubleshoot automated dispensing equipment (ADE) or technology platforms/databases.

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, resume, 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.