The Salem VA Medical Center Pharmacy processes and delivers unit dose and IV medications to support the inpatient and clinic functions of the medical center. The Salem VAMC needs an experienced Inpatient Pharmacy Technician to work independently and under direction of a Pharmacist to provide inpatient pharmacy services to our Veterans, and prepare all the inpatient medications needed for patients each day and delivers to the respective floors.

Duties

DUTIES: the major duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to: Serves as a direct assistant to the pharmacist, requiring performance of duties with an understanding of the workflow, the pharmacy routine, and the responsibilities of the pharmacy programs. Demonstrates the ability to carry out the instructions as given by a pharmacist. As deemed necessary by the pharmacy supervisor, assists in other patient care areas to maintain the consistency of overall pharmacy services. However, primary assignments of work schedule and tours would involve inpatient pharmacy services. Inpatient services may include such areas as aseptic admixture preparation including cytoxic agents, automatic and Omnicell stock replenishment, maintenance and operation of automated prepackaging storage and dispensing equipment, and properly packaging with documentation of single unit of use medications. Knowledgeable on pharmacy policy and Medical Center Memorandums and must be able to follow them. Knowledgeable on pharmacy production reports and how to interpret them for comparison to individual production. Receives and reviews pharmacy dispensing orders for accuracy of information, duplication, and authorization for dispensing in order to process. Functions as first-line telephone contact for nursing units, nurses, and providers. Addresses telephone requests in a timely and courteous fashion. Prepackages medication in unit of use or unit dose packaging utilizing automatic equipment in an efficient and timely manner; properly labels, pre-packs and completes quality control records. Provides technical support for the unit dose medication program. Performs all bar-coding functions necessary to support the BCMA program without secondary pharmacist check. Has pharmacist check and sign affixed barcode label for verification of accuracy when item has no barcode Prepares inpatient drug orders including all medicinal dosage forms such as chemotherapy, intravenous admixtures, oral solids, etc., according to established procedures and protocols. Has thorough understanding of code box and refill procedures. Inventories and replenishes code boxes . Coordinates and assists students, volunteers, and other staff members in various areas of job related duties and responsibilities. Has thorough knowledge of the operation and basic daily maintenance and trouble shooting of all automated equipment in the inpatient pharmacy. Fills ward/Omnicell orders for a variety of drugs including tablets, capsules, liquids, injections, etc. for wards and clinics without secondary review. Compounds and/or reconstitutes oral or external medications (non-sterile). Answers routine inquiries from providers and nurses regarding drug distribution, availability of specific drugs or supplies in the pharmacy, i.e., drugs in stock, drugs on order, dosage forms, etc. Work Schedule: Rotating days, evenings, weekends & holidays Compressed/Flexible:Not Available Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required VA Careers - Pharmacy: https://youtube.com/embed/Fn_ickNBEws

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: National Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB). 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-6 Pharmacy Technician (a) Experience. One year experience at the next lower level (GS-5), and must fully meet the KSAs at the next lower level (GS-5). 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 (b) Certification. PTCB certification is required at this grade level and above. (c)Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. Candidates must demonstrate the KSAs 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. (d) Assignments. Pharmacy technicians may be assigned to any area of the pharmacy including expanded distributive function assignments; for example assignment as team leaders for specific process improvement teams involving technical areas or performing more highly complex duties including preparation of oncology agents for clinical pharmacy specialists. For all assignments above the full performance level, the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope, complexity (difficulty), and range of variety, and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time. References: VA Handbook 5005/15, Part II, Appendix G28 The full performance level of this vacancy is 6. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of 6 Physical Requirements: This position physical demands are standing, reaching, bending, stretching, walking, and carrying light loads of supplies.

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 Salem VA Medical Center 1970 Roanoke Boulevard Salem, VA 24153 US
• Name: Kera Madden
• Phone: 540-982-2463 X2770
• Email: [email protected]