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Pharmacy Technician - Outpatient (External)

Department of Veterans Affairs
Veterans Health Administration
VA Connecticut Healthcare System
This job announcement has closed

Summary

VA Connecticut Healthcare System is seeking a Pharmacy Technician for Outpatient Pharmacy Service at the Newington Campus.

Overview

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Hiring complete
Open & closing dates
12/28/2021 to 01/12/2022
Salary
$45,423 to - $59,049 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 6
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Newington, CT
Telework eligible
No
Travel Required
Not required
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Excepted
Promotion potential
6
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
CBTD-11328647-22-TG
Control number
628779500

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

Open to all US Citizens. Current permanent employees of the Department of Veterans Affairs should apply under announcement number CBTD-11328648-22-TG.

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Duties

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The Pharmacy Technician will perform routine pharmacy functions under the supervision of a pharmacist. All pharmacy distributive functions are performed in according to Veterans Health Administration (VHA), VA Connecticut Healthcare System, and Pharmacy Service policies and procedures to provide comprehensive pharmaceutical services in a timely fashion to meet the needs of our patients and medical center staff.

Duties include but not limited to:

  • Reviews medications and supplies returned from units and clinics for restock or destruction in a timely manner.
  • Prepares and dispenses all controlled substance orders using VISTA and follows VA policies and DEA rules and regulations.
  • Prioritizes daily tasks based on importance, urgency (e.g. stroke protocol), and pharmacist requests in a timely manner to assure quality patient care.
  • Prepares outpatient prescriptions from a variety of sources (e.g., clinic, ER, discharge) for dispensing.
  • Answer the telephones and answer questions from pharmacy and non-pharmacy personnel regarding drug distribution.
  • Identify basic therapeutic problems and alert the pharmacist to the possible need for clinical intervention.
  • Perform any duties and special projects deemed necessary by the Chief, Pharmacy Service, Pharmacy Supervisors or the pharmacist-in-charge for the proper operation of the Pharmacy Service.
  • Operates, maintains and cleans complicated pharmacy equipment.
  • Assist patients and hospital personnel at the pick-up window(s).
  • Other duties as assigned.
Work Schedule: Full-Time; Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., and occasional 8:30am-5:00pm Saturdays.
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Position Title/Functional Statement #:Pharmacy Technician - Outpatient (External)/PD689-F03495
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

NOTIFICATIONS:
  • This position is a NAGE Bargaining Unit position.
  • This position is covered by locality-based comparability pay.
  • Travel and relocation expenses are not authorized.
  • Selectee may be required to work at any VA Connecticut Healthcare System campus, as needed.
  • This position is in the Excepted Service.
  • Current and former Federal employees must submit copies of their most recent SF-50, (Notice of Personnel Action). The SF-50 must identify the position title, series, grade, step, tenure and type of service (Competitive or Excepted). In some cases, more than one SF-50 may be required to show a higher grade previously held.
  • Narrative responses to the knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs) will be required from the selectee in order to proceed with the appointment.
  • Veterans' preference does not apply for other current permanent Federal agency employees.
  • Incomplete applications will not be considered.

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.
  • 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.
  • 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 Department of Veterans Affairs Personnel.
  • Must pass pre-employment physical examination.
  • May be subject to satisfactory completion of our credentialing process.

Qualifications

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.
Grade Determinations: GS-6 Pharmacy Technician

(1) Minimum Qualifications: Do you have at least one (1) year of experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level (GS-5), which demonstrates the technical knowledge, skills and abilities associated with the duties of the position? (Experience includes, but is not limited to: performing more highly complex duties including preparation of oncology agents for clinical pharmacy specialists; performing complex service and maintenance of automated equipment.)

(2) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, candidates must demonstrate all of the following 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 5005/15, Part II, Appendix G-28. Pharmacy Technician Qualification Standard, GS-661

Physical Requirements: Principle duties require repetitive use of hands and fingers (e.g., preparing prescriptions, use of a computer keyboard, etc.). May require lifting and carrying light loads (up to 44lbs.), including boxes, equipment, medical supplies, stock boxes etc.; stooping or kneeling (e.g., to pick up items from the floor, remove and replace items on lower shelves, and to file documents in lower file drawers, etc.); sitting, walking, or standing for long periods of time (4-8 hours). Ability to operate automation. Normal ranges of hearing and vision are required to perform work and communicate effectively. An ability to perform tasks requiring rapid mental and muscular coordination functions simultaneously is necessary. Must be physically capable of operating various types of equipment used for the job.

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

Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. VA may offer newly-appointed Federal employee's credit for their job-related non-federal experience or active duty uniformed military service. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed.

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.

If you are unable to apply online or need to fax a document you do not have in electronic form, 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.

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.

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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