The primary duties of this position are performed in the Pharmacy Compounding of Sterile Products and Chemotherapies. In addition, the incumbent will perform duties related to Controlled Substances Dispensing, Investigational Drugs Research, Cardholder, and all other routine activities performed by pharmacy technician at the VA Pharmacy Department of the Community Base Outpatient Clinic (CBOC).

Duties

Major duties: Requires mastery of aseptic technique used in the preparation of pharmaceuticals for parenteral administration: advanced technical working knowledge of various administration: advanced technical working knowledge of various administration routes for various parenteral pharmaceuticals and the special preparations considerations that must be taken into account in their preparation, handling, storage distribution and disposal. Working knowledge of equipment and supplies used in the preparation of intravenous admixtures including but not limited to horizontal laminar flow hoods , admixing pumps, needles, syringes, various drug reservoirs, etc. Specialized knowledge regarding chemical and physical compatibilities is essential for the proper preparation of parenteral pharmaceuticals. The advanced technical working knowledge required for intravenous admixtures, require an advanced technical knowledge of hazards of cytotoxic chemotherapeutic agents, including but not limited to the dangers posed to those who prepare, deliver, administer and/or receive treatment with these agents; equipment and supplies used in the preparation of cytotoxic chemotherapy including but not limited to vertical laminar flow hoods and personal protective equipment, admixing pumps, needles, syringes, various drug reservoirs, etc. and advance knowledge of specialized techniques and procedures required for safe handling of cytotoxic agents such as negative pressure technique, hazardous waste disposal, and cytotoxic spill response. Requires advanced knowledge of principles relating to controlled substances and the requirements of Medical Center and Network policy and state and Federal regulations, which apply to these drugs. Knowledge of trending and analysis is necessary to ensure that problems associated with waste, fraud, diversion or abuse are identified quickly and reported to appropriate supervisor (s). Knowledge related to the dispensing, receiving, storing, prepacking, inventorying and reports concerning controlled substances. Must possess the ability to train other fellow co-workers. Assist Pharmacist and Physicians by maintaining investigational drug information. Maintains adequate inventory of investigational drugs, assuring that orders are placed to replenish supplies as necessary. Manages stock to assure that expired drugs are not dispensed, and that drugs not longer needed (because of expiration date, end of study.etc.) are disposed in accordance with the VACHS and FDA guidelines. Registers, stores, packages, labels and prepares drugs as necessary for dispensing. Responsible for the compounding and ensuring the accurate compounding of complex sterile and non-sterile Investigational formulations. Processing batch refill prescription ordering for mail-out processing and ultimate fulfillment of patient requests. Interacts personally with patients or their representatives to assure medication profiles are updated, reviewed, and needed prescriptions items or prosthetics supplies are appropriately processed. Processing medication orders directly for pharmacist check. Compounding and/or reconstitutes oral or external medications (non-sterile) without a second review. This includes calculating and converting to proper weights and measures the amount of drug or solution to be used. Reviews orders for technical accuracy and converts the order, if necessary, so that item dispensed corresponds to the drug and dose order. Purchase card holder and complies with all the acquisition regulations, Federal, VA and local to include mandatory sources/contracting hierarchy, the Javis Wagner O 'Day Act, and all socioeconomic (small businesses) categories. Work Schedule: Monday to Friday 7:30am-4:00pm Compressed/Flexible:Not Available Telework: Not eligible for Telework Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 00000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized 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. Loss of Credential: An employee in this occupation who fails to obtain licensure/certification/registration within the required time frame, or who fails to maintain the required licensure/certification/registration must be removed from the occupation, which may also result in termination of employment. For occupations which require an active credential (licensure/certification/registration) at all grade levels, at the discretion of the appointing official, an employee may be reassigned to another occupation for which he/she qualifies if a placement opportunity exists. For occupations which require an active credential (licensure/certification/registration) in assignments above the full-performance level only, at the discretion of the appointing official, an employee may remain at an appropriate lower grade level in the occupation when both of the following apply: the credential is not a requirement and a placement opportunity exists." 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, this part. 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-07) Experience. One year experience at or equivalent to the next lower level, (GS-6) and must fully meet the KSAs at the next lower level, which include, but are not limited to; 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 orders. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following technical KSAs *1. Ability to evaluate, analyze workflow, and coordinate work activities. 2. Ability to independently gather, evaluate, and analyze data to generate reports and/or for other projects/statistical purposes. 3. Knowledge of pharmacy policies and procedures sufficient to train and orient new employees and other staff 4. Comprehensive knowledge of the operation and care of specialized pharmaceutical equipment. 5. Comprehensive knowledge of the procurement and formulary process. 6. Comprehensive knowledge of investigational drug policies and procedures. 7. Comprehensive knowledge of controlled substance policies and procedures, and the ability to identify and investigate discrepancies in these policies and procedures. 8. Comprehensive knowledge of, and ability to, analyze data in VA information systems Preferred Experience: Advanced knowledge on parenteral pharmaceuticals preparations. Advanced knowledge on hazardous agents. Knowledges on controlled substances dispensing, receiving, storing, inventorying with knowledges on policies and regulations. Knowledges on procurement and purchase activities. Selective Placement Factor: Must be proficient in spoken and written Spanish. References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/15 PART II APPENDIX G28 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-7. Physical Requirements: Moderate lifting(15-44 pounds), use of fingers, standing, specific visual requirement, and depth perception.

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 San Juan VA Medical Center 10 Calle Casia San Juan, PR 00921 US
• Name: Mireya Rodriguez-Perez
• Phone: 787-221-2542
• Email: [email protected]