Clarification from the agency

NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position. For more information, refer to Required Documents below.

Videos

Summary Continued:
As required and assigned, the technician can function in the role of a pharmacy technician completing normal duties related to, assembling medication orders, prescription set ups, non-sterile compounding, mail packaging, dispensing, ordering, stocking, delivering, inventory inspections and distribution.

Duties include but not limited:

Accurate Medication Orders:

• Outpatient medication orders are processed and filled accurately in accordance with all laws, rules, regulations, and policies as observed by the pharmacist and reports of incidents received by the pharmacy supervisor. Filling orders may include the counting, repackaging, reconstituting, measuring, compounding non-sterile products, compounding sterile products, and selecting required medication items, labeling the medication with a barcode if needed, affixing the appropriate auxiliary labels, using automated dispensing machines and documenting these activities per department protocol.
• Potential medication order problems are brought to the attention of the pharmacist for assistance with immediate resolution.
• Proper start up and shut-down procedures are followed to operate pharmacy automation equipment. Data back-up and QA is · performed as scheduled, per policy, to ensure safety and proper functioning of equipment. This is documented daily or as required in hospital policy.
• Stocking medications, rotating stock, reviewing stock for outdated and/or deteriorated medications is performed accurately and within established guidelines as evidenced by supervisor review or reports of incidents received by the supervisor. Outdated and/or deteriorated medications are disposed of according to pharmacy policy with special attention to ensure patient confidentiality is maintained.

Compounded Sterile Products:

• Technician uses complex technical functions .to prepare compounded sterile products (CSP). These functions are performed accurately and thoroughly in accordance with USP 797 guidelines as evidenced by supervisor review and reports of incidents received by the supervisor.
• Maintenance and cleaning activities required by external certification agencies (OSHA, Joint Commission, etc.), and Infection Control monitors are performed thoroughly and consistently, and documentation of completion is logged concurrently.
• Mandatory records, documents, and logs (i.e. chemo logs) are maintained by the technician appropriately and accurately as described in USP 797 and hospital policy. IV Room Quality Assurance programs are actively participated in as necessary and appropriate.
• Current departmental, state and federal laws and regulations, and manufactures' instructions applicable to the compounding CSP are strictly adhered to. Pharmacy CSP or commercially available stock items are not released from pharmacy custody until they are verified and initialed by a Registered Pharmacist.

General Performance:

• Compliance with the Joint Commission, VHA, VA and other program review criteria that govern service is exhibited and documented as evidenced by both internal and external reviews. Employee demonstrates high ethical standards and prevents violations of the law.
• Patient sensitive materials are consistently disposed of in sensitive waste receptacles as required by Federal rules and regulations/HIPAA. Faxes, messages, written orders and other communications are handled appropriately without deviation from the patient confidentiality requirements as evidenced by supervisor observation and reports of incidents to the supervisor.
• Proficiency in the operation of the relevant VISTA computer packages (to include CPRS, Controlled Substance, Outpatient, Inpatient, Progress Note, Hospital Information, Laboratory, Time and Attendance, etc.) is consistently demonstrated as assessed by the supervisor.

VA Careers - Pharmacy: https://youtube.com/embed/Fn_ickNBEws

Work Schedule: Schedule can vary depending on staffing needs. Includes weekends and some holidays
Compressed/Flexible:Not Authorized
Telework: Not Authorized
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 03823-F

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:

• U.S. citizenship. Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
• Education or Training. A high school diploma or equivalent; OR at least three (3) months experience.
• Physical Requirements. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.
• English Language Proficiency. Pharmacy technicians appointed to direct patient care positions must be proficient in both spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), and 7407(d).

Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates:

GS-6 Pharmacy Technician:
A) Experience: One (1) year of progressively responsible assignments and experience equivalent to the GS-5 level which demonstrates knowledge, skills, and abilities that are directly related to the specific assignment and fully meets all of the performance requirements for the GS-5 Pharmacy Technician.
B) In addition to meeting the basic requirements and grade determinations, applicant must demonstrate the following:

• Knowledge of Federal and state laws related to pharmacy practice.
• Knowledge of preparation, storage and distribution of medication products including those requiring special handling and documentation.
• Ability to use pharmacy information systems or operate pharmacy dispensing equipment.
• Knowledge of basic inventory procedures.
• Ability to communicate with patients and staff and direct questions to appropriate personnel.

References: VA Handbook 5005/159, Part II, Appendix G28 Pharmacy Technician Qualifications Standard, dated November 07.2023, http://vaww.va.gov/OHRM/Directives-Handbooks/Documents/5005.pdf

Preferred Criteria:

• Possess recent Pharmacy Technician Outpatient experience within the past year.

NOTE: 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.

Grandfathering Provision: 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. 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 re-appointed, 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.

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.