This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application. Or, 10% Recruitment Bonus

Duties

The Pharmacy Technician /Pharmacy Intern works in the inpatient or outpatient section of Pharmacy Service, processing, and filling inpatient medication orders and completing outpatient prescriptions at the Albany VA Medical Center. GS-3 Pharmacy Technician At the GS-3 level pharmacy technician/pharmacy interns perform the following functions: The pharmacy student works in the outpatient or inpatient sections of the Pharmacy Service under the supervision of a pharmacist. A. Unit Dose (inpatient) Prepares individual unit dose medications to be dispensed to inpatient areas, fills unit dose carts for patient care and fills automated dispensing cabinets. Ensures all medication is labeled appropriately to include Veteran-specific information, bar code, drug, dose, expiration, and lot number and where necessary auxiliary labels are required. Maintains replenishment of pharmacy medication repackaging automation as required and follows established procedures. B. Ward Stock/Inventory Management Replenishes and maintains pharmaceutical drug items stored in automated dispensing cabinets. Ensures par levels are maintained and drug due to expire are removed in advance of the expiration date. Performs ward inspections for all drug storage areas in the Medical Center. C. Prescription Filling Accurately fills prescription medication and supplies to be checked by a pharmacist for window or mail. Obtains knowledge in operating the ScriptPro dispensing robot, fills, checks, and maintains this equipment. D. Outpatient Pharmacy Window Dispensing The incumbent answers routine customer questions and uses judgment and pharmacy program knowledge when referring problems to a pharmacist Ensures all stock and equipment are in assigned places, shelves and counters are free of dust and debris, and that prescriptions are handled appropriately to create optimal, safe work areas. E. Telephone Triage/Call Center Referrals Appropriately triages customer questions and/or medication problems effectively medication related problems to the most appropriate staff member. Tracks prescriptions through the filling and mailing process to respond to Veteran inquiries regarding specific prescriptions. Miscellaneous Answers questions from pharmacy and non-pharmacy personnel regarding drug distribution. Identifies basic therapeutic problems such as duplicate therapy with drugs in the same class and alerts the pharmacist to possible need for clinical intervention. Uses appropriate judgment using his/her knowledge of pharmacy/Medical Center policies and procedures and refers problems as needed. Assists in other pharmacy technical functions as assigned by the supervisor or pharmacist in charge to maintain consistency of overall pharmacy services. GS-4 Pharmacy Technician At the GS-4 level, Pharmacy Interns perform all of the duties of a GS-3 Pharmacy Intern. A GS-4 Pharmacy Intern with a valid license may perform, under the supervision of a licensed pharmacist, all the functions delegated to pharmacists by law, rule, or regulation as per their pharmacy intern registration. GS-5 Pharmacy Technician At the GS-5 level, Pharmacy technicians perform all of the duties of a GS-3 and GS-04 Pharmacy Technician. A GS-5 Pharmacy Intern with a valid license may perform, under the supervision of a licensed pharmacist, all the functions delegated to pharmacists by law, rule, or regulation as per their pharmacy intern registration. Work Schedule: Full time; various tours with rotations to early morning, evening, night, weekend and holiday shifts. Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 21043A Recruitment Incentives: May be Authorized EDRP Authorized: Contact Christine Paola ([email protected]), the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

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. 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). Grade Determinations: GS-03 Education or Experience. Completion of 1 year of post-high school coursework related to medicine (e.g. chemistry, biology, college mathematics, etc.), or successful completion of a 1 year accredited pharmacy technician training program, or 6 months of general experience, that may have included experience in another medical field (licensed practical nurse, laboratory technology, etc.). In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities 1. Ability to maintain appropriate files. 2. Ability to prepare sterile compounds under supervision. 3. Ability to communicate with patients and other health professions. Assignments. Employees at this grade level serve in a pharmacy technician/aide training level position. GS-04 Education or Experience. Successful completion of 2 years above high school with courses related to pharmacy or pharmacy technology, or 1 year of general experience that may have included experience in another medical field (licensed practical nurse, laboratory technology, etc.) Successful completion of a course for medical technicians, hospital corpsmen, medical service specialists, or hospital training obtained in a training program conducted by the Armed Forces or the U.S. Maritime Service under close medical and professional supervision is creditable on a month-for-month basis for general experience. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities 1. Ability to process and fill prescriptions under supervision. 2. Ability to operate and maintain dispensing equipment. 3. Ability to operate pharmacy information systems. 4. Ability to maintain appropriate files. 5.Ability to prepare sterile compounds under supervision. Assignments. Pharmacy technicians at the GS-4 level perform all duties expected of employees at the GS-3 level; however, they are expected to exercise greater judgment, require less supervision, and to operate in accordance with all established policies, procedures, and techniques. GS-05 Education or Experience. Successful completion of a 4-year course of study above high school leading to a bachelor's degree that included at least 24 semester hours of courses related to pharmacy or pharmacy technology; successful completion of pertinent specialized training courses in pharmaceutical and pharmacy services while serving in the Armed Forces is creditable on a month-for-month basis up to the 1 year of experience required for the GS-5 level; or at least 1 year of experience at the next lower level that demonstrates the core competencies (KSAs) described at the GS-4 level. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities 1. Ability to operate and care for automated dispensing devices and equipment. 2. Knowledge of, and ability to perform, aseptic technique. 3. Knowledge of basic inventory procedures. 4. Knowledge of pharmacy information systems. Assignments. This is the full performance level for pharmacy technicians. Employees at this grade level serve as staff pharmacy technicians receiving little guidance from more experienced staff members for more complex patients and procedures, and require minimal supervision. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Ability to solve problems and make recommendations, e.g., troubleshoot operational problems and refer for appropriate action. Knowledge of the operation and care of automated equipment. Knowledge of, and ability to follow, written instructions for compounding with aseptic technique for hazardous materials such as oncology agents. Knowledge, and ability to perform, compounding with aseptic technique for routine sterile products. Knowledge of policies and procedures for inventory management in specialized areas such as emergency carts. Knowledge of the computerized prescription process demonstrated by the ability to input prescriptions and medication order References: VA Handbook 5005/15; Part II, Appendix G28 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-05. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-03 to GS-05. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019

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.

Contacts

• Address Samuel S Stratton VA Medical Center - Albany 113 Holland Ave Albany, NY 12208 US
• Name: Victoria Anthony
• Email: [email protected]